Below, I will try to simplify the unfortunate (and confusing) Delta news released late last week.
It affects those of us with Delta status and those of us who use an Amex Card to access the Delta Lounges.
If neither of these cases apply to you, you probably do not need to read any further.
But if this does apply to you, keep reading…
And feel free to reach out to me to discuss your own individual situation or if you need further clarification on anything.
Delta SkyCub Access Changes
Unfortunately, the days of unlimited access to the Delta lounges for just being a cardholder of certain Amex cards are over. However, for the Amex Platinum and the Amex Delta Reserve Cards, this does not take effect until Feb 2025, so let’s keep that in mind for 2024 as I detail all the changes. Unfortunately, for the Amex Delta Platinum Cards, the changes go into effect as of January 1, 2024.
1. Amex Platinum Cards-If you have an Amex Platinum (personal or business), like so many of us do, no longer will you have unlimited access to the Delta Lounge but instead will get 6 visits per year starting 2/1//25. Also, something to note is that if you are a heavy Amex Platinum spender (I hope just on airfare and fancy hotels through Amex), you will have unlimited access after spending $75k on your Platinum Card in a calendar year. Once you hit the $75k, you will have unlimited access for the remainder of that year and the next.
HOWEVER, effective January 1, 2024, if you are flying on a BASIC ECONOMY TICKET (the one below Main Cabin), you CANNOT use any of your visits to access the lounge.
2. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Cards-If you have a Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card (personal or business)-no longer will you have unlimited access to the Delta Lounge but instead will get 10 visits per year starting 2/1//25. Also, if you plan to keep this card because you want the option of spending to get to status (see the status section below), you will have unlimited access after spending $75k on your Delta Reserve Card in a calendar year. Once you hit the $75k, you will have unlimited access for the remainder of that year and the next.
HOWEVER, effective January 1, 2024, if you are flying on a BASIC ECONOMY TICKET (the one below Main Cabin), you CANNOT use any of your visits to access the lounge.
3. Delta Platinum Cards-If you have a Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card (personal or business)-no longer will you have the ability to purchase a visit with your card (for u and 2 guests). Rather, you will be unable to access the lounge at all.
Delta Status Changes
Starting January 1, 2024, for 2025 Delta status- WHAT IS GONE?
1. MQD Waiver-GONE! -This benefit will no longer be available. Remember, this was a way to get around the MQD requirement for status by spending $25k on your Delta Platinum or Delta Reserve cards for Silver, Gold, and Platinum status and $250k (did anyone really do this?) for Diamond status in a calendar year.
2. MQMs earned by meeting spending thresholds with your cards-GONE!
Delta Platinum cardholders (business or personal), you will no longer get the 10,000 MQMS for each $25k spend (20k MQM cap).
Delta Reserve cardholders (business or personal), you will no longer get the 15,000 MQMS for each $30k spend (60k MQM cap).
3. MQM Rollover-GONE!-Although MQMs will rollover to 2024, at Feb 1, 2024, you will receive a one-time choice to convert your rollover MQMS into Delta SkyMiles or MQDs or a combo. See the details below in number 4.
As of January 1, 2024, for 2025 status- HOW DOES IT WORK?
There is just one metric for earning Delta status, MQDs.
And here is what you need for each level…
Silver Medallion-6,000 MQDs
Gold Medallion-12,000 MQDs
Platinum Medallion-18,000 MQDs
Diamond Medallion-35,000 MQDs.
There are a few ways to earn MQDs…
1. Flying-You earn 1 MQD per $1 on your Delta flights. As for Delta partner flights, this hasn’t changed, and you will earn MQDs based on the distance you fly and the partner rate set by Delta.
2. Spending on Delta Platinum cards (business or personal) and/or Delta Reserve cards (business or personal)
Delta Platinum-you will earn 1 MQD for every $20 you spend with your card (on anything).
Delta Reserve-you will earn 1 MQD for every $10 you spend with your card (on anything).
3. Delta Travel Partners-You earn 1 MQD per $1 on car rentals, hotels, and vacation packages through Delta. (Does anyone do this? I do not).
4. An MQM Rollover from 2023-you can convert your rollover MQMs into SkyMiles at a rate of 2:1, or you can convert your rollover MQMs into MQDs at a rate of 20:1.
Points Mom Plan (in case anyone cares :-)).
Rob currently has Platinum Medallion Status, and my favorite part of that is our automatic upgrades to Delta Comfort when booking a Main Cabin ticket. Rob has the Delta Reserve card because I wanted the ability to get the extra MQMs with spending (15k for $30k spend up to 4x a year) in case we needed it to keep his Platinum Status. Also, he needed a card to get the MQD waiver each year.
For the rest of 2023, I will still shoot to get him Platinum Status for 2024. I am almost at $25k on his Delta card for the MQD waiver; he had already made it with his MQMs. So at least Rob will have Platinum status through Dec. 2024.
But after finishing off his status in 2023 for 2024, with Delta MQMs and the MQD waiver being completely gutted, there is no way we will keep this $550 card when it comes up for renewal. Assuming no Delta flights, we would need to put $180,000 on the card to maintain Rob’s Delta Platinum status. Not happening!
However, I will not cancel his card, but rather I will have him downgrade it to a $99 Delta Gold card. Although we WILL NOT have any ability to earn MQDs based on card spending with the Delta Gold card, we will still get 15% off when we book tickets using SkyMiles (a benefit with the Gold, Platinum, and Reserve cards). I use this perk often and don’t want to give it up.
If you are in a similar position and do not think you will often fly Delta on SkyMiles any longer (and take advantage of the 15% discount), know you can downgrade any Delta FEE card that you have to a NO FEE Delta Blue card. With the Blue card, you will not see the 15% discount for booking with SkyMiles.
Last thing-Keep the Amex Platinum?
Many of you have already reached out to me about whether it is worth it to keep your Amex Platinum Card. Remember, we got that other piece of bad news a few weeks ago when we learned that all additional Platinum cards would now cost $195 PER CARD!
But my answer is still a resounding yes AS LONG AS YOU USE THE OTHER BENEFITS OF THE CARD. You can still easily make back the $695 each year with the benefits.
Yes, it is unfortunate that the lounge access is limited to just 6 times, and if you often book a Basic Economy ticket on Delta, you will have no lounge access.
But for me (maybe you too?), I usually book Main Cabin tickets. And I know I can visit the Amex Centurion Lounges in the NY Airports and in LA if I have used up my 6 times.
And I make sure to take advantage of the other Amex Platinum benefits.
Reach out to me if you need a refresher on what those Amex Platinum benefits are.