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☆ Delta loyalty program backlash: Airline backtracks on some changes after an uproar from customers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Gregory Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Delta Air Lines is easing off some recent changes to its SkyMiles loyalty program that sparked criticism from frequent flyers. Fundamentally, Wednesday’s announcement keeps in place a significant overhaul announced just last month that transitioned the loyalty program from miles-based to spending-based. But the airline will make it easier for frequent flyers to reach certain rewards thresholds than the original changes. Last month, Delta CEO Ed Bastian pledged modifications to the program, but downplayed customer frustrations. Bastian said Delta gained so many elite status holders that demand for premium services, including lounge access at airports, overwhelmed the company.

Persons: DAL, Ed Bastian, ” Bastian, Bastian, Delta Organizations: CNN, Delta Air Lines, Delta’s, Delta, Rotary Club of Atlanta

☆ Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian on Q3 results, travel demand and SkyMiles backlash
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailDelta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian on Q3 results, travel demand and SkyMiles backlashCNBC’s Phil LeBeau and Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian join 'Squawk Box' to discuss the airline's quarterly earnings results, the impact of fuel prices on cost pressures, travel demand outlook, rebound in corporate travel, SkyMiles backlash, impact of inflation, and more.

Persons: Ed Bastian, Phil LeBeau Organizations: Air, Delta Air

Planes packed with summer travelers boosted Delta Air Lines to a $1.11 billion profit in the third quarter, and the carrier said Thursday that it expects revenue to keep rising into the holiday season. Profit was up 59% from a year earlier, as strong ticket sales — especially for premium seats and international flights — helped Delta shrug off higher labor costs. “I think we’re closing the year strong, and the holiday bookings that we see right now are pretty good,” CEO Ed Bastian said in an interview. For the fourth quarter, Delta said revenue will rise as much as 11% from a year ago and it will earn between $1.05 to $1.30 per share. Bastian expressed confidence that Delta and other carriers can raise prices enough to cover any increase in fuel expense.

Persons: “, Ed Bastian, Bastian, ” Bastian, We’ll, ” Organizations: Delta Air Lines, —, Travelers, JFK, Delta, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Revenue Locations: Delta, Atlanta, U.S, New

☆ My Family of 5 Flies for the Price of 3—Here’s How
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Jason Steele | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

From our home in Denver, my wife, three kids and I often travel to visit family in Florida, California, Georgia and New York. And when I travel for work as a professional credit card reviewer and consultant, I often bring a kid or two along. My path to companion pass bliss came through Southwest credit cards, such as the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, but frequent flights can also get you there. As our family grew, my wife also began earning a Companion Pass, allowing the whole family to travel at a steep discount. For example, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card offers 50,000 bonus points when you spend just $1,000 in the first three months.

Persons: Jason Steele Organizations: Southwest Airlines, Rapid, Southwest, Alaska Airlines, Alaska Airlines Visa Credit, Delta, American, Southwest Rapid Locations: Denver, Florida , California, Georgia, New York, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Mexico, Caribbean, Southwest, Florida, San Antonio

Amex Member Week 2023 will offer eligible cardholders presale ticket access, special experiences, and more. To find the right Amex card for you, read more about our picks for the best American Express cards. American Express Member Week 2023 detailsTo take full advantage of Amex Member Week, you need to have an Amex card, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. Amex Member Week exclusives span a number of categories, from entertainment and live events to retail offers. They can receive up to $165 in total value when making select purchases from the following merchants:DocuSignHertzInstacart BusinessLowe'sSquarespaceProducts in this post: The Platinum Card® from American Express, American Express® Gold Card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Persons: —, you'll, Amex, Olivia Rodrigo, Resy, Fermin Nunex, Matt Conroy, Isabel Coss, cardmembers, James Jarvis, DocuSign Organizations: Service, American Express, American, YouTube, Amex, Delta, Delta.com, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Bose Dell, DocuSign Hertz Locations: Delta, York City, Las Vegas, Miami, Austin , Texas, Washington ,

☆ The Great Zelle Pool Scam
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Devin Friedman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +38 min

When I asked Chase to discuss Zelle fraud, I received an email saying, "Unfortunately, we don't have anyone available for an interview." The way the email messages from Gary were subliterate in a completely different way from the way a classic Gary email is subliterate. When Gary Kruglitz told us to Zelle him, he didn't really tell us to Zelle him. Out of all the kinds of money, money to build a pool is probably the very best kind of money for the world to suffer the loss of. It's possible that the government will eventually be moved to safeguard consumers against Zelle fraud.

