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A lot of us in the miles and points game may be more than a bit jaded about how things today aren’t as good as they used to be and how we think that we should be treated a bit better by “loyal” travel partners. We see elite status as part of a game we tend to be good at but one in which the house is frequently changing the rules. It’s easy to forget for business travelling road warriors the loyalty hamster wheel isn’t a game, its part of the job. So when you hit milestones that should improve your quality of life on the road they’re especially meaningful. This post is really a reflection of a long relationship between a business traveler and an airline.
Introduction
The following is a guest post from my better half and frequent travel companion.
She recently reached 1 Million Miler status with Delta Air Lines. She’s a few years behind me as I hit this milestone in 2019 (photo of my gift below proudly hanging in my office), but she’s catching up fast with a busier work travel schedule than mine that includes frequent transcontinental flights. Full disclosure, she’s an unapologetic Delta fan girl, though she’s spent plenty of time BIS on American Airlines her second most traveled airline along with many others.
A Million Miles Later: My Journey with Delta Air Lines
In August 2001, I joined Delta SkyMiles, not realizing that more than two decades later, I’d be celebrating Million Miler status. What began as holiday trips from Atlanta to Omaha to see family and a few business trips a year has turned into a lifelong relationship with travel, exploration, and an airline that’s been with me nearly every mile of the way.
Most of my career has been spent in marketing with a consulting firm and now a technology company, with a focus on serving State and Local governments. These roles have taken me to 46 of 50 US States, and to our nation’s capital, Washington DC on a monthly basis. From early Monday flights to Thursday evening flights home, airports and airport lounges have become as familiar as old friends as have more than a handful of gate agents.
Coincidentally, or maybe serendipitously, I’ve also visited 46 countries, though only two of those trips were for work. The rest? Fueled by Delta SkyMiles and my Sagittarius spirit. I’ve always believed that the best reward for a life of work travel… is more travel.
When I’m not flying for business, I’m using those hard-earned SkyMiles to see the world. My favorite redemption to date was Delta One to Scotland, a country that holds a special place in my heart because it is also the place where my current partner in all things travel and I were married in 2004. There’s something magical about waking up over the Atlantic, wrapped in a Delta blanket, and landing in a new place ready for adventure.
My Million Miler Moment
The funny thing is, I almost missed it. I knew I was getting close to the One-Million-Mile mark, but work had been so busy and travel so frequent that I hadn’t been checking. I’d like to say I planned a special trip to cross over the line, but like much of my travel, it turned out to fall during a Wednesday night flight from IAD to ATL, a trip I’ve made countless times.
When I arrived at the gate, I heard my name called from the gate agent. I assumed it was about a seat change or, fingers crossed, maybe an upgrade. Instead, the gate agent smiled, picked up the mic, and announced to everyone that I would be reaching Million Miler status on that flight to Atlanta.
The gate area erupted into applause. Photos were taken, I received a little goodie bag and a celebratory sign, and the gate agent leaned over to whisper, “I had to make a big deal — not a lot of women get this status!”
I boarded and settled into seat 10A, perfectly positioned for sunset views on my way home. The crew congratulated me, offered warm wishes, and made the flight feel truly special. It was one of those small but unforgettable travel moments that remind you why you’ve been loyal all these years because as much as I love Delta’s planes and lounges it’s really it’s people that make the difference.
My Delta Favorites
After more than 24 years as a Delta Medallion® Member and 1 Million Miles I’ve pulled together a list of my Delta Favorites:
- Favorite Hub: While I’ll always have a soft spot for my home airport in Atlanta (ATL), I must give some love to Salt Lake City (SLC). The new terminal is stunning — modern, spacious, and a joy to connect through.
- Favorite Sky Club: The new-ish Delta Sky Club in Minneapolis (MSP) is a showstopper. The interiors are absolutely stunning — warm, light-filled, and thoughtfully designed. There’s space for every type of traveler, from quiet corners for working to comfy spots for relaxing, plus a buffet setup that rivals some hotel lounges. It’s the kind of place that makes you wish for a longer layover.
- Favorite Meal: Being gluten-free can make travel meals tricky, but Delta has stepped up. My go-to is the gluten-free meatballs and polenta which are comforting, flavorful, and surprisingly satisfying at 30,000 feet.
- Favorite Snack: I opt for the pistachios and ginger ale. Though I’m holding out hope for a gluten-free Biscoff Cookie one day (a gluten free traveler can dream!).
- Favorite On-Board Activity: On my twice-monthly flights to D.C., I love starting my week by catching up with CNBC’s Squawk Box, it’s become a ritual somewhere between productivity and comfort.
