SKYMILES NEWS & UPDATES

STAY INFORMED  

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.

News Update

    • We know your miles are important, so we want to provide the most notice possible regarding Award price changes. For travel on or after June 1, 2016, the number of miles needed will change based on destination, demand and other considerations. But most Award prices will remain unchanged. To see the best availability and deals, search at least 21 days prior to departure and use our Award Calendar by selecting “flexible days” when searching for a flight.

      Miles needed to upgrade* also will increase, and to provide greater access to these upgrades, we’ve expanded the eligible types of fares.

      *Includes seats in Delta One, First Class and Business Class 

    • Welcome more mileage possibilities this summer. Compared to last year, we’ve increased Award availability by more than double at the lowest prices to make it easier for you to use your miles. You’ll also find One-Way Awards to select U.S. and Caribbean destinations starting at just 7,500 miles (plus taxes and fees) now through February 2016. Plus, you can continue to enjoy 10,000-mile (plus taxes and fees) One-Way Award Tickets to select U.S., Mexican and Caribbean destinations with a 21-day advance purchase.

      And you can now book Awards on more partner airlines than ever — 22 total — conveniently from delta.com. To see the most options and best deals on both Delta and our partners, view our Award Calendar by selecting “flexible days” when searching for a flight. 

    • A better seat now equals more for your SkyMiles account. Effective for travel starting July 21, 2015 whenever you purchase Preferred Seats, Delta Comfort+, and paid upgrades to the premium cabin, you now will earn miles and Medallion® Qualification Dollars (MQDs).

      The MQDs earned on First Class upgrades as well as Comfort+ and Preferred Seats are based on the total purchase price and your Medallion tier. MQDs measure your annual spending on Delta flights and combined with your miles or segments flown, determine your Medallion status and its many benefits. For more information and associated terms & conditions, visit delta.com/mqds. 

    • We promised to provide more details on the ways you’ll earn miles in 2015 and now, we have made all partner airline mileage-earn charts available. For any partner marketed and ticketed flights flown on or after January 1, 2015, you will continue to earn mileage based on a percentage of distance flown as determined by the fare class paid.

      Check out delta.com/partnerairlines for more details.

    • Award Travel deals are now easier to find. An all-new shopping experience lets you easily search for the lowest-priced Award Ticket, and the new and improved Award calendar offers a five-week view with flexible days and airports to give you more options. Check out the improvements we’ve made to the Award calendar or compare a flight’s price in miles vs. money today.

    • Take advantage of our all-new mileage earning structure with Hertz®. Plus, we’re proud to introduce Enterprise Rent-A-Car® as a new SkyMiles partner. And now earn more miles than ever before with Alamo® and National Car Rental®.

      SkyMiles member benefits include:

      Hertz

      • General members earn 500 miles per rental
      • Gold and Silver Medallion® members earn 1,000 miles per rental
      • Diamond and Platinum Medallion members earn 1,250 miles per rental
      • For a limited-time, Medallion members earn 300 bonus miles per day and general members earn 200 bonus miles per day
      • Savings of up to 40% on every rental
      • Additional member benefits coming soon

      Enterprise

      • The first ever mileage-earning opportunities with Enterprise Rent-A-Car when you rent at delta.rentalcar.com
      • Earn 500 miles per rental
      • For a limited-time, earn an additional 200 bonus miles per rental day
      • Savings on every rental

      Alamo and National

      • Earn 500 miles per rental
      • For a limited-time, earn an additional 200 bonus miles per rental day when you rent at delta.rentalcar.com
      • Savings on every rental

      Learn more about the exclusive offers available from Hertz, Alamo, Enterprise and National.

      Also, effective July 31, 2014, Avis Budget Group, Inc. will no longer be a Delta SkyMiles partner.

    • Beginning January 1, 2015, a new 250,000-mile allowance will go into effect for transfers from SkyMiles partner loyalty programs. The maximum amount of points transferable into a given SkyMiles account will be 250,000 miles (or equivalent) per partner during each calendar year.

      Until then, you can continue to transfer points to your SkyMiles account in accordance with existing SkyMiles program rules. However, individual partners may place additional limits on your ability to transfer points to your SkyMiles account.

      With this upcoming change, we’re continuing to invest in improving Award Travel availability for SkyMiles members. By limiting the amount of points that can be transferred from other programs, we will increase the value of miles and also reduce demand for Award Tickets. This, in turn, will increase the number of lower-priced Awards available to members — especially our most loyal members, who earn the majority of their miles directly through the SkyMiles program.
       

      Find out more about converting partner points to milesopens in a new window.

