Delta Airlines has recently made more changes to its frequent flyer program in response to the initial backlash that came from customers. The world’s second-largest airline faced criticism after they announced their updated program last fall.
Under the new program, customers would receive two miles per dollar spent, rather than the three miles they were previously receiving. At the same time, Delta also changed its award charts and blackout dates. Customers were especially upset about the blackout dates, which could affect travelers planning trips months ahead.
In response to the criticism, Delta has made more changes to make their frequent flyer program more appealing. First, they have introduced a new bonus of up to sixty percent for customers who purchase tickets with miles. The bonus will vary depending on route and cabin class, and will be valid for travel to all destinations except to/from South and Central America.
Second, Delta is also reintroducing the ability to book award flights on partner airlines, including Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic. This will allow customers to book flights using their Delta miles for international destinations that Delta does not serve directly. This feature was previously available, but Delta had removed it last fall.
The new changes are a response to customer feedback, and are designed to make Delta’s frequent flyer program more attractive. The airline hopes that this will help to restore some of the customer goodwill that was lost, and make the program more appealing to loyal customers.
Time will tell if the changes are enough to win back frequent flyer points enthusiasts, but this is certainly a step in the right direction. Having more options for reward flights, along with the bonus for purchasing tickets with miles, should make the program more attractive. Only time will tell if Delta’s modifications will be enough to ensure customers keep coming back.