Delta SkyMiles companion upgrades have been a pet-peeve of mine….well….forever. Nothing more annoying than seeing yourself glued to the bottom of the upgrade list just because you had the audacity to take a trip with your spouse. Frankly, if anyone at Delta asked me for my opinion, I would tell them that this bugs me more than award availability. Well, the folks at SkyMiles are about to make the second positive change to the Medallion upgrade program in just a few weeks as RenésPoints wrote last night. According to Delta.com,
“We recently surveyed our Medallion members about our companion policy for Complimentary Upgrades, and a majority of you voted that Medallion members traveling with a companion should clear for Complimentary Upgrades based on the higher of the two status levels.
So, we’re investing in making things better. Starting this fall, Medallion members traveling with one companion will clear for Complimentary Upgrades to both First Class and Delta Comfort+™ based on the status of the higher-tiered member. Diamond and Silver traveling together? Your upgrade will clear at the Diamond level, when available.
It’s one of the many ways we’re striving to offer the best elite travel experience for our most loyal members. Be on the lookout for more details and the official start date for these changes that will be announced this summer.”
Logo image courtesy of Delta Air Lines.
Why This Matters?
Personally, I think it’s a step in the right direction towards being more respectful of loyalty. An airline’s most frequent customers spend many nights on the road away from their families. Is it too much to ask that when they’re going on vacation and traveling with a spouse/significant other that they have a shot at a complimentary upgrade that equates to their Medallion level? I don’t think so. Granted, the number of people this benefits may be small as paid first class load factors increase, but I do appreciate the gesture, and I’m not forgetting that this will apply to Comfort+ “upgrades” either.
I am sure there are some Medallions that prefer the old way of managing upgrade priority when traveling with companions, and I’m not unsympathetic. I just think this is a better way. As I make the slow climb back from the depths of Dirt Silver Medallion, maybe it will even benefit the MJ on Travel team on a Sunday morning at 5am or something.
-MJ, May 20, 2016
Amen Brother. This is a game changer for me.
What is the definition of a companion? Same last name? Puchased together? Etc. i travel w collegues all the time and i can see this being abused
A companion is anyone. Awaiting clarification as to whether they need to be in the same PNR or not.