Delta cuts Tiffany and Co. elite perk — and we won't miss it
If you were looking to buy a discounted piece of jewelry thanks to your Delta Medallion elite status, you may want to listen up.
The Atlanta-based carrier confirmed to TPG on Tuesday that it will be removing one of its top-tier elite perks at the end of the month.
Specifically, Delta will no longer offer Platinum and Diamond Medallion members access to a $200 gift card to Tiffany and Co. that was previously available as one of the airline's Choice Benefits.
Upon qualifying for Delta's two highest tiers of published status, frequent flyers can select from a catalog of rewards, which Delta calls Choice Benefits.
There are two different packages available for Platinum and Diamond Medallions, but both levels of status previously had the option of selecting the Tiffany gift card.
Now, the airline's partnership with Tiffany is coming to an end, and with it goes the gift card option.
"The SkyMiles program is continuously evaluating benefits and updating them based on partner agreements and demand, as well as SkyMiles member feedback," the airline confirmed in a statement to TPG.
Frequent flyers who would like to select a Tiffany gift card can continue to do so through Jan. 31, 2022.
While the move is bad news for those who were planning to redeem one of their choice benefits for the Tiffany gift card, most flyers won't be phased by the change.
That's because nearly every other choice benefit is considerably more valuable.
Diamond Medallions can select upgrade certificates, bonus Sky Miles, Sky Club access and a status gift — all of which we at TPG value at more than $200.
The same is true for the selection of rewards available to Platinum members, even if they are still a bit less valuable than the ones offered to Diamonds.
Yet, even if you were holding out for a Tiffany gift card, Delta will continue to offer a $200 travel voucher as one of its elite perks.
While that won't save you on a jewelry purchase, it'll give you $200 off your next Delta trip. You can then use those savings to offset the cost of the necklace or earrings that you were eyeing.
Interestingly, the only other major U.S. airline to offer a catalog of rewards is American Airlines. Just last week, American unveiled its set of perks for top-tier members earning status in 2022, but none of the goodies include a gift card to a merchant.
The closest thing you'll get with American is a Bang and Olufsen premium audio product, which will now cost twice as much in the new elite perk model (as compared to last year's catalog).
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