Delta Air Lines is rolling back some broad and unpopular changes to its SkyMiles loyalty program, reducing requirements for various status levels and increasing access to airport lounges. But the shift to using cash rather than airline miles when calculating rewards remains.
Delta Air Lines promises redo after announcement extensive reforms On September 14, it triggered a large number of customer complaints. Two weeks later, Chief Executive Ed Bastian admitted, “There’s no doubt we may have gone too far.”
in a e-mail “I appreciate your input and understand your frustration,” Bastian told loyal members on Wednesday, adding, however, that the latest changes “do not address all disappointments.”
Delta is reducing the amount of medal qualification required to qualify for Silver from $6,000 to $5,000; Gold status will cost $10,000 instead of $12,000; Platinum price will increase from $18,000 to $15,000; Diamond price will be $28,000 dollars instead of $35,000.
American Express said in a statement that starting Feb. 1, holders of certain credit cards will receive a “head start” of $2,500 in Medallion qualifying dollars per card type to help them reach Silver in the 2025 program year. Half of card eligibility.
The airline has also relaxed some restrictions on its Sky Club airport lounges. Beginning February 1, 2025, Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express card holders will receive 15 days of club access per year Expiration, the previous number of visits was 10 times. Switching to being counted by days rather than visits means members can access clubs in multiple cities within a 24-hour period without having their access reduced like under the Access tab.
Delta said customers with American Express Platinum and Business Platinum cards will receive 10 days of free access per year, instead of the previous six. Effective January 1, 2024, Delta SkyMiles Platinum and American Express Business Platinum members, as well as Business Class members (regardless of card type) will no longer have club membership.
Cardmembers can purchase club access for $50 per day after all designated days have been used. What remains unchanged is that members will receive unlimited Sky Club membership after spending $75,000 on eligible cards in a calendar year.
Delta is also offering new options for members with high Medal Qualifying Miles to roll over their balances under the new system and upgraded rewards for passengers who have traveled more than one million miles.
Beginning January 1, fares, amounts spent on Delta credit cards co-branded with American Express and other cards associated with SkyMiles accounts will be used to calculate rewards. Delta currently awards mileage points based on ticket price, number of non-basic economy flights and credit card purchases.
The initial shift in plans was prompted by a surge in higher-status memberships when airlines allowed people to carry over status and miles even if they weren’t flying during the pandemic. Bastian said this nearly doubled the number of Diamond Medal holders to the highest level.
He said the resulting growth in demand for quality products and services “far exceeds” Delta’s capabilities and assets. For example, airline Sky Club lounges were overcrowded and long queues formed outside the entrances to some airports.
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