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The above is the total of my Delta elite qualifying points (dollars) earned this year flying home from California after my epic trip to New Zealand and Australia that included a 12-day Norwegian cruise that I can’t wait to review soon. The saddest part of this number is it is likely the only time I will be setting foot on a Delta jet for all of 2026 and likely 2027 as well. That from someone who is more than halfway to 2 million miler with the airline. Why is this the case?
There is a clickbait headline about Delta falling behind American and United making the rounds. But that is not what you think it is about — that one is about Wi-Fi speed. While I do care about Wi-Fi speed, that is not why I am done, for now, with Delta — even though I am still flying a bunch over the next two years. Here is why:
- Destruction of loyalty – I warned on the blog for YEARS that Delta was destroying the most valuable reason to be totally loyal and fly only Delta (and SkyTeam partners) exclusively as much as possible, because you would be, most of the time, rewarded with lots of “free” first class upgrades. That is now so much harder even at the top ranks of Medallion® status. And just to be clear, a coach seat called “Comfort Plus” is not EVER an upgrade, folks.
- Obliteration of SkyMiles – I could go toe to toe with any of the major bloggers and prove, without a doubt, the solid value of SkyMiles if you were willing to work for it. No more. Even the “trick” of flying to Mexico to get to far-flung places in business class is all but dead. And again, just to be clear, flying a cheap coach seat is not “finding value” out of a points program. To me, value is flying in first or business class for a pittance compared to retail — something you could do with Delta for a very long time.
- Reliability is not what it once was – Delta was “The On-Time Machine” and would bounce back from issues so fast that you were rarely impacted much. Delta is now on par with the other majors, and that makes grasping for this lone reason no longer the “well, at least we have that” lifeline when loyalty and award redemptions have fallen into the toilet. When Delta is the same as the rest — why not try the rest?
I currently hold no Delta Amex credit cards and am unlikely to get one for a very long time to come. I will have to see a massive points offer to even consider getting one again (think over 200,000 points), because I value the points so little nowadays. We are seeing larger bonuses coming out and I think Delta sees the writing on the wall that they have pushed things too far.
The funny thing is I still will be flying a few Skyteam partners but all of them will be booked by sending Amex points to KLM Flying blue as this is still one way I can find value in the pointy part of the jet. Also, I have recently flown American in their Flagship First seat, Qantas in business class, and have flights booked on so many other airlines I have never flown — because I was totally Delta-focused in the past. I am honestly stunned at the quality and value I am getting, and if Delta has all but lost a once mega “fan boy” like me, it is really saying something. I would love to know if Delta is seeing others doing the same, but according to Delta, folks — especially rich folks — are still paying and flying Delta a bunch. I wonder how long that will continue. – René
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Hi Rene, while I totally understand your points, I am in a slightly different situation and see things a bit different. The program never was what really drove me to fly Delta. I just signed up back then to not miss out on earning miles (and after a while also status) as an add-on.
I enjoyed being Silver Medallion® for quite some years (as long as it was simply based on MQMs before they were eliminated). And I simply enjoyed flying Delta. Now I don’t fly as often as most folks hovering around here (either as author or as reader) and usually in the main cabin (not always ;-)).
It was way better than what I experienced on American (admittedly my experience with them is from almost a quarter century ago) or any European airline with Lufthansa being the absolute worst of all.
Anyway, for now I am also pausing flying Delta! But for some other reasons … we’re (my +1 and I) avoiding our usual go-to country when it comes to going on vacation. Our last flight was on KLM Cityhopper for a short hop to AMS and next time we will be first-timers on British Airways when we’re visiting London. We’re quite excited because there will be so many firsts (first time terminal 3 in FRA, first time to the UK, …).
Oh, and I always disagreed with you when it comes to Delta Comfort and the question if it is an upgrade or not 😉 But that is really a very minor disagreement I’d say. For me it always was an upgrade … I know the seat is the same, but it’s not only about the seat … and I always knew that it’s not a big upgrade. I was never disappointed due to unrealistic expectations. I knew what I was getting. Not a biggie, just a tiny bit of something extra 😉
And I don’t want to sit in an exit row. We once had that and it was our least comfortable flight until then (before flying a 747 … both KLM and Lufthansa).
