Last month, Delta told its SkyMiles members that starting in 2014, elite status will be based on how much money they spend on tickets plus how much they fly. And now Delta says it will make additional changes to the program starting in March 2013, also designed to match benefits to spending.

Effective March 1, Delta said on its website, the number of Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) that SkyMiles members earn on select fares will be changed. 

Members who purchase first class and business class F and J fare classes will get an MQM bonus of 100 percent, up from the current 50 percent bonus. However, those who buy economy tickets in the M fare class will no longer get the current 50 percent MQM bonus. The new bonus levels apply for tickets bought on or after March 1.

Delta said those changes will also apply to the equivalent fare classes on flights marketed by SkyMiles partner carriers Aeromexico, Air France-KLM, Alaska, Alitalia and Virgin Australia, for travel on or after March 1. The company added that MQM earning on certain other partner carriers will also be adjusted effective March 1, with details available at www.delta.com/partnerairlines.

Meanwhile, March 1 is also the effective date for new pricing in the Delta Sky Clubs airport lounge membership program.

The price for non-elite SkyMiles members will remain at $450 a year, but the rate fro a joint membership rises from $650 to $700. Price increases of $50 for individuals and $100 for joint memberships will apply to SkyMiles Medallion members. Thus the new individual/joint membership rates will be $450/$700 for Silver Medallion; $400/$650 for Gold; $350/$600 for Platinums and Diamonds.

(A one-year Sky Club membership is free for Medallion Diamond members, Delta notes. “However, if you will not re-qualify for Diamond Medallion status, you may purchase a Delta Sky Club membership at this discounted rate before your Diamond status ends.”)

In other developments, in a new enhancement to Delta’s partnership with Brazil’s GOL, SkyMiles Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion members can now take advantage of priority check-in and boarding on GOL flights, and will have access to VIP airport lounges at Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.