Delta Announces Updates to Loyalty Program and Lounge Access Following Backlash

Alison Fox
·3 min read
24

The airline has responded to criticism of recent changes to its loyalty program with newly-announced updates to customers.

<p>Chris Rank/Courtesy of Delta Airlines</p>

Chris Rank/Courtesy of Delta Airlines

Delta Air Lines revealed a highly-anticipated revamp to its loyalty program on Wednesday, following swift backlash over previously-announced changes.

The carrier, which in September announced that it'll be harder to earn status in 2024, confirmed to Travel + Leisure on Wednesday that it has walked back its initial changes after the airline eliminated Medallion Qualification Segments (MQS) and Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) — and increased its spending thresholds for Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs).

“I have read hundreds of your emails, and what’s been most clear to me is how much you love Delta and the disappointment many of you felt by the significance of the changes,” Bastian wrote in an email to customers shared with T+L. “I appreciate your opinions and understand your disappointment. Your voice matters, and we are listening.”

Now, Delta will reduce the number of MQDs travelers need to spend to reach different medallion status levels, increase the number of times eligible credit card holders can access the Delta Sky Club, and introduce new “choice benefits,” which include an MQD accelerator for Diamond and Platinum Medallion members.

Travelers earn MQDs when they purchase a Delta or Delta-partner flight, book a hotel, a car rental, or a Delta Vacations trip directly through the airline's website. Travelers can also earn MQDs with a Delta credit card, but earn fewer per dollar spent.

Going forward, travelers will now have to earn fewer MQDs than previously announced to reach each status level. Travelers will now have to earn:

  • 5,000 MQDs for Silver Medallion status, down from 6,000 MQDs

  • 10,000 MQDs for Gold status, down from 12,000 MQDs

  • 15,000 MQDs for Platinum status, down from 18,000 MQDs

  • 28,000 MQDs for Diamond status, down from 35,000 MQDs

In addition, Delta will make it slightly easier to enter its Delta Sky Club airport lounges after initially announcing plans to limit access in 2025 for travelers with a Delta SkyMiles Reserve card, Reserve Business card, or American Express Platinum card.

Now, starting Feb. 1, 2025, American Express Platinum cardholders will be allowed to use the lounge 10 times per year, up from the previously-announced 6. Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express card members will be allowed to use the lounge 15 days per year, an increase from the previously-announced 10 annual visits.

Card members who spend $75,000 on an eligible card in a calendar year will then earn unlimited lounge access, and Medallion Members will have the option to purchase an annual individual Delta Sky Club membership for $695.

Card members will also be able to purchase access for $50 per day after using all allotted days. All visits in a 24-hour period will count as one day.

The airline will also introduce new choice benefits, including an MQD accelerator offering  Platinum Medallion members $1,000 and Diamond Medallion members $2,000, and a new Wheels Up flight credit. Delta will also presenting select passengers with the ability to special multi-year options to roll over their MQMs.

This isn’t the first time Delta made it harder to earn loyalty status with the airline (it increased the thresholds last year as well), but the backlash this time led to  competitors like Alaska Airlines and JetBlue agreeing to match status levels for Delta customers.

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.