ATLANTA, Dec. 4, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) has announced elite and reward changes to both the Delta SkyMiles and Northwest WorldPerks programs to better align member benefits.
Beginning in 2009, the programs will offer segment qualification, currently a WorldPerks benefit, to allow members to reach elite status by flying a designated number of flight segments on either Delta or Northwest operated flights.
Additionally, SkyMiles and WorldPerks members will continue to earn a minimum of 500 Elite Qualifying Miles and base miles per flight, making Delta the only major airline to maintain this minimum for all customers.
"Delta's merger with Northwest creates a unique opportunity to build the world's premier loyalty program for our customers, including providing access to more frequent flyer destinations around the world and adding new benefits," said Jeff Robertson, Delta's vice president of Loyalty Programs. "Delta's 2009 loyalty programs will distinguish themselves from the industry with the return of segment qualification for Delta SkyMiles members, the availability of complimentary upgrades on both airlines for SkyMiles and WorldPerks members, and valuable Elite Threshold Rewards."
Qualification requirements for Elite status in 2009 will be as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Level 2009 Qualification Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Silver 25,000 Elite Qualifying Miles or 30 Qualification Segments ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gold 50,000 Elite Qualifying Miles or 60 Qualification Segments ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Platinum 75,000 Elite Qualifying Miles or 100 Qualification Segments ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elite status enables members to receive additional program benefits, including complimentary upgrades, mileage bonuses, priority boarding and preferred seating.
SkyMiles and WorldPerks elite members now have the ability to receive complimentary upgrades on both airlines. Complimentary upgrades are subject to availability and offered on most Delta and Northwest flights within or between the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico and northern South America.
SkyMiles members will qualify for Medallion(r) Threshold Rewards when they surpass Platinum Medallion status. As members reach designated thresholds (to be published in early 2009), they will earn additional bonus miles and/or other exclusive benefits or gifts. Northwest WorldPerks members will continue to enjoy similar Elite Extra Perks program benefits when they surpass the Platinum qualification requirements.
In an effort to closely align the two loyalty programs' benefits, Northwest WorldPerks will introduce three-tiered award availability and SkyMiles and WorldPerks members will have the ability to transfer miles between their respective accounts in early 2009.
Delta plans to merge both programs to create the world's premier loyalty program in late 2009.
More information on these and other SkyMiles benefits is available at delta.com/skymiles. Details on the Northwest WorldPerks program are available at nwa.com/worldperks.
The award-winning Delta SkyMiles(r) program offers members multiple mileage-earning opportunities when flying Delta, Delta Shuttle(r), the Delta Connection(r) carriers, Delta AirElite(r) and other SkyTeam(r) airlines. Additional mileage-building opportunities are offered through more than 100 partners such as the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express, participating hotels, car rental companies, the SkyMiles Store, restaurants, SkyMilesShopping.com, floral and gift retailers and more. Now in its 27th year, SkyMiles is one of the longest-running and most successful loyalty programs in the travel industry. It was named "Best Domestic Frequent Flyer program" for 2007 and 2008 by readers of Executive Traveler magazine and "Best Frequent Flyer Program" for 2006 and 2007 by Business Traveler magazine. The program also received top honors for "Best Bonus Promotion" from InsideFlyer magazine at the 2007 Freddie Awards.
Delta Air Lines is the world's largest airline. From its hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita, Delta, its NWA subsidiary and Delta Connection carriers offer service to more than 376 destinations worldwide in 66 countries and serve more than 170 million passengers each year. Delta's marketing alliances allow customers to earn and redeem either SkyMiles or WorldPerks on more than 16,000 daily flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta and its 75,000 worldwide employees are reshaping the aviation industry as the only U.S. airline to offer a full global network. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and flight status at delta.com.
The Delta Air Lines, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1825
Terms and Conditions
Complimentary upgrades are subject to availability and offered on most Delta and Northwest flights within or between the United States (excluding Hawaii), Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico and northern South America. 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.