OREANDA-NEWS. Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) is updating the SkyMiles program with several changes to improve the program as members earn status and redeem miles for Award tickets. Beginning today, SkyMiles members will have access to a number of program improvements, including lower One-Way Awards, improved tools for Delta customers to book Award travel, and the ability to earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) on partner airlines.
"We continue to adjust the SkyMiles program to give members more value and options, including making it easier to redeem more Award travel at lower prices," said Karen Zachary, Managing Director - SkyMiles. "Delta is committed to providing industry-leading operational performance and on-board product and services, while remaining innovative in meeting our customers' needs."

Details of the changes to Delta's SkyMiles program include:

  • New One-Way Award tickets beginning as low as 10,000 miles plus taxes and fees, available through Dec. 31, 2015 for travel in select U.S., Mexican and Caribbean markets. Customers can now fly to several popular Award destinations with a 21-day minimum advance purchase.
  • Improved Award redemption by expanding the number of airline partners that SkyMiles members can select to redeem for Award Travel on delta.com. Delta recently updated the Fly Delta app to give customers the ability to book Award travel from mobile devices. Since January, Delta has offer customers the ability to book SkyMiles Award travel through the Fly Delta app.
  • Customers can now earn MQDs, regardless of ticketing carrier, for travel on most of Delta's airline partners, which will help them achieve Medallion status faster. SkyMiles members will receive retroactive credit of MQDs on eligible partner flights dating back to the beginning of the qualification year, Jan. 1, 2015. MQD earning varies based on carrier, percentage of distance flown as determined by Delta and fare class paid.

Additionally, this month, Delta launched refreshed cabin experiences with its Delta One, First Class, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin products. As part of these changes, SkyMiles Diamond Medallion members are now among the first board the aircraft along with Delta One/First Class customers. Diamond and Platinum Medallion members also enjoy complimentary upgrade eligibility to First Class as well as complimentary access to Delta Comfort+ seats at the time of booking. Gold and Silver Medallion members continue to enjoy complimentary upgrade eligibility to First Class and will now enjoy complimentary access to Delta Comfort+ seats starting 72 hours and 24 hours prior to departure.

Since January, Delta has made 50 percent more Award Seats available giving members more options when they travel. In 2014, program members redeemed more than 296 billion miles in the SkyMiles program for 12.5 million award redemptions.