On January 1, 2015, Delta’s SkyMiles program will make a wholesale transition, from a mileage-based to a revenue-based program. That was announced in February.
What will also change on January 1, 2015 — but has yet to be announced by Delta — is the program’s new policy on round-the-world awards. In short, they are being phased out.
According to the airline’s website: “Round-the-World Award Tickets will not be issued on or after January 1, 2015.”
Round-the-world awards were never among the program’s most popular features. In fact, Delta cites lack of interest as the reason for discontinuing them. At 180,000 miles for coach and 280,000 miles for business class, the awards never represented stellar value.
What they do represent, however, is the most aspirational aspect of loyalty programs: the possibility of a “trip of a lifetime.” Like that shiny Corvette in the Chevy showroom, a round-the-world trip casts a warm glow over the program’s more utilitarian offerings.
The loss of round-the-world awards is hardly the most significant change coming to SkyMiles. But it definitely counts as another strike against the new program.
Reader Reality Check
SkyMiles 2015: Yay or nay?
This article originally appeared on FrequentFlier.com.
We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Related
Top Fares From
Today's Top Travel Deals
Brought to you by ShermansTravel
Black Friday Sale: 6-Night India Tour,...
Exoticca
vacation $1599+Amsterdam to Copenhagen: Luxe, 18-Night Northern...
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
cruise $12399+Ohio: Daily Car Rentals from Cincinnati
85OFF.com
Car Rental $19+