Delta Air Lines to Change Frequent Flier Program to Award Those Who Spend More on Airfare

Delta Air Lines is making big changes to its frequent flier program. The 2015 SkyMiles program will include a change in which customers will be rewarded depending on the price of the ticket rather than how many miles they fly.

Delta will be the first major airline to implement such a change, but it could lead to other airlines following suit if it is successful. The new program is to begin Jan. 1, 2015. It will better recognize frequent business travelers and leisure customers who pay big bucks for certain trips. Even though this program is aimed at business travelers, it will affect everyone who flies on Delta and uses the frequent flier program.

"The introduction of a new model for earning miles will increase rewards for those who spend more as well as differentiate the SkyMiles frequent flyer program for our premium travelers," said Jeff Robertson, Delta's vice president - SkyMiles.

General SkyMiles program members will receive five miles per every dollar spent or seven miles if they use a Delta credit card. Silver Medallion members will receive seven miles per dollar or nine when using the Delta credit card. Gold Medallion members will receive eight miles per dollar or 10 with the credit card. Platinum Medallion members get nine miles per dollar or 11 with the card. Finally, Diamond Medallion members receive 11 miles per dollar or 13 with the card.

The lowest level for SkyMiles Saver Awards will remain at 25,000 miles on an Economy Class Award ticket for travel within the U.S. and Canada excluding Hawaii. All of Delta's worldwide redemption charts will be updated to reflect the new options in the last quarter of 2014 and will be effective for new Award bookings beginning Jan. 1, 2015.

Along with Delta, JetBlue's "True Blue" frequent flier program awards points based on dollars spent instead of miles, and Southwest Airlines awards those who buy more expensive tickets.

Delta gave this announcement 10 months in advance to allow customers enough time for making travel plans. Among other program updates is a new mileage redemption structure that will improve Award seat availability at the lowest mileage requirement levels, offer One-Way Awards at half the price of round-trips, provide additional Miles + Cash Award options, and make significant improvements to delta.com and Delta reservations Award shopping tools.