- Favorite Memory: Without a doubt, it’s when I took my niece and nephew to Disney. My nephew even flew unaccompanied from Omaha to Atlanta for the trip, and Delta took such good care of him. From gate to gate, he felt like a VIP. That level of care is why I’ve remained loyal all these years.
Recognition
With Delta Million 1 Million Miler status you are awarded Gold Medallion® Status annually.
Additionally you have the choice of tangible gifts (sorry for the blurry screen shot below) or a $1,000 Delta credit, the option I selected.
You can also order custom Million Miler baggage tags, here are mine.
Final Approach
As I cross the Million Miler milestone, I can’t help but reflect on how much travel has shaped my life. It’s not just the destinations, but the people, the moments, and the sense of freedom that comes with exploring new horizons.
Here’s to the next million miles, more adventures, more stamps in the passport, and more SkyMiles to spend seeing the world. After all, as a Sagittarius, I was practically born to travel.
Advertiser Disclosure: Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc., is part of an affiliate sales network and and may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This relationship may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some links on this page are affiliate or referral links. We may receive a commission or referral bonus for purchases or successful applications made during shopping sessions or signups initiated from clicking those links.
Congrats. I purposely crossed over my MM threshold with my Amex MQM bonus to avoid this recognition. I had to take several flights in the back without my SM number until my Amex statement cycled. I would feel humiliated to be called out in front of strangers. A small portion of the population are introverts who wish to remain anonymous in a crowd.
Wow. What a way to put a damper on a positive post. Congrats to you fellow business lady! I don’t believe you can purchase your way to Million Miler or credit card your way in. That’s butt in seat miles. I have put about 700,000 miles on various cars over the years and will not likely hit a million before the end of my career. Hats off to any business traveler who makes it!
Amex MQM bonuses used to count towards MM status. I can’t help that I am deeply introverted the same as I can’t help that I’m left-handed. I’ll never understand why anyone would want to be applauded by a bunch of strangers whom they will never see again.
TBH my wife wasn’t overly thrilled to be summoned to the podium for the Million Miler presentation, but she appreciated the efforts of the gate agents and their kind words. She new the gate agent as the Delta staff at IAD is pretty small so I think that helped.
I didn’t receive any recognition when I hit my 1 million milestone and am a bit torn whether I would have enjoyed a little celebration at the gate or on a flight or if I’m thankful not to have had the public recognition.
I achieved my 2MM status last year and I’m so glad! I’m now lifetime platinum. In Spain, I received a beautiful flight crew hand written card and. Box of coop is. The Pilates announced a VIP on board who crossed her 2MM mark.. no name mentions which was lovely and I was invited into the cockpit for a seat in captains chair with his hat on and tons of photos
It was great fun!!! Only pblm is I want DIAMOND life so look like I’m going to need to find runs with good prices and lots of miles …… any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!
Congrats Nina! 2MM and lifetime Platinum is awesome. I’m still half a million away from the 2MM mark but it’s definitely a goal. It sounds like you had a great experience hitting the 2MM milestone!
Fun post! Tha k you for writing!
As a 3MM as of December, my aching back congratulates you.
One time when I was coming back through global entry I stood in line behind a 4MM. As a new 2MM at the time, I felt sorry for the guy. He was doing nearly weekly TPACs. I didn’t envy him.
Tiny exception: SLC is perfectly functional and well matched to its host city. But it’s a pretty low bar for a US airport to fall into the stunning category.
Congrats on 3MM, that’s a lot of flight BIS time! With that amount of flying have you received 360 status?
My wife became a million miler a few years ago. She was called out by the gate agent and people clapped. I became 2 million miler in November by flying Delta, Korean Air, Vietnam Air and China Air while I was in Asia!. It is nice to be platinum!
When I hit the 1MM, I thought I’d get the Porsche ride, which is all I wanted. I got nothing, it was LAX-JFK.
Congrats, Nina — that’s an exciting milestone and well-earned recognition.
I’m approaching the 1.5MM mark with Delta. Unfortunately, I crossed the one-million-mile threshold during COVID. Delta was still flying (and so was I), but everything was bare bones — including recognition. No fanfare, no Tumi or gift options. I received the plastic paperweight and a $200 gift card.
Honestly, I would have loved the option to choose a commemorative gift. The gift card is long spent, and the paperweight now lives in a box. I suspect there are other COVID-era achievers out there with similar stories.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ll happily live vicariously through yours — and we’ll see if I’m on the road long enough to make it to 2MM. For far less trivial reasons, let’s also hope none of us has to experience another pandemic.
Travel well.
No offense to you Mike or Nina. Slight Mis-type.
Congrats to you both!!!