Last week, Delta quietly changed a policy so that basic economy class tickets purchased on or after December 9, 2021 would not longer earn frequent flier miles in their SkyMiles program. This big policy shift was not announced in a press release but rather via a fine print asterisked footnote on its website.
Here is a page from Delta’s website as of December 8 explaining how to earn frequent flier miles:
And here is the same page a day later on December 9 with an added footnote.
*MOUSE PRINT:
What a difference a day makes. For flights on or after January 1, 2022, basic economy passengers will no longer earn five miles for every dollar spent nor any miles at all.
What a sneaky way to take away a benefit that has existed for decades and decades.
Hat tip to Points Guy who first reported this discovery.
They (and other airlines) have redeeming miles down to a science based on booking loads. I have actually experienced such a change in just a few hours by booking one trip for my wife and then another for myself. A 7,500-mile change in two hours for my seat next to hers.
On a good note, a bill has been filed (again) addressing fees and especially the exorbitant luggage fees.
II don’t think Basic Economy has been around for “Decades…”
But coach has been around forever, and “Basic Economy” is part of coach.
This is pretty egregious and it makes sense why they wouldn’t want to announce it publicly. They’re hoping it flies under the radar for the most part. I don’t take part in any kind of miles programs because I don’t fly enough, but if I did and I fly basic economy this would probably be enough to get me to change to another carrier.
I think this is horrible and unprecedented, and I don’t even fly anymore. I hope other airlines don’t start to think this is a good idea. This is one of those things that people probably won’t realize until it affects them so there won’t be any massive revolt from passengers (which is what they’re expecting, no doubt). But to be honest in this world where everything is upside down these days, it doesn’t surprise me, unfortunately.
When you are booking tickets and select the Basic Economy ticket, a nearly full page pop-up does appear indicating the differences between Basic Economy and Main. Out of the five items listed, one of these covers earning miles: “No miles earned; no credit toward SkyMiles Medallion Status”
While this is not a consumer friendly change, to be fair this is not really in mouse print hidden only on a separate page.
Joe… thanks for pointing that out. The pop-up you refer to lists all the negatives of the Basic fares such as no seat assignments, no changes, partial credit for cancellation, etc. It lists the new rule about no miles LAST and without any special emphasis. As a new policy, in my view, this significant change should be highlighted as a standalone warning, both in their earning miles section (and not as an inconspicuous footnote), and on the booking page also as a separate notice.
Maybe someone else should send out a press release about this!