Delta 2010 SkyMiles Medallion Program to Launch Industry-First Rollover Elite Qualification Miles, Diamond Medallion Status
delta.com, 7/28/2009 (excerpted)
Delta Air Lines today announced details of its 2010 SkyMiles Medallion(®) program offering frequent flyers new, industry-leading benefits on the largest global airline network, including a new Diamond level status and rollover Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs).
The new SkyMiles Medallion program, rolling out over the next nine months, will retain benefits most important to Delta SkyMiles and former Northwest WorldPerks customers, including the popular unlimited complimentary upgrades on flights within the continental U.S. and select other regions. It also will add new features including:
• Diamond Medallion Status : A fourth Medallion level for flyers who earn 125,000 MQMs or fly 140 segments per calendar year will offer the richest benefits of any airline, including a complimentary Delta Sky Club™ membership, 125 percent mileage bonus for purchases, Award booking and baggage fee waivers and other exclusive rewards.
• Rollover MQMs : Delta is the first airline to allow customers to retain any MQMs earned above a Medallion threshold at the end of the year, supplementing the ability to earn status the following year. For example, should a member accrue 40,000 MQMs in one calendar year, the 15,000 MQMs that exceed the 25,000 MQM Silver Medallion threshold will be rolled over to the following year. There is no limit to the number of miles rolled over, and the benefit takes effect immediately.
• No Ticketing Fees : Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members will have ticketing fees waived for all bookings, whether completed by phone, online or in person.
• Choice Benefits : Diamond and Platinum Medallion members will choose from a menu of benefits, including bonus miles, the ability to gift Medallion status, Delta Sky Club day passes, and new systemwide confirmed upgrade certificates now redeemable on the day of departure.
Delta will continue to offer Medallion members benefits unmatched by its largest competitors, including unlimited complimentary upgrades on flights within the continental U.S., Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central and Northern South America; the ability to earn at least one elite qualifying mile per mile flown regardless of booking channel; preferred security lanes, priority boarding and seating and waived baggage charges for everyone in the itinerary; a 500-mile earning minimum for all flights for all members; no co-pays on mileage upgrades; and a 50 percent mileage and MQM bonus earning on premium economy fares.
The SkyMiles program will offer four Medallion elite levels in 2010, and status may be earned via MQMs or qualifying flight segments this year. Requirements for reaching Silver, Gold and Platinum status are unchanged for 2010:
Medallion Status
MQMs Earned
Segments Flown
Silver
25,000
30
Gold
50,000
60
Platinum
75,000
100
Diamond (new in 2010)
125,000
140
Additional details about the 2010 Medallion program are available at delta.com/newskymiles.
Terms and Conditions
Complimentary upgrades are subject to availability and may not be available on all flights or in all markets. Taxes (and if applicable, fees) for Award Travel are the responsibility of the passenger and must be paid at the time the ticket is booked. Award Travel seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or in all markets. Offers and benefits subject to change without notice. Economy Award reservations will be upgraded to First Class beginning 24 hours prior to departure based on availability. Rollover benefit means Medallion Qualification Miles earned in 2009 above member's earned Medallion threshold level will be rolled over to 2010 and will count toward 2011 Medallion status qualification. Please allow 6-8 weeks for fulfillment of Choice Benefits. All SkyMiles program and WorldPerks program rules apply to SkyMiles and WorldPerks program membership, miles, offers, mile accrual, mile redemption and travel benefits, respectively. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/memberguide and nwa.com/worldperks. All Delta Sky Club membership terms, conditions and house rules apply to Delta Sky Club membership. Complete Delta Sky Club terms, conditions and house rules are available at delta.com/skyclub.
United Puts the Easy Back into Using Frequent Flyer Miles, Eliminates Fee
united.com, 7/27/2009 (excerpted)
United's Mileage Plus frequent flyer members may now take the easy way out of town and enjoy a last-minute trip to New York, Paris or Shanghai without paying the standard last-minute booking fee. Effective July 30, 2009, the fee to book a frequent flyer award ticket within 21 days of departure will be eliminated – and United is the first airline to make this change for its members.
Prior to this change, the fee to book an award ticket for travel within six days was $100 and for travel within seven to 20 days was $75.
Continental Hikes Fees
Michael Fabey, Travel Weekly, 7/21/2009 (excerpted)
Continental Airlines is increasing domestic checked baggage fees by $5 for customers who do not prepay those fees online, starting Aug. 19.
The fees for first and second checked bags will increase to $20 and $30, respectively.
The fee increase was announced in the airline's second-quarter financial report. Continental lost $213 million in the quarter. Revenue was $3.1 billion, a 22.7% decrease.
Continental also has increased its fee for telephone bookings from $20 to $25, effective immediately.
On the cost side, the airline is cutting about 1,700 positions across the company, including management and clerical positions. This is in addition to a previously announced elimination of 500 reservation agents and voluntary leaves of absence extended to 700 flight attendants.
US Airways Inks Deal To Offer Inflight Internet Access
Business Travel News, 7/23/2009
US Airways today announced a partnership with Aircell to launch onboard wireless Internet access next year.
The carrier said it would install inflight Wi-Fi on some A321 aircraft "flying select domestic routes," with the initial service slated to go live in early 2010.
US Airways is the latest domestic carrier to announce plans to roll out inflight wireless Internet capabilities with Aircell, following similar efforts by AirTran, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Virgin America, among others. Aircell competitor Row 44—which uses a satellite-based system to enable inflight wireless access, compared with Aircell's air-to-ground system—has gained customers in Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines.