No miles for you! Beware as Delta changes its basic economy rules, again
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with a statement from Delta.
If you’re the type of traveler who usually books the lowest fare possible, listen up. Delta just added several major restrictions that might make you think twice about booking its basic economy fares.
Overnight, the Atlanta-based carrier discreetly added a note to its website that basic economy fares will no longer earn award miles in the SkyMiles program or earn credit toward Medallion elite status. The change is effective for tickets purchased on or after Dec. 9, 2021, for flights departing on or after Jan. 1, 2022.
On top of that, Delta is ending its flexible travel waiver for basic economy but introducing a new cancellation option.
No more SkyMiles or Medallion-qualifying credit for basic economy
Up until now, Delta's basic economy fares still earned Medallion Qualification Miles, Medallion Qualification Segments and Medallion Qualification Dollars as they would on a normal discounted economy fare. That meant at least 5 miles per dollar spent on airfare, MQDs based on the amount spent and MQMs and MQSs based on how much you flew. However, that will no longer be the case moving forward.
Although Delta announced that it will continue to award elite-qualifying credit for award tickets in 2022, newly booked basic economy flights will be excluded.
Delta was the first legacy airline to offer basic economy fares and will also be the first to add such restrictions. In January 2021, American Airlines stopped awarding elite-qualifying miles, segments and dollars on basic economy fares but continues to offer award miles. Meanwhile, United still awards miles based on the fare and your MileagePlus status, as well as full Premier qualifying points, lifetime miles and credit toward the four-segment minimum.
As of now, you can still earn 20% of mileage flown when crediting basic economy fares to Air France-KLM Flying Blue and 50% of the miles flown when crediting to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. However, it wouldn't be surprising if these programs eliminate earnings for Delta basic economy as well.
Related: Comparing basic economy fares across US airlines
Basic economy fares can now be canceled — with a catch
When COVID-19 came stateside in early 2020, airlines introduced travel waivers that allowed all tickets, including basic economy, to be modified without any fees. However, with vaccines becoming more accessible and travel picking up again, airlines began letting those waivers expire over the last couple of months.
Delta has been one of the more generous carriers, extending its basic economy flexibility waiver for flights through Dec. 31, 2021. Unfortunately, though, that flexibility is going away.
Starting in 2022, Delta basic economy fares will no longer be changeable. However, they won't be as restrictive as they were pre-pandemic.
Related: Delta just made basic economy tickets fully flexible once again, but why?
Moving forward, basic economy fares will be cancelable for partial travel credit. Basic economy fares for domestic flights or flights to the Caribbean, Central America or Mexico will be subject to a $99 fee deducted from the value of your ticket. Meanwhile, basic economy travel originating in the U.S. or Canada to any other international destination will be subject to a $199 fee.
On basic economy award tickets, the cancellation charge is 9,900 miles for domestic travel (within the United States and Canada) and 19,900 miles for international travel. That's worth $147 and $295, respectively based on TPG's data-backed valuations. Delta has confirmed to TPG that these fees will not be waived for elites. Pre-pandemic, Platinum and Diamond elites used to have exclusive access to free award cancellation. That said, Delta shared with TPG that only 2% of basic economy purchasers are Medallion elite members.
A Delta spokesperson also provided the following statement:
Basic Economy fares were designed for those who prioritize price, and we know that even our most price-conscious customers value flexibility. Those who need to cancel their Basic Economy trip will be able to conveniently adjust their plans through delta.com or the Fly Delta app and may apply a portion of the cancelled ticket value to their future travel.
By comparison, United allows travelers to upgrade basic economy tickets to standard economy, and thus make them freely cancelable, for as little as $45.
Bottom line
Although it was the first airline to introduce them, Delta’s basic economy fares historically haven’t been all that bad. Guests could still bring a full-size carry-on plus a smaller personal item and receive the same food and service that you would if you bought a regular ticket.
However, with today’s announcement (or lack thereof), Delta’s basic economy fares will be far more restrictive than some competitors — at least on the loyalty side. On the flip side, Delta basic economy flights will permanently offer more flexibility than other basic economy fares, albeit for an additional fee.
When American Airlines removed the ability to earn elite-qualifying credit on basic economy fares, it added the ability for elites to enjoy all their usual perks, including upgrade privileges and free (or discounted) seats. It also added the ability for general travelers to pay extra for seats and priority boarding.
While it’s nice in theory that Delta is allowing cancellations for basic economy fares, $99 is a significant fee, especially considering how low some domestic fares are these days. It’s also disappointing that the cancelation fee for basic economy awards will not be waived for Platinum or Diamond elites.
Although you still won’t be able to pay for upgrades to premium seats or priority boarding, you will still be able to defeat some of basic economy’s negative aspects with a cobranded Delta credit card. Most Delta credit cards will get you your first checked bag free and priority boarding.
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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
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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.