Delta Overhauls SkyMiles Rewards Program, Restricts Lounge Access and Makes It Harder to Earn Elite Status

Delta restricting SkyClub lounge access for most American Express cardholders starting in 2025
Requiring more Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) to earn elite status starting in 2024
Making it harder to earn MQDs through everyday Amex card purchases starting in 2024
Basing Medallion elite status solely on MQDs instead of miles flown starting in 2024
Increasing MQD requirements for all Medallion tiers starting in 2024

freep.com

Relevant topic timeline:

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.

9/16/2023

Delta Announces Major Network Expansion for Summer 2024 with New Routes and More Flights

Delta Air Lines is adding three new routes to their summer 2024 schedule, including Atlanta to Fresno and Santa Barbara and Dallas to Seattle-Tacoma, while also increasing flight frequencies and extending year-round service to popular destinations.

9/16/2023

Delta tightens SkyMiles rewards, faces customer backlash

Delta has announced major changes to its SkyMiles elite status program, increasing the requirements for earning status and limiting lounge access for credit card holders, and consumer movements are attempting to reverse these changes, although the airline's financial strength and leverage make it unlikely to change course unless it sees reduced spend on its co-brand card portfolio.

9/27/2023

Delta CEO Backtracks on Controversial SkyMiles Changes After Member Backlash

Delta CEO Ed Bastian acknowledged that the changes made to the airline's frequent flyer program, SkyMiles, "probably went too far," and that modifications will be implemented to address customer concerns.

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.

Topics

Posted 9/15/2023, 5:18:13 PM

Delta Overhauls SkyMiles Rewards Program, Restricts Lounge Access and Makes It Harder to Earn Elite Status

Delta restricting SkyClub lounge access for most American Express cardholders starting in 2025
Requiring more Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) to earn elite status starting in 2024
Making it harder to earn MQDs through everyday Amex card purchases starting in 2024
Basing Medallion elite status solely on MQDs instead of miles flown starting in 2024
Increasing MQD requirements for all Medallion tiers starting in 2024

freep.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/13/2023

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

9/16/2023

Delta Announces Major Network Expansion for Summer 2024 with New Routes and More Flights

9/16/2023

Delta tightens SkyMiles rewards, faces customer backlash

9/27/2023

Delta CEO Backtracks on Controversial SkyMiles Changes After Member Backlash

9/28/2023

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