by Daniel | Last Updated September 14th, 2023
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So as you may have already heard, just the other day Delta just made some pretty big changes to its Delta SkyMiles program and to its entry requirements for the Delta SkyClub starting January 1st, 2024
And I’m pretty sure that this is going annoy a lot of people.
So let’s jump straight into the article and see what exactly is changing.
Changes To The Delta Sky Club
Now let’s start by looking at the new changes that are going to affect your ability to access the Delta Sky Club.
And these changes will effect the following credit cards:
The Amex Platinum personal and Business cards
And the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Platinum personal and Business cards.
So if you have an Amex Platinum card (either person or business) you will be limited to just 6 annual visits each year.
Then with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve personal and business card you will be limited to just 10 annual visits, although with the personal card, you will still receive the two annual guest passes.
With the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card, starting next year you will not be able to pay to access the club, currently it is $50 per person for access which is little steep, but at least you get the option the experience the club.
But cutting that out totally is a bit mean in my opinion.
Then if you are lucky enough to hold an Amex Centurion Card (or Black Amex) there will be no change to your ability to access the Delta Sky Club, so you will still have unlimited access.
And this kind of makes sense seeing that you are paying such a large annual fee each year for this credit card.
Either way, it’s a big shake up, and almost a bit of a joke seeing that all of these cards previously provided you with unlimited access to the Delta SkyClub when flying on a Delta marked flight.
I don’t know about you, but I hate being marketed with all of these great benefits that these cards apparently offer, only to have it taken away a short time after, It’s almost like a bait and switch.
How To Get Around These New Restrictions
Now there are ways to get around these upcoming entry restriction to the Delta Sky Club.
But unfortunately they involve spending quite a lot of money.
So the first option would be to buy a Delta SkyMiles Individual Membership for $695.00, or you could fly on Delta One business-class every time you fly.
And this would be nice, but it’s going to cost you a lot of money and to be honest I don’t think either of these options are worth it.
Then finally if you spend $75,000 on your credit card within a calendar year you will get unlimited access to the Delta Sky Club.
And again this is just fine if you send a ton of money on just one credit card, but in reality, this wont be possible for a large amount people.
Now this isn’t the end of the restriction to the Delta Sky Club.
Also starting January 1st, 2024, if you are flying on a basic economy ticket with Delta, you will no longer be able to access the Delta Sky Club.
And I guess to some extent this kind of makes sense, as having access to an exclusive airport lounge should have some restrictions.
Now one thing that kind of ticks me off about these new restrictions about is the fact that Delta made approximately $5.5 billion from American Express in 2022, and expects to make $6.5 Billion this year.
That’s an insane amount of money, and to think they are now restricting access to their lounges to their loyal customers is a bit of an insult.
I know companies need to make money, but if they are making literally billions of dollars just from Amex each year, I’m pretty sure they could find a way to open a few extra clubs to allow for the overcrowding that has been happening the past couple of years.
Changes To Delta SkyMiles
So besides the major overhaul that will be implemented next year regarding access to the Delta SkyClub.
Delta is also making big changes to how you earn Medallion status.
Basically, starting Jan 1st 2024, they will be ending Medallion Qualifying Miles and Medallion Qualifying Segments and will just focus on Medallion Qualifying Dollars.
So let’s just take a look at where you can earn MQDs or Medallion Qualifying Dollars from.
- When using either your Delta SkyMiles Reserve personal or business card you will earn 1 MQD per $10 spent.
- Then with the Delta SkyMiles Platinum personal or business card you will earn 1 MQD per $20 Spent.
And there is no limit on MQDs earnings when spending on these cards.
You will then earn 1 MQD per dollar spent through Delta on the following categories:
- Delta marked flights
- Car rentals
- Hotel Stays
- Delta Vacations
Now another devaluation that is being implemented is the fact that the MQD waiver for medallion status will be slashed.
Up until this year, Delta provided a waiver up to Platinum Medallion Status of you spent $25,000 on an eligible card, and a waiver for Diamond Medallion Status if you spent $250,000.
Going forward, depending on the credit card you use, spending $25,000 will only get you either 1,250 or 2,500 MQDs, which is not even enough to get Silver Medallion Status.
And if you are able to spend $250,000, depending on the card you use, you will only earn either 12,500 or 25,000 MQDs, which is not nearly enough to qualify for Diamond Medallion Status.
So it’s a pretty big change that is being implemented.
New Status Thresholds Increased For Medallion Elite Status
Now beside the fact that Delta are changing how you earn Medallion status, they are also making it considerably more difficult to meet Medallion elite status requirements.
So let’s take a look at each Medallion tier level and see how it will be changing.
Silver Medallion Status
To reach Silver Medallion Status in 2023 you needed 3,000 MQDs.
In 2024 this will stay the same at 3,000 MQDs, but in 2025 it will double to 6,000 MQDs!
Gold Medallion Status
To meet the threshold for Gold Medallion status in 2023 is 6,000 MQDs.
In 2024 this will rise to 8,000 MQDs and then in 2025 this will go up to 12,000 MQDs
Platinum Medallion Status
For Platinum Medallion status in 2023 it requires 9,000 MQDs.
Then in 2024 it will rise to 12,000 MQDs and then by 2025 it will require 18,000 MQDs
Diamond Medallion Status
Then finally, for Diamond Medallion status in 2023 it requires 15,000 MQDs.
In 2024 this will go up to 20,000 MQDs and in 2025 this goes all the way up to 35,000 MQDs!
So as you can see it is going to be considerably harder to reach these new thresholds in the coming years, every tier level will at least double in the next couple of years.
Now up until this year Delta offered the ability to roll over your MQMs each year, but unfortunately Delta is also scrapping this benefit.
Basically, if you have any rollover MQMs that you have earned during 2023, Delta will give you a one-time option that will convert your MQMs in to either MQDs, redeemable miles or both.
If you rollover you existing MQMs to miles ,they will convert at a rate of 2:1.
Then if you choose to covert your MQMs to MQDs, the rate will be 20:1.
Final Thoughts
So big changes are coming for all Delta customers whether you like or not.
Add to be honest I’m not a big fan of the changes, but thankfully I don’t need to rely on Delta Airlines and the Delta Sky Club when I travel.
I’m still perfectly happy with my Amex Platinum card and Chase Sapphire Reserve card which both offer a free Priority Pass Select Membership and the ability to transfer points to a whole variety of different airlines at a 1:1 rate.
And the best thing about cards like these is the fact that you are not tied in to just one airline, you actually have more freedom and options of something like this happens.
Anyway, that my little rant for today, but what do you guys think about these up coming changes?
Is it a good idea or a bad idea? And more importantly will you keep you Delta SkyMiles card or cancel it for a more rewarding credit card?
Now if you want a better and cheaper option for gaining access to airport lounges, make sure you watch this video here where I show you all of the exclusive benefits you can receive with a Priority Pass Membership.