Persons: Madison Ketcham, Gary Kruglitz, Gary, couldn't, he'll, Gary —, —, Cheryl, Sheryl, Sheryl —, we'd, Jeff Allen's, didn't, Jeff, Krystal, we'll, He'd, you've, Karen, I'm, she'd, Yellllow, Zelle, Chase, Sen, Elizabeth Warren, there's, That's, It's, Jesus, who'd, Donald Trump, Gary Kruglitzes, Cheryls —, Yasmine48, Nixon, Evan Kohlmann, cybercrime, we've, I've, Kohlmann, Guess, Let's, that's, Elizabeth Warren's, it's, they're, Warren's, Warren, I'd, they'd, blinked Organizations: Boston Pops, The New York Times, New York Times, Chase, Bank of America, PNC, US Bank, PayPal, Disney, NBC, Warner Bros, Netflix, JPMorgan Chase, Bank —, of, Professionals, Justice Department, Northeast . Contractors, Cloudburst Technologies, Facebook, FBI, Mafia, Massachusetts State Police, Monterey Police Department, Police Locations: Massachusetts, Lyme, Tennessee, Wells Fargo, Truist, Silicon Valley, Amsterdam, Northeast, what's, Paxful, Estonia, Korea, Monterey , Massachusetts, Monterey

☆ Zelle Fraud: I Got Scammed Out of $31,000 and My Bank Didn't Care
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Devin Friedman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +38 min

Because a lot of bank branches were still closed, and the crew wanted their money, he requested that we transfer the money via Zelle. When I asked Chase to discuss Zelle fraud, I received an email saying, "Unfortunately, we don't have anyone available for an interview." The way the email messages from Gary were subliterate in a completely different way from the way a classic Gary email is subliterate. When Gary Kruglitz told us to Zelle him, he didn't really tell us to Zelle him. It's possible that the government will eventually be moved to safeguard consumers against Zelle fraud.

☆ Delta CEO Says Airline Went ‘Too Far’ With New SkyMiles Requirements
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Dawn Gilbertson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/travel/delta-skymiles-loyalty-program-changes-22be2bfe

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Delta CEO says carrier went 'too far' in SkyMiles changes, promises modifications after frequent flyer backlash
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Delta Air Lines Boeing 717-200 airplane as seen on the final approach landing at New York JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport, NYC, USA. "No question we probably went too far," Bastian said at the Rotary Club of Atlanta on Monday. The airline and rivals including American and United have been racing to build bigger airport lounges to cater to swelling numbers of big spenders. Bastian said the airline will announce the updated program changes in the coming weeks. A Delta spokesman declined to comment further on the changes.

Persons: New York JFK John F, Ed Bastian, Bastian, we've, It's, David Neeleman Organizations: Delta Air Lines Boeing, New York JFK, Kennedy International Airport, Delta Air, Rotary Club of Atlanta, Delta, American Airlines, Sky, American Express, JetBlue Airways, Medallion, Breeze Airways, JetBlue, CNBC Locations: New, NYC, USA, Delta, American, Atlanta

☆ Meet the Delta Fliers Who Don’t Hate the New SkyMiles Rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Dawn Gilbertson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Delta says it 'went too far' with SkyMiles changes that caused an uproar
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Hannah Towey | Sebastian Cahill | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Delta CEO Ed Bastian said the airline went "too far" in its recent changes to its SkyMiles program. The CEO's comments followed a social media uproar protesting the changes. AdvertisementAdvertisementDelta CEO Ed Bastian said the airline went "too far" in its recent changes to its SkyMiles loyalty program that triggered a social media uproar earlier this month. "We probably went too far in doing that," the CEO said at an Atlanta Rotary Club event on Monday. AdvertisementAdvertisementIt also suggests renting Delta Car Rentals for half of those trips at $400 a rental and spending $8,000 a month for the qualification year on a Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card.