    • We’re excited to unveil Upgrade with Miles, a new way to upgrade your seat and make the most of your journey. When booking an eligible flight within the U.S. 50, you’ll see the option to upgrade your ticket on the Trip Summary page and use miles to pay the difference in fare. If you’re traveling with friends or family, your miles will be used to upgrade all tickets in your reservation.

      So plan your trip today, then get ready to take off in style.

      Learn more about Upgrade with Miles

    • In response to your feedback and as part of our ongoing efforts to improve your travel experience, we’ve made updates to the SkyMiles program for 2015.

      Here’s what you can expect:

      • Earning Medallion® Status: Medallion status will still be earned through a combination of the miles or segments you fly plus your annual spending on Delta flights. 
      • Earning Miles: Miles you earn toward Award Travel are now based on ticket price instead of distance flown for Delta-marketed or -ticketed travel on or after January 1, 2015. You’ll earn 5 to 11 miles per dollar based on your SkyMiles status.
      • Redeeming Miles: You can now enjoy more flexibility and redemption options for Award Tickets. Specifically, you can take advantage of no blackout dates on Delta Air Lines flights, more Award Seats available for fewer miles, One-Way Awards, Miles + Cash Award options and all-new Award Ticket search and shopping at delta.com.

      Learn all about the 2015 SkyMiles program. 

    • Get the latest Fly Delta app today and experience new features, including access to your digital SkyMiles and Delta Sky Club® membership cards — anytime, anyplace.

      To find and use your digital cards, check out “My Wallet” in the “My Delta” section of the Fly Delta app for iPhone® and Android™. Plus, if you’re using an iPhone, you can send your SkyMiles or Delta Sky Club card to Passbook® for even easier access.

      Visit our Mobile Apps page for more information and to download the latest Fly Delta app.

    • 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, Priority Boarding and Unlimited Complimentary Upgrades.

      Start maximizing your rewards now. LEARN MORE.

      To see complete Terms and Conditions, please visit delta.com/crossoverrewards.

    • Starting July 21, 2015, Platinum and Diamond Medallion members can use Regional Upgrade Certificates, in addition to Global Upgrade Certificates, to move up to a seat in Delta One® on transcontinental flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

      • Regional Upgrade Certificates are one of the Choice Benefits options offered to Diamond and Platinum Medallion members. To obtain Regional or Global Upgrade Certificates for upgrade on a transcontinental or any other eligible flight, you must first select Upgrade Certificates as your Choice Benefit. For more information about Choice Benefits, visit delta.com/choicebenefits.
      • To use your certificate to request an upgrade, contact Reservations.
      • If a Delta One seat is not available at the time of your request, you can waitlist for an available seat. And don’t worry: if you aren’t upgraded, you will keep your Upgrade Certificate to use at another time
         

    • We’ve adjusted the 2016 Medallion Qualification Dollars* (MQDs) thresholds to add even more exclusivity to the SkyMiles Medallion program.

      The MQDs requirement for 2016 Medallion status, which is based on flights flown between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015, will change as follows:

      • Silver Medallion MQDs requirement will be adjusted from $2,500 to $3,000
      • Gold Medallion MQDs requirement will be adjusted from $5,000 to $6,000
      • Platinum Medallion MQDs requirement will be adjusted from $7,500 to $9,000
      • Diamond Medallion MQDs requirement will be adjusted from $12,500 to $15,000

      The MQDs requirement will continue to be waived if you make $25,000 or more in eligible purchases with a Delta SkyMiles Credit Card in the qualification year.

      Learn more about MQDs and what’s changed.

      *MQDs requirement is for U.S.-based members only.

    • If you’re a Diamond, Platinum or Gold Medallion member, please visit Delta Sky Club News & Updates to learn about new Club membership options and updated details on the Medallion benefits you receive with Delta Sky Club.

    • Effective January 1, 2014, Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) are earned based on your annual spending for Delta flights. U.S.-based members (excluding Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) need to reach minimum thresholds for MQDs as well as either Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) or Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs) to earn Medallion status. You also can earn the MQD Waiver for the qualification year if you make $25,000 or more in eligible purchases in that year with a Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express.

      Check out the Medallion status tracker to quickly and easily keep tabs on your progress toward earning status in My SkyMiles or the My Delta homepage dropdown when logged in at delta.com, or on the Fly Delta app. It prominently displays your MQMs and MQSs side by side as well as your progress toward MQD and the MQD Waiver (Delta SkyMiles Credit Card Spend) thresholds.

      As a reminder, Economy Comfort™ and Preferred Seating purchases made through Delta channels (including delta.com, Fly Delta mobile app, Delta Reservations, Delta kiosks, and select Delta airport locations) count toward your total MQDs, in addition to the MQDs you receive for the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharge portions of your Delta-marketed or -ticketed flights. Plus, you’ll earn MQDs for a portion of your Delta Vacations® purchases related to airfare.

