Summary
- Delta is making it harder to earn or maintain status with its partner airlines by reducing the number of Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) earned.
- Core partner airlines like Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic are hit the hardest, with significant reductions in MQDs earned across multiple fare codes.
- Delta CEO Ed Bastian acknowledges that the changes went too far and promises modifications, but it remains unclear what exactly will be walked back. Loyalty program members are expressing their dissatisfaction with these changes.
While Delta CEO Ed Bastian has come out publicly and stated that the airline went too far with its sweeping SkyMiles changes, and added that “modifications” will be made, details are still slowly arriving. One that most frequent flyers were eagerly awaiting was the earning rate for partner airlines, once an easy path to earning status. However, Delta is largely cutting down how many MQDs (Medallion Qualifying Dollars) you’ll earn across its partners, making it even harder to gain or maintain status.
Core partners hit the hardest
The changes, first noted by The Points Guy, should come as no surprise. If Delta wants to make it harder to earn status, it has to do so with its partners, too, especially “Core Global Airline” ones. This list includes seven major names like Aeromexico, Air France, KLM, China Eastern, Korean Air, LATAM, and Virgin Atlantic. Meanwhile, 14 other airline partners have seen minimal changes, with China Southern, Hawaiian, and Saudia now more favorable.
Take Air France’s long-haul services, for example. Delta has done away with MQM altogether, meaning status is calculated solely on MQDs now. Until 31st December, tickets earn 25-100% of distance flown in MQMs and 5% to 60% in MQDs. One would like the carrier would now offer higher MQDs to more fares, but instead, it is sticking to 5% (discounted economy) to 60% (full fare first) MQDs and cutting the eligible fare classes. As TPG notes, Delta cut earnings for 12 out of 24 fare codes, increased three, and left 9 the same.
Photo: yvr_luis | Shutterstock
Virgin Atlantic has seen 13 out of 22 fare codes drop in MQDs earned (including business class), while only two increase. Luckily, non-core Global Airline Partners have been spared, WestJet only seeing two reductions out of 17 and Saudia three out of 20. In total, TPG found that Core partners will see 52%, 106 out of 204, of fare codes reduce in earnings, while just 10%, 21 of 204, will actually see an increase. However, non-Core partners will only see a 14% drop, 36 of 256 fare codes, while only four (1.5%) will go up.
Could Delta walk it back?
The next step everyone is waiting for is what “modifications,” SkyMiles will bring after CEO Ed Bastian promised the same. The backlash from frequent flyers has been immense, with many flocking to other carriers or planning to once their membership year is over. There’s no doubt thresholds will go up, as they have annually, but to do it in one swipe has been a mistake that Bastian recognizes.
Photo: Delta Air Lines
However, it’s unclear what all Delta will walk back. The easiest would be cutting MQD requirements to something more realistic and in line with what the competition like American has. Changes like restoring Sky Club access would be a bigger step since overcrowding remains a serious issue, but Delta also doesn’t want to see co-brand card spending fall. The earnings chart is just another pain point for SkyMiles loyalists and hopefully one that will be in the apology note the carrier sends its members.
What do you think about Delta’s latest changes? Let us know in the comments.