Delta Ends Middle Seat Blocking, Extends Basic Economy Waiver And Ticket Validity, Bonus MQMs, Qualify For Elite Status On Award Travel!

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Delta announced a number of major changes today.

  • They will stop blocking middle seats as a 5/1. Other airlines have ended that practice long ago and Delta kept this going for longer than could be expected. They truly led the way throughout this pandemic!
  • They will extend free changes on basic economy tickets purchased through 4/30.
  • Tickets that were set to expire in 2021 or that are issued in 2021 will be valid for travel through 12/31/22.
  • Snacks return in April and hot food returns in June to Delta One flights. Boxed food in first class returns in July.
  • Delta Gold Card Members who earn a $100 Delta Flight Credit from January 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021 will have the expiration date extended to June 30, 2022.
  • Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve Card Members with unused Companion Certificates as of March 31, 2021 or Companion Certificates issued from April 1, 2021 to May 31, 2021 will have the expiration date extended to book and fly by June 30, 2022.
  • Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members with Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes issued from January 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021 will have the expiration dates extended to June 30, 2022.
  • Coach tickets from 4/1/21-12/31/21 will earn 150% of the normal MQMs, MQSs, and MQDs.
  • Comfort+, Premium, and business/first class tickets from 4/1/21-12/31/21 will earn 175% of the normal MQMs, MQSs, and MQDs.
  • Coach award tickets from 4/1/21-12/31/21 will earn 150% of the MQMs, MQSs, and MQDs as follows. An award flight that is 1,522 miles in distance will earn 2,283 MQMs. If the flight has 2 segments, it will earn 3 MQSs. If the award cost 13,000 miles, you will earn MQDs as if each mile was worth 1 cent, so that’s equal to a $130 ticket. After the 50% bonus you will earn 195 MQDs.
  • Comfort+, Premium, and business/first class tickets award tickets from 4/1/21-12/31/21 will earn 175% of the MQMs, MQSs, and MQDs. A comfort+ award flight that is 1,522 miles in distance will earn a 75% MQM bonus, for a total of 2,664 MQMs!  A first class award flight that is 1,522 miles in distance will earn a 50% class of service bonus and a 75% MQM bonus, for a total of 3,997 MQMs!
  • All of these bonus MQMs, including MQMs from award tickets, will count towards million miler status, status challenges, and will qualify for 2022 rollover MQMs.
  • Travel from 4/1-5/15 will have bonuses posted by 5/31. Other travel should have the bonuses post right away.
  • Illustration of how the bonus will work:

What do you think of Delta’s announcements today?

HT: lakewood34, via DDF

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18 Comments On "Delta Ends Middle Seat Blocking, Extends Basic Economy Waiver And Ticket Validity, Bonus MQMs, Qualify For Elite Status On Award Travel!"

All opinions expressed below are user generated and the opinions aren’t provided, reviewed or endorsed by any advertiser or DansDeals.

Harley Kesselman

Absolutely amazing changes! Maybe I can be Diamond again!!

Chaim

Hi Dan,

What’s the best way to book a Delta economy fare with points from JFK – Miami for Shavuos?

Jew

Unless you joking;
Delta.com, use miles, from: JFK to: Mia
And wallah magic..!

Mayim

Why does it have to be booked on delta.com and not through partner airline miles?

Joe

joking is you making fun of his question and and thinking “wallah” is a word

jake

so if i spend 30k accross delta cards which waives the mqd requirement and fly a few award tickets by 13/31 then i could get delta diamond?

Mike

Is this only for new award tickets booked after today? Or it will also benefit an upcoming award ticket that I booked last month for traveling in May?

menachem

Does this apply to tickets booked already

Al

Does this apply to tickets booked before this was announced AND one leg was already flown? Because I flew the 1st leg before April, just finished the 2nd leg, and no bonus MQMs were posted. How do I get them posted?

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