Are Travelers Done With Elite Status? | YPHM? Sept. 19 ✈️

SkyMiles changes, MGM cyberattack, business class to London for $2k, and more

Happy Tuesday, kinfolk 👋🏾

I apologize for the radio silence — I’ve been dealing with several back-to-back health conditions.

Thank you for still rocking with ya girl — all is well, and I’m glad to be back. With that said, let’s get straight into it.

📲 Stay connected by following me on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok!

Travel News from Vikkie

• Delta SkyMiles changes: You’ve probably heard by now that Delta is making sweeping changes to its SkyMiles program. The program is changing how you can earn elite status — effectively wiping out the dollar and segment requirements that helped people earn status even if they didn’t spend much money on their tickets. That wasn’t all, either.

  

  It will be harder to get into the SkyClub lounge in the future.

  Delta also took aim at SkyClub lounge access, restricting the number of visits travelers with a premium Delta credit card and Amex Platinum card and erasing the benefit for basic economy travelers altogether.

  • Vikkie’s take: Travelers aren’t happy, and they’re voicing their concerns. But I’m seeing a trend (a slight trend, but a trend nonetheless) of some Million Milers saying they plan to abandon loyalty programs and will book whatever flight works best for them.

  • What remains to be seen is how many travelers are going actually to give up on the quest to attain elite status. It’s easy to say you’re giving up on a program you’ve spent thousands of dollars with — but it’s another thing entirely actually to do it. Once the smoke clears, we’ll see some travelers defect, and I’m sure Delta expects this. But I also think Delta relies on brand loyalty to keep SkyMiles members from jumping to another program.

  • While travelers have bemoaned the SkyClub lounge changes, Delta no doubt has been paying attention to overcrowding in the clubs and traveler sentiments. The change will anger some travelers, but limiting access should ease capacity constraints throughout the SkyClub network, especially in smaller lounges.

  • For more traveler takes, check out my boy Chris’s interview with CBS News on the Delta news.

• MGM Cyberattack: It hasn’t been a good week for MGM or Las Vegas travelers. A cyber attack has put MGM — and many Las Vegas hotels under the brand — at a virtual standstill. If you plan to visit Las Vegas this week, you may want to postpone your trip.

Travel Deals from Vikkie

Deal of the Day: Boston to London for $1,997 round-trip on JetBlue Mint for November 2023 dates: (BUSINESS CLASS)

• This deal is also available from New York

• Book here

New York to Bermuda for $340 round-trip on Delta for $340 round-trip for October 2023 dates:

• The cheapest tickets are in basic economy

• Book here

Seattle to Dublin for $360 round-trip on Aer Lingus for November 2023 dates:

• Book here

Dallas to Helsinki for $489 round-trip for December 2023 dates:

• Book here

Los Angeles to Tokyo for $707 round-trip on Delta for November 2023 dates:

• The cheapest tickets are in basic economy

• Book here

Houston to Cape Town for $996 round-trip on Turkish Airlines for April 2024 dates:

• Book flights include a layover in Istanbul

• Book here

Washington to Santiago for $1,040 round-trip on Delta for February 2024 dates (PREMIUM ECONOMY)

• Both flights include a layover in Atlanta

• Book here (Book with LATAM)