HUGE Changes to The Delta Air Lines Medallion Program
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ก.ค. 2024
- The day as finally come. Delta Air Lines has announced some drastic changes on how to achieve Medallion status. Here, tell my story as a current Diamond Medallion and what this means to me.
#aviation #skymileslife #deltaairlines #delta #travel
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They tried so hard to spin it as a better change, but people see right through them
Go fly spirit. That is where you belong
I fly several times a year with different airlines, including Delta of course. Whatever you decide, I will keep watching your channel. You produce excellent and informative videos. Keep up the excellent work. God bless you.
Thank you so much (as always)!
I'm with you Peter, as a Delta loyalist and silver medallion member. I'm extremely disappointed with the news. Honestly, United has been making a push towards customer satisfaction, I travel out of my way to fly on a Delta aircraft. My nearest airport PHl which is a American hub and i travel up to LGA and JFK for Delta. As a brand Delta is showing zero appreciation for there frequent flyers. i'm really questioning if it makes sense to continue to give Delta my money.
It’s a tough situation Delta has put us in!
Recent changes to all the loyalty programs has moved me to free agency. Status just isn't worth chasing anymore IMO. Thanks for the info + great video!
That’s the new state of flying. Thanks for watching!
Excellent video. Thanks for the heads up. I had been a Diamond Medallion until COVID ended my weekly commute between ATL and SJU. I am also a 2 Million Miler. It is quite understandable that Delta is looking to further separate the wheat from the chaff. In my humble opinion they had suffered from a bit of Status Inflation as reflected in their overcrowding issues in the Sky Clubs.
You are quite right that many of us will be reassessing our loyalty to Delta, but they are making the proper business decision. As Richard Anderson used to say, they are intent on identifying their money-making customers and focusing on them. I wonder what will happen to Diamond 360.
Thanks for the great videos.
Are they?!? They’re right now making more money from their Sky Miles/Amex deals than ticket costs- if people bail on those, how will that benefit their bottom line?!?
I would say they are making a big mistake on the rollover MQMs. I'll have 60,000 in January, which will transition into 3,000 MQDs. I'm going to go from 80% towards platinum status, to 5% towards silver, with a 4 month notice? They need to phase this new program in while keeping customer good will. All of our extra credit card spending has been received at 100% normal revenue on their end, but they're none the less changing the deal to 5 cents on the dollar.
@@mattthrun-nowicki8641I wonder if there is something going on with Amex like when Costco changed from Amex to Visa
Thank you!
I made silver medallion so easily in 2021 and Gold in 2022 for 2023. I really enjoy the Sky Priority for all flights and higher miles multiplier. I’m grateful to have been able to reach status 3 years in a row, but airlines have to take steps to maintain the balance of experience in the Skyclub and for medallion perks. People fly more than ever and need to adjust accordingly. Great video, new subscriber.
Thank you! Welcome aboard!
Peter - first off, complete the million mile level thing. While it may not offer you the high level of perks that it had in the past, that may change. Besides, it’s still something.
Second, let go thinking in terms of the medallion level thing and focus instead on actual aspects of how you fly, what you do when you fly, and how to continue that in the least expensive way possible.
You’ve demonstrated that you’re okay flying in coach. If first class were really all that important to you then you’d always be in first class. But you’re not, so, okay, buy coach seats or C+ seats.
You’ve demonstrated that the Sky Club is important to you. You always make use of it. Since you mentioned that you’re willing to spend extra just to reach a status level (and now that’s not going to be doable) then put that money you would have spent to reaching the higher level into purchasing a SkyClub membership. It’s what, $700 bucks for a year of unlimited individual use? (assuming that has not changed with these new rules). You’ll still have Club access. You fly coach and are okay with that, so essentially all you’re really losing is possible free upgrades (which you don’t always use anyway), checked bags free, and boarding first. But otherwise your trips and experience would pretty much be how you are already traveling.
Whatever you decide I’m sure you’ll still make your content as great as always. I will still be watching, so keep up the good work.
Also, make friends with the Delta Public Relations department. Just sayin. I'm pretty sure they know who you are. Use that.👍
You make a lot of good points. I’m a bit of a status junkie myself, and often do totally irrational and expensive things to achieve status… still I like the Status. Lol
Thank you for the pointers!
Wow, what a slap in the face for all of your loyalty.
:-(
It’s not people spending $30K+, it’s their corporate employer who spends. And these companies generally have corporate contracts with DL. So the word Loyalty no longer can be used to describe these FF programs. Same goes for credit card spend or hotel/car rental spend.
