Delta makes frequent flyer changes for Diamond Medallion members

Delta’s frequent flyer program, SkyMiles, is making improvements for Diamond Medallion Members’ Choice Benefits – a loyalty program feature that Delta provides its elite members. Choice Benefits is designed to give Delta’s biggest flyers the power to self-select options to customise their travel and gain the greatest value for their status.

Starting this month, when qualifying for 2018 status, Diamond Medallion members will be able to make three Choice Benefits selections instead of the current two. In addition, Delta say members will have added flexibility with a new feature that enables selecting the three Choice Benefits at different times throughout the Medallion year versus being restricted to selecting all at once. Choice Benefits options include Upgrade Certificates, Delta Sky Club Individual or Executive Memberships, Delta Sky Club Guest Pass, the ability to gift status, bonus miles, travel or retail gift cards and Global Entry application vouchers.

The full list of new improvements to the Choice Benefits program include:

Starting now for both 2017 and 2018 Medallion Year Choice Benefit Selections:

• Diamond Medallion members now have the flexibility to select their Choice Benefits at different times.

Starting now for 2018 Medallion Year Choice Benefit Selections Only:

• Members who achieve Diamond Medallion status for the 2018 Medallion year will now receive three Choice Benefit selections instead of two.     
• Diamond Medallion members will still have access to Delta Sky Club membership, which must now be selected via Choice Benefits starting with the 2018 Medallion year.
  • An Individual Membership can be selected by using one Choice Benefit or an Executive Membership can be selected by using two Choice Benefits.
  • Diamond Medallion members who have complimentary club access via an eligible credit card will have the new option to select a Delta Sky Club Guest Pass to receive unlimited access for up to two guests per visit when traveling with the card member.
• Diamond and Platinum Medallion members will now have the option to gift bonus miles to another member’s SkyMiles account.
• Diamond Medallion members will now have the ability to make multiple selections of the same benefit, excluding Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates and Delta Sky Club memberships.

This is good news for regular business travellers on Delta but not hugely significant for anyone else, or anyone in the SkyTeam airline alliance of which Delta is a partner. If only Delta would offer a full list of all their reward and upgrade options in an easy-to-use table for frequent flyer to know what they can get for their miles!

If in doubt, use our search engine on the home page if you want an idea of what you can get for your miles with Delta.