Persons: Ed Bastian, —, Bastian, Delta Organizations: Service, Atlanta Rotary, Delta, Delta SkyMiles, American, Diamond, Car Rentals, Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business, Express

☆ Delta CEO: Company went ‘too far’ with its SkyMiles rewards program changes
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Delta CEO Ed Bastian said the company probably went “too far” in its controversial changes to the SkyMiles loyalty program and said there are plans for modifications. It got to the point, he said, that the company couldn’t effectively serve those elite status holders, including upgrade certificates and agents on special phone lines. When the moderator asked Bastian about the rewards program changes, the audience at the Atlanta Rotary Club booed. In September, the company implemented changes that would make it more difficult for American Express cardholders to access Delta Sky Clubs and earn Medallion elite status, taking effect in 2025. For frequent fliers, the airline will also change how it awards Medallion elite status starting in 2024.

Persons: Ed Bastian, ” Bastian, “, Bastian, It’s, ’ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Rotary Club of Atlanta, Delta, Atlanta Rotary Club, American Express, Delta Sky Clubs, American, Starbucks Locations: New York

☆ Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card Review
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Ben Luthi | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +8 min

By Ben LuthiThe Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers a sign up bonus and annual benefits that could earn cardholders several free flights a year. But if you’re a loyal Delta customer and want a better experience every time you fly, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum can be a solid choice. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum has a $250 annual fee, and depending on how you use the card, it’s possible to offset that cost with rewards alone. Starting in 2024, for each $20 you spend on the card, SkyMiles Platinum cardholders will earn 1 medallion qualifying dollar, or MQD. Methodology: How we evaluated the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardTo choose Buy Side from WSJ’s Best Airline Cards, we compared 23 credit cards from 10 major domestic airlines.

Persons: Ben Luthi, Hopper, You’ll, that’ll, you’ll, you’re Organizations: Express Card, Delta, U.S, delta.com, TSA PreCheck, ., Delta SkyMiles, American, Capital, Venture Locations: U.S, Delta

Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). AdvertisementAdvertisementI've learned a lot about how to make travel painless, and I always use a travel rewards credit card. Some travel credit cards even offer bonus points that apply when you book airfare directly with airlines. However, credit cards come with more robust protections when it comes to disputes thanks to the Fair Credit Billing Act. 5. Credit cards have zero fraud liabilityFinally, credit cards come with zero fraud liability, which is incredibly important when you're making pricey purchases online (e.g., buying airfare through an airline website or mobile app) and trying to prevent credit card fraud before it happens.

Persons: I've, There's Organizations: Service, ®, American, Delta, Federal Trade Commission Locations: Wall, Silicon, Delta

☆ Delta flyers slam SkyMiles program overhaul: 'The biggest middle finger yet'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Delta is making big changes to its SkyMiles program — and many frequent flyers aren't happy. Starting in 2024, SkyMiles members will no longer be able to earn loyalty status through the number of miles flown. "With Delta's upcoming SkyMiles changes it is clear that loyalty isn't bidirectional," tech executive Randall Hunt wrote Wednesday evening on X. With @Delta's upcoming skymiles changes it is clear that Loyalty isn't bidirectional. "We are already paying a premium to fly Delta," the user wrote Thursday.

Persons: SkyMiles, Delta, Randall Hunt, — Randall Hunt Organizations: Delta, Service, Air Lines, American Express Locations: Wall, Silicon, Delta

☆ Delta just dramatically overhauled its SkyMiles program. You aren't going to like it.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Delta's SkyMiles program typically allowed members to earn loyalty rewards through miles flown. Starting January 1, 2024, SkyMiles members will earn the elite Medallion status — which gives rewards such as unlimited complimentary upgrades and waived baggage fees — through cash spent rather than miles flown. The airline has been dealing with overcrowding issues at its lounges and previously restricted access to Delta employees unless they purchase a ticket. Starting February 1, 2025, cardholders of Delta American Express SkyMiles Reserve and Delta American Express Reserve Business will be limited to 10 visits per year. AdvertisementAdvertisementHolders of Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express cards will also no longer get automatic access to Sky Club.