Correct!
Since I fly Delta several times a year, I am interested in any new information/changes that Delta makes to their programs/policies. This particular one doesn’t impact me personally though I sure would feel as you do if I flew as frequently as you do. It does make me wonder why they have made such a drastic change in the Diamond Medallion program. It would not encourage loyalty. I appreciate ALL of the information that you put out about your flights as well as other Delta information like this one. Thanks so much!
Thanks Becky!
I will be a Diamond for 2024, and will likely rollover about 40,00mqm. Under the current system I will be close to starting 2024 as Gold for 2025. Under the new system Delta is offering a 20 to 1 conversion, which means I won’t even be close to Silver for 2025. So much for all the flying and spending I have done with them. Second, my Delta AE Platinum will be less useful as well. I can see Chase benefiting, and I intend to use the Preferred card more. So Delta is losing a loyalist and AE will be losing a fairly big spender. Chase had more travel partners anyway, so I will now branch out to other airlines.
This is too bad :(
Prior to this change, I was planning to alternate from silver to platinum status every other year, as my big vacations flip from reposition cruising, to vacations in Hawaii. This whole situation makes me even 2nd guess my efforts in the past, and opportunity costs of other credit cards (such the Blue Business Plus) and airlines such as Hawaiian. I'll still fly Delta within the continental US, but not with status spending. Flying back from Tokyo next year, which I would have automatically picked Delta, Hawaiian is looking very reasonable for business class. 35% towards MM.
I hear you!
Do you gold and up autmantically get upgrades to comfort plus when booking? I think the airlines have that to make it seem like status people get benefits when 32 inch pitch is enough for the vast majority of people unless you are really tall.
I do get upgrades to comfort+ when booking.
I've stopped flying on AA and prefer to fly DL. I have not aimed to be a medallion member as I only fly for personal reasons. However, if airlines stop awarding mile accumulation then I will have to decided simply on price/schedule when purchasing flights.
Makes sense.
I tried going for medallion status but after looking at the cost vs the benefits I chose to go with the Delta Reserve Amex card. It may not have all the benefits of medallion status but its still pretty great and at a fraction of the cost to reach status.
Cool.
I have the delta reserve amex and they are limiting skyclub visits to 10 a year starting 2025. Fine with me since I don't travel much. Maybe this will reduce overcrowding at the skyclubs?
It sure will reduce overcrowding.
Thanks Peter, we are feeling your pain. Spending 18 and 35k on flights for top tier statuses is insane. I’d like to see if Delta will be offering some type of waiver for Amex cc spend throughout the year as they do now.
It sure is insane!
Nope. They're getting rid of the spend waiver, also.
I was loyal to Delta since 1989. I was receiving Diamond benefits the year before they created Diamond (they said it was an unwritten level) and I remained Diamond through 2021. Currently 1.8 Million miles. And a Amex Platinum card holder. I realize I am now in an abusive relationship. Delta asks me to stay with them and I do. Then they significantly raise the miles cost for miles travel. Thy say they are sorry and I come back. Sky club use to be executive member for all Diamond then it was individual and give up a benefit selection for executive. They say they are sorry and I come back. Now this. They say we over did it and promise to make it better. I think I am done being abused.
I don't fly nearly enoug to worry about status. You can still earm miles and use them. I wonder how many people in first or business are just status people and those seats were never sold. I think it is a big amount. Airlines should just have a few first class seats on domestic flights for those who pay for them and then coach with 31 or 32 inch pitch. It would give more people room instead of the 3 class domestic cabin. Economy is more crammed because of the 3 classes and large comfort plus and first class cabins.
It seems delta has been selling most first class seats recently.
@@PeterMasella What does "selling" mean? Does that include people who use miles to upgrade after buying an economy seat?
@@canyonoverlook9937 No. It means people who purchase a first class seat.
Once upon a time I was Diamond on DL but that was a few years back flying for business. Now when I fly DL for personal flights, I usually purchase Comfort+ or sometimes First Class. I see the upgrade list at the gate for c+ and fc and even some Diamonds don’t make it to either. I have no status but spent in some cases less than $50 for c+. I really don’t see much value is status anymore. I’m free now to find the best price and flight time’s without sticking to one airline. DL may come to regret their decision, but then again it could prove to be brilliant. Time will tell.
This feels like a slap in the face after all the money that my team and I spend on Delta. We’ve got to find another airline.
