"We are committed to a best-in-class SkyMiles program that gives our most loyal customers the benefits they deserve. That's why we're keeping the benefits that mean the most to our Medallion members and adding others that surpass what any other airline offers," said Jeff Robertson, Delta's vice president of loyalty programs. "Features introduced in 2010 will provide SkyMiles Medallion members meaningful, unmatched benefits on flights all around the globe."
Delta has been aligning its SkyMiles program with Northwest Airlines’ WorldPerks mileage program. This alignment includes the granting of full complementary upgrade reciprocity for medallion/elite members, the linking of frequent flyer accounts, consolidation of mileage balances and outlining the planned timeline to develop a best-in-class loyalty program for 2010. All active members of the WorldPerks program will receive SkyMiles membership numbers once the two mileage programs are completely merged.
The new SkyMiles Medallion program, rolling out over the next nine months, will retain benefits most important to Delta SkyMiles and former Northwest WorldPerks customers, including the popular Delta Sky Club lounge access privileges for Asia Gold and Platinum Elite members, and unlimited complimentary upgrades on flights within the continental U.S. and select other regions. It also will add new features including:
Diamond Medallion Status: A fourth Medallion level for flyers who earn 125,000 MQMs or fly 140 segments per calendar year will offer the richest benefits of any airline, including a complimentary Delta Sky Club membership, 125 percent mileage bonus for purchases, Award booking and baggage fee waivers and other exclusive rewards.
Rollover MQMs: Delta is the first airline to allow customers to retain any MQMs earned above a Medallion threshold at the end of the year, supplementing the ability to earn status the following year. For example, should a member accrue 40,000 MQMs in one calendar year, the 15,000 MQMs that exceed the 25,000 MQM Silver Medallion threshold will be rolled over to the following year. There is no limit to the number of miles rolled over, and the benefit takes effect immediately.
No Direct Ticketing Charges: Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members will have ticketing fees waived for all bookings, whether completed by phone, online or in person.
Choice Benefits: Diamond and Platinum Medallion members will choose from a menu of benefits, including bonus miles, the ability to gift Medallion status, Delta Sky Club day passes, and new systemwide confirmed upgrade certificates now redeemable on the day of departure.
Delta will continue to offer Medallion members benefits unmatched by its largest competitors, including unlimited complimentary upgrades on flights within the continental U.S., Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central and Northern South America; the ability to earn at least one elite qualifying mile per mile flown regardless of booking channel; preferred security lanes, priority boarding and seating and waived baggage charges for everyone in the itinerary; a 500-mile earning minimum for all flights for all members; no co-pays on mileage upgrades; and a 50 percent mileage and MQM bonus earning on premium economy fares.
The SkyMiles program will offer four Medallion elite levels in 2010, and status may be earned via MQMs or qualifying flight segments this year. Requirements for reaching Silver, Gold and Platinum status are unchanged for 2010:
Medallion Status MQMs Earned Segments Flown
Silver 25,000 30
Gold 50,000 60
Platinum 75,000 100
Diamond (new in 2010) 125,000 140
Additional details about the 2010 Medallion program are available at delta.com/newskymiles. Information about the merging of the Delta and Northwest Airlines frequent flyer programs is online at delta.com/integrationtimline.
The award-winning Delta SkyMiles program offers members multiple mileage-earning opportunities when flying Delta, Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection carriers, Delta AirElite and other SkyTeam airlines. Now in its 28th year, SkyMiles is one of the longest-running and most successful loyalty programs in the travel industry. It was named "Best Domestic Frequent Flyer program" for 2007 and 2008 by readers of Executive Traveler magazine and "Best Frequent Flyer Program" for 2006 and 2007 by Business Traveler magazine.
Delta Air Lines is the world's No. 1 airline. From its hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam and Tokyo-Narita, Delta, its Northwest subsidiary and Delta Connection carriers offer service to 376 destinations in 67 countries and serves more than 170 million passengers each year. Delta's marketing alliances allow customers to earn and redeem either SkyMiles or WorldPerks on more than 16,000 daily flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta's more than 70,000 employees worldwide are reshaping the aviation industry as the only U.S. airline to offer a full global network. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and flight status at delta.com.
Terms and Conditions
Complimentary upgrades are subject to availability and may not be available on all flights or in all markets. Taxes (and if applicable, fees) for Award Travel are the responsibility of the passenger and must be paid at the time the ticket is booked. Award Travel seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or in all markets. Offers and benefits subject to change without notice. Economy Award reservations will be upgraded to First Class beginning 24 hours prior to departure based on availability. Rollover benefit means Medallion Qualification Miles earned in 2009 above member's earned Medallion threshold level will be rolled over to 2010 and will count toward 2011 Medallion status qualification. Please allow 6-8 weeks for fulfillment of Choice Benefits. All SkyMiles program and WorldPerks program rules apply to SkyMiles and WorldPerks program membership, miles, offers, mile accrual, mile redemption and travel benefits, respectively. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/memberguide and nwa.com/worldperks. All Delta Sky Club membership terms, conditions and house rules apply to Delta Sky Club membership. Complete Delta Sky Club terms, conditions and house rules are available at delta.com/skyclub.