Delta Air Lines’ SkyBonus undergoes a significant overhaul this October.
What is SkyBonus?
SkyBonus is a loyalty program separate from Delta’s SkyMiles program with which most people are familiar. SkyBonus rewards businesses for their travel on Delta and partners such as Air France, KLM, Aeromexico, and Virgin Atlantic.
The name “SkyBonus” has precious few months left. The program officially becomes “SkyMiles for Business” in October 2023. (Who are we kidding? We’ll call it “SkyBonus,” right? 😉 )
Tier-Based Memberships
Several years ago, SkyBonus members had to spend $5,000 during a calendar year — with at least one employee traveling during that period.
That changed in 2016. Delta essentially booted sole proprietors — even the big-spending ones — from the program. (Though some creativity keeps a few alive.) Participating companies needed a minimum of five employees.
SkyMiles for Business will not require any traveler or spending minimums.
But that’s where things get interesting.
Here are the three tier levels:
Member – No minimum traveler or spend requirements.
Plus – Businesses start earning miles with at least five employee travelers and $5,000 annual travel spend.
Elite – Earn even more with our top tier, designed for accounts with at least five employee travelers and $300,000 annual travel spend.
We asked Delta for some clarification as to what the differences are. Like, do Members earn miles or not? After all, it’s Plus companies who “start earning miles with at least five employee travelers and $5,000 annual travel spend.”
Existing SkyBonus accounts convert to Plus or Elite based on the new program when it’s launched.
(Side note: Thank heavens Delta chose not to go with metals for the tier names. The last thing we need is more things named “Gold” and “Platinum” to confuse everyone.)
Warning: don’t abuse the system.
Out: SkyBonus Points. In: SkyMiles
Predictably, SkyMiles for Business companies will not earn SkyBonus points.
Instead, we’ll earn SkyMiles.
A Delta spokesperson told me SkyBonus points will convert to SkyMiles at a rate of 3:1 ratio when the switch is flipped. That’s pretty much in line with the eCredit redemptions right now. I don’t love that.
The Delta spokesperson said that SkyMiles will be held in the SkyMiles for Business business account. They then may be transferrable to any individual with a SkyMiles account.
Earning Changes
Right now, here’s how SkyBonus participants earn points:
A Delta spokesperson tells me that when SkyMiles for Business takes effect, earnings will be based on the product purchased (Delta One, First Class, Delta Premium Select, etc.).
The origin and destination structure will stay in place.
Also: participants can earn SkyMiles when adding their Delta partner ticket numbers to SkyMiles for Business. That means those Aeromexico mileage runs for Delta MQD are a bit more rewarding.
Redemptions: Silver Medallion Status, Delta eCredits, and Delta Sky Club Individual Memberships
Right now, SkyBonus members may redeem points toward Silver Medallion elite status, award tickets, and Delta eCredits. Those will stay put, though we don’t know how many SkyMiles each will require.
Delta Sky Club individual memberships will be available through SkyMiles for Business.
My Thoughts
I was OK with the last round of SkyBonus changes. Redeeming points was (at least, for my company) an absolute pain in the tush before that. Certificate space was limited, required buy-ups, and other trouble.
I viewed SkyBonus as well, a bonus. But the juice was rarely worth the squeeze tease. But you might’ve had different experiences. (A lot of this is subjective. I look forward to seeing your thoughts.)
SkyMiles allow more flexible redemptions. Transferring SkyMiles to employees may help them take families or other loved ones on award trips. SkyMiles can pay for baggage fees, Sky Club admissions, premium drinks in Sky Clubs, etc. Plus, SkyMiles award trips earn MQM, MQS, and MQD.
The 3:1 SkyBonus to SkyMiles transfer isn’t cool for current, loyal SkyBonus members who gave their business to Delta. If we and our company dollars really were “the best part of Delta,” they wouldn’t devalue our business by 67%.
Your Thoughts
Somewhat like the MGM – Marriott news, there’s still some information yet to be had.
That said, what do you think about all this? Please share your thoughts in the below Comments section.
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Well…it was bound to happen. I agree that redeeming SkyBonus points was a pain. The last few years I redeemed our points that were about to expire for SkyClub passes that were sent in paper form via FedEx. Old school, but it was nice to hand them out at corporate meetings where non-SkyClub members could use them. Also a perk given out to employees going on vacations, typically with family members who are not members.
Clearly this is a devaluation on a massive scale and earnings calc remains overly complicated.
Chris, did they say anything about points expiration in the SkyMiles for Business regime? In the past SkyBonus expired while SkyMiles have for years now “never expired” (until the owner of the points expired).
Nothing about when the miles expire in the SkyMiles for Business account. But you can always transfer them to yourself or someone else.
Hi Chris, thanks for the detailed outline. Definitely a massive devaluation and they’re still holding on to the overly complicated earnings strategy that punishes “captive” companies based in their hub cities which is disappointing bordering on insulting.
Any word on if the new Skymiles for Business points will expire as they have for SkyBonus, or will they use the SkyMiles policy of your points only expire when you do? 😉
One less reason for loyalty to Delta.
Do I understand this correctly, until you spend $5,000 and have 5 employee travelers you do not earn any miles unlike the current program that you earn skybonus credits every flight to credit to the program but must have $5,000 and 5 employees to stay in the program. Is that correct?
I’m waiting for clarification from Delta.