Inside Delta Air Lines’ Most Elite Status Tier

Everyone who travels with Delta Air Lines knows about SkyMiles and its rewards program. Depending upon how frequently you travel with the airline, you have plenty of options, such as the Gold Medallion Status or Platinum or its most luxurious Medallion Status – Diamond. But despite the name “Diamond” having a zing of certain elite status, it isn’t the highest tier that a traveler with the airline can apply for. Delta Air Lines’ most elite status cannot be applied to – it is the airline that dictates whom it will give the gift of the 360 status.

Related

The Different Tiers Of Delta Air Lines’ SkyMiles Program

Elite staus beings many perks and benefits in mileage earning and onboard treatment – with Delta Air Lines and its partners.

Delta’s 360: the secret elite status that you probably have never heard about

Some select airlines in the world have a secret elite status- information about which is not privy to everyone. Although Delta’s 360 status tier isn’t classified, finding out about it is quite difficult because the airline doesn’t mention it as much.

Photo: natmac stock | Shutterstock

You can find some hints about it at the bottom of the airline’s page about the Diamond Medallion Status, where this most elusive and exclusive status is described as:

“ 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.”

Some reports say that there are no markers that might indicate how you can achieve it. A traveler had confided to cntraveler that (s)he had flown close to 330,000 miles and spent $79,000 with Delta before being notified by the airline about the 360 status. This is quite similar to the secret airline status of other carriers in the world, such as the following:

Savings on holidays with Delta’s 360

Delta mentions that with the 360, you can “Go Beyond the Flight.” The airline, with the Delta 360, offers you a chance to save $350 per booking on its 300+ destinations. In order to access this perk, you have to book your flight and hotel experience with the airline.

Photo: Denver International Airport

The airline explains the offer:

• $350 off vacations of $6,000+
• $250 off vacations of $4,000 – $5,999
• $150 off vacations of $2,500 – $3,999
• $75 off vacations of $1,250 – $2,499

In order to make these savings, you have to use the promotional code “SMDELTA360” while making the reservation. You will also have to make a minimum package purchase of $1,250 per booking, with the purchase package including “flight and hotel; or flight, hotel and car rental, plus any optional activities.”

Delta’s vacations, in turn, allow you some other treats. These include

Bonus miles on your flight

With Delta’s vacations, you can earn up to 10,000 bonus miles per person. These miles are the ones on top of the miles you earn for your flight.

Miles are worth at least 15% more

If you book a Delta vacation package, you will get 15% or more on the miles you earn. The benefit was introduced in July 2023.

Photo: Delta Air Lines

The reservations can be made almost a year prior to the flight. However, the carrier does mention a few terms and conditions that are applicable:

• New mileage redemption value is not retroactive and is not available on prior reservations.
• If you cancel your reservation, miles will not be redeposited into your SkyMiles account. The SkyMiles account holder will receive a Delta Vacations voucher for the value of the miles at the time of redemption minus any cancel penalties.
• Offers void where prohibited by law. Offers subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply.

Some terms and conditions laid out by Delta for the 360 status

To cash in on Delta 360’s perks, you must have at least one flight on Delta Air Lines or the partner airlines.

Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

In addition, there might be a few hidden charges that the 360 status holders have to watch out for. For instance, if you are trying to save up to $350 on the holidays, you have to remember that:

• Discount does not apply to taxes and fees of carrier-imposed surcharges.
• Additional baggage charges for checked luggage may apply, as well as any applicable hotel/resort fees or departure taxes collected by hotel/resort/airport at destination.
• Minimum 5-night hotel stay required for packages to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
• Additional baggage charges for checked luggage may apply, as well as any applicable hotel/resort fees or departure taxes collected by hotel/resort/airport at destination.

Related

How Many Delta SkyMiles Do You Need For A Free Flight?

The answer can vary by route and date.

All in all

Delta’s 360 is a treat that only a select number of people have. And it is a surprise too – no one knows when the carrier might decide to call the die-hard mileage grabber and bestow this most exclusive status.