I hear you
Keep Masella Diamooond !
I agree that spending money to gain status won't be worth it for me. Better for me to just use my AMEX points to buy the upgrade. That way I am sure of getting it. I am normally in the middle of the upgrade list and get upgraded about 30% of the time. So not worth paying a lot of money just to play the upgrade lottery. The lounges are cool though. I will miss them.
Understood!
I knew somone who flew every year to Europe to vist his mother and I asked if he had frequent flyer miles on United. He said he didn't even do that. He just bought the cheapest seat every year. I think miles and status might make it less competitive because many people get locked into one airline because they are collecting miles and maybe status.
Yup
Been flying a lot for about 20 years. Just 3k below 2 million miles and been diamond about the last 6 years. I don’t expect to be diamond again if they keep the proposed changes.
My coworkers and I are puzzled as many folks will drop from diamond as the Covid “keep you status” will go away.
I hear you, neale!
I wish that when I was buying flights for other people I would get the points. I often buy flights for staff or for my family but I never get the dollars for that.
Correct.
Peter, I just made my 1 MM this summer, and you can expect to be underwhelmed. Delta makes no effort to mark this status change. Only one of the dozen employees I came across on the transpacific flight where my MM occurred mentioned it.
Wow! I’ll see what happens for me!
I live in Europe and have been a Diamond Medallion member for about 8 years in a row. I became a Million Miler on September 6. Up until now for international medallion members the spend requirement was waived. It is difficult to use Delta credit cards when one lives in Europe and virtually impossible to convince one's European employer to use such a card for business travel. I travel around 150k miles per year on Sky Team airlines but will not be able to make it to Diamond after next year because of the 35k spend requirement. I can't help but wonder whether Delta is now more of a credit card company than an airlines.
That's what many people are wondering now.
Customers complained and Delta listened...per NBC4 NY "Delta's CEO Ed Bastian earlier this week vowed "modifications" to the recent program overhaul after a backlash from customers."
Should be interesting!
I have Delta Silver Medallion from MQMs and MQDs and will not be able to make silver after next year because of the new requirements and will be going with another airline after next year
I hear you.
Sorry, Peter, as a Northwest Airlines retiree, I get flight benefits on Delta, however, I live in Taiwan and when Delta merged with Northwest, the sad thing Delta did was shut down the Tokyo hub, meaning I no longer get to use Delta. Sorry Delta is continuing certain destructions of what used to be good benefits, it seems sad to me, I’ll continue to be your fan, Peter ❤
Thank you!!!!
The big miss in the new requirements that no one is saying is in the fact they don’t make much money flying; they want to diversify folks spend across the rest of their travel - hotels, rental cars, etc. it’s frustrating for those of us who really only fly. I am mostly frustrated about the Sky Club changes, but that has a year to work itself out.
Lifetime silver plus a delta gold credit card gets you 2 checked bags at 70lbs which besides upgrades, auto C+ upgrade and RUCs is basically Platinum without having to think or hand wrench or do crazy stuff. So I’d be super grateful for that!
Personally, I’m going to look at my other travel spend to see where I’ll land then decide how to pick my travel
This is 100% accurate, with one caveat. Their profits from their financialized rewards programs are contingent on people signing up for them. If enough rewards members take one look at the new algorithm, say “fuck this”, and jump ship, Delta would lose a ton of money.
@@mattthrun-nowicki8641 yep totally agree - feels like a bet the farm move honestly
If you use their travel services you would lose status with hotels. I'm sorry I use delta to fly not for booking hotels and car rentals. I think there will be a change to this policy soon. I get they want to thin the herd for elites members but this will cost them more money in the long run. Their spending requirements are ridiculous. They raised it last year and should of let it at that.
Peter I like your videos; so please keep posting those. I am not a Delta frequent flyer but several legacy airlines are seeing overcrowding at sky clubs. I was flying on paid business class ticket from London to US and British Airways main lounge at Heathrow was way overcrowded; something I had never seen in the past. Airlines are realizing these high status tiers have become relatively easy to obtain and that is diluting their product & experience for high paying customers. They are going to give preference to customers who pay the most. This is irking other customers who found creative ways to get the status without spending a lot of money. Did Delta go too far? We will find out in a year or two. My gut feel is that annoying few customers will not adversely impact their top and bottom line. And that is what matters at the end of the day. Sorry for being objective.
More videos to come!
