Delta Apologizes For Late Arrival of Medallion Credential Kits
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.

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."

"Unfortunately," says the missive, "this welcome kit will be arriving later than expected ā 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.
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.

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.
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