Delta SkyMiles has just launched a promotion whereby hotel stays and rental cars can count toward elite status for a limited time (for those still pursuing SkyMiles status… for whatever reason).
In this post:
Delta SkyMiles awarding MQDs for hotels & rental cars
Just about all major airlines have portals through which you can earn bonus miles for booking hotels and rental cars. After all, there are commissions to be made on this, and those who fly a lot are also likely to stay at hotels and rent cars a lot.
Historically Delta SkyMiles has only awarded redeemable miles for these kinds of activities, but that’s changing for a limited time. At the moment, Delta SkyMiles is offering one Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) for every dollar spent when booking a hotel or rental car at this link, in addition to earning two redeemable miles. As you’d expect, there are some terms to be aware of:
- This is valid for hotel and rental car bookings between January 17 and February 29, 2024
- You must travel between January 17 and May 31, 2024
- You’ll earn one MQD per dollar spent on base rates for hotels and rental cars, before taxes, fees, etc.
- The SkyMiles account and credit card being used must belong to the same person, and the first and last name must match
- It can take up to eight weeks after a completed activity for MQDs to post to accounts
It’s important to mention that while earning miles and even elite status for a hotel or rental car booking might sound appealing, keep in mind that there’s typically an opportunity cost to doing so. For example, with hotels you can’t earn hotel points if you book this way, and you typically don’t get elite perks. Furthermore, you’ll often find better rates elsewhere.
This is an interesting promotion from Delta SkyMiles
Keep in mind that the Delta SkyMiles program has been totally overhauled as of 2024. New as of this year, status is based exclusively on how many Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) that you rack up, and status requires anywhere from 5,000 MQDs to 28,000 MQDs in a calendar year.
There are three ways you can earn MQDs:
- You earn one MQD per dollar spent on Delta flights
- You earn one MQD per dollar spent on vacations booked through Delta Vacations
- You earn one MQD per every $10-20 spent on an eligible Delta Amex card, depending on which product it is
When Delta first announced changes to the SkyMiles program, the plan was for hotel and rental car bookings to count toward elite status as well. However, after a lot of backlash over the new program, the elite requirements were lowered, and hotel and rental cars were also eliminated as a way to earn status.
So it’s interesting to see Delta now offering MQDs on a limited time basis for hotel and rental car bookings. It’s smart for Delta to incentive this kind of business, since this is pure profit for Delta. The company is getting a commission on these bookings, and is just giving a small kickback to people who book this way.
Bottom line
Delta SkyMiles has brought back a promotion whereby you can earn MQDs for hotels and rental cars booked through the carrier’s portal. For a limited time, you can earn one MQD per dollar spent, in addition to the standard two redeemable miles you earn per dollar spent.
Delta has transformed its SkyMiles program as of 2024, and initially the plan was that these kinds of travel arrangements would permanently count toward status. However, the carrier backtracked, and is now just offering this on a limited time basis.
What do you make of this Delta SkyMiles promotion?
It is sad they make the best FFP worthless, no matter what they do, I guess the damage has been done and we will see what is going to happen within a few months.
With Feb 29 the deadline for AAdvantage members to qualify for 2024 elite status (for which cars and hotels count towards), methinks this is a defensive measure aimed at wannabe elites who are striving for AA status.
Disco Dave, interesting observation. Delta significantly overestimated passenger loyalty when it originally revamped the SkyMiles program. Each subsequent move has seemed rushed and naive. My sense is that the overestimation led to a "we don't need to try or work for it" mindset. Given the sobering reaction from passengers, something needs to change at Delta.
When Delta revamped its revamp, I never understood why they took this feature away. I do think they will learn from this trial and hopefully add in the option permanently.
We all know that you don't earn hotel points or benefit from hotel status when booking this way. That is why you book independent / boutique hotels when using this (or BookAAHotels or whatever).
That's a good point. For non-chain hotels this could be an option to look at (if made permanent).
So in Ed's word, Delta is now trying to glue back parts of the ripped band-aid for a limited time.
Anthony, exactly right. It's about non-point-network hotels. Airlines have a huge revenue opportunity in their hotel booking platforms. As an incentive, AA gives Loyalty Points for hotel platform bookings. It revamped the Citi AA Executive Mastercard to give 10X on those bookings . . . making the Amex Delta Reserve card look sad and pathetic. I have substantial spending at non-point-network hotels and it goes to AA. Delta needs to wake up and smell the coffee.
For me, this promotion is irrelevant, due to what you also mentioned: no points earning with hotel/car program, no elite benefits, and it is not unlikely that one could find a better rate elsewhere.
One thing though, that I haven't mentioned yet in all those years. It seems you are not familiar with Delta's nomenclature. There is no such thing as a Medallion Qualifying Dollar. It's Medallion Qualification Dollar. And in the past there...
For me, this promotion is irrelevant, due to what you also mentioned: no points earning with hotel/car program, no elite benefits, and it is not unlikely that one could find a better rate elsewhere.
One thing though, that I haven't mentioned yet in all those years. It seems you are not familiar with Delta's nomenclature. There is no such thing as a Medallion Qualifying Dollar. It's Medallion Qualification Dollar. And in the past there were things like Medallion Qualification Miles and Segments.
Anyway, seeking status indeed came to an end for me (am just a leisure traveller, no business travel at all). This will be my final year as a Medallion. Right now still Platinum and after January Silver.
Crediting revenue spent on its hotel platform was in the original SkyMiles revamp. I was absolutely going to move substantial hotel dollars to Delta. Then, they pulled it. Adios. This promo is nice but it needs to be made permanent.