Delta's Efforts to Soften Impact of SkyMiles and SkyClub Changes

Delta Air Lines is attempting to ease the impact of its recent negative changes to the SkyMiles loyalty program and Sky Club access policies.

Last month, Delta made a LOT of people angry by announcing significant changes, including imposing limits on the annual visits permitted for co-branded Delta American Express credit card holders at the Sky Club and making it significantly harder to attain Medallion status. The negative response to the news was palpable, spreading across Twitter and other social media channels like wildfire.

Yesterday, Delta announced some revisions to their plans. This announcement won’t placate all of the angry travelers but it does show that Delta is trying. Here are the changes to Medallion requirements now, versus what they were:

Delta SkyClub Access Changes

• American Express Delta Reserve cardholders will now receive 15 days per year (up from 10 visits)
• American Express Platinum cardholders will now receive 10 days per year (up from 6 visits)

All visits made in a 24-hour period will count as one day now:

Visit includes all access to the Sky Club within a 24-hour period after your first check-in at any Delta Sky Club. This includes your departure city, connecting airports and arrival at your destination. If you are traveling on a same-day roundtrip, and use the Delta Sky Club for both your outbound and return flights, that would be included within a single Visit.

After the free visits are used, cardholders can purchase additional passes for $50 each.

Changes to Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) Headstart for cardholders (one for each card type)

• American Express Delta Platinum/Reserve Card will receive $2,500 MQD towards status each year

Million Milers receive enhanced complimentary status

• 6 million miles or more earns Delta 360° (previously Diamond Medallion)
• 5 million miles earns Delta 360°Membership (previously Platinum Medallion)
• 4 million miles earn Diamond Medallion (previously Platinum Medallion)
• 3 million miles earn Diamond Medallion (previously Gold Medallion)
• 2 million miles earn Platinum Medallion (previously Gold Medallion)
• 1 million miles earn Gold Medallion (previously Silver Medallion)

New choice benefits - available for selection beginning February 1, 2024

• Re-introducing the Delta Sky Club Individual Membership for Diamond Medallion Members, in exchange for two Choice Benefit selections
• Increased amount of bonus miles: 35,000 for Diamond Medallion Members and 30,000 for Platinum Medallion Members
• Increasing Delta travel voucher to $350 for Diamond Medallion Members and $300 for Platinum Medallion Members
• A new Wheels Up statement flight credit (more on Wheels Up from Upgraded Points blog post)

Final Thoughts

Delta is not completely reversing its big changes announced in early September. Still, these updates to the initial announcement move in the right direction to rebuild the trust that was lost with Delta customers.

Delta official statement here.