Delta is leaving SkyMiles status qualification criteria unchanged for next year, and tweaking benefits that Platinum and Diamond members can choose from. They first announced that qualification criteria would not change for next year back in August.
Three of the four choice benefits that are changing are improving, while the American Express statement credit option drops from $700 to $500 for Diamonds and to $250 from $400 for Platinums.
Their recently-installed head of loyalty said “Earning and keeping the trust of our Members means being transparent about changes and continually investing in the experiences that matter most.”
Of course they aren’t exactly being transparent – they say clearly where a benefit is improved, but do not do the same for the American Express statement credit which is being devalued. Delta was first among U.S. carriers to eliminate award charts to mask their devaluation of miles.
The Atlanta-based carrier announced huge changes two years ago that would have meant a requirement to spend $35,000 qualifying dollars to hit Diamond status and new limits on accessing Sky Clubs. And they even warned that they weren’t done making changes and planned to go further.
The backlash was swift! While normally executives might stick to their guns, thinking the ‘noise around the edges’ would pass, the carrier surely saw data along with their co-brand credit card partner American Express that genuinely scared them – because they swiftly reversed course,
- Moderating the increased requirements for status
- While keeping the ability to earn qualifying dollars through non-flight activity (like card spend and booking non-flight travel through Delta)
- Raising the annual limits they were imposing on lounge access via credit card
- And introducing a new sweetener of improved lifetime elite benefits.
Was this just a temporary measure, to ease everone more slowly into the changes a little bit at a time? Delta’s CEO suggested that their mistake was going too fast rather than making the changes at all. However,
- They didn’t come back with these changes in 2024
- And they haven’t come back with them in 2025, either.
| Planned | Rolled Back To | |||||
| 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | 2026 | |||
| 3,000 | 6,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | |||
| 8,000 | 12,000 | 10,000 | 10,000 | |||
| 12,000 | 18,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 | |||
| 20,000 | 35,000 | 28,000 | 28,000 |
Delta wanted to push customers to spend more money – on tickets, with their credit card partnership (where they claim ‘roughly’ 1% of GDP) and through other partnershps that drive higher margin revenue than flights. They’re still doing that – but they aren’t demanding as much from customers as they’d planned to two years ago.
I’m a diamond through 2032 because of the one-time offer I received due to all my MQMs. This actually incentivized me to flyer less and spend less since I don’t need to worry about re-qualifying year in and year out. Besides 360, the only Delta status that’s worth anything is diamond and even then it’s really only about customer service or service recovery when things go bad.
@ Gary — No surprise. Delta obviously needs $200 more than I do. It is always good for the periodic reminder that Delta despsises its :best” customers. I am happy to accomodate and spend my money on United or Alaska or Spirit instead.
For those of us priced-out of DL for business travel (typical AS is significantly cheaper out of Seattle – we can’t even select DL), even getting to Silver is a challenge.
Hopefully they’ll leave the low end qual untouched, also given that upgrades have gone away so all we get is seat selection, baggage fees, and a small points bonus.
This is what happens when the Diamond population is the highest it’s ever been! Don’t expect many people to fall from the ranks in February either. If everybody has status, nobody has status; but that doesn’t mean Delta and the clown car won’t continue to devalue. Get ready to lose CLEAR, Diamond Medallions! But at least we can purchase Delta Comfort Basic Legacy Plus Premium Cuck.
@FNT Delta Diamond — No wonder you picked that ‘moniker’ on here and elsewhere. Yeah, that was a pretty cool offer, and you’re correct that it creates the opposite incentives. You can ironically focus on earning status elsewhere. Bah! However, you’re wrong about Diamond being the only worthwhile thing; Platinum is still decent for the 4 RUCs each year. Diamond for the GUCs and $700 back on credit card. Otherwise, as @Gene says, WFBF; don’t rely on complimentary upgrades.
@1990: I don’t need the Delta AmEx. Delta miles are virtually worthless. I appreciate the global upgrade certificates but they’re increasingly worth less since (a) the upgrade won’t confirm at booking or (b) I have to purchase a premium-economy ticket for international flights. I won’t disagree that some people find value in platinum status but on the whole it’s not worth chasing.
They are fixated on Delta purchases. Let’s not forget A&E pays them billions to have them as a rewards partner. So for us that can’t fly 10-20 a year. Yet we spend over $100,000 on our cards still can’t reach platinum status since the changes. A&E has to be feeling the pain with a lot of us choosing regular cash back cards.
@FNT Delta Diamond — We’re on the same page (don’t chase status; let it happen.) That said, I keep the DL Reserve for the Headstart MQDs and the companion First (which, usually does far better than breakeven, especially with the expanded N. America options; the trick is that you have to book far in-advance, otherwise, very limited availability.) Some folks, like @Gene, get 10K MQDs with the four cards (DL Platinum and Reserve, personal and business). That’s Gold without having to fly. Far easier to reach Diamond, if you didn’t already do what you did (using MQMs to extend).
These changes are in effect now ?
The downgrade on the statement credit which I previously snagged at both platinum and diamond each year will lower my annual value proposition by $350/yr! The only actual cash value perk shrinks by thirty percent. Thanks Dwight.
Platinum now,on way to Diamond. Will not be renewing after 2026!
It’s not true that they aren’t being transparent. While it is true that the table above doesn’t say that the statement credit is being reduced, the personal e-mail sent clearly states that it is being reduced:
The American Express® Statement Credit will be $500 (decreased from $700).
(that is for Diamond – with a similar statement for Platinum).