Delta Cuts MQD Earnings on Many Partner Fares, Devaluing Elite Status for Loyal Fliers

Delta is reducing the number of Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) earned on over 30% of partner airline fares starting in 2024. This will make it harder to earn elite status.
The MQD cuts disproportionately impact Delta's core partners like Aeromexico and Air France. Popular "MQD runs" will earn fewer MQDs.
No partner fare class has decreased by more than 10% in MQD earnings, but it's still a significant devaluation overall.
Delta may walk back some of the changes after admitting they overdid the updates. Frequent flyers hope MQD rates go back to original levels.
The changes impact earning elite status, not redeemable miles. Mileage earning rates on partners are unchanged.

thepointsguy.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 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.

10/18/2023

Delta Announces Updates to 2025 Medallion Program with Lower MQD Requirements, More Lounge Access, New Status Conversion Options, and Upgraded Million Miler Tiers

Delta has made several tweaks to its elite status and lounge access changes, including lowering Medallion Qualifying Dollar requirements, adding more lounge passes for select credit card holders, and introducing a new Rollover MQM conversion option, making it easier for frequent flyers to earn or maintain status.

10/19/2023

Delta Backtracks on Frequent Flyer Changes After Customer Backlash

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian announced that the company is making changes to its frequent flyer program, including making it easier for loyalty members to reach Medallion status and increasing club access for certain customers, in response to customer backlash over recent changes to the program.

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.

Topics

Posted 9/29/2023, 4:41:04 PM

Delta Cuts MQD Earnings on Many Partner Fares, Devaluing Elite Status for Loyal Fliers

Delta is reducing the number of Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) earned on over 30% of partner airline fares starting in 2024. This will make it harder to earn elite status.
The MQD cuts disproportionately impact Delta's core partners like Aeromexico and Air France. Popular "MQD runs" will earn fewer MQDs.
No partner fare class has decreased by more than 10% in MQD earnings, but it's still a significant devaluation overall.
Delta may walk back some of the changes after admitting they overdid the updates. Frequent flyers hope MQD rates go back to original levels.
The changes impact earning elite status, not redeemable miles. Mileage earning rates on partners are unchanged.

thepointsguy.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/13/2023

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

9/16/2023

Delta tightens SkyMiles rewards, faces customer backlash

9/27/2023

Delta CEO Backtracks on Controversial SkyMiles Changes After Member Backlash

10/18/2023

Delta Announces Updates to 2025 Medallion Program with Lower MQD Requirements, More Lounge Access, New Status Conversion Options, and Upgraded Million Miler Tiers

10/19/2023

Delta Backtracks on Frequent Flyer Changes After Customer Backlash

10/19/2023

Delta Lowers SkyMiles Elite Status Requirements After Backlash Over Planned Changes