Delta is the latest major airline to grant elite status for the second consecutive year, without strings attached.Delta extends status into 2023Delta SkyMiles will extend Medallion status for the second year in succession. Status will remain valid until January 31, 2023. To qualify for 2023 Medallion status, Medallion Qualifying Miles will be rolled over from 2021 to 2022.This is a similar situation to the Delta SkyMiles status extension earlier in the year. Although most airlines granted status extensions last year, it was a very different story this year. This is mainly due to the rapid pace of domestic leisure travel recovery.Delta introduced a promotion earlier this year that made it easier to achieve status. In particular, status can be earned 50-75% faster than normal and award flights count towards it. This promotion will remain valid.Final note: While those who have had their status extended won't be eligible to choose new Choice Benefits for themselves, they will still be able use existing Global and Regional Upgrade certificates until January 31, 2023.Delta extends elite status for an additional yearAn incentive to qualify for Delta statusSome will say, "That's unfair, I have already requalified for the status and now Delta will just hand it over to other members for nothing."On February 1, 2022, all those who have been granted status in 2021 will be eligible for complimentary upgrades. This is in addition to those who were awarded status in 2021. This is a smart move by Delta to increase this opportunity. The primary practical consequences of this perk are competition for upgrades. Elite members often worry about their elite ranks becoming larger. This perk addresses this concern, at least for elite members at the same tier.You can also choose Choice Benefits to help you qualify for status. However, you won't be eligible if you are simply extended.Priority upgrades will be given to those who have earned statusInvite-only Delta 360 status being extendedThere are two tiers of Delta SkyMiles Medallion, the public and the invitation-only Delta 360 program. This status will be extended an additional year by the airline, until January 31, 2023. All Delta 360 members can now choose Diamond Choice Benefits.Delta is the second airline that has extended invitation-only status to United, who did so a few days back.The Delta 360 status is being extendedAre other airlines likely to follow Delta's example?Since the major airlines generally follow each other on such matters, you would assume that the answer is yes. Delta was the first major carrier to announce that its status would be extended in 2020. Now, it will be the first major airline announce that its status will be extended to 2021. However, I'm not sure if other airlines will follow this example.It doesn't mean that it won't, but I believe there is a possibility that other airlines will not follow suit. American AAdvantage has introduced several promotions that make it easier to achieve status. The most recent promotion allows you to keep your status by spending $15,000 on a cobranded American Airlines credit card or earning 2,000 elite qualified dollars (EQDs).I'm not sure American believes it has to make it more difficult than it already does to achieve status. That is why I doubt American will match the major airlines. 50/50 is my predictionI'm not sure that American will follow Deltas lead.Bottom lineDelta extended its elite status for the second year running. This means that anyone who has earned it in 2019 or later will be able to continue enjoying it until January 2023. Delta will continue to offer promotions that can help you earn accelerated status. Those who are actually eligible for status this year will be upgraded priority. This seems fair.What do you think about Delta's extension of status? Are you positive that other airlines will follow suit?
