Delta Revamps SkyMiles Program, Limits Access to Lounges

Starting January 1, 2024, gaining Delta elite status and accessing the airline’s Sky Club lounges will become significantly more challenging. In a major update to its SkyMiles program, Delta will switch to a single criterion, Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs), as the exclusive measure for earning status. (Heads up: high spending will be the only path to elite status.) Around the same time, the airline will start restricting entry to Sky Club lounges, excluding Delta SkyMiles Platinum cardholders and travelers flying Basic Economy. Later, new access limitations will be introduced for AmEx Platinum and Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders. Here’s everything you need to know about these upcoming changes.

The sole method to earn elite Medallion Status with Delta

Currently, the process for achieving elite status (or Medallion Status) within the Delta SkyMiles program is somewhat intricate. The program relies on three metrics for status qualification: Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs), Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs), and Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). Earning status necessitates a combination of actual flights (represented by either MQMs or MQSs) and specified spending thresholds (shown in MQDs). Starting January 1, 2024, MQMs and MQSs will be phased out, leaving only MQDs as the criteria. Medallion status will be awarded at the following levels:

• Silver Medallion: $6,000 MQDs
• Gold Medallion: $12,000 MQDs
• Platinum Medallion: $18,000 MQDs
• Diamond Medallion: $35,000 MQDs

Adopting a single metric for achieving elite status may seem straightforward, but it means that Medallion status will largely hinge on how much you spend on Delta.com, Delta-operated flights, and flights with partner airlines. To qualify for the most basic elite tier, Silver, a minimum expenditure of $6,000 is necessary. The frequency or distance of your flights with Delta or SkyTeam will no longer factor in. Airfare on Delta-operated flights or partner airlines will count towards elite status at a rate of $1 MQD for every $1 spent. You can also earn MQDs at this rate through hotel bookings, car rentals, and Delta Vacations made directly through Delta.

Delta SkyMiles American Express cardholders will still be able to gain MQD boosts, but at significantly reduced rates. Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business cardholders will earn $1 MQD for every $10 spent, whereas Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Platinum Business cardholders will earn $1 MQD for every $20 spent. To achieve Platinum Medallion solely through credit card spending, you'd need to spend $180,000 on a Delta SkyMiles Reserve card or $360,000 on a Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. For comparison, cardholders of American Airlines' Citi/AAdvantage card earn one Loyalty Point per $1 spent and can reach AAdvantage Platinum Pro/oneworld Emerald status with $125,000 in spending. JetBlue credit cardholders can earn Mosaic Status with just $50,000 in spending.

Delta Sky Club access changes take effect in 2024

Despite Delta's efforts to expand its lounge offerings and add an app feature showing Sky Club capacity, the influx of visitors continues. Consequently, along with the new elite status requirements, Delta will permanently enforce new lounge policies in the upcoming year, limiting access for many travelers.

Starting January 1, 2024, Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Platinum Business cardholders will no longer be permitted entry into Delta Sky Clubs. Currently, they can pay a one-time fee of $50 per visit when flying with Delta or a SkyTeam partner. Additionally, American Express cardholders flying on a Delta Basic Economy ticket (or equivalent on a partner airline) will be denied entry. At present, holders of an AmEx Platinum, Delta SkyMiles Reserve, or SkyMiles Reserve Business card enjoy unlimited access when flying Delta or a partner airline, regardless of their fare class.

On February 1, 2025, new policies will be implemented for AmEx Platinum, Delta SkyMiles Reserve, and SkyMiles Reserve Business cardholders, replacing the current unlimited lounge access. When flying in fare classes other than Basic Economy on Delta (or equivalent on partner airlines), holders of the Platinum Card from American Express will receive six Sky Club visits per cardmember year. Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business cardholders will receive 10 visits per year. All three cardholders can gain unlimited Club access after spending $75,000 on their eligible card within a calendar year, applicable for that year and the following one.

Wrapping up the details

SkyMiles will continue to accrue at a base rate of five miles per $1 spent, which increases with Medallion status. For those curious about Rollover MQMs earned in 2023, Delta will offer a one-time option to convert them into redeemable miles, MQDs, or a combination of both. Good news for those nearing Million Miler Status (for lifetime elite status): this will still be earned based on flight miles flown. Any MQMs already accrued toward Million Miler Status will be retained, and all flight miles from January 1, 2024, onward will contribute to the total.

This article was initially published on September 13, 2023, and updated on September 14, 2023.