All of the “big three” carriers in the United States have invitation-only elite status. I’ve written about how American Airlines has Concierge Key and United Airlines has Global Services, and in this post I wanted to take a closer look at Delta’s invitation-only status, which is arguably the most mysterious of the three.
What is the status, how do you earn it, what are the benefits, and how many members are there? I’ll share everything I know…
In this post:
What is Delta 360 status?
Delta 360 is Delta Air Lines’ invitation-only elite status. It’s my understanding that this is the most exclusive of the invitation-only elite tiers, in the sense that there are the fewest members. Despite that, the benefits are actually pretty weak, at least on paper. For that matter, Delta 360 isn’t even a formal elite tier, which is to say that you separately still have to qualify for status in the Delta SkyMiles Medallion program.
For what it’s worth, here’s how Delta describes Delta 360 status on its website:
Delta 360° is an annual, invitation-only membership for our most loyal SkyMiles Members. A Delta 360° Membership offers Delta’s most premium suite of benefits and services exclusive to our top SkyMiles Members. For 2024, entry into Delta 360° will be extended to a very small percentage of Diamond Medallion Members. Considerations include, but are not limited to: overall Delta flight activity, premium product purchases (Delta One, Delta Premium Select, First Class) and spending on Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards.
How do you earn Delta 360 status?
As is the case with the invitation-only status of American and United, the requirements to earn Delta 360 status aren’t published. However, based on the data points I’ve seen, the criteria are even more confusing. With American and United, you probably have a good shot at invitation-only status if you spend $50,000 per year with a particular airline. That’s not necessarily the case with Delta.
As Delta officially states, getting an invitation to Delta 360 is for the “most loyal SkyMiles members.” Generally speaking:
- You have the best odds if you book a lot of full fare tickets, as well as first and business class tickets
- The more influence you have over the travel of others, the better; some people may be given Delta 360 status for securing major corporate contracts, while others may earn the status due to a combination of factors
- Where you’re based also makes a big difference in terms of being invited — it’s much harder to earn Delta 360 if you’re based in Atlanta, Detroit, or New York (major Delta hubs), than if you’re based in Dallas or Newark (hubs of American and United, respectively)
- Spending on co-branded Delta credit cards can contribute to being invited to Delta 360, especially with the changes that have been made to the SkyMiles program; however, you’d probably have to spend millions for it to make any sort of a difference
Some suggest that you’d have to spend $100,000 per year on Delta flights to be invited as a Delta 360 member at major hubs, while the number could be much lower if you’re not based at a hub.
What are the benefits of Delta 360 status?
Interestingly Delta 360 isn’t a separate tier in the SkyMiles program. That’s to say that Delta 360 members still have to earn status in the SkyMiles Medallion program. Most Delta 360 members are also Diamond Medallion members, but in theory it’s possible to earn Delta 360 without being a Diamond Medallion member.
This is different than American AAdvantage and United MileagePlus, where Concierge Key and Global Services are separate tiers, above the published top tier levels.
What are the benefits of Delta 360 status?
- A dedicated 24/7 phone line with immediate assistance
- Pre-boarding on Delta flights, at the same time as customers needing extra assistance and active duty military personnel
- A Delta Sky Club® Executive Membership, giving you (and two guests or immediate family members) Sky Club access when on an eligible itinerary; this ordinarily costs $1,495 per year
- Delta One Lounges access when traveling same day in Delta first class (the Delta One Lounge JFK is the first to open); no complimentary guests are allowed, though you can pay $100 per person to bring in up to two guests or immediate family members
- Delta sometimes offers Diamond Medallion members tarmac transfers during short connections, and Delta 360 members have the best odds of getting those (this is also available with the paid Delta VIP Select program)
- Bag tags; funny enough, these Delta 360 bag tags have sometimes sold on eBay for hundreds of dollars
Those are all the Delta 360 benefits that I’m aware of. There’s no upgrade priority for Delta 360 members beyond their standard Diamond Medallion status. So the benefits of Delta 360 are weak, though I’d imagine that the “soft” treatment is very good — Delta has great service to begin with, and I imagine it’s even better for Delta’s best customers.
I also think it’s noteworthy how Delta is much quieter about this status than American and United. There’s just not as much public acknowledgement of invitation only status at Delta as at American and United (and that might be by design).
How many Delta 360 members are there?
This is a real mystery, and all I can do is speculate. For context, I’ve speculated that there are 10,000-20,000 American Concierge Key members, and I’ve speculated that there are 15,000-25,000 United Global Services members (that’s a range, but my best guess is that the numbers are in the middle of the range).
