SkyMiles News & Updates
We are committed to delivering the SkyMiles experience you expect and the benefits you've earned. Visit this page regularly to stay informed of the latest program news and changes.
General Program Updates
New Same-Day Travel Options
Beginning April 23, 2013, you may request a day-of-flight change any time prior to the departure time of your original flight. Previously, this option was only available within three hours of your new departure time, so this expanded timeframe will allow you more time to make changes. Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion® members will still receive fee waivers for same-day confirmed changes, but new flight times must now be three hours before or after your original flight time to be eligible for a waiver.
Please also note that the same booking class (e.g. Q, K, L or U) as your original ticket must now be available for same-day confirmed travel changes to another flight.
Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Medallion members may continue to stand by free of charge for flights outside of the complimentary window or when your booking class is not available. We also now offer a new $50 standby option for Silver Medallion members, general SkyMiles members and non-members.
Please see our same-day travel options section for more information.
Fare Class Alignment
As of March 19, 2013 Delta has completed an initiative to more closely align fare classes with partners Air France and KLM for published and unpublished fares:
- Introduced Z as a revenue Business Class fare for travel beginning March 6, 2013, replacing S as a Business Class fare, earning a 50% bonus for both miles and Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs).
- Introduced G as a revenue First Class fare for travel beginning March 20, 2013, earning a 50% bonus for both miles and MQMs.
- Introduced S, X and V as revenue Economy Class fares for travel beginning March 20, 2013.
View details for miles and MQMs earned on published and unpublished fares.
Mileage Transfer Policy Update
As of March 20, 2013 we have updated our policy with regard to transfer of miles upon the death of a member. Please see the SkyMiles Member Guide section regarding Restrictions on Transfer for more information.
Introducing Crossover Rewards
Crossover Rewards™ with the Delta SkyMiles and Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG®) programs allow you to earn even greater rewards when you travel.
Medallion® members can earn miles for eligible stays at Starwood hotels and resorts and SPG elite members can earn Starpoints® for eligible flights with Delta. All in addition to the benefits available in both programs.
Enjoy These Perks When You Stay:
- Medallion members can earn one bonus mile per every dollar spent on eligible room rates at over 1,100 Starwood hotels and resorts in the SPG program.
- Diamond and Platinum Medallion members can enjoy SPG benefits like access to the elite check-in line, 4pm late checkout, complimentary in-room Internet access, and more.
Enjoy These Perks When You Fly:
- SPG Platinum and Gold elite members can earn one Starpoint for every dollar spent on eligible Delta flights.
- SPG Platinum members can receive their first checked bag free, priority check-in and Priority Boarding.
Start maximizing your rewards now. LEARN MORE.
To see complete Terms and Conditions, please visit delta.com/crossoverrewards.
Medallion® Program Updates
Earning Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs)
As of March 1, 2013, the MQMs SkyMiles members earn on select fares have changed:
- For Delta-marketed flights, the MQM bonus for First/Business F and J fare classes has doubled from 50% to 100%, and Economy M fare class no longer earns a 50% MQM bonus. This change applies to tickets purchased on or after March 1, 2013.
- The above changes also apply to F-, J- and M-equivalent fare-class tickets on Aeromexico-, Air France-KLM-, Alaska-, Alitalia- and Virgin Australia-marketed flights. This change applies to travel flown on or after March 1, 2013.
- The MQMs you earn on certain other partner-marketed flights have been adjusted for travel flown on or after March 1, 2013. Visit delta.com/partnerairlines for details by carrier.
- Please note that the way you currently earn redeemable miles has not changed.
Learn more about earning MQMs on Delta- and partner-marketed flights.
Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) – Coming Next Year
Beginning January 1, 2014, SkyMiles members residing in the United States (excluding Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) will earn Medallion status through a combination of miles or segments flown and their annual spending on Delta flights, which will be measured by Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs).
- The threshold ranges from $2,500-$12,500 MQDs depending on Medallion level.
- Alternatively, Delta SkyMiles Credit Cardmembers can be waived from the new Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) requirement if they make at least $25,000 in Eligible Purchases within the calendar year.
View details for each Medallion level and additional information.
Partner Airline Updates
A New Partner Mileage Earning Structure
To answer the questions we often receive about miles earned with partner airlines, we thought we would take the opportunity to clarify benefits across our airline partners. We have created a new mileage earning chart – effective for travel on and after September 1, 2013 – that organizes partner airlines into four groups. The new chart allows you to quickly see an overview of the base miles, Medallion® Qualification Miles, elite-tier bonuses and class-of-service bonuses you’ll earn for flights marketed and operated by our partner airlines.
The chart also includes a few modifications to miles earned with airline partners. Since each airline determines its level of participation in partnership with us, there are varying levels of customer rewards when flying with our partners. Therefore you will earn more miles with some partners and less with others. Please check individual carrier pages for specific details.
You can visit our airline partners page to see the new chart and for more information.
Travel to Brazil and enjoy perks on our partner airline GOL
Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Medallion members may now take advantage of new benefits when flying with GOL, our partner airline in Brazil. These new benefits include Preferred Seating, waived baggage fees, priority check-in, Priority Boarding, and Medallion Qualification Mile (MQM) accrual. Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Medallion members and a guest may also enjoy complimentary GOL Smiles VIP lounge access in São Paulo (GRU) and Rio de Janeiro (GIG) with a same-day boarding pass for a GOL international or Delta flight. Members will continue to earn and redeem miles for GOL flights when booking using their SkyMiles number. Preferred Seat selection and bag fee waivers may be requested at the GOL check–in counter. Be sure to enter your SkyMiles number when booking your flight to enjoy your benefits.