Well, I don’t know if and when we will return to the US but I assume it would be on Delta again.
Oops, my short comment ended up being quite long. Now that I see it in whole length.
WE have gotten better deals with United recently.. FC for 1/2 of delta fares and direct flights vs visiting Atlanta for 2 or more hours… Trying to get a Biz seat to EU has been challenging even with other carriers too.Needing over 600,000 points each or $17,000 fr D1 is over the top….
I live in Minnesota – so everything here is about Delta …. I could not AGREE MORE! I am a many years Diamond guy, but have sort of given up and now am only Platinum (no change is nreal world flight benefits) Delta has made a joke of medallion status… its now actually insulting to be a Diamond member. Premium seats are sold cheaply such that there is not upgrade opportunity for upgrades.
A flight attendant might stop by when you are in coach or delta comfort and say “thanks for being Diamond”… I would say that is all that is left as far as actual flight benefits.
I want to take my loyalty elsewhere, exactly as Rene has done, just not sure what makes the most sense living in MN.
I have more life behind me than ahead. So I buy the seat and schedule I want or need regardless of carrier.
Not flying Delta because of limited UG availability seems a bit inane to me. So you’re picking your flights based on the chance you might possibly get an upgrade? That ship sailed at least a decade ago.
For me, loyalty is 100% about when things go sideways. When everyone else is standing in a queue, I’m already rebooked, or have a voucher waiting, or a car to a hotel. I realize these are terms of carriage, but Delta has done so much for me above and beyond the call of duty that they have my loyalty when their schedules intersect with mine. I’ve also spent a lot at DL over the years. They don’t do this stuff for gold medallions looking for the bottom of the barrel ticket. Nor should they from a business perspective.
“When everyone else is standing in a queue, I’m already rebooked, or have a voucher waiting, or a car to a hotel”.
What level Medallion® provides this? Not Diamond.
I’m an N=1 so I cannot conclude what tier merits this support. I’ve been diamond since inception. I suspect it has a lot more to do with spend.
Remember when you used to be able to politely ask at the gate if there were any upgrades available, say 1992? Did you ever see the rude person getting it? Probably not. I suspect that customer interactions are recorded and rated — most especially so in an era of AI. No more “press 5 if you would hire the agent you just spoke with.”
My home airport has been SLC, so when I started traveling for work 20 years ago, it made sense to start and stay with Delta, but the points you presented and the much higher cost is having me begin to look at all options.
I just booked SLC-PHL on AA because I happened to have 15k AA miles and the 1-way flight was only 11k miles. Same flight on Delta is 36.5k miles… for 1-way.
I followed that up with a 1-way MCO-PVU on Breeze. Provo is closer to home, so even better. Delta Main started at $419 and was $529 for the time that I needed my 1-way ticket. Breeze was $380 in 1st class.
All things equal (or at least closer) I’d choose Delta as I still prefer the experience (even without ever getting an upgrade as a Platinum), but they’ve got to get closer. I will likely cancel at least one of my Delta AMEX cards (Platinum and Reserve) upon renewal.
I’m a native Atlantan, but haven’t lived there in decades after decamping to Hawaii and Portland, OR. But I was Delta loyal for decades, and almost a 2 MM, always PM, until a couple of years ago. For the same reasons as René – I soured. And, I’m glad I did. I’m finding Alaska to be a lot more generous, accommodating and fun than stuck-up-with-attitude Delta. Despite having only Gold Status, I’ve been upgraded to First on more than half my flights this year, and I find the cabins roomier and onboard service better than Delta ever was. And, the Alaska-American partnership pays off: I’m getting tremendous value for my Atmos points when I need to book on AA. At this point, there’s no looking back, and with Alaska’s ambitious recent expansion, I look forward to staying with them indefinitely.
My loyalty to Delta has greatly diminished on international flights. The fares and service is much better on European airlines.
I rarely get upgraded as a platinum and two cities that I frequent do not have direct flights while 3 competitors do.
Definitely rethinking my loyalty.
