Free Delta Upgrades Get Harder: Over 4,000 People Are Upgrading With Miles Each Day
Free upgrades on Delta likely will not be as plentiful as they once were, based on numbers we heard during the company's Q1 2019 earnings call today.
Delta President Glen Hauenstein noted that "on average, 4,000 passengers are upgrading with miles each day, with over half of those transactions happening on mobile."
That's great news for flyers who find award tickets too expensive, or too troublesome to book, because it enables them to burn their miles to upgrade their seat on a flight paid for with cash. But the popularity of the option is rough news for frequent Delta flyers who have historically placed a high value on the airline's complimentary Medallion upgrade policy. (Note: We tested Delta's new Upgrade with Miles process earlier in the year, and while it was indeed effortless, it offers a fairly poor redemption value at roughly 1 cent per SkyMile.)
Hauenstein stated that "mileage redemptions grew 12% in the quarter that ended March 31 as [Delta] provided more opportunities for passengers to use their miles." That figure "exceeded full-year estimates," he said, and Delta will add new ways to use miles as currency in 2019 given that its goal is to allow the use of miles "across the entire ecosystem."
Generally speaking, airlines do not like for passengers to hold massive balances of points and miles, which are seen as liabilities on a balance sheet because they make it more difficult for an airline to estimate how many seats actually will be available to sell.
As Delta is making it ever easier to burn miles, it simultaneously is reducing the amount of unused miles outstanding, encouraging passengers to exchange their miles for less value than ever before and subtly pushing frequent fliers to pay for seat upgrades (via cash or miles) instead of holding out hope for a dwindling shot at a free upgrade.
As the quantity of purchased premium seats rises, it's reasonable to conclude that the amount of seats available to be distributed for free — via complimentary Medallion upgrades or upgrade certificates — will be reduced proportionally. This has a direct impact on the overall value a passenger should place on Delta's Medallion elite tiers. As a Diamond Medallion myself, news like this adjusts my expectations of how many free upgrades I'll receive.
While VIP customer support, reduced/waived fees, the occasional Porsche gate transfer and co-terminal changes do indeed make a difference when you travel on a frequent basis, capturing thousands of dollars in value via free seat upgrades has been the major reason for many to stay loyal to Delta.
Should this trend continue — and considering Delta's push to squeeze more revenue from premium cabins, we see no reason why it won't — frequent fliers should consider two things. First, they should consider buying into a premium cabin if that experience matters, as banking on a free upgrade is becoming less and less logical. Second, they should consider diversifying their wallet to include cards that earn transferrable currencies. Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards are looking all the more valuable as shifts like these occur, because they provide flexibility to move points to a wide variety of programs based on your travel needs at any given time.
RELATED VIDEO:
For the latest travel news, deals and points and miles tips please subscribe to The Points Guy daily email newsletter.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees