Delta Skymiles are changing starting in January! [MERGED]

[simpsontruckdriver]

Delta Skymiles are focusing more on spending, but there is some devaluation for big spenders.

TS

 

[Carolinian]

Delta Skymiles are focusing more on spending, but there is some devaluation for big spenders.

TS,

Since all the airline mergers, that has happened with all of the ff programs. They are now frequent buyer rather than frequent flyer programs. AAdvantage was the last real ff program until USAirways took over AA and put it on the same frequent buyer path. Spending of miles has also been significantly devalued.

For several decades I was a mid-tier elite ff program member, started as a Delta Gold Medallion. DL was the first airline to start devaluing its program, which drove me to NW Worldperks, where I was also gold level. When DL took over NW, I comped over to CO as a gold elite, and with their merger with UA was pulled briefly into that program until I did a challenge to AAdvantage. When US Airways took over AA, I just threw up my hands and have flown convenience and price ever since. I got rid of my mile earning cards and switched to cash back cards. FF programs today are a pale ghost of what they used to be. Of the five airlines in which I have been a mid tier elite, I like NW Worldperks the best, with DL SkyMiles the way it was set up when I joined second. DL, however, has led what some over at Flyer Talk call "the race to the bottom".

 

[joestein]

Since all the airline mergers, that has happened with all of the ff programs. They are now frequent buyer rather than frequent flyer programs. AAdvantage was the last real ff program until USAirways took over AA and put it on the same frequent buyer path. Spending of miles has also been significantly devalued.

For several decades I was a mid-tier elite ff program member, started as a Delta Gold Medallion. DL was the first airline to start devaluing its program, which drove me to NW Worldperks, where I was also gold level. When DL took over NW, I comped over to CO as a gold elite, and with their merger with UA was pulled briefly into that program until I did a challenge to AAdvantage. When US Airways took over AA, I just threw up my hands and have flown convenience and price ever since. I got rid of my mile earning cards and switched to cash back cards. FF programs today are a pale ghost of what they used to be. Of the five airlines in which I have been a mid tier elite, I like NW Worldperks the best, with DL SkyMiles the way it was set up when I joined second. DL, however, has led what some over at Flyer Talk call "the race to the bottom".

I miss Continental. They were the best. Since United took them over, the combined airline was never the same.

 

[x3 skier]

Glad I used up most of my 2,500,000 miles long ago, mostly for Biz Class to Europe on Delta and AA. Currently using SWA mostly and they seem to be somewhat reasonable with both earning and using miles. Best deal lately has been going to Mexico in a couple weeks with my Girlfriend for $11.20 using the Companion Pass and Miles.

 

[Carolinian]

I miss Continental. They were the best. Since United took them over, the combined airline was never the same.

I agree that CO was a good program until UA took them over. I was mid tier elite on CO when that happened, and it did not take much experience with UA for me to ask the AA program for a "challenge" to move my status there. AA was also a good program until US took them over. At that point, I threw up my hands and said to heck with ff programs.

One of the reasons I liked NW best was that I almost always got first class upgrades on the domestic segments I flew. NW's DC9 had the largest first class cabin of an aircraft on domestic routes, so that greatly improved the odds. My percentage on DL had been less than 20%.

 

[elaine]

Delta to Europe for 2024 is ridiculous! 66,000-100,000+ for economy one way tickets. I paid 35K for 2023. But, Japan-LAX was 30K in economy for this spring--go figure?!

 

[bnoble]

This just hit my inbox.

Short version: Earn 1-1 per dollar spend on Delta's site directly for flights, hotels, cars, vacations. Earn $0.05 or $0.10 per dollar spend on the Delta Plat or Delta Reserve card, respectively. Thresholds are:

• Silver Medallion: $6,000 MQDs
• Gold Medallion: $12,000 MQDs
• Platinum Medallion: $18,000 MQDs
• Diamond Medallion: $35,000 MQDs

No rollover of "leftovers" between your level and the next tier. This appears to make it substantially harder to qualify, which is a good thing if you qualify I suppose.