After the recent changes to Skymiles, I plummeted from Platinum to Silver medalion and decided it was time to give up on Delta. I was sick of paying a huge premium to fly Delta over AA, and then having to buy up to Delta Main i stead of basic economy to even have a chance at an upgrade, which never came. Now I buy AA and United economy and pay cash for upgrades when there is a decent offer. This approach has saved me so much money and I fly premium cabins way more often than I did on Delta. Buh-bye Delta.
I am silver medallion and my husband and I were just upgraded to first class from Minneapolis to Cancun on a delta flight. This was a happy surprise.
Agreed. Your statement about Skymiles delivering value is a little broad to gauge accuracy. Out of curiosity, when would you say that Skymiles had genuine practical value for flying in premium cabins to/from the USA? I’m figuring almost a decade ago but would be interested in your take.
@Christian – February 6th 2015! Delta was previously devaluing award charts, always unannounced, over and over and over again until 2FEB15 hit. That was the day they said we will charge whatever we want and too bad loyal customers. So yes about a decade ago was the day value died (everyone just forgot in todays world)!
Rene,
I agree.
Reading the comments above, I do see that many of the most recent Medallion®s (last dozen years) didn’t really experience the looooong continual devaluation in status and loyalty that has occurred over the past, for me, 38 years. In large part because for the most part, for my first 20 years, until about 2008, the Medallion® benefits and upgrades were great, even for Silvers if not living in a hub.
The last 20 years have been a steady decline to a point were the program is hardly recognizable compared to 20 years ago.
Maybe nowadays there are enough people will to pay high prices for upgrades, so loyalty doesn’t matter. Seemingly, that’s at least what the stock market believes.
I also know that Delta commanded a premium price and was almost never the lowest ticket on any given route, but I chose them anyway (and just didn’t tell the wife, since this was on my own dime).
I wonder how this will play out int he long term.
SkyRubles have finally become SkyRubbish? Might have to pay 1-800-Got-Junk just to haul them away these days….
I just flew DTW to MSP and MSP to AMS.
On the DTW-MSP flight in first the flight attendant didn’t do pre-departure beverages. Of any kind. No water was at the seat. I asked for my jacket to be hung and the FA tried putting it in the overhead bin instead of the closet. In the air I asked for a Chardonnay. It was the canned economy wine on a mainline flight when they’re supposed to serve Ryder chardonnay from the bottle. And it was in a paper cup.
Lounge in MSP was full and had no space. Not even a reserved section for Delta One passengers. I have an executive Sky Club membership.
Couldn’t get a Coke Zero on the plane as a pre-departure beverage because of “federal regulations” even though there’s no duty for Coke beverages. No bar or self-serve snack area was ever setup in Delta One during the flight. It took 25 minutes for coffee at 90 minutes before landing.
Maybe Delta had a bunch of expense account travelers but getting me to spend my own money for this purported “premium” airline isn’t happening anymore.
@FNT – I guess 600k Skypennies for that is good value??? 🙁
“On the DTW-MSP flight in first the flight attendant didn’t do pre-departure beverages. Of any kind. No water was at the seat. I asked for my jacket to be hung and the FA tried putting it in the overhead bin instead of the closet.”
No PDB seems pretty par for the course these days. No water is a surprise, tho. Putting the jacket in the overhead bin? WTH?!
“In the air I asked for a Chardonnay. It was the canned economy wine on a mainline flight when they’re supposed to serve Ryder chardonnay from the bottle.”
My guy, let us introduce you to this wonderful beverage called “Woodford Reserve.” Nectar of the gods, I tell you.
“Couldn’t get a Coke Zero on the plane as a pre-departure beverage because of “federal regulations” even though there’s no duty for Coke beverages.”
Okay, that’s a new one. “Federal regulations” for a PDB *from* MSP?
Out of curiosity: were these newer hire FAs (in your estimate, which is probably the same as most of ours) or seasoned vets?
Wow!
I appreciate your sharing those shortcomings.
If I’m going to pivot from years as Diamond, which airline cult should I leverage my Diamond status into a status match? I’ve been incredibly impressed lately by the AA award availability and pricing for business class including partners. It’s going to be a major stretch and hustle to make Diamond for the 10th year running and my enthusiasm is waning.
