As announced a few weeks ago by several airlines, including Delta Airlines, first-class upgrades based on loyalty status have been permanently suspended and will now be subject to a fee. However, the fee charged for this service remains nominal: only $26. This means that even if the passenger has eligible status for an upgrade in the SkyMiles program, they are now required to pay a nominal fee to benefit from it.
Many other airlines are adopting a similar approach
Airlines such as American Airlines and United Airlines are no exception to the first-class upgrade policy.
United Airlines has already announced that it has eliminated upgrades offered to passengers based on their loyalty status on bookings with the Y, B, and M fares. This new commercial policy took effect on August 25th.
For its part, Delta Airlines has announced that it has ended its upgrade service based on mileage coupons.
Delta Airlines’ loyalty program is evolving
While this decision (regarding status-based upgrades) wasn’t well received by Skymiles members, it must be said that this program continues to grow. According to Glen William Hauenstein, President of Delta Airlines, “Our Skymiles loyalty program saw an 8% revenue increase this year with stronger customer engagement, as our rewards program allows its loyal members to participate in the most compelling loyalty network and the largest portfolio of partners in the industry.”