2024 SkyMiles Program Updates | Delta Air Lines

Learn about Delta's 2024 SkyMiles® Program changes including how to earn SkyMiles Medallion Status, Delta Sky Club access, MQD Boost, Rollover MQMs and more.

www.delta.com

They are also cutting back (substantially) on SkyClub access. In particular, unbranded AmEx Plats and Delta Reserve no longer have unlimited access unless they hit a $75K/yr spend target. Again--good if you have access some other way, as this is likely to cut down on the crowds in the lounge.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Since all the airline mergers, that has happened with all of the ff programs. They are now frequent buyer rather than frequent flyer programs. AAdvantage was the last real ff program until USAirways took over AA and put it on the same frequent buyer path. Spending of miles has also been significantly devalued.

For several decades I was a mid-tier elite ff program member, started as a Delta Gold Medallion. DL was the first airline to start devaluing its program, which drove me to NW Worldperks, where I was also gold level. When DL took over NW, I comped over to CO as a gold elite, and with their merger with UA was pulled briefly into that program until I did a challenge to AAdvantage. When US Airways took over AA, I just threw up my hands and have flown convenience and price ever since. I got rid of my mile earning cards and switched to cash back cards. FF programs today are a pale ghost of what they used to be. Of the five airlines in which I have been a mid tier elite, I like NW Worldperks the best, with DL SkyMiles the way it was set up when I joined second. DL, however, has led what some over at Flyer Talk call "the race to the bottom".

On the West coast, Alaska has been using their FF program to differentiate themselves from Delta. Alaska has made no indication of moving away from air miles as the base for the program. Within the OneWorld Alliance, Alaska is generally perceived as having the best program. And when Alaska joined OneWorld, they put up some fences around their program to stop OneWorld members from dumping their miles into the Alaska program unless meet minimum requirements for miles flown on Alaska metal. The scuttlebutt out here was that the other OneWorld members insisted on those restrictions because they didn't want their elite flyers decamping to Alaska's program.

 

[x3 skier]

Just booked two Business Class tix on KLM from AMS to ORD for 113000 miles total. Almost like the good old days

Now to continue my search for a way to get to LHR. Current plan is IcelandicAir to KEF with a couple of days stopover. No transfer from AMEX possible there so I may have spend real money. anybody else allow stopovers from ORD?

 

[curitiba_tapley]

As someone who flies nearly every week on Delta for just under 15 years, I welcome some of these changes. I have long complained about status being tied to miles flown since there have been many times over the years, where total miles flown have been low compared the fare paid; and then to compare that to those who fly back and forth from the East Coast to West Coast for essential the same fare. My guess my high fare, short trips are more profitable to the company than the coast to coast at the same fare. So giving status based on dollars spent can be a good thing for the traveler.

My opinion of the Delta lounges varies - always pros and cons. If I lose access to the clubs I don't think I'll cry too much. The food is so/so and are often crowded. Don't misunderstand, the main lounge at DTW and LGA are very nice.

 

[Superchief]

I received an email regarding program changes. I noticed that Delta Skymiles Platinum American Express card members will no longer have Sky Club access starting 1/1/2024. I wonder if the Sky Club benefit of the Platinum American Express card will also be impacted.

I am a lifetime Silver on Delta by being a million miler. I no longer fly enough to earn additional status, but enjoy the preferred seating access and free luggage of this silver status. I have similar status on United due to Marriott Titanium. I haven't gotten a first class upgrade for a few years, but recently got one on United on a CVG-DEN flight.

 

[bnoble]

I wonder if the Sky Club benefit of the Platinum American Express card will also be impacted.

Yes. We go from unlimited visits to 6/year. That might be enough to convince me to drop the card. I got it immediately after 9/11 when we had to arrive at the airport obscenely early because security was such an unknown. It was a good run. The card is more expensive than the Chase Sapphire, but no longer provides much value add vs. that card.

And I think @curitiba_tapley is right on the money: These changes cull the herd significantly, focusing on the most profitable customers for perks. I am *this close* to million-miler, and will make a point of getting over that hump quickly.

