Delta Air Lines rescinds some changes to Sky Club access and loyalty program

delta airlines wednesday lifted some of the broad restrictions imposed In response to customer complaints, the company has lowered the threshold for gaining access to popular airport lounges and elite status.

Last month, Delta Air Lines announced for the first time that it would be changing its loyalty program to be based solely on customer spending, significantly restricting Sky Club admission for customers with certain American Express credit cards. .

Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in late September that the company’s changes had gone “too far.” Delta Air Lines is grappling with how to deal with the swarms of elite frequent fliers and high-cost credit card holders that have caused long lines and crowds at clubs.

“I read hundreds of emails, and the one that was most clear to me was how much you love Delta Air Lines,” he said in an email to customers announcing the program tweaks. “Many people are disappointed in the importance of the changes.” on wednesday. “We appreciate your input and understand your disappointment. Your voice matters and we are listening.”

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, airlines are encouraging frequent flyers to return in droves after making big purchases and earning points card miles even when they’re not traveling. We are working on ways to best reward travelers.

Airlines and credit card companies are racing to build bigger lounges to accommodate more people.

“Everyone has Premier status, and we would never create a situation where no one could receive the appropriate level of Premier benefits,” United Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocera said on an earnings call Wednesday. I strongly believe that there is no such thing,” he said at an earnings conference on Wednesday.

Delta CEO Bastian said access to the airline’s airport lounges is a top concern for customers, many of whom have unlimited access to Sky Clubs through their credit cards.

Starting February 1, 2025, cardholders of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express cards will be able to use SkyClub up to 15 times per year, up from the planned limit of 10 times per year. . Another change is that the cardholder will have unlimited access to her all day long. For example, a traveler can visit lounges in several cities, or in one day he can visit twice.

You can also purchase a Sky Club day pass for $50 per day once you’ve used up your days.

Starting in February 2025, American Express Platinum cardholders will be limited to six uses per year, but this will increase to ten.

However, Delta SkyMiles Platinum cardholders will continue to lose their card’s automatic access to SkyClub next year. This is a change Delta announced last month. Customers can enter by purchasing a membership or meeting the spending criteria for elite status in the loyalty program.

Bastian said another customer concern is how to access elite frequent flyer status, which comes with early boarding benefits and supplemental upgrades to vacation credits.

Delta Air Lines announced last month that it would reward customers based on the amount they spend with Delta or co-branded credit cards, a model similar to one used by some American Airlines carriers. That hasn’t changed, but Delta is lowering the spending requirements to earn status tiers.

Every dollar spent on Delta is worth one Medallion Qualifying Dollar, but credit cardholders can also earn fractional MQDs when they spend on their card.

Changes to status requirements for Medallion Eligible Dollars are as follows:

• Silver Medallion Status: 6,000 to 5,000 MQD
• Gold Medallion Status: 12,000 to 10,000 MQD
• Platinum Medallion Status: 18,000 to 15,000 MQD
• Diamond Medallion Status: 35,000 to 28,000 MQD

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