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Delta Apologizes For Late Arrival of Medallion Credential Kits

March 20, 2019
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3 min read
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Delta Apologizes For Late Arrival of Medallion Credential Kits
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Delta's on-time performance is the envy of the aviation world, but it's apparently not on time with everything.

With 92.7% of planes arriving on time, the largest network of lounges and cities served, and several other strong suits, Atlanta's hometown airline took the top spot in TPG's 2019 list of best and worst US airlines. Its SkyMiles program was also voted Best US Airline Loyalty Program by readers in the inaugural TPG Awards.

But Delta this year is lagging when it comes to a much smaller detail: the delivery of brag tags.

Medallion members will have to wait until April to get their swag

SkyMiles Medallion members the world over received an email today apologizing for the atypically late arrival of their 2019 Medallion Welcome Kit. TPG Executive Editorial Director Scott Mayerowitz and Managing Editor Alberto Riva (Platinum Medallions) as well as myself (a Diamond Medallion) received emails from "The SkyMiles Team."

Delta's Million Milers are still gallivanting with their 2018 brag tags (Photo by Darren Murph / The Points Guy)

"Unfortunately," says the missive, "this welcome kit will be arriving later than expected — but you should expect it to arrive by the end of April at the latest. We hope that another great year of travel is already underway. Thank you again for your loyalty and apologies for the delay in receiving your welcome kit."

In past years, these kits have arrived shortly after the new Medallion year, which begins on Feb. 1. Within, there are luggage tags and a nice note, eliciting a warm, fuzzy feeling that keeps most folks working to retain their status for another trip around the sun.

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Thus far in 2019, the only Delta brag tags that have made their way out of the factory are Million Miler tags, which I received in mid-February.

Delta Million Milers received their tags in February (Photo by Darren Murph / The Points Guy)

Medallion members can load their Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond membership card onto their phone's wallet via the My Delta app, but where's the fun in that?

One has to wonder if the delay means the return of metal connector loops, or if we'll be treated to some other fanciful material not yet seen in the world of brag tags.

For the latest travel news, deals and points and miles tips please subscribe to The Points Guy daily email newsletter.

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

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  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.