Delta tightens SkyMiles rewards, faces customer backlash

Delta announced major negative changes to SkyMiles elite status and lounge access requirements.
There are consumer campaigns to get Delta to reverse the changes, and similar efforts worked previously in early 2000s.
Airlines are stronger now post-pandemic with government aid and high demand, so Delta has more leverage vs customers.
Past consumer campaigns got airlines to reverse negative program changes when airlines were weaker.
Delta may only reverse course if they see reduced spending on their co-branded credit cards affecting revenue.

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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.

9/14/2023

The Diminishing Returns of Airline Elite Status

The writer discusses their decision to give up their elite airline statuses due to the decreasing benefits of status, difficulty in earning it, and the increasing focus of airlines on other revenue streams such as credit card partnerships and hotel affiliations.

9/14/2023

Delta Overhauls SkyMiles Program, Angering Loyal Customers with Higher Spending Requirements for Elite Status

Delta Air Lines is facing backlash from loyal travelers after announcing changes to its SkyMiles Program, which will make it harder to achieve elite status based on flight spending only.

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 9/16/2023, 8:04:39 PM

Delta tightens SkyMiles rewards, faces customer backlash

Delta announced major negative changes to SkyMiles elite status and lounge access requirements.
There are consumer campaigns to get Delta to reverse the changes, and similar efforts worked previously in early 2000s.
Airlines are stronger now post-pandemic with government aid and high demand, so Delta has more leverage vs customers.
Past consumer campaigns got airlines to reverse negative program changes when airlines were weaker.
Delta may only reverse course if they see reduced spending on their co-branded credit cards affecting revenue.

viewfromthewing.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/13/2023

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

9/14/2023

The Diminishing Returns of Airline Elite Status

9/14/2023

Delta Overhauls SkyMiles Program, Angering Loyal Customers with Higher Spending Requirements for Elite Status

Delta Air Lines is facing backlash from loyal travelers after announcing changes to its SkyMiles Program, which will make it harder to achieve elite status based on flight spending only.

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