Delta CEO Admits Going 'Too Far' With SkyMiles Changes, Walks Back Controversial Program Overhaul

Delta CEO says the airline "probably went too far" in overhauling its SkyMiles program and lounge access policy.
Bastian says changes will be coming in the next few weeks to walk back some of the controversial updates.
The changes were originally intended to better serve elite status holders, but backfired.
Delta's relationship with American Express is a major moneymaker, bringing in almost $7 billion this year.
Other airlines like Alaska and JetBlue trying to lure angry Delta customers, but have minimal presence in Delta's MSP hub.

cbsnews.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/13/2023

Delta Overhauls Medallion Status Program, Making It Harder to Earn Top Elite Tiers

Delta Air Lines is making significant changes to its SkyMiles program, including retiring Medallion Qualifying Miles and Medallion Qualifying Segments and focusing on a redefined version of Medallion Qualifying Dollars, as well as raising the thresholds for achieving Medallion elite status, leaving many flyers unhappy.

9/13/2023

Delta Overhauls Frequent Flyer Program, Raises Requirements for Elite Status and Lounge Access

Delta Air Lines is changing the way customers can earn elite frequent flyer status and making it harder for many American Express cardholders to access its airport lounges, as airlines raise requirements to earn status based on customer spending rather than just flights.

9/28/2023

Delta Backtracks on SkyMiles Restrictions After Customer Backlash

Delta Air Lines CEO, Ed Bastian, admitted that the airline "probably went too far" in restricting access to its SkyMiles reward program and lounges and plans to relax some of the restrictions in the coming weeks.

9/28/2023

Delta Faces Customer Revolt Over SkyMiles Changes That Make Elite Status Harder to Earn

Delta Air Lines will modify its SkyMiles frequent flier program after receiving negative feedback for changes that made it harder for customers to benefit from loyalty perks, according to CEO Ed Bastian.

10/18/2023

Delta Partially Rolls Back SkyMiles Changes After Customer Backlash, But Spending Requirements Still Increase

Delta Air Lines is making revisions to its frequent-flyer program, SkyMiles, to address customer dissatisfaction, but the changes will still prioritize big spenders over frequent flyers.

10/19/2023

Delta Lowers SkyMiles Elite Status Requirements After Backlash Over Planned Changes

Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastian has announced new details regarding changes to the SkyMiles loyalty program, including lower requirements for earning elite status, additional lounge access passes for select credit card holders, and a conversion option for Rollover MQMs.

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Posted 9/28/2023, 7:49:00 PM

Delta CEO Admits Going 'Too Far' With SkyMiles Changes, Walks Back Controversial Program Overhaul

Delta CEO says the airline "probably went too far" in overhauling its SkyMiles program and lounge access policy.
Bastian says changes will be coming in the next few weeks to walk back some of the controversial updates.
The changes were originally intended to better serve elite status holders, but backfired.
Delta's relationship with American Express is a major moneymaker, bringing in almost $7 billion this year.
Other airlines like Alaska and JetBlue trying to lure angry Delta customers, but have minimal presence in Delta's MSP hub.

cbsnews.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/13/2023

Delta Overhauls Medallion Status Program, Making It Harder to Earn Top Elite Tiers

9/13/2023

Delta Overhauls Frequent Flyer Program, Raises Requirements for Elite Status and Lounge Access

9/28/2023

Delta Backtracks on SkyMiles Restrictions After Customer Backlash

9/28/2023

Delta Faces Customer Revolt Over SkyMiles Changes That Make Elite Status Harder to Earn

10/18/2023

Delta Partially Rolls Back SkyMiles Changes After Customer Backlash, But Spending Requirements Still Increase

Delta Air Lines is making revisions to its frequent-flyer program, SkyMiles, to address customer dissatisfaction, but the changes will still prioritize big spenders over frequent flyers.

10/19/2023

Delta Lowers SkyMiles Elite Status Requirements After Backlash Over Planned Changes