      Learn more about MQDs — what counts, what doesn't count and what’s changing.

    • Medallion Complimentary Upgrades are now available on flights between Hawaii and Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, or Seattle. But in light of significant investments in our coast-to-coast BusinessElite® experience, which include premium amenities like fully flat-bed seats, Westin Heavenly® In-Flight Bedding, on-demand entertainment, and premium dining, we no longer offer Medallion Complimentary Upgrades on flights between New York-JFK and Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Seattle.

      For more information about Medallion Complimentary Upgrade benefits, click here.

    • The Medallion year traditionally begins March 1 each year to allow time for Medallion membership packages to be delivered. With the streamlined production of membership packages and the availability of digital SkyMiles and Medallion cards in the Fly Delta app, we are able to begin the Medallion year earlier. Starting in 2016, the Medallion year will begin February 1 and subsequently, the 2015 Medallion year will end on January 31, 2016.

    • Beginning September 10, 2014, Medallion members will enjoy complimentary checked baggage on flights with our partner Virgin Australia.

      Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members also will continue to enjoy the following benefits on Virgin Australia flights:

      • Priority Check-In and Priority Boarding
      • Priority security line access
      • Complimentary lounge access*
      • Priority baggage handling

      And Silver Medallion members will continue to enjoy Priority Check-In on international flights and Priority Boarding on international long-haul flights with Virgin Australia.

      In addition to these elite benefits, all SkyMiles members will continue to earn miles and Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) on Virgin Australia flights. Plus, members can continue to redeem miles for Virgin Australia flights.  

      †Complimentary checked baggage allowances for Diamond and Platinum Medallion members will be equivalent to a Velocity Platinum member. Allowances for Gold and Silver Medallion members will be equivalent to Gold and Silver Velocity members. Fees may apply for overweight and oversized baggage.  Please visit Virgin Australiaopens in a new window for more details on baggage policy.

      *Lounge access is available with a same-day boarding pass for international travel. Please click here for more information.

      Please travel with and be prepared to show your Medallion card to the Virgin Australia representative to receive these benefits.

    • Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members now enjoy complimentary GOL+ Conforto seats on shuttle flights between São Paulo (CGH) and Rio de Janeiro (SDU) central airports.* These premium Economy Class seats feature more legroom, 50% more recline, and a blocked middle seat for added privacy.

      Additionally, Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members may continue to take advantage of the following elite benefits when flying GOL:

      • Complimentary Preferred Seats**
      • Baggage fee waivers**
      • Priority Check-in and Boarding
      • Ability to earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs)
      • Mileage earning and redemption opportunities with GOL
      • Complimentary GOL lounge access at São Paulo (GRU) and Rio de Janeiro (GIG) with a same-day boarding pass

      *GOL+ Conforto seats are subject to availability and can be reserved at the time of booking through GOL or by showing your Diamond, Platinum or Gold Medallion credentials at the GOL check-in counter.

      **Preferred Seat selection and baggage fee waivers may be requested at the GOL check-in counter. Be sure to provide your SkyMiles number when booking your flight at delta.com, through a Delta Reservations Specialist, or through a GOL agent to enjoy these benefits.

    • Enjoy the best U.S. to U.K. travel experience through our new partnership with Virgin Atlantic. Book Virgin Atlantic flights directly at delta.com. Fly with Delta and Virgin Atlantic to take advantage of more flight choices, premium onboard amenities and added loyalty perks, including:

      More Options to London

      • 7 daily, nonstop flights from New York-JFK and 2 daily flights from Newark
      • An expanded network, featuring 30 round-trip flights between North America and the U.K.
      • Nonstop service to London from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Orlando, San Francisco, Vancouver and Washington, DC
      • Nonstop service to the U.S. from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow

      Exclusive Clubhouse Access

      • Complimentary access to the award-winning and luxurious Virgin Atlantic Clubhousesopens in a new window* for BusinessElite® or Upper Class passengers and Diamond or Platinum Medallion® members traveling on Delta- or Virgin Atlantic-operated transatlantic flights

      SkyMiles Perks

      • The ability to earn and use miles with Virgin Atlantic
      • Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion member benefits, including Priority Boarding, Check-In, Security** and Baggage, plus baggage fee waivers when flying Virgin Atlantic

      Luxury On Board

      • 180° flat-bed seats with direct-aisle access and in-seat power in BusinessElite or Upper Class
      • Personal on-demand entertainment at every seat, on all flights between the U.S. and U.K.

      Learn more about the new best-in-the-business travel benefits you now enjoy as great minds fly alike.

      *Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses are located at London Heathrow, London Gatwick, New York-JFK, Newark, Washington, Boston and San Francisco Airports.
      **Priority security available at select airports.