I used to be a Silver Medallion in the mid-2010s, at the same time a Gold at Flying Blue and obviously this was pre-devaluation era. Within the SkyTeam realm, I've found a much better program that lets me reach Elite Plus level fast and cheap. Doesn't give me Delta upgrade benefits, but I do get Sky Priority privileges and occasionally it's a bargain to upgrade at booking or at check-in anyway. Also, Delta doesn't have an elevated lounge brand, unlike American and United. I might do a video about my 3 alliance strategies, but I've got a backlog of trip reports to edit and upload :) Come to think of it, $35K can buy a nice fixer-upper in upstate NY.
- Red
Very interesting, Red!
Peter, give us an update; now that Delta has scaled back drastic changes to the loyalty program. Are you feeling better?
Not really. Achieving Diamond status was unattainable for me as soon as they announced the 2024 criteria.
I live in Australia and fly with whoever is offering the cheapest fare that week, which is basically a choice between Qantas and Virgin - I don't have any loyalty to either of them. Both airlines in recent years have suffered from poor management (mostly Qantas) and are trying to win back customers by making sharp airline business decisions like flying on time, not losing baggage on a regular basis, not selling tickets for flights which have already been cancelled without notification and not firing loyal staff who have been with them for decades. The Oz flying public has basically decided that we'll show loyalty when there are signs that it's going to be reciprocated.
Very interesting!
ACCC strongly disagrees with your assessment especially the bit about selling tickets for flights they are not operating as Qantas is heading to court to fight a multi-hundred million dollar fine
Peter, it is indeed atrocious to charge so exorbitantly to attain/retain the special status! As for me, I have to be a United loyalist, but while in the good old days they used to award all the miles to the passenger registered under the United Airlines' frequent flyer ("Mileage-Plus") program, nowadays, only a fraction of the actual miles traveled is awarded, depending on one's "Premier progress" status. Have all the Airlines have started doing such unpleasant gimmicks? The flights usually are full up to the brim, so they can call the shots. The progress to premier status is thwarted and is rendered inordinately long.
It's a strange airline loyalty world we are living in these days!
lounge access is a great benefit, thats a shame. now you are a VIP they should give you a pass just for that
Not anymore :(
I expect that they will adjust back when the economy goes down again.
I hope so!
People need to realize that dealing with a corporation is only transactional. They are NOT loyal to the customer and the customer should NOT be loyal to them. Keep it transactional and seek the best solution/deal you can find with Delta or someone else.
True
If you get a Delta Medallion reserve card before 3/29/24you get 100,000 SkyMiles
Skymiles don’t count toward status 😦
It’s going to hurt American Express. From what I read, no one is happy. I am only a Silver Medallion and hold the AmEx Delta Reserve Card. One big issue flying out of LGA, I have an issue with the Centurion Lounge in Terminal B. At least at JFK both lounges are at Terminal 4. A coordination between lounges may be a much more feasible solution as opposed to angering your customers.
Makes sense.
I think what they've decided is they only want business traffic as medallion members and not people who are truly loyal to Delta and gain status on their own dime. It's a statement of intent that if you fly for fun, no matter how often, you're not wanted by Ed B and his staff. I have Medallion Status and will try to maintain for 2025 but as I told a gate agent on Wednesday when she asked me my thoughts...I'd much rather have my Concierge or Titanium Marriott Status than a first class seat. Flying is for hours...Hotels are for DAYS. And having a large suite with a great view in a Marriott with access to a 24/7 lounge is far more valuable to me than a 6" wider seat and free booze.
Yes. Even though I could spend the money on Delta, Delta is no longer providing me with the reward I relished in in the past so there is no longer a need for me to "spend extra".
Delta should change the name from Skymiles to Skymoney
lol
After these new changes, I was thinking about switching to American. But it seems Delta has based their changes on American's program! But worse.
I make Platinum every year. I do it though MQMs and the MQD waiver. Without the MQD waiver, I'd probably barely make Gold. Because it seems MQMs accumulate much faster than MQDs. Currently I have enough MQMs for Platinum (75000 required), but not enough MQDs for Gold ($8000 required). In the new system ($6000 MQDs required for Silver), doubt I'll be making Platinum any more, and maybe not even Gold.
Some options: switch to American or United. I need to figure our how their programs work to see which is the best.
Switch to another Skyteam airline, such as Air France, Aeromexico, or KLM. Just do all the bookings on their sites, and you'll still be flying Delta for domestic US flights.
Although Delta said it is "simpler", it is becoming more complex.
