Delta Air Lines is considering making significant changes to their Medallion Upgrade policy given the the coronavirus pandemic. The airline has already announced Reduced Inflight Service on All Flights, which includes only bottled water and a snack onboard, as well as closing most Delta SkyClubs.
The latest change that could be forthcoming is changes to the Delta Medallion upgrade policy. With so many of their flights going out empty, does it make sense to still have the same upgrade policy in place in a time of social distancing.
The reasoning for this is that coach may be quite empty even with a handful of passengers, however their premium cabins are still filling up with upgrades.
Here are two current possibilities that Delta is considering:Â
- No longer offer automatic upgrades: Delta would temporarily suspend advance automatic Medallion upgrades. At time of departure, the gate agent assigns your upgrade at the gate if there is a pair of seats available and you choose to be upgraded, which would result in less upgrades overall.
- Still offer automatic upgrades:Â Delta would still allow for automatic upgrades at the respective upgrade window, but only if there is a pair of seats together, meaning you wouldn’t sit next to anyone, resulting in overall less upgrades.
Delta is still considering the two above options and is in the process of surveying current fliers and will make a decision on their new policy by the end of this week. Likely if Delta makes one of these changes, we will see United and American make similar changes.
See related Delta coronavirus updates:
- Delta Medallion Status Update: Coronavirus
- Delta Reduces Inflight Service on All Flights
- Delta Extending Upgrade Certificates, Companion Certificates and More
- Update To Delta Waiving Change Fees
What are your thoughts on Delta changing their Medallion upgrade policy inflight of the coronavirus pandemic. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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So here’s a snag: what if it’s a couple, trio or family, all with elite credentials who are travelling together? Are they going to force couples or family to be seated apart? I think it’s a noble effort, but ultimately, it’s easier to give a gate agent the authority to assess the situation, one flight at a time.
Seems like airlines would want to do anything they can to keep their best customers as comfortable and happy as could be during these times.
Is this smart marketing moron that conceived Song? One would think they want their loyal fliers in the air – idiots at the mothership