After last month’s changes to its SkyMiles to Delta Air Lines’ customer loyalty program drew negative reactions, the carrier said it’s modifying the new requirements for attaining elite status and lounge access privileges.
Just weeks after the original announcement was made, CEO Ed Bastian wrote in an email to SkyMiles members that the airline is revising its Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) requirements, following recent consumer backlash.
Delta will reduce the previously announced parameters laid out for earning elite status, add more lounge access passes for select credit card holders and introduce a new Rollover MQM (Medallion Qualification Miles) conversion option.
Delta had initially proposed massive increases in MQD requirements for the 2025 status year. For instance, the Diamond Medallion MQD requirement was set to increase from $20,000 for 2024 to $35,000 for 2025. MQD earnings are based on the amount frequent flyers spend on their flights before taxes.
MQD Minimums
While the conditions for earning elite status in 2025 remain more restrictive than for the 2024 status year, these adjustments are significant and will make it more attainable, especially when combined with credit card spending. Delta's credit card holders will also benefit from these changes, with certain cards earning $1 MQD per $20 spent, starting next year.
However, the airline remains steadfast in its decision to use MQD as the sole criterion for earning elite status. Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQM) and Medallion Qualifying Segments (MQS) metrics will still be retired. Members will be also able to earn MQDs when purchasing vacation packages, and booking rental cars and hotels through Delta starting in 2024.
The new MQD requirements for the 2025 status year are as follows:
- Silver Medallion: Reduced from $6,000 to $5,000 MQDs.
- Gold Medallion: Reduced from $12,000 to $10,000 MQDs.
- Platinum Medallion: Reduced from $18,000 to $15,000 MQDs.
- Diamond Medallion: Reduced from $35,000 to $28,000 MQDs.
PHOTO: Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian. (photo via Delta Air Lines Media)
Lounge Access
Delta is addressing concerns about reduced lounge access for select credit card holders. Last month, the airline announced changes that would affect Sky Club airport lounge access for Delta Reserve, Delta Business Reserve, Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum cardholders are allotted annually, starting in 2025.
But, now, it’s softening the blow by increasing the number of lounge passes cardholders and extending the validity of passes to cover a 24-hour period. Delta Reserve and Delta Business Reserve cardholders will receive 15 day passes to Sky Clubs per year, up from the initially announced 10. Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum cardholders will now get 10 passes annually, rather than the original six, a spokesperson confirmed to CNN.
MQM Rollover
In September, Delta revealed its plan to allow Medallion elite passengers to convert any MQMs they have left over at year’s end to either SkyMiles or MQDs. That’s still the plan, but the airline has also added a second option for customers, who can use surplus MQMs to extend their current status another year at a cost of 100,000 MQMs.
This extension can even be repeated, allowing passengers to prolong their status for multiple years. Additionally, passengers can choose to convert a portion of their Rollover MQM to redeemable miles and part to status extensions. Or, members can split up their balance to use toward both options.
Million Milers
What’s more, Delta is introducing lifetime elite status to its Million Miler members who accumulate one million miles with the airline. These upgrades will go into effect in February 2024 and will align the Million Miler status with the Medallion elite status tiers.
New Million Miler lifetime status levels:
- 6 million: Delta 360°, previously Diamond Medallion.
- 5 million: Delta 360°, previously Platinum Medallion.
- 4 million: Diamond Medallion, previously Platinum Medallion.
- 3 million: Diamond Medallion, previously Gold Medallion.
- 2 million: Platinum Medallion, previously Gold Medallion.
- 1 million: Gold Medallion, previously Silver Medallion.
Further details on every aspect of the SkyMiles frequent flyer program’s upcoming revamp can be found here.
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