Air France gives you lifetime top tier status with them after earning top tier status for 10 consecutive years. As for other carriers, well if you get status with a non-US carrier like British Airways for OneWorld or Air Canada for Star Alliance guess what? You’ll have lounge access whenever you want. Even on domestic flights
I’ve been a Delta platinum medallion member for years, and I’m seriously questioning my loyalty to this airline. This is an idiotic overstep on their part that will cost them- more loyalty program desertions, less inclination to spend more on Delta Reserve Amexes (which I have)…why the fuck would people drop premium bucks for annual fees to have a Reserve card if the chances to score meaningful benefits are limited?! And at this point, their financialized options are more profitable than their profits from plane tickets…how do they profit if people stop spending extra for financialized loyalty programs?!
Ed Bastian, please reconsider or see your company’s profit margin tank…and potentially your CEO status…
It’s a unique situation for sure.
And to think, all the earned media that you have provided to them for free. Time to diversify your flying out of LGA/JFK!
I'll still keep Delta as the principal carrier but won't be striving for status anymore.
I have 3 months to get my Platinum status (Gold now for 2024). After Jan 31, 2025, I don't think I will ever make it above Silver.
I may be in the same boat as you!
That’s exactly what they want .. to have less ppl qualify and make it more aspirational not easy to get status to get those benefits given the inflation is so high.
Yup
Time to realize people aren’t going to reach top status by cc sign up bonuses and flying in Econ to rack up miles to Diamond, now it’s time to open up the wallet or else board with the rest of the cattle lol.
lol
Peter, no I’m not I personally love delta one service but I don’t see the value in their loyalty program
I hear you
I pay extra for tickets just to fly delta. This is so disappointing.
Same here
Delta ia trying hard to for customers to spend in their ecosystem. But, I don't think I will be spending $ on Delta vacation, Delta Rental etc as they intend you to. Benefit/$ ratio looks very unattractive. I regretting getting a Delta credit card this year. 😢
I dont think I'll be spending much on their ecosystem either.
No rollover either.
:-(
There are people who spend $35K/year on Delta but they are now locked away in a padded room
Yup!
Here’s the rub Peter. I spend a fraction of the $35K/year to earn Qantas Platinum status which actually has more benefits than Delta Diamond Medallion such as access to international First class lounges, complimentary priority seat selection not only on Qantas but all OneWorld partners, oh and of course I can use lounges in the U.S. when travelling domestically too!
The problem with this outrageous increase, is the Delta One/First Class product is rubbish compared to the likes of Singapore Airlines or ANA. I’m Diamond too, but would never waist Monet on the Delta experience.
I hear you.
Only fly a few times a year. Use to buy a Day Pass using miles. Then the miles needed to get a Day Pass went up. Now you can't get one at all. Flew to Europe last September First/Business Class. On the Return flight got Bump Out of First Class to Premium Comfort Plus (A350)!?!? I about had a hiss fit about this move. Almost, was not allowed to board the aircraft. Spoke to a customer service rep just before takeoff. She let on more than she should have. Seems like another passenger has a Very High Status and got Priority! Did get to talk to the Purser. She had only one seat in First Class, so I offer it to my wife. She decline. We booked our flight 10 and a half months in advance. We did get a refund, Not a Credit, for the difference between the two classed. But I really prefer to have what I paid for! A sad end to a great anniversary.
Oh wow!
Smart move on deltas part. Too many people have status and upgrades. Nothing special now. Skyclubs too crowded.. watch other airlines follow this good move
I think other airlines are already doing something similar.
thats exactly why they changed the program, they dont want low level spenders spenders in the lounges
It has nothing to do with lounges- they could’ve (and did) address that on its own terms. This is a bigger picture gamble, I’m just not sure they’ll benefit from it.
@@mattthrun-nowicki8641 Delta specifically came out and said, were doing this because of lounge overcrowding. This is exactly why they did it. The said , were doing this to help with lounge overcrowding
@@ARTTOnline Yeah, but many of their measures had nothing to do with that. So do you believe their literal words or the meaning hiding beneath their words?
It’s all about Corporate greed.
Yup
Delta needs to STOP the “Companion +1 upgrades”!
Delta needs to REDUCE the “MQD’s” that are earned by BUSINESS travelers WHOSE EMPLOYERS BUY THEIR tickets! REDUCE their “MQD’s” by 70%!!!!!!!!!!! LEVEL the playing field!
That would be nice!
😂😂😂😂😂... just find the cheapest offer, like the rest of normal people. Loyalty programs are a scam.
It seems so!