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 want 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, as a general rule, you need to spend well over $50,000 per year to have a shot at the status. In the case of Delta, you probably need to spend even more.
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; 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.
There’s one other way to earn Delta 360 status. As part of the SkyMiles lifetime elite status program, you can receive Delta 360 status for life if you rack up five million lifetime miles. This metric is based on the number of eligible miles flown on Delta.
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
- 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 (so far there are Delta One Lounges at JFK, LAX, and BOS, and they’re exceptional); 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
- Boarding with Zone 2, the same as Diamond Medallion members; Delta 360 members used to be able to board first, but that’s no longer the case
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 5,000-10,000 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 access to Delta One Lounges, that’s perhaps no longer the case. 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?
Wonder what the rationale behind demoting the 360's to Zone 2?????? Very strange.
Most people would agree that Delta has the best service in the air and airports, but Delta still flies too many old planes with dated/uncomfortable cabins. Everyone slammed United for the slow Polaris rollout but somehow Delta gets a pass for their meager DeltaOne Suite availability. Nearly a decade on, you’re still more likely to end up on a crappy old bird, especially when flying transcon.
Global Services has closer to 80k members, FYI
I’ve found with top tier airline and hotel programmes there are further tiers within the tier proper, the unpublished benefits offered to some are not offered to all, the core benefits are great it’s the service not spoken about that makes achieving status and retaining it very valuable.
Indeed. At American Airlines, there is one level above Concierge Key and is akin to British Airways Premier. Not a tier status per se but more of a business relationship identifier.
No level or identifier will save you from asshole AA staff.
I’ve been a 360° member for 3 years. 4.5 million lifetime flight miles and about $800k a year on the card and over $50k a year in tickets.
Overall it’s a great perk as the call center is exceptionally helpful when needed. Although I did like the separate boarding after military.
There is no better domestic airline in my opinion Delta goes above and beyond as often as possible.
So just to be clear, you can be Delta 360, but if you are on a basic economy ticket you are stuck in the back of the bus, and if you are on a main classic ticket but traveling with more than one person (like, I don’t know, a family) you have to pay for comfort+ seats. Seems especially cheap as compared to both UA and AA which have much more generous policies.
no its actually Premium
You get what you pay for! Airlines made a rod for their own backs by upgrading "elites" for free, just because there were empty seats. It's entirely reasonable to expect payment in either cash or points to sit in a chair at the front.
I agree that you get what you pay for. I have no problem flying Delta and paying for what I want. But I also don't have a problem flying American or United. Just seems to me that the Medallion program is just designed for a solo business traveler that does not ever book basic, where as American/United are also trying to capture families. That's fine of course, and obviously Delta can do what they want...
I agree that you get what you pay for. I have no problem flying Delta and paying for what I want. But I also don't have a problem flying American or United. Just seems to me that the Medallion program is just designed for a solo business traveler that does not ever book basic, where as American/United are also trying to capture families. That's fine of course, and obviously Delta can do what they want - they are incredibly profitable and generally pretty reliable. But even at the very top end of their Delta 360 spectrum, still nickel and diming their most loyal customers who may not need to sit in FC with their family on a couple of hour flight but wouldn't mind a few inches of extra legroom. That's notable to me, especially when American/United take a different approach.
There’s only one member. Can u guess who it is?
ben has to be trolling at this point, right? (--the real DT)