Critique of Delta Air Lines' Frequent Flyer Reward System, SkyMiles

Delta Air Lines has introduced a new revenue-based system for its SkyMiles program, affecting the way passengers earn miles. Here's a comprehensive guide to understanding the changes and how they impact different types of Delta passengers.

## Revenue-Based Earning Structure

Under the new system, General SkyMiles Members earn 5 SkyMiles per U.S. dollar spent on the base fare of Delta-issued tickets, excluding taxes and fees. This means passengers without elite status earn miles based on how much they spend, not how far they fly. Elite Status Members, however, earn more SkyMiles per dollar spent, with Silver Medallion members earning 7 miles per dollar, Gold Medallion members earning 8 miles per dollar, Platinum Medallion members earning 9 miles per dollar, and Diamond Medallion members earning 11 miles per dollar.

## Exception Fares

Certain fares, such as cruise fares, bulk fares, and heavily discounted tickets, earn SkyMiles based on distance flown rather than the fare amount. These include Delta One/First Class (150% of distance flown), Full Fare Main Cabin/Delta Comfort+ (100% of distance flown), Main Cabin (75% of distance flown), and Discounted Main Cabin (50% of distance flown).

## Impact on Passengers

The revenue-based system rewards passengers who spend more on their tickets, particularly those with higher elite status levels. Frequent flyers who frequently buy higher-priced tickets or have elite status (e.g., Platinum or Diamond Medallion) tend to earn more SkyMiles per flight. On the other hand, budget travelers purchasing cheaper tickets earn fewer SkyMiles per dollar spent and may face limitations with exception fares. Passengers with international flights may still earn miles based on distance, depending on the partner airline's system.

## Earning SkyMiles

SkyMiles can be earned on any Delta flight, as well as flights with many SkyTeam partner airlines and other partners. The list of Non-Alliance Delta Partners includes airBaltic, El Al, Cape Air, and LATAM. Members can also earn SkyMiles through purchases, with purchases made with Delta earning 2X points. American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred directly to Delta Air Lines at a ratio of 1:1, making it a good way to earn lots of SkyMiles.

## Delta Co-Branded Credit Cards

Delta offers several co-branded credit cards for earning SkyMiles directly, such as the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card, and Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card offers a bonus of 100,000 miles after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months of Card Membership.

## SkyMiles Membership Tiers and Benefits

SkyMiles offers members 4 membership tiers: Silver Medallion, Gold Medallion, Platinum Medallion, and Diamond Medallion. Each membership tier offers different benefits, such as complimentary upgrades, free checked bags, priority check-in and boarding, and more. Immediately upon joining, members become a General Member and begin earning miles on Delta flights and partner activity.

## Managing Your SkyMiles Account

The Delta website has two useful pages to manage your account: My SkyMiles and My Wallet. My SkyMiles allows you to view your account activity, while My Wallet shows your SkyMiles, Sky Club membership cards, elite upgrade certificates, and allows printing of trip receipts.

## Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points to SkyMiles

Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to Delta SkyMiles with a transfer rate of 3:1, plus a 5,000 SkyMiles bonus for every block of 60,000 Marriott points transferred.

In conclusion, the new revenue-based system for the Delta SkyMiles program impacts passengers differently based on their status and the type of ticket they purchase. Big spenders and short distance flyers will likely see an increase in their mileage earning, while budget travelers may see a decrease. However, the program still offers opportunities to earn miles through purchases, co-branded credit cards, and partner airlines.

Under the new revenue-based system, passengers without elite status earn miles based on the amount they spend on Delta-issued tickets, excluding taxes and fees, instead of the distance they fly.
Elite Status Members, such as Silver Medallion, Gold Medallion, Platinum Medallion, and Diamond Medallion, earn more SkyMiles per dollar spent, with Diamond Medallion members earning the highest rate of 11 miles per dollar.
Certain fares, like cruise fares, bulk fares, and heavily discounted tickets, earn SkyMiles based on the distance flown rather than the fare amount, with Delta One/First Class earning 150% of the distance flown.
SkyMiles can be earned on any Delta flight, as well as flights with many SkyTeam partner airlines, through purchases made with Delta, or American Express Membership Rewards points transfer.
Delta offers several co-branded credit cards, like the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card, and Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, for earning SkyMiles directly. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card offers a bonus of 100,000 miles after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months of Card Membership.