Delta Updates SkyMiles Medallion Program Qualifications
Medallion level earning to focus on providing high value customers an even more exclusive SkyMiles Medallion program experience
Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) took another step in its commitment to high value customers today by unveiling new SkyMiles Medallion status requirements for customers who reside in the United States.
Customers will be introduced to Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs), a minimum spend level required to qualify for status in the 2015 Medallion program based on the price of tickets purchased. This is in addition to the Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) or Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs) already used to determine the various status levels of the SkyMiles Medallion program.
The move follows an industry trend of rewarding customers based on dollars spent and will be effective on January 1, 2014 for the following Medallion program year and will not affect customers in 2013. The changes will ensure that customers who have earned Medallion status – through both flying and dollars spent – reap the rewards of the Delta SkyMiles Medallion program.
“These changes are a result of considerable research that we’ve conducted including conversations with hundreds of customers, many of whom expressed a desire to see the Medallion program truly target our best customers,” said Jeff Robertson, vice president – SkyMiles. “Adding a revenue component to the SkyMiles Medallion program ensures that our most valued customers receive the best program benefits and a more exclusive experience.”
Customers with a U.S. Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express will have the new MQDs requirement waived each year they make $25,000 in eligible purchases using their card.
Beginning 2014, customers will be able to track their progress toward their Medallion status with the recently introduced My SkyMiles dashboard on the new delta.com. Delta recently completed the first part of a $140 million investment in technology improvements to delta.com, kiosks and its Fly Delta app.
Delta is currently the only airline that offers program benefits such as unlimited complimentary domestic upgrades including award tickets, no mileage expiration, an industry-leading Diamond Medallion published tier and rollover MQMs.
Today’s announcements are the latest in Delta’s previously announced plan to invest more than $3 billion in enhanced global products, services and airport facilities through 2013. In addition to updating the SkyMiles program, Delta is also adding more First Class seats and in-seat entertainment to its domestic product offering; has added Economy Comfort to the domestic fleet; is installing flat-bed seats on its entire international widebody fleet; adding personal, in-seat entertainment for both BusinessElite and Economy class customers on all long-haul international flights; has added in-flight Wi-Fi service to all domestic aircraft, including two-class regional jets, with international aircraft scheduled to be complete by 2015; and building new terminal facilities for international customers at its two largest global gateways – Atlanta and New York-JFK.
Now in its 32nd year, SkyMiles is one of the longest-running and most successful loyalty programs in the travel industry. Delta offers many ways to redeem frequent flyer miles, including airline tickets on Delta and 28 partner airlines, mileage upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays and Delta Sky Club memberships, and is the only airline with miles that don’t expire. SkyMiles was named “Best Domestic Frequent Flyer program” by readers of Executive Traveler magazine and also received two Freddie Awards for “Best Promotion for Redemption” and “Best Loyalty Credit Card” for Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express in 2012.