@DuMorr – I hear you. The AA match from Delta Diamond is not bad. Here is the link to read more: https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-program/aadvantage-status/aadvantage-status-match.jsp
Under Ed Bastian, Delta has proven that customer loyalty means nothing. As a 15-year Diamond member with 1.8 million miles, I stripped Delta of my preferred carrier status last year. I still fly them when it makes sense, but I’ve stopped paying a premium to give them my business.
Under this leadership team, constant devaluation has become the norm. When this mass exodus of loyal customers finally tanks their bottom line, I’m going to laugh at how blind we were to their arrogance. It will happen, and people won’t come back. Profit is vital, but losing the loyal base that built your company is just plain stupid.
I concur with everything everyone else is said. I just wrote a diatribe, explaining everything about how you don’t follow your own rules.Anymore delta willie nearly upgrade people at the gate, as opposed to follow the hierarchy of upgrade and how less professional you have become. As I was about to push send on a very well written remark, i was kicked out of comments.
That about says it all delta… No capitalization on purpose, you don’t deserve it. Business is business. Do it right? The first time the way you say you’re gonna do it. And don’t mess with your loyal passengers.Over forty three dollars and fifty cents to upgrade someone who’s already spent a thousand dollars.And is a million miler reserve card holder and diamond. I don’t fight anymore so i’m done. Take it or leave a delta.
just wondering, are long time AA and UA flyers saying the same thing about their respective airlines?
I agree with most of the comments, a decades ’long tDiamond, and from now on Platinum, thanks to 2M miles. Used to fly DL nearly exclusively (living in ATL for last 17 years), but now using other airlines to fly to Europe (SAS, Canadian AIr), with Prime Economy and Business less that 1/2 price.
Still using them domestically at times, esp. with miles, and getting an upgrade on occasion.
Downgraded my Delta AMEX card, and will downgrade further next renewal, and switch to Amex Platinum.
Thanks for great coverage, Rene
Based on current trends, I should be 1MM by the end of CY2027. When you went free agent, I followed. I was Diamond at the time. I dropped to Platinum the next year, then out of Medallion® until 2025, Silver then, Silver now.
I mostly follow the approach of your other readers, choosing by route. Because I have Marriott Titanium, I have United Silver. I seldom bother to concern myself with that airline’s lounges. So, I select United based on fleet/fare combination. For example, early in 2026, I found an excellent coach award seat on United metal from Newark to Frankfurt, continuing to the Middle East on Lufthansa, for around 40K United miles one-way in coach without about $70 in fees for LH seat assignments. I considered this a win.
Every trip has unique needs. On the leisure side, I mostly need MCO-BGR. During the winter, I chose United because it operates the CRJ-550 from Newark. If I must be relegated to a regional bird, I will go out of my way to sit up front on that aircraft. On that same trip, however, because I needed an early-morning return, I chose AA because it served BGR-DCA with the A319. I paid the extra $90 cash to move to 2D from coach for the first leg of my journey and found it money well spent. It was a polished journey, on time with a spotless cabin and good crew.
On the other hand, I carry the Delta SkyMiles Platinum AmEx for several reasons, including the Delta Stays credit (I was aware of the risk of bungled lodging reservations when I upgraded from the Blue card). However, now that it combines with elite status for a second baggage waiver, I consider it a keeper in my wallet. Although I would be dreaming if I thought I could fly/spend by way back to Diamond with this card, for those trips when I must choose Delta due to routes (3 examples this year have been MCO-ATL-LIT, MCO-ATL-JAN and MCO-ATL-BTN), the baggage waiver means a great deal.
During peak season, Delta also serves BGR from ATL from time to time. In 2026, I will fly on July 5 BGR-ATL-MCO on the A321. I paid about the same for this trip as I would have on AA or UA via DCA or EWR, respectively. With this superior routing, I considered it a no-brainer. Since I consider my vanilla AmEx Business Platinum a permanent fixture in my wallet, I treasure my SkyClub access, despite the many challenges with crowding. I did the math and realized that I NEVER would take more than 10 round trips per year when SkyClub access would matter.
