Delta Air Lines is to amend its updated Delta Sky Club access rules and requirements for its SkyMiles programme after backlash from customers.
The airline intended making Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) the only qualifier to earn Medallion Status from January 2024, limiting Delta Sky Club access between January 2024 and February 2025, and increasing spending limits for unlimited Sky Club access.
During an interview with the Atlanta Rotary, Club Delta CEO, Ed Bastian, when asked about how the SkyMiles changes had been received by the airline’s customers, admitted that the airline had gone too far.
Since announcing the changes, Delta saw backlash from customers on social media who complained about the new policy and said they would stop using the airline.
"I have received a lot of feedback. And I really appreciate it, I really, really do... You realise how much people, particularly our loyal travellers, love our company. We are reading the feedback. Our reservation agents are talking to customers that call in. The feedback matters. There will be modifications that we make," said Bastian.
He explained that the changes had come about as a result of increasing demand for Delta’s premium products, as the number of Delta’s Diamond customers had doubled since the pandemic. Bastian said Delta feared it would not be able to meet such high demand and decided to cut back on access. Now, the airline is reconsidering its stance.