Persons: Delta's, SkyMiles, MQD, Dwight James, James Organizations: Sky, Service, Delta, USA, Diamond, Bloomberg, Sky Clubs, Sky Club, SkyTeam, Delta American Express SkyMiles, Delta American Express Reserve, Delta SkyMiles, Business American Express, American Airlines Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ Delta will make it harder to get into airport lounges, changes rules to earn elite status
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Delta Air Lines is changing how customers can earn elite frequent flyer status and is making it harder for many American Express cardholders to get into the carrier's airport lounges, the latest reality check for air travel's era of mass luxury. Starting Jan. 1, customers will earn Delta Medallion status solely based on their spending, instead of a combination of dollars spent with the carrier and flights. Next year, Delta customers will earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar for every $1 they spend on Delta flights, car rentals, hotels and vacation packages booked through the airline. The ratio isn't 1:1 for dollars spent through co-branded American Express cards. Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business American Express card members earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar for every $10 spent on the card, while Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Platinum Business American Express Card Members earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar for every $20 spent.

Persons: John F, Dwight James, Delta's Organizations: Kennedy International, Delta Air, American Express, Delta Medallion, American Airlines, CNBC, Delta, SkyMiles Reserve, Reserve Business American Express, Business American Express Locations: New York

The Atlanta-based airline said it plans to cap the number of entries to its Sky Clubs starting Feb. 1, 2025 for holders of the American Express Platinum Card as well as the Delta Reserve American Express Card. Those holding the Platinum Card will be allowed six visits per year, while the Delta Reserve Card holders will get 10 annual visits. The news may not come as a surprise to Delta customers who have visited a Sky Club at Delta's major hubs like JFK Airport or Atlanta, where lines to access Sky Clubs have been a common occurrence. Political Cartoons View All 1157 ImagesThe Platinum Card has become American Express’ most popular product, despite its high annual fee, among Millennials and Gen-Z partially due to its travel perks. The news does not impact access to AmEx's own Centurion-branded airport lounges, which American Express owns and operates.

Organizations: Delta Air, Sky Clubs, American, Delta Reserve American Express Card, Delta Reserve, Delta, Sky, JFK, American Express Locations: Atlanta, Delta's, JFK

☆ How to use the Delta Reserve card to earn Delta elite status quickly
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Holly Johnson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

As a longtime Delta Air Lines enthusiast, I have had both the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card over the past few years. The Delta Reserve makes it possible for me to earn elite statusSpending $25,000 on the Delta Platinum or Delta Reserve cards waives the MQD requirement for elite status. Other reasons to love the Delta Reserve cardThe Delta Reserve card is loaded with perks, including Delta Sky Club access and upgrade priority. Status boostThe Delta Reserve and the Delta Platinum both come with a perk called Status Boost that gets you closer to Delta Medallion status without flying a single mile. Just make sure your Delta SkyMiles number is linked to your Delta credit card — this is often done when you apply for a Delta card.

Persons: Julian Kheel, You’ll, Andrew Kunesh Organizations: CNN, American Express, longtime Delta Air Lines, Delta, Delta SkyMiles ®, American Express Card, Delta Reserve, Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Delta Sky Club, MQM, American, Delta Sky, Delta Air Lines Locations: Cancun, Mexico, Europe, Delta, United Kingdom, New York, JFK, Paris, Comfort

☆ Delta will give you as many miles for going to Starbucks twice as you'd earn on a flight from NY to Florida
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Delta will give you 1,000 bonus miles if you spend at least $2 at Starbucks twice in one week. AdvertisementAdvertisementYou can now earn 1,000 Delta bonus miles just for buying Starbucks twice in one week. AdvertisementAdvertisementTypically, it takes a flight of decent length to earn 1,000 miles, as you'll usually earn 1 for every mile flown. Make sure to pay for your coffee using a payment method linked to your Starbucks rewards account or by scanning the barcode in the Starbucks mobile app prior to completing checkout. Another important thing to remember is that bonus miles don't count towards Medallion Status or Million Miler Status.

Persons: You'll, it's Organizations: Starbucks, Morning Locations: New York, Florida

☆ Get 1000 Bonus Delta SkyMiles for Buying 2 Starbucks Drinks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Delta will give you 1,000 bonus miles if you spend at least $2 at Starbucks twice in one week. AdvertisementAdvertisementYou can now earn 1,000 Delta bonus miles just for buying Starbucks twice in one week. First, you need to create a SkyMiles and Starbucks Rewards account (if you don't already have one) and link the two on their partnership website. AdvertisementAdvertisementTypically, it takes a flight of decent length to earn 1,000 miles, as you'll usually earn 1 for every mile flown. Another important thing to remember is that bonus miles don't count towards Medallion Status or Million Miler Status.

