The New Delta SkyMiles: Focusing on Customer Spending

Delta Air Lines is making significant changes to its SkyMiles loyalty program, set to go into effect in 2024 for the 2025 status year. These changes are designed to simplify the program by eliminating requirements for Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) and Medallion Qualifying Segments (MQSs), focusing solely on Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs).

Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) are calculated based on how much customers spend on Delta flights, eligible partner tickets, select Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards, car rentals, hotel stays, and Delta Vacations experiences. Customers will need to earn a specific amount of MQDs to qualify for one of the four Medallion tiers: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.

Delta’s aim with these changes is to reward customers who frequently choose Delta and spend more on the airline and its partners. However, some frequent flyers have expressed dissatisfaction with the new program, feeling that it devalues their loyalty and makes it more challenging to achieve elite status. They also criticize Delta for raising the MQD thresholds for each tier and removing certain benefits, such as the MQD waiver and Status Boost, from its co-branded credit cards.

In addition to the changes in the loyalty program, Delta is revising its Sky Club access policies, set to take effect in 2024. The airline is discontinuing the Sky Club membership option for SkyMiles Platinum and Platinum Business American Express Card members and increasing the prices for individual and executive memberships. Delta states that these changes are necessary to maintain the quality and exclusivity of its lounges.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, news.delta.com, thepointsguy.com