Programs will eventually be merged

Delta and its new subsidiary Northwest won’t merge their respective frequent flyer programs until the end of next year, but the Minneapolis Star-Tribune says the two airlines are planning some more immediate changes to synchronize the terms of the two programs. After interviewing Delta SkyMiles and Northwest WorldPerks officials, the newspaper reported that starting in January, Delta is expected to give its customers the option of earning elite status by taking a specific number of flight segments in a year instead of meeting minimum mileage requirements; Northwest currently offers both avenues to elite status. Delta Platinum Medallion members are currently awarded six upgrade certificates per year, and Northwest is expected to adopt a similar perk for its platinum-level members, the newspaper said. Delta recently switched its award structure from two tiers to three – offering domestic economy award tickets at 25,000, 40,000 and 60,000 miles, depending on the amount of restrictions, vs. 25,000 and 50,000 previously – and Northwest is expected to switch over to a three-level structure as well, the newspaper said. In addition, early in 2009 members of both programs will be allowed to transfer miles into the other, the newspaper said, although when the two programs are eventually merged, WorldPerks members’ miles will be transferred on a one-for-one basis into SkyMiles. The newspaper also quoted the officials as saying that Delta will introduce a new elite program effective in January 2010 with “new sets of benefits and new elite qualification parameters.”