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Delta Air Lines made some changes to its SkyBonus program on Tuesday. And I must say, I’m fine with the enhancements.
What is SkyBonus?
Delta SkyBonus is a program that rewards businesses for spending money traveling on Delta and certain other SkyTeam airlines.
SkyBonus points are earned based on the class of travel and which cities are involved in an itinerary.
SkyBonus is separate from SkyMiles. So, if you own a company and fly Delta a lot, you can earn both SkyMiles and SkyBonus points.
Do note that participating businesses must have five (5) unique travelers per year and spent at least $5,000 on airfare. Otherwise, they’re suspended from the program if they don’t reach those thresholds. (René offered some choice words about SkyBonus a few years ago.)
Now, on with the show!
Delta SkyBonus Changes
Like most changes, there’s good and bad. Let’s rip off the bandage right away and start with what got axed.
International Travel
SkyBonus points are no longer redeemable for international award travel.
Below is an old screenshot (like, from 2014) displaying Africa and South American SkyBonus rewards. But it provides an idea of what was once offered. (The “Other Rewards” are staying, which we’ll cover in a minute.)
That might be a deal-breaker for some people. But the costs were so high (at least, for my SkyBonus budget). Only businesses that spend a ton of money on qualifying travel earn those kinds of points.
And rewarding the big, corporate spenders is pretty much the purpose of SkyBonus.
Upgrades
Delta SkyBonus points were redeemable for upgrades to Delta One and First Class.
That benefit, too, was cut.
I’m sure that stinks for certain travelers.
SkyBonus upgrades were practically impossible to find, though. (Maybe I just had bad luck, who knows?)
First, you had to call and check if there was upgrade inventory open. (The process was similar to redeeming Upgrade Certificates before Delta added the ability for us to search UC inventory on Delta.com.) In the rare instances there was open inventory, you then needed a ticket was purchased in an eligible fare class (if memory serves). I think I was able to use this benefit once.
So, I personally won’t miss the upgrade redemptions.
How about you?
What Was Added? Delta eCredits!
Delta SkyBonus points now may be redeemed for Delta eCredits which are applicable toward travel purchases.
Finally: an easy way to use my SkyBonus points! SkyBonus points will actually help my company save money on travel. And I appreciate that.
The redemption rates seem a little steep — but keep in mind that SkyBonus earnings are based on a variety of factors. A dollar can be worth up to 30 SkyBonus points — or as low as one (1) point.
Remember: flights paid with Delta eCredits earn MQD, MQM, MQS, and SkyMiles. So, there’s kind of a neat cycle of earnings here. (I wonder if trips paid with Delta eCredits obtained through SkyBonus redemptions earn SkyBonus points?)
What are you thoughts about this addition?
What’s Staying
SkyBonus points are still redeemable for US 49 (Hawaii is excluded) and Canada travel. Plus, the “Other SkyBonus Rewards” also stay put.
Don’t get too excited yet about redeeming your points for award travel. Like the no-longer-available-upgrade-redemption, award travel is subject to availability. For example, the US/CA – Main Cabin award (90,000 points) is good for a T fare. You’re out of luck if there’s no T fare available for the flight you want. But maybe you can drop 210,000 points — and they’ll book you into a Q fare.
Sky Club passes and memberships are still available, as is Silver Medallion Status. (120,000 SkyBonus points for 12 months of Silver status isn’t the worst deal in the world. Some employees would love to have that simply for the Exit Row seats and the rare upgrade to First Class.)
I don’t know why SkyBonus points aren’t redeemable for Beverage Coupons. When Delta eliminated cabin service during COVID, sure. That was understandable. But now? That kind of stymies me. Part of me wondered if this is a budget thing. But you can use SkyMiles to purchase premium drinks at Delta Sky Clubs. Eh, who knows.
Final Approach:
Delta SkyBonus implemented several changes. Upgrades and international award travel are no longer offered. The program kept US/Canada rewards and some other options including Sky Club access and Silver Medallion status.
Points can now be redeemed for Delta eCredits — which are a quick, easy way to help make SkyBonus work for you.
What Do You Think?
Are you happy with the Delta SkyBonus changes? Please share your thoughts in the below Comments section!
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Oddly enough, I asked a SkyBonus rep two days ago why they did away with upgrade certificates and she said it was based on customer feedback that they were too difficult to use.
Agree the redemption levels for eCredits are steep. Actually just booked DTW to LHR for 175K SkyBonus miles per ticket ($1400 fare) vs. needing ~2x that level of redemption to get the equivalent cash value in eCredits.
I could not disagree more. From our perspective, these changes have been devastating. For many years we have used the 180,000 points North America to Asia redemption award. Nothing anywhere near that value remains.
Making this change without notice is an embarrassment to Delta. Our company’s trust has been betrayed.
@Tom – Delta never gives us notice because they can get away with. Has been that way forever.
Ugh, sorry to hear that your company is so negatively affected, Tom.
They did away with upgrades awhile ago. As someone who has REPEATEDLY tried to book international flights on EMPTY planes for the last four months, I attest that this redemption option was implemented long before it was announced. On four occasions I asked SB rep to explain how Z inventory was available on empty planes but I couldn’t book. each time there were also confused but said them’s the rules… now we see the actual devaluation. While I can hope this is EASIER for fliers to use, I’ve yet to confirm whether any redemption above $600 becomes a taxable benefit to the flier. Be warned, this is a huge, highly-likely implication IMHO.
Part of me wonders if they’re doing this to get members to spend their points —- and then Delta will 86 the program all together.
I think that this is absolutely horrible. Generally, the only thing that I ever use any frequent flyer program for is business/first international travel, and now that’s wiped out without warning. 575,000 points for round-trip business class to Europe was more than one cent a point in value; so was 500,000 points for RT business to Chile or Argentina. What’s left is garbage.
But at least you always have your ships, Mr. Magellan
.
Wow…so disappointed as I really liked to give company rewards to
Europe. I will continue but took the excitement out of sharing
the awards.
Before this no-notice change, 1.2 million SkyBonus points would get you two RT business-class tickets to Europe. No, that gets you $4000 in credits on Delta only. That is a staggering devaluation. If Delta were capable of feeling shame, then it would have to be ashamed of itself.