Delta’s Basic Economy Does Not Earn Miles
Delta came out with some negative news last week when it pertains to basic economy. The change was that Delta’s basic economy does not earn miles or status any longer. It was a pretty cheap move on their part and I don’t really think it will equate to much of a savings for Delta. We are talking about a 5% return for most people they are saving. And, how many basic economy flyers are active Delta SkyMiles users?
My guess is there were trying to force people into paying a bit more for main cabin seats. To be honest, my initial reaction to this change was…meh. That is because it doesn’t really come into play for me. The damage was already done by Delta years ago anyway. I’ll get into what I mean by that a bit later. I’ll also discuss who this will be a big deal to and who probably won’t care. Let’s dig into the details on the changes.
What Did Delta Change With Basic Economy Fares?
The change Delta made is as follows. This if for fares that are purchased as of December 9, 2021 or for all travel as of January 1, 2022:
- Delta Basic Economy fares will no longer earn Delta SkyMiles
- Delta Basic Economy fares will no longer earn Delta SkyMiles Medallion status. No Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs), Medallion Qualifying Segments (MQSs), or Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) will be earned on those flights.
In the past passengers flying basic economy on Delta would still earn redeemable miles. They would earn everything for Medallion status as if it were a normal ticket as well. Elite members were not able to use any of the perks of their status when flying basic economy but they could still earn towards a higher status level, or requalification, when flying basic economy. This is now the worst policy among the big three airlines in the US. United and American give redeemable miles for their basic economy tickets. I wouldn’t be surprised if that changes in the near future though.
Delta did throw members a (very) small bone with the changes. Going forward you will be able to change basic economy fares, for a fee:
- Basic economy fares within the United States, as well as to Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico, will be subjected to a $99 change fee
- Basic economy fares from the United States to all other markets will be subjected to a $199 change fee
Basic economy tickets were not changeable before the pandemic but most airlines have allowed all changes over the last few years. So it is a slight improvement compared to the norm but nothing too exciting.
Who Should Care About This Change
Even though this change won’t be a big deal to me (I have only flown basic economy once when they were blocking middle seats), this will be a big deal to others.
Solo Flyers
If you fly solo often, and don’t care much about a seat assignment, then you were often saving $20-$50 per flight by flying basic economy. You still earned your Delta SkyMiles and got there a little cheaper than you would have.
Regional Flyers
If you often fly regional routes, with smaller plans that only have 2 seats per row, then flying basic economy didn’t change your experience much. Sure you couldn’t pick your exact seat but you knew you were getting window or aisle no matter what.
Road Warriors
If you have to fly often for work, and the company’s policy is to book the cheapest seat available, then this could be a problem. In the past getting booked into basic economy by work was a pain but at least you were accruing status, and miles, to use for leisure travel. Now you are just stuck in the middle seat, on the back of the plane, with no silver lining.
Who Probably Won’t Care About This Change
I can see why many people would be upset by this change. And I can also see why others wouldn’t really care. Here are some of the people that may not notice the difference.
Delta ElitesÂ
Since basic economy never allowed you to use the perks of your status most Delta Elites already booked into Main Cabin or better.
Infrequent Delta Flyers
If you don’t fly Delta often then you may not care about earning a few hundred, or thousand, miles on the rare occasion you do fly them.
Partner Award Bookers
If you normally use the Virgin Atlantic or Flying Blue programs etc. to book your Delta flights then you are already booking into main cabin anyway. Plus, you don’t earn anything on your flight as it is.
Award Seats
When you are looking at two options in cash I feel like you are more likely to weigh the cost. If it is a couple thousand more SkyMiles to book then you are probably more likely to just pay for Main Cabin.
I Don’t Care As Much Because The Damage Was Already Done
As for my own personal reasoning, I already booked into Main Cabin pretty much exclusively anyway. I will often be flying with friends or family so it isn’t really an option for those flights. I rarely fly on regional planes, or routes being in a Delta hub. So grabbing a good deal, and a good seat, was never an option for me. That is why I did book it during the pandemic. With middle seats being blocked I was guaranteed a window or aisle seat on all routes. Because of that I took the savings and said thank you very much.
The real reason it doesn’t change anything for me is because the damage was already done by Delta. They were the first airline to introduce basic economy in order to “compete with the low cost carriers”. Well, guess what Delta, the low cost carriers let you earn miles on their tickets! Sorry for that mini rant.
With the introduction of basic economy Delta essentially forced elite members to pay more in order to use their status. As you all know, I have been on the status train over the last year, and plan to be for the next few years. That means that I was already forced to book main cabin, and pay a bit more, in order to reap the rewards of my effort. Maybe that is throwing good money in after bad, but that is how they get us isn’t it?!
Delta’s Basic Economy Does Not Earn Miles – Final Thoughts
So what should you book going forward? It will depend on the cost difference and what you want to get out of your experience. If the cash, or SkyMiles, difference is a decent amount then you will do better booking basic economy and missing out on earning miles. Delta is hoping that you don’t run the calculations though and that you instinctively book main cabin. Here is an easy rule of thumb. If the basic economy flight is more than 5%-10% cheaper then you will probably be better off going that route. Even if you don’t earn any SkyMiles or status on the ticket. Only a week ago you got your cake and got to eat it too.
Share your thoughts below. Does this move Delta to the bottom of your list now or were you skipping basic economy on their flights already anyway?
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Even though I’m lifetime elite on DL and AA I still buy basic economy on both carriers (provided there is a significant price difference). Frankly, I still get advance seat selection at no cost, can board based on my priority and can check a bag (if needed) so about the only difference for me is no miles on DL (like you get a lot anyway on BE tickets), no qualifying miles (lifetime elite so off the hamster wheel), non-changeable (think you lose value if you cancel instead of getting a credit but I’ll blow off a $100-$200 ticket without a 2nd thought if necessary) and no upgrades (at least on DL since AA does offer them)
In summary my travel experience isn’t much different if I buy BE or main cabin so why not save the money. On other hand I’m retired and have all the time in the world to pick times when I want to travel. If I still traveled for work I would have a major issue with this but since stuck at AA Platinum and DL Gold now (both with over 3 million miles) and not traveling enough to get to next level I take what I can.
I never used basic economy anyhow. Most of my life was always about the cheapest tickets. But once arthritis got to me it was comfortable seats or stay home. My original loyalty was northwest airlines and I got shifted to Delta just like I loved Virgin America and got shifted to Alaska. But the biggest criteria for us is what airline has non stop flights to our most frequent destination and that’s Delta. I’ve noticed over the years that despite the benefits of loyalty program, how few people join them.
Joe
I am kind of in the same boat Joe, non stop above all else 🙂