Elite customers will be pleased with the new feature.
In 2022, many US airlines announced changes to loyalty programs, and most of the changes did not please customers. Jason Aten, technology columnist at Inc., reported today that Delta Airlines rolled out the online upgrade feature announced in October, months ahead of schedule.
Early deployment
Two months ago, Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines announced changes to its SkyMiles frequent flyer program. Most of the announced changes didn’t satisfy customers, but one, which came to fruition in the past few days, will make life a little easier for Platinum and Diamond Medallion members.
With each major US carrier, customers at the highest levels of airline status receive upgrades when available. At Delta, Platinum and Diamond Medallion, customers have received several annual upgrade certificates. But the airline made it difficult for customers to redeem their upgrade certificates by calling Delta. In October, the airline announced that in 2023 it would allow customers to use their upgrade certificates when booking online.
Delta’s elite passengers can now redeem their upgrade certificates online, as the feature was recently rolled out. Jason Aten noted that in the past, calling Delta to use the certificates was a horrible experience. He adds that, more often than not, there were problems delivering the upgrades and that several calls had to be made with the airline to resolve the difficulties.
Photo: Lukas Souza | single flight
Now that Delta has followed through on its word ahead of schedule, many of its passengers will no doubt sigh in relief.
Spend more to get more
In October, Delta announced that passengers would be required to spend more to achieve its top-level statuses in 2023. Specifically, to achieve Gold, Platinum, or Diamond Medallion status, Delta requires an approximately 33% increase in spending. . This increase means that to achieve Diamond Medallion status, customers will need to spend $20,000.
“These limited changes to the SkyMiles program are a necessary step to both preserve and improve the customer experience for our most loyal and engaged members. Since we last changed the qualifications of several membership tiers eight years ago, the travel and loyalty landscape has changed We continue to invest in the customers who invest in us, so those members get the best that Delta has to offer, with our new Choice Benefits, our premium and transformed Delta Sky Clubs, and our expansion of the use of SkyMiles currency throughout the trip.- Dwight James, Senior Vice President of Customer Engagement and Loyalty and CEO of Delta Vacations
Although the Atlanta-based carrier said it would be more difficult to achieve higher status levels, it added that the benefits its elite customers would receive would increase. Effective February 1, 2023, Delta Credit Cardmembers can use statement credits on eligible Delta SkyMiles Cards and have the ability to assign their status to someone else.
Photo: Lukas Souza | single flight
Do you fly frequently with Delta? If so, what do you think of these changes? If not, are you a frequent flyer with another airline?
Source: Inc.
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Delta Airlines
- IATA/ICAO code:
- DL/DAL
- Airline type:
- Full service carrier
- Hub(s):
- Boston Logan International Airport, Metro Detroit Wayne County Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, New York JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
- Year of foundation:
- 1929
- Alliance:
- SkyTeam
- CEO:
- Ed Bastien
- The country:
- United States
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