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Delta just announced a few positive changes to its 2015 SkyMiles program. The new changes will improve the redemption process, allow SkyMiles members to book domestic one-way awards starting at 10,000 miles, and give members the ability to earn Medallion Qualifying Dollars on partner airlines. The update comes not a moment too soon; Delta frequent fliers have been grumbling ever since the airline pulled the SkyMiles Award Charts from its website in February.
Per Delta, 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 with a 21-day minimum advance purchase.
- Improved award redemption by expanding the number of airline partners.
- SkyMiles members can now earn Medallion Qualifying Dollars, regardless of ticketing carrier, for travel on most of Delta's airline partners, which will help them achieve Medallion status faster.
The highlight of this announcement is the 10,000-mile, one-way award tickets, but it's going to be difficult to find those seats. Of the several routes I searched, I was only able to find them on short-haul flights—so don't plan on booking New York to Los Angeles for just 10,000 SkyMiles.
For those who fly on partner airlines and credit to Delta, being able to now earn Medallion Qualifying Dollars on those flights is also pretty great news. Another plus is that Delta will also be retroactively crediting SkyMiles members with MQDs if they flew on eligible partner flights earlier this year.