This is purely a guess on my part, but I think the number of Delta 360 members is probably in the 3,000-8,000 range. That’s simply because the status seems to be more difficult to earn. Like I said, this is purely a guess on my part, and I could be wrong. If anyone has any data or info, I’d love to hear it.
Bottom line
Delta 360 is Delta Air Lines’ invitation-only elite tier. It’s the US airline status that’s probably hardest to earn. Historically the benefits have been weaker than comparable status with American and United, though with the new pre-boarding perk and access to Delta One Lounges, that’s perhaps starting to change. Delta 360 offers dedicated customer support, a Sky Club membership, Delta One Lounge access, good odds of tarmac transfers, and more.
To earn Delta 360, be prepared to spend a lot on Delta flights, especially if you’re based out of a Delta hub.
Are any OMAAT readers Delta 360 members? If so, what has your experience been like?
My good friend is Delta 360 and doesn’t fly very often, maybe 7-9 round trip flights each year and most of those are domestic. He has a business and charges over $500k each year on his Delta Amex. My wife on the other hand, had 3 million plus miles with Delta and spends about $65k each year on Delta flights through her work Delta Amex. Another one of my buddies got the 360 invite as soon as he reached 3 million miles but now that threshold is 5 million miles.
With Delta's new boarding system, gate agents call Delta 360 members to board before "Zone 1" (Diamonds, First Class, etc). And with the new Delta One lounges, 360s get access (most of them are presumably on First Class either by booking or getting upgraded ahead of others). So it seems like Delta is starting to call out 360 more and more in terms of recognizing it as a status.
With the new boarding, as...
With Delta's new boarding system, gate agents call Delta 360 members to board before "Zone 1" (Diamonds, First Class, etc). And with the new Delta One lounges, 360s get access (most of them are presumably on First Class either by booking or getting upgraded ahead of others). So it seems like Delta is starting to call out 360 more and more in terms of recognizing it as a status.
With the new boarding, as a lowly Platinum who is usually in Zone 1 or 2, I am noting a few people board each flight when they call the Delta 360s to board. I would guess your estimate of number of 360 member is low.
@Anthony, you may be right that the number is low. I rarely see more than one go on myself. Definitely fewer than AA Concierge Key members. Or maybe they just act less entitled than some of the AA Conceirge Key members who are absolutely insufferable. To be clear I say SOME Concierge Key members. I realise there are some I never see because they don't pitch fits about boarding ahead of everyone. But some are incredibly entitled.
Although not a current Delta 360 member, I have Lifetime Membership giving me the same Sky Club access which is great. Thank you Delta. Next trip from SAN to NY/NJ I'll do a F to JFK, instead of EWR, and see if I'm welcome to the new Delta One lounge. Flights from San Diego are not marketed as Delta One.
If you're a lifetime SkyClub member, you don't have access. It's not a SkyClub.
If your lifetime is from being a 5 million miler, then you're good to go.
Didn't Delta have some Delta One flights to/from San Diego?
Delta One from San Diego to JFK is via LAX. Non-stops from SD to JFK are just plain old First Class.
I was a Delta 360 member for 2 years in a row until right before the pandemic. I used to spend north of $70K/year on Delta tickets. Not anymore. In my case, other than having access to a dedicated line which someone answered the phone immediately and no questions asked on any types of requests to change flights, dates, etc... I really did not see much benefit. I live in a Delta hub so most...
I was a Delta 360 member for 2 years in a row until right before the pandemic. I used to spend north of $70K/year on Delta tickets. Not anymore. In my case, other than having access to a dedicated line which someone answered the phone immediately and no questions asked on any types of requests to change flights, dates, etc... I really did not see much benefit. I live in a Delta hub so most of my flights were nonstop so having access to a Porsche to take me to the gate was a no need. I got nice handwritten cards from FAs, huge recognition on Delta lounges, flights, etc... but nothing much that was different than being a Diamond.
It's always the IRROPS that separates you and Diamonds.
I’ve always wondered how these big companies’ Legal/Risk/Compliance teams don’t consider the status gift to contract decision makers as an unethical kickback or bribe
Maybe we should let SCOTUS decide what is gift what is bribe ;)
Heck, it goes beyond that. Delta has given diamond status to sitting officeholders in Georgia state government as part of its lobbying efforts to maintain tax advantages in Atlanta. How is that not a "thing of value" and unlawful under federal law, even if it's a gray area under state law?
Or maybe they are just following SCOTUS justice.
Now about that undisclosed trips from donors and wealthy people.
Just friends. LOL.
"As Delta officially states, getting an invitation to Delta 360 is for the “most loyal SkyMiles members.” Generally speaking: The more influence you have over the travel of others, the better; some people may be given Delta 360 status for securing major corporate contracts, while others may earn the status due to a combination of factors"
Am I the only who thinks this is kind of sketchy? FWIW I'm not American, but to me this...
