Delta has just become the first major US airline to extend elite status by a year! And that’s only one of the positive initiatives they’ve announced…
Delta SkyMiles extends Medallion status
Delta SkyMiles will be extending current Medallion status by 12 months. That means whatever status you have right now will be valid throughout 2021, and into early 2022 (rather than expiring in early 2021).
Not only that, but all Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) earned from 2020 are being rolled over to 2021 to qualify for Medallion status. In other words, it will also be significantly easier to earn status next year, since you can essentially qualify for next year’s status over two years, at least in terms of MQMs (unfortunately Medallion Qualifying Dollars don’t roll over).
As Delta’s SVP of Customer Engagement and Loyalty, Sandeep Dube, describes the move:
“On behalf of all of us at Delta, I want to thank our customers for your continued loyalty during these unprecedented times. While our focus is on keeping customers and employees safe and healthy today and always, you are a part of the Delta family and we know how important these benefits are to you. That’s why as coronavirus continues to dramatically impact travel across the globe, you don’t have to worry about your benefits – they’ll be extended so you can enjoy them when you are ready to travel again.”
Delta is extending all Medallion status by a year
Delta extending SkyClub memberships
Delta will be extending SkyClub Individual and Executive memberships with an expiration of March 1, 2020, or later, by six additional months beyond the current expiration.
Delta is extending SkyClub memberships by six months
Benefit extensions for Delta SkyMiles Amex cards
Certain Delta SkyMiles Amex perks will be extended, assuming they were due to expire on March 1, 2020, or later:
- Delta SkyMiles Gold Card Members with a $100 Delta flight credit will get a six month extension beyond their current expiration date
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card Members with Companion Certificates with an original expiration date between March 1 and June 30, 2020, can use them when they book and fly by December 31, 2020, and those that expire between July 1, 2020, and April 1, 2021, will receive an additional six months beyond the current expiration date
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members with Companion Certificates with an original expiration date between March 1 and June 30, 2020, can use them when they book and fly by December 31, 2020, and those that expire between July 1, 2020, and April 1, 2021, will receive an additional six months beyond the current expiration date
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members will also get a six month extension to use their Delta Sky Club® one time guest passes beyond their current expiration date
Delta is extending companion certificates
Other SkyMiles perks being extended
Some other SkyMiles perks will be extended a well:
- Upgrade Certificates or $200 Travel Vouchers with an original expiration date between March 1 and June 30, 2020, are extended — now they can be booked and flown by December 31, 2020; SkyMiles Members with Upgrade Certificates or $200 Travel Vouchers that expire after June 30, 2020, will receive an additional six months beyond the current expiration date
- SkyMiles Select members will receive a six month extension to the Priority Boarding benefit and any unused drink vouchers
Delta is extending upgrade certificates
Bottom line
As much as there are aspects of the SkyMiles program that are frustrating for members, Delta really gets some things right, and this is one of them. Delta has become the first major US airline to outright extend elite status by a year.
Not only that, but they’re actually making it easier to qualify for status in 2021, as your 2020 elite activity will roll over to 2021.
At this point I think it’s safe to assume that American and United will almost certainly match.
What do you make of Delta SkyMiles extending elite status?
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