Delta Extends SkyMiles Benefits and Adds Flexibility
New policies eliminate 72-hour window to change or cancel an award ticket and drop the $150 fee for redepositing points
Delta Air Lines has extended benefits and added flexibility to its SkyMiles loyalty program. The carrier said it would extend Delta SkyMiles American Express Card Member benefits through Dec. 31, 2021, including:
Extending the expiration date for $100 Delta flight credits earned by Delta SkyMiles Gold Card Members
Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve Card Members with unused Companion Certificates will be able to book and travel using the Companion Certificate through 2021
Expiration dates for Reserve Card Members’ unused Delta Sky Club guest passes will also be extended.
The new SkyMiles policies, intended to reassure frequent Delta fliers about the continuation of their points and status, further relax deadlines which the airline had already extended in April.
In addition, the airlines says it is eliminating the $150 redeposit fee to cancel an award ticket and the $150 reissue fee to change an award ticket for all SkyMiles Members. This covers travel on all tickets, excluding Basic Economy fares.
Delta says it is also no longer requiring a 72-hours-before-departure deadline to change or cancel a domestic award ticket for all SkyMiles members.
Sandeep Dube, senior vice president of customer engagement and loyalty, said that customers now have even more flexibility for upcoming trips and more time to enjoy benefits when they’re ready to travel again. With the changes, Delta SkyMiles American Express Card members will see select benefits extended through the end of 2021; and Delta Sky Club Memberships that were active as of March 1, 2020, will be extended again for members to use through June 30, 2021.
Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members who selected Upgrade Certificates, Delta Sky Club Memberships, Delta Sky Club Guest Passes, or Delta Travel Vouchers or gave Medallion Status through Delta’s Choice Benefits program for the 2020 Medallion Year will get to select new Choice Benefits starting on Feb. 1, 2021 – the start of the 2021 Medallion Year – or as they earn Medallion Status, as they normally would.
