Throughout these uncertain and changing times, we, at TheCreditShifu.com, continue to bring you the most recent updates on what credit card issuers are doing to help you maintain solid personal finances, the best current credit card offers, extensions of memberships and statuses from hotel credit cards. Today we dive into what Delta and United airlines are doing to support your future travels.
DELTA
Delta Medallion Members will be able to enjoy their current Status through 2021
If you’re a Delta SkyMiles Medallion Member, you can rest assured that your status will be there when you’re ready to fly again. Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members will enjoy the same loyalty benefits throughout 2021 as they have in 2020. The 12-month Status extension is part of Delta’s efforts to provide greater flexibility to its customers as coronavirus impacts travel plans across the globe:
All Medallion Statuses for 2020 will be automatically (you don’t’ need to take any action) extended for the 2021 Medallion Year.
All Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) from 2020 will be automatically rolled over to 2021 to qualify for 2022 Medallion Status.
Other Delta programs and card benefits will be extended between six and twelve months
- Delta Sky Club Individual and Executive memberships
If your membership expires on March 1, 2020, or later, you will receive six additional months of Delta Sky Club access beyond your expiration date.
- Delta SkyMiles American Express Card Members
If you have one of the following in your SkyMiles profile “My Wallet” that is valid now or has expired since March 1, 2020, Delta’s extending the expiration dates to give you additional time to enjoy your benefits:
Delta SkyMiles Gold Card Members with a $100 Delta flight credit will get a six-month extension beyond their current expiration date.
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card Members with Companion Certificates with an original expiration date between March 1 and June 30, 2020, can use them when they book and fly by Dec. 31, 2020, and those that expire between July 1, 2020, and April 1, 2021, will receive an additional six months beyond the current expiration date.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members with Companion Certificates with an original expiration date between March 1 and June 30, 2020, can use them when they book and fly by Dec. 31, 2020, and those that expire between July 1, 2020, and April 1, 2021, will receive an additional six months beyond the current expiration date.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members will also get a six-month extension to use their Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes beyond their current expiration date.
- SkyMiles Members
If you have one of the following in your SkyMiles profile “My Wallet” that is valid now or has expired since March 1, 2020, Delta airlines will extend the expiration dates to give you additional time to enjoy your benefits:
Upgrade Certificates or $200 Travel Vouchers with an original expiration date between March 1 and June 30, 2020, are extended – now, they can be booked and flown by Dec. 31, 2020. SkyMiles Members with Upgrade Certificates or $200 Travel Vouchers that expire after June 30, 2020, will receive an additional six months beyond the current expiration date.
SkyMiles Select members will receive a six-month extension to the Priority Boarding benefit and any unused drink vouchers.
If you’re a SkyMiles Member enrolled in a challenge or promotion to earn Medallion Status, such as the Status Match Challenge, Reclaim My Status or a promotion offered through your employer, you can restart that promotion when you’re ready to travel again. You will receive the next steps from Delta in the coming weeks.
You don’t need to do anything in order to receive the extensions and make use of these Delta policy updates, they will happen automatically over the coming weeks, with no action needed from you. “We are continuously monitoring how coronavirus impacts travel and will make additional adjustments to support our customers’ needs as the pandemic evolves,” assures Sandeep Dube, Delta’s Senior Vice President – Customer Engagement and Loyalty, and CEO of Delta Vacations.
UNITED AIRLINES
United Airlines just announced a series of key changes to assist customers and MileagePlus members, including:
- United Airlines extend members’ current MileagePlus Premier status through January 2022
At a minimum, all MileagePlus Premier members will retain the status they earned for 2020, through January 2022. The status extension to January 31, 2022, applies to 1) all members that met the published criteria of the MileagePlus program in 2019, 2) status associated with the United/Marriott RewardsPlus program and 3) status offered as part of a Sales nomination.
- For the 2021 status year, United is reducing the threshold for Premier qualification by 50% for each status level
Reducing thresholds for Premier qualifications makes reaching an even higher tier this much easier. Please note, you’ll still need a minimum of four flight segments on United or United Express.
- United is increasing the maximum number of qualifying points card holders can work toward a status through card spending
For the first time ever, United airlines is increasing the maximum number of premier qualifying points (PQPs) United Explorer and United Club credit card holders can earn through card spend toward status in 2021. From May 1 through December 31, 2020, United will be offering a promotion that doubles the maximum PQPs for United Explorer credit cardmembers and quadruples the maximum PQPs for United Club.
- For 1K and Platinum members, United extended PlusPoints expiration dates and expanded Skip Waitlist
United is increasing the ability for Premier members to use their upgrade benefits. The airline now offers a six-month extension for all PlusPoints, the currency used for systemwide upgrades, that are set to expire on or before January 31, 2021. United is also expanding the availability of Skip Waitlist to significantly more international long-haul flights. Skip Waitlist is an upgrade option that allows Premier 1K members to confirm upgrades at the time of booking.
- United extended all annual membership and subscription benefits by six months
For United customers who purchased annual membership and subscription benefits directly from United, the expiration will be extended by six months, ensuring that they receive the full value of their benefits when they are ready to start flying again. This includes United Club℠ memberships purchased directly from United and purchased subscriptions for Economy Plus, United Wi-Fi and checked bags. You should see this reflected in your MileagePlus account soon.
- All United electronic travel certificates now have 24 months to be used
United is extending electronic travel certificates (ETCs) and waiving redeposit fees for members who booked travels using award miles. ETCs will now be valid for two years from the time of booking. The airline is also waiving all redeposit fees for members who have flights booked through May 31, 2020 and will be waiving fees for all members who cancel their flights at least 30 days before departure for the remainder of 2020.
All of the United changes listed above will be updated automatically and reflected in your account in the coming weeks. “In these unprecedented times where it seems like every day brings new challenges, it’s an honor to share positive news that will – I hope – put a smile on the faces of our loyal customers,” explains Luc Bondar, vice president of loyalty at United.
United has also announced that it will make earning status in 2022 easier during 2021. Follow The Credit Shifu on social media for the most recent updates.
