Delta recently made some changes to SkyClub access and a simplified rewards program. The changes were so poorly received that it was announced that they would be adjusted and those adjustments have now been announced. Changes are as follows:
- Delta SkyClub access changes:
- American Express Delta Reserve Card Members will now receive 15 days per year (up from 10 visits)
- American Express Platinum cardholders will now receive 10 days per year (up from 6 visits)
- All visits made in a 24-hour period will count as one day
- Access purchasable for $50 after the free visits are used
- MQD required to earn status reduced:
- Silver Medallion Status: from 6,000 to 5,000 MQDs
- Gold Medallion Status: from 12,000 to 10,000 MQDs
- Platinum Medallion Status: from 18,000 to 15,000 MQDs
- Diamond Medallion Status: from 35,000 to 28,000 MQDs
- MQD headstart for cardholders (one for each card type):
- American Express Delta Platinum/Reserve Card will receive $2,500 MQD towards status each year
- Million milers receive enhanced complimentary status:
- 6 million miles or more earns Delta 360o™ (previously Diamond Medallion)
- 5 million miles earns Delta 360o™ (previously Platinum Medallion)
- 4 million miles earns Diamond Medallion (previously Platinum Medallion)
- 3 million miles earns Diamond Medallion (previously Gold Medallion)
- 2 million miles earns Platinum Medallion (previously Gold Medallion)
- 1 million miles earns Gold Medallion (previously Silver Medallion)
- New choice benefits
- Re-introducing the Delta Sky Club Individual Membership for Diamond Medallion Members, in exchange for two Choice Benefit selections
- Increased amount of bonus miles: 35,000 for Diamond Medallion Members and 30,000 for Platinum Medallion Members
- Increasing Delta travel voucher to $350 for Diamond Medallion Members and $300 for Platinum Medallion Members
- A new Wheels Up statement flight credit
Our Verdict
The change from visits to day will be a big one for a lot of travelers, it’s nice to see increased number of days as well. I stopped caring about status with airlines a long time ago and I’m thankful I did, for those that are still on the road (or in the air I should say) a lot it’s nice to see some of these changes rolled back. Now let’s see what negative changes Delta decides to sneak in next year.
Is it possible to earn Gold status without a single flight by having a personal and business Amex Delta Platinum & Reserve. 4 cards @ 2,500 MQD each equals 10K MQD
I’m just so done with chasing status and all these caveats and limitations on lounge access further limits my desire to have any loyalty. I’m flying coach domestic and then paying points or cash to upgrade, maybe, on whatever flight by whatever carrier I like.
There’s no chance of hitting meaningful status concentrating economy spending at this point and at this point that’s just freeing.
Can the lounge passes be used for other people or are they only for the cardholder?
This is just like the gaming industry for online mmo games. Release a huge amount of shit changes in anticipation of community backlash and then act like the good guys rolling back SOME of those changes so the shit changes still look better but at the end of the day they got you to accept the shit changes…and you know what, it works. The playerbase still rewards those companies, plays their games, and gives them money.
This is no different. You pay for programs with shit changes and you accept them like a good little bitch when what you should do is just cut off their revenue streams and cancel those cards.
Ten 24-hour periods for SkyClub access is much more palatable and is likely to keep me renewing my Amex Plat rather than switch to the United Club Infinite card.
where was the choice benefit stuff written? I only got the ceo email
They aren’t rolling back anything. Just implementing the changes more slowly to ease everyone in.
Am I the only one that feels that the 2500 MQD bonus on cards is huge? Depending on how the rules shake out, that’s auto silver status for $500 or EASYILY-attainable status for $250. Not free, but way easier than in the past.
What’s missing in all that pontificating by Fast Eddie? An apology for the damage that’s been done….
We downgraded to the Delta Business Platinum, and I intend on getting the Alaska Business Card too. I may go for Silver status since there is now an MQD boost, at 1.5X, but no longer have interest in spending for Platinum Status.