Frequent fliers are beginning to turn their backs on their go-to airlines due to constant changes in loyalty program perks.

Wealthy travelers who fly Delta Airlines are considering switching loyalty programs despite their high statuses.

Benjamin Carter, a veterinary chief medical officer, is one of those fliers and is considering using a Big Front Seat option with Spirit Airlines.

The Florida-based flier has a Diamond Medallion Status – the highest level for members of Delta’s SkyMiles loyalty program.

Carter has held the Diamond Medallion Status for six years, and owns a Delta SkyMiles Reserve credit card.

Despite the perks, Carter revealed he plans to give it all up following price hikes and frustration with customer service.

‘If I’m able to find an airline that gives me more point-to-point service with less connections, that will be a huge factor in determining who I choose going forward,’ Carter told the Wall Street Journal.

Carter will also track his flights with other airlines and compare prices and on-time trip frequencies.  

Multiple fliers have considered flying other airlines despite their high statuses on the Delta SkyMiles rewards program

Multiple fliers have considered flying other airlines despite their high statuses on the Delta SkyMiles rewards program

Delta SkyMiles has around 120 million members and is one of the world’s largest airline loyalty programs, according to The Points Guy

Carter and other members of the loyalty program receive free Wi-Fi and use miles for travel benefits like seat upgrades or free checked bags, according to Delta’s website.

Travelers earn miles through flights, making purchases on Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards, and partnerships with companies like Hertz and Starbucks.

The members’ status depends on the amount of Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) they spend.

MQDs are metrics used by Delta to determine how much a flier spends on flights, vacation packages, and qualified credit cards.

Carter was required to spend at least $28,000 MQDs in 2024 to maintain his status this year.

Event manager and Platinum Medallion status holder Chad Bordes was required to spend $15,000 in MQDs.

He explained that despite his membership and his father’s previous employment with Delta, he too has decided to explore other airlines.

‘It’s a breath of fresh air,’ the Oregon resident told the Wall Street Journal.

Frequent flier Benjamin Carter revealed he is considering using the Big Front Seat option with Spirit Airlines instead of flying Delta

Frequent flier Benjamin Carter revealed he is considering using the Big Front Seat option with Spirit Airlines instead of flying Delta

Delta faced backlash in 2023 after the airline made unfavorable loyalty program changes.

According to the new rules, Delta SkyMiles members will only be allowed to visit a Sky Club lounge between six and 10 times a year depending on which credit card they use unless they agree to pay $75,000 a year. 

The new policy will be implemented on February 1. 

Another new rule required fliers with basic economy tickets not to gain access to lounges starting on January 1, 2024.

The airline also eliminated Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs), and members were required to convert them to MQDs or Skymiles by December 31, 2024.

The new loyalty program guidelines were enough to make around 100,000 wealthy Delta fliers consider switching airlines.

‘While not all of those people would have actually flown on another carrier, the Delta changes were material enough that members felt they needed a backup option,’ CEO of Loyalty Status Co. Mark Ross-Smith told the Wall Street Journal.

A Delta spokesperson wrote in an email to the Wall Street Journal that travelers were active in the program at record levels despite the changes.

Besides these new policies, Delta announced the airline would end its eight-year partnership with Lyft on January 19.

Delta fliers will be able to earn miles with Uber starting this spring but can still do so with Lyft until April 7. 

Delta faced backlash for changing its SkyMiles rewards program policies in 2023

Delta faced backlash for changing its SkyMiles rewards program policies in 2023

Millennial and Gen Z fliers who are SkyMiles members have also explored other airlines due to reward program changes.

Raina Szura, a frequent flier, is one millennial who has decided to weigh out options.

Unlike Carter and Bordes, Szura is a frequent United Airlines flier and uses a United-branded credit card.

She is allowed a free checked bag and earlier boarding and admitted the United MileagePlus program perks were hard to leave behind.

‘That’s something I’m probably going to have to pay for if it is a long flight,’ Szyra told the Wall Street Journal.

‘Airlines need to remember that their members are emotionally attached to their airline status,’ Ross-Smith said.

‘Messing with that emotional relationship comes at a cost to the airline. That cost may not be felt immediately, but it does down the road.’

If Carter selects Big Front Seat with Spirit, he will be given a wider seat near the front of the plane.

However, the seat option is not always included in the airline’s Free Spirit loyalty program.

Bordes and Szura have not revealed which airlines are at the top of their lists of loyalty program selections.

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