"As Delta officially states, getting an invitation to Delta 360 is for the “most loyal SkyMiles members.” Generally speaking: The more influence you have over the travel of others, the better; some people may be given Delta 360 status for securing major corporate contracts, while others may earn the status due to a combination of factors"
Am I the only who thinks this is kind of sketchy? FWIW I'm not American, but to me this seems like a soft bribery of some sort because if you are responsible for the travel department of a mid to large company, the value that 360 presents is massive, which could well lead to impartial decisions to be taken.
Also, I don't know how it works in the US, but in a vast majority of workplaces in Europe, there are strict rules as for the value of "gifts" you're allowed to receive from companies that work with your employer (be that directly or indirectly). While it can vary largely from company to company, the most generous one I've encountered was somewhere in the hundreds of GBP per "gift" (which 360's SkyClub access alone surpasses).
In the US, just follow Justice Clarence Thomas for "gift" guidelines.
What about event planners? Any good event planner has an IATA travel agent number, which gets them a commission on every room in their event or meeting block on top of concessions from the hotel. Imagine what kind of incentives a corporate event planner or producer is getting to give a major trade show or convention to City A over City B.
But commissions are compensation that could be earned by anyone not just a select few.
The system isn't perfect but bribes are clearly giving favor to a person in power.
Event planners who take large kickbacks but provide bad service doesn't get hired again.
Event planners compete against other planners.
City A would probably give the same or very similar incentives to every planner.
You don't see those other "friends" of wealthy donors...
But commissions are compensation that could be earned by anyone not just a select few.
The system isn't perfect but bribes are clearly giving favor to a person in power.
Event planners who take large kickbacks but provide bad service doesn't get hired again.
Event planners compete against other planners.
City A would probably give the same or very similar incentives to every planner.
You don't see those other "friends" of wealthy donors receiving the same level of "gifts".
@FNT Delta Diamond if the corporate event planner isn't an employee of the company they are organizing the event for, I agree with you, they are an independent entity and any commissions they get for an event that fulfils their client's needs seems respectable to me. Same thing applies to independent travel advisors.
Now, it's a completely different story if the event organizer is actually employed by the company that's having event (which for...
@FNT Delta Diamond if the corporate event planner isn't an employee of the company they are organizing the event for, I agree with you, they are an independent entity and any commissions they get for an event that fulfils their client's needs seems respectable to me. Same thing applies to independent travel advisors.
Now, it's a completely different story if the event organizer is actually employed by the company that's having event (which for large companies is not uncommon to have). I genuinely don't see how an employee getting a commission from a third party while fulfilling a task for their company (where the latter's interest should be the priority) doesn't represent a serious conflict of interest.
I've been a 360 for years. It's great.
I can't tell you how to validate this but I can promise you that 360s get higher upgrade priority than other Diamonds.
There must be a 360 on here to clarify. The Delta One lounge access rules indicate that a 360 isn't automatically upgraded at the time of booking into domestic first-class because the rules prohibit a 360 in economy or premium-economy from accessing the lounge.
360 doesn't get a guarantee upgrade nor does the priority is really higher, consider every 360 is also a Diamond.
So a Diamond on a flying Y gets priority over 360 flying V.
Upgrades are no longer prioritized by fare class on DL so you would be incorrect.
Except when everyone is Diamond, including 360.
I've definitely seen 360s board early and go to economy. If the cabin sells out, the cabin sells out. Doesn't matter what your status is.
"Despite that, the benefits are actually pretty weak, at least on paper."
I don't think this is true anymore.
Five or six years ago, nobody even publicly mentioned 360. You couldn't even find it mentioned on Delta's website. That's certainly not the case today.
Now, it's the first to be called for boarding; ahead of even Delta One or Delta domestic first-class. It's also now eligible for Delta One lounge access if traveling on domestic...
"Despite that, the benefits are actually pretty weak, at least on paper."
I don't think this is true anymore.
Five or six years ago, nobody even publicly mentioned 360. You couldn't even find it mentioned on Delta's website. That's certainly not the case today.
Now, it's the first to be called for boarding; ahead of even Delta One or Delta domestic first-class. It's also now eligible for Delta One lounge access if traveling on domestic first-class ticket. That strikes me as a little stingy as I imagine there are 360s flying economy between say JFK and BOS or JFK and DCA.
Anyways, both of those benefits are defined and are superior to diamond.
Also, Delta.com seems to suggest that you have to be a diamond:
"For 2024, entry into Delta 360° will be extended to a very small percentage of Diamond Medallion Members."
https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/medallion-program/diamond-medallion-status
Bottom line? 360 is the new diamond.