In a nod to the importance of travel advisors, Delta Vacations has rolled back a planned change that would have made trips they book ineligible for points in Delta’s Medallion status program.
The change follows a move by Delta on Wednesday to dial back other announced changes to its loyalty program, which would have made it more difficult to earn free trips and enter Sky Club lounges.
In a letter to travel advisors this week, Delta Vacations president Kama Winters said the company is rescinding its plan to only allow bookings to count toward Medallion status if they were made direct with Delta Vacations; only the flight portion would have counted toward Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) on bookings made by travel advisors.
Now, SkyMiles members booking with a travel advisor will earn MQDs on all segments of vacation packages, including hotels, cars and activities.
Delta Vacations will advise SkyMiles members who have booked with a travel advisor of the change, and also provide marketing materials to advisors, to help them communicate the change.
“We heard your concerns and acknowledge the disappointment that many of you expressed around this change,” Winters wrote. “We understand the importance of our trusted relationship, and that this change was not aligned with your expectations from that partnership.”
Winters noted that “trust is foundational to our relationship, and we are committed to you and your business. We appreciate all that you do.”