 

[x3 skier]

Another thread

Delta Skymiles are changing starting in January! [MERGED]

Delta Skymiles are focusing more on spending, but there is some devaluation for big spenders. TS

tugbbs.com

 

[dioxide45]

Another thread

Delta Skymiles are changing starting in January! [MERGED]

Delta Skymiles are focusing more on spending, but there is some devaluation for big spenders. TS

tugbbs.com

At least this thread was started in the correct forum. The Lounge seems to be a dumping ground for a lot of stuff that shouldn't be there.

 

[bnoble]

I put the lounge on ignore years ago.

 

[x3 skier]

Well written reason to more or less ignore FF Programs.

Delta’s SkyMiles changes have convinced me to stop chasing airline status, and that’s liberating - The Points Guy

Delta Air Lines announced major changes to its SkyMiles frequent flyer program, which will make it harder for many passengers to reach Medallion elite status. It’s finally convinced me to stop chasing airline status and be a free agent.

thepointsguy.com

 

[x3 skier]

Well written article about ignoring FF Programs

Delta’s SkyMiles changes have convinced me to stop chasing airline status, and that’s liberating - The Points Guy

Delta Air Lines announced major changes to its SkyMiles frequent flyer program, which will make it harder for many passengers to reach Medallion elite status. It’s finally convinced me to stop chasing airline status and be a free agent.

thepointsguy.com

 

[bnoble]

That's been my conclusion as well. When I was clocking 40-70K actual air miles per year for business, it made more sense, especially as a Delta (and before that, Northwest) hub captive. But I don't fly for work anymore, and won't unless I get some new job that requires travel. Even as a leisure traveler, I could pretty much guarantee mid-tier status most years by working angles. But, those days are definitely gone. Even hitting $6K/year in spend for the lowest tier will be a challenge.

I don't begrudge Delta this--they should have been doing this years ago, because I am definitely not one of their more profitable customers. But, the gravy train has ended.

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

Personally, I have the Delta SkyMiles Platinum and the Hilton Aspire card, I only vacation once a year (gotta love corporations that only give 1 week after 12 months), so the chances of me getting higher SkyMiles status is zero. But, I still get lots of miles/points just by using them.

TS

 

[Carolinian]

Well written article about ignoring FF Programs

Delta’s SkyMiles changes have convinced me to stop chasing airline status, and that’s liberating - The Points Guy

Delta Air Lines announced major changes to its SkyMiles frequent flyer program, which will make it harder for many passengers to reach Medallion elite status. It’s finally convinced me to stop chasing airline status and be a free agent.

thepointsguy.com

In their heyday, the ff programs were great. Not so any more. Mergers were a driver of the race to the bottom, beginning with the merger of KLM and Air France. The resulting Flying Blue ff program was a pale shadow of either KLM's FLying Dutchmen or AF's Frequence Plus. The US airline mergers trashed the ff programs here, but that one was the warning shot.

 

[winger]

Glad I used up most of my 2,500,000 miles long ago, mostly for Biz Class to Europe on Delta and AA. Currently using SWA mostly and they seem to be somewhat reasonable with both earning and using miles. Best deal lately has been going to Mexico in a couple weeks with my Girlfriend for $11.20 using the Companion Pass and Miles.

Don't forget the taxes charged on the return

 

[x3 skier]

Don't forget the taxes charged on the return

That was $635 for 2. So a Non Stop 787-10 on KLM AMS to ORD was basically ~$320 each. Even get a new Dutch house for my collection (I hope)

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

I have had the SkyMiles Platinum for almost a year, never used the lounges. I am actually OK with ending the lounge benefit, Amex SkyMiles cardholders always complained that the lounges were full. By taking away the automatic lounge benefit except for certain fliers, that should make the lounges less crowded.

TS

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

Alaska Airlines is doing a status-match for SkyMiles members!

TS

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

UPDATE: It looks like Delta Airlines CEO is going to tweak (aka backtrack) the changes before they start.

TS