Persons: You'll, it's Organizations: Starbucks, Morning Locations: New York, Florida

With these Delta credit card offers, you can earn up to 100,000 Delta miles, which don't expire. Delta Credit Card OffersAmex Delta credit cards give you the ability to use Delta miles in a way that non-cardholders can't. However, Insider estimates that Delta miles are worth 1.1 cents each, on average, when booking award flights. That's much higher than the previous card bonus, which was 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs after meeting minimum spending requirements. Amex Business Delta Reserve Card ReviewDo You Qualify for These Delta Card Bonuses?

Persons: cardholders, Insider's, you've, We're, Miles, You'll, you'll, it's Organizations: Delta, Getty, Service, American Express, Delta SkyMiles Gold American, Card, U.S . Supermarkets, U.S, PayPal, Reading Chevron, American, TSA, Delta Sky, Global, TSA PreCheck, Delta Sky Club, SkyMiles Reserve American, ®, SkyMiles ®, Delta SkyMiles ®, Delta Sky Clubs, Chevron, American Express Card, Delta Reserve, Gold Business American, Business American, Delta American Express, SkyMiles Reserve Business, SkyMiles, Delta SkyMiles, Express Locations: Wall, Silicon, delta.com, U.S, Delta

☆ 5 best credit cards for getting Global Entry or TSA PreCheck without a fee
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Chris Dong | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

The biggest perk is saving time, with expedited security and — in the case of Global Entry — customs lines at dozens of U.S. airports (and even a few abroad for Global Entry). TSA PreCheck Cost: The application process costs $78, and your TSA PreCheck enrollment status remains valid for five years. Global Entry Cost: The Global Entry application process includes a $100 non-refundable fee (whether you’re approved or not) and is also valid for five years. The best credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheckWhen evaluating the best credit cards that cover the cost of Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, the card’s annual fee was a major factor. Why did we pick these as our best credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck?

Persons: ”, it’s, you’ll, It’s, IHG, You’ll, you’re, cardholders, Andrew Kunesh Organizations: CNN, American Express, TSA, U.S . Department of Homeland, TSA PreCheck, United, U.S, Delta, Silver, Diamond Medallion, IHG, InterContinental, Holiday, One Venture, Capital, Fort, Dulles, Capital One Venture, Getty, Venture, Sapphire, Amex, Chase Sapphire, PreCheck Locations: U.S, Canada, Delta, Dallas, Fort Worth, DFW, Washington, Denver

☆ TikTokers are using this Google Flights trick to book cheap airfare — here’s how it works
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Jasmin Suknanan | Jason Stauffer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

However, TikTokers recently found a way to lower some of those travel costs, particularly when it comes to booking flights. The Google Flights "trick" is simple, but does require some flexibility in terms of where and when you're willing to travel. Here's how the feature works: Step 1: Open up your browser and type in Google Flights. Some TikTokers who posted about this trick have shown themselves finding flights to Cancun for $270 and Las Vegas for $94. Consider booking a flight with a layover While direct flights are convenient, flights with a layover often cost less.

Persons: it's, there's, TikTokers, You'll, you'll, Chase, Airfares Organizations: NerdWallet's, Google, Labor, New, Las, Chase, American, American Express, CNBC, Card, Delta, U.S . Supermarkets, CNBC Select's, Facebook, Twitter Locations: New York, New York City, Atlanta, Toronto, Cancun, Las Vegas, U.S, Italy

Persons: cardholders, —, Insider's, you've, We're, Miles, You'll, you'll, it's Organizations: Delta, Getty, Service, American Express, Delta SkyMiles Gold American, U.S, Card, U.S . Supermarkets, PayPal, Reading Chevron, American, TSA, Delta Sky, Global, TSA PreCheck, Delta Sky Club, SkyMiles Reserve American, ®, SkyMiles ®, Delta SkyMiles ®, Delta Sky Clubs, Chevron, American Express Card, Delta Reserve, Gold Business American, Business American, Delta American Express, SkyMiles Reserve Business, SkyMiles, Delta SkyMiles, Express Locations: delta.com, U.S, Delta

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