Delta Updates SkyMiles Medallion Program Qualifications

ATLANTA, Jan. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

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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."

With these changes, Medallion status will be earned in the following way:

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. For more information on the SkyMiles program, Medallion status and mileage redemption options, visit delta.com/skymiles.

Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. During the past year, Delta won 33 airline industry awards sweeping the major corporate travel surveys including Business Travel News, Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, Recommend Magazine and The Beat. Delta was also a recipient of the Secretary of Defense Freedom Award for exceptional support of National Guard and Reserve employees. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to nearly 318 destinations in 59 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs 80,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. A founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, Delta participates in the industry's leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 13,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. The airline's service includes the SkyMiles frequent flier program, a world-class airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and more than 50 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Delta is investing more than $3 billion through 2013 in airport facilities and global products, services and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com.

SOURCE Delta Air Lines