I frequently fly ATL-LIM to visit my parents. There is no competition, and this is one of the most lucrative Dental flights (from a neighbor who was a Delta pilot), because it used to transport gold in the bodega. The service at the old Jorge Chavez was subpar; you could not access the non-denominational passenger lounge (even at the top membership level), and boarding was a circus. In the last four years, things have gone worse (paying around $1500 for an upgraded comfort seat for 6.5 hours): a pocket sandwich for dinner, a long face from FAs for asking for a full can of soda, and receiving the incorrect sandwich. And, no more thanks for being a medallion member when this was routine even when you fly in cabin (I used to receive a thank you cart signed by crew members). In one of my latter flights, the arrival service was stopped because there was no time to serve the entire cabin. Most of the flight, people are minding their own business, and the FAs are resting. Why didn’t the service start 1.5 hours before arrival?
The problem is that there is no competition. LATAM is flying to Atlanta, but as a partner, so there is no prospect that these issues will return to normal. When I was busy accruing miles, it was better for me to pay $1,500 for ATL-BKK-ATL, which earned almost 20,000 miles, than to go to Lima ($ 1,000 for 6,000 miles). Now the BKK ticket is at least $ 2,500.
(For disclosure, I have been a client since 1991, and received kudos and treats when passing 2 million miles. So, somebody in Delta knows how to keep loyalty)
Delta is like Apple in that it has so many brand zombies that walk towards a bright light willingly and expensively for what seems like the best ever product. I’m glad there’s one less zombie in the Delta camp. I’ve always despised Delta ever since they created a Seattle hub by pretending to be friends with Alaska. I fly Delta now and then and the service is typically good and consistent (more consistent than American at least). But it’s miles are worthless and its planes are so freaking old.
Except Apple products are the best ever. 😉
I totally agree!
It’s getting worse and worse
I totally agree with your points, Rene. I would even add a couple more to the list. Still, at least for the next 12 months or so, I will be flying Delta and partners more. That’s because as of 1/1/27 I should have about 2.95 million Delta Lifetime Miles. Getting that next 50,000 miles by mid 2027 and reaching annual Delta Diamond status will provide great tangible and intangible value. Even though some of that value might be diminishing, I won’t complain too much because the only thing I have to do to earn it is not expire.
I place a high value on the intangible benefits of status. By and large, I’ve found that the intangible benefits of status have not diminished over the years. When reps notice my Diamond, 2mm status they always go the extra mile and beyond to solve travel issues with no cost. It seems that having 2m Lifetime Miles matters more than Diamond status. Reaching 3mm should unlock even more unstated perks. If I hadn’t switched to American and oneworld as my primary programs in 2015, I would have at least 4.5 million Delta miles making the holy grail — annual 360 — within reach.
Those who have enough funds and points can buy premium tickets on any airline and receive many of the tangible benefits of status. Chasing status on Delta precludes many from experiencing superior products and services on many international airlines. Domestically, the major airlines are very comparable overall. For people who use their own funds and points to meet Delta MQD requirements, I can see why status and loyalty may not seem to be worth the effort. But when status requires no effort… yes, please.
@John — How are you liking American?
I liked American more in 2015 than I do today. I like American most because of the oneworld alliance and other American airline partners. I can use American miles to book international first class on amazing airlines like, Qatar, Japan Airlines, Etihad and Cathay Pacific. Even business class on these airlines is better than what is offered on Delta and Skyteam. Access to first class lounges when flying in any class of service is icing on the cake with Executive Platinum status.
American service is not much different than Delta. American is finally getting a business class seat with a door. I haven’t flown it yet, but think it is basically slapping a door on the old Super Diamond seat. That leaves American a distant second to the latest products other airlines are coming out with.
I now like Delta more than I did in 2015. D1 lounges are a huge improvement. Upgrades out of my home base, CLT, on Delta are 100% versus 75% on American. Plus Delta has a new concourse at CLT with uncrowded gates and a first ever Sky Club. American gates and Admirals Clubs at CLT can’t compare to Delta’s offerings there.
In short, I like American not so much for American but for oneworld.