SkyMiles
Encyclopedia
SkyMiles is the loyalty program of Delta Air Lines
that offers rewards to passengers travelling on certain types of tickets. Created in 1981 as the "Delta Air Lines Frequent Flyer Program"; its name was changed to SkyMiles in 1995. When the frequent flyer program was first established in 1981, new members were awarded an enrollment bonus of 10000 miles. In 2006, SkyMiles was picked as the "best frequent flyer program" in the Best in Business Travel Awards.
, Delta Shuttle
and SkyTeam
alliance partnerships, Delta offers frequent flyer partnerships with the following airlines:
On July 31, 2008, Delta adjusted the cost of award tickets by implementing a three-tiered pricing system. For example, a domestic coach ticket costs 25,000, 32,500, 40,000, or 60,000 miles depending on availability.
On January 1, 2009, Delta changed the expiration date of Delta SkyMiles. Previously, the SkyMiles expired at the end of the calendar year following 24 months of inactivity. The new policy causes the SkyMiles to expire immediately after 24 months of inactivity. This change caught many consumers unprepared as they expected the miles would expire at the end of the year and they actually expired mid year.
On January 1, 2011, Delta eliminated its mileage expiration policy, making it the only major U.S. carrier to explicitly have a non-expiring mileage policy. The announcement was made on February 15, 2011.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
that offers rewards to passengers travelling on certain types of tickets. Created in 1981 as the "Delta Air Lines Frequent Flyer Program"; its name was changed to SkyMiles in 1995. When the frequent flyer program was first established in 1981, new members were awarded an enrollment bonus of 10000 miles. In 2006, SkyMiles was picked as the "best frequent flyer program" in the Best in Business Travel Awards.
Partnerships
In addition to its Delta ConnectionDelta Connection
Delta Connection is the name under which a number of individually owned regional airlines and one wholly owned regional carrier operate short and medium haul routes in association with Delta Air Lines Inc...
, Delta Shuttle
Delta Shuttle
Delta Shuttle is the brand name for Delta Air Lines' air shuttle service between LaGuardia Airport in New York City, Logan International Airport in Boston, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport serving Washington, D.C. and Chicago-O'Hare International Airport...
and SkyTeam
SkyTeam
SkyTeam, branded as SKYTEAM, is an airline alliance with its centralised management team, SkyTeam Central, based at the World Trade Center Schiphol Airport on the grounds of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands...
alliance partnerships, Delta offers frequent flyer partnerships with the following airlines:
|
Hawaiian Airlines Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a major airline of the United States. It is the largest airline based in the State of Hawai'i, and is the 11th largest commercial airline in the country. Based in Honolulu CDP, City and County of Honolulu, the airline operates its main hub at Honolulu International... Kingfisher Airlines Kingfisher Airlines is an airline group based in India. Its head office is Kingfisher House in Vile Parle , Mumbai. Kingfisher Airlines, through its parent company United Breweries Group, has a 50% stake in low-cost carrier Kingfisher Red.... (future Oneworld Oneworld Oneworld , branded as oneworld, is one of the world's three largest global airline alliances with its central management team, oneworld Management Company, based in New York City, New York, USA. Oneworld was founded in 1999 by American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines, Cathay Pacific... member) Malaysia Airlines Malaysian Airline System Berhad , DBA Malaysia Airlines , is the government-owned flag carrier of Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines operates flights from its home base, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and its eastern hub in Kota Kinabalu. It has its headquarters on the grounds of Sultan Abdul Aziz... (future Oneworld Oneworld Oneworld , branded as oneworld, is one of the world's three largest global airline alliances with its central management team, oneworld Management Company, based in New York City, New York, USA. Oneworld was founded in 1999 by American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines, Cathay Pacific... member) Royal Air Maroc Royal Air Maroc is the flag carrier airline of Morocco, headquartered on the grounds of Casablanca-Anfa Airport in Casablanca... V Australia Virgin Australia International Airlines Pty Ltd, trading as V Australia, is a long haul international airline owned by Virgin Blue Holdings. It operates as an international feeder for Virgin Australia... |
Medallion Status
Delta offers four tiers of elite status within the SkyMiles program. These are known as Medallion statuses and can be achieved by flying a certain number of Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM) or Medallion Qualification Segments (MQS) between January 1 and December 31 each year.| Tier name | MQMs Required | MQSs Required | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Medallion | 25000 | 30 | FO |
| Gold Medallion | 50000 | 60 | GM |
| Platinum Medallion | 75000 | 100 | PM |
| Diamond Medallion | 125000 | 140 | DM |
History
On May 1, 1995, Delta Air Lines modified its frequent flyer program. In addition to renaming it "SkyMiles", mileage expiration policies were put in place. Miles from the old program would never expire but newly earned miles in the SkyMiles program would if there was no account activity for three years. Effective January 1, 2007, expiration was triggered by two years of no activity. At the same time, the old Frequent Flyer program miles were combined into SkyMiles, effectively negating their unlimited shelf-life.On July 31, 2008, Delta adjusted the cost of award tickets by implementing a three-tiered pricing system. For example, a domestic coach ticket costs 25,000, 32,500, 40,000, or 60,000 miles depending on availability.
On January 1, 2009, Delta changed the expiration date of Delta SkyMiles. Previously, the SkyMiles expired at the end of the calendar year following 24 months of inactivity. The new policy causes the SkyMiles to expire immediately after 24 months of inactivity. This change caught many consumers unprepared as they expected the miles would expire at the end of the year and they actually expired mid year.
On January 1, 2011, Delta eliminated its mileage expiration policy, making it the only major U.S. carrier to explicitly have a non-expiring mileage policy. The announcement was made on February 15, 2011.