All of the big three carriers in the United States have elite status. I have written about Concierge Key and Global Services before. I wanted to take a closer look at Delta's invitation-only status, which is arguably the most mysterious of the three.
What is the status, how do you earn it, what are the benefits, and how many members are there? I will share everything I know.
What is the status of Delta?
Delta Air Lines has an invitation-only elite status. It is my understanding that this is the most exclusive of the invitation-only elite tiers. The benefits are weak on paper. You still have to qualify for status in the Delta SkyMiles Medallion program if you are not a formal elite tier, even if Delta 360 is.
Here is how Delta describes Delta 360 status on its website.
Delta offers an exclusive suite of benefits and services to SkyMiles Members beyond Diamond status. Your overall investment with Delta is what leads to an invitation into Delta. We will contact you if you join.
Delta is an invitation-only elite.
How do you get Delta status?
The requirements to earn Delta 360 status aren't published as is the case with the invitation-only status of American and United. The criteria are even more confusing because of the data points I have seen. If you spend $50,000 a year with a particular airline, you can be invited to the invitation-only party. That is not the case with Delta.
Getting an invitation to Delta 360 is based on your overall investment with the airline, as Delta officially states. Generally speaking.
If you book a lot of full fare tickets, you have the best chance of getting a first class ticket.
The more influence you have over the travel of others, the better; some people may be given Delta 360 status for securing major corporate contracts, while others may be given the status due to a combination of factors.
If you are based in Atlanta, Detroit, or New York, it is much harder to earn Delta 360 than if you are based in Dallas or Newark.
It is possible that spending on co- branded Delta credit cards can contribute to being invited to Delta 360, given that Delta talks about looking at your overall investment in the airline.
If you are not based at a hub, you could be invited as a Delta 360 member for less than $100,000 per year.
You have to spend a lot of money on Delta flights.
What are the benefits of being a Delta 360?
Delta is not a separate tier in the SkyMiles program. Delta members still have to earn SkyMiles in order to be in the program. It is possible to earn Delta 360 without being a Diamond Medallion member. Concierge Key and Global Services are separate tiers from the published top tier levels.
What are the benefits of being a Delta 360?
A dedicated phone line with help.
When on an eligible itinerary, a Delta SkyClub Executive Membership costs $845 per year.
Delta sometimes offers tarmac transfers for Diamond Medallion members, and Delta members have the best chance of getting those.
Bag tags from Delta are sometimes sold on eBay for hundreds of dollars.
I am aware of all of the Delta 360 benefits. There is no upgrade priority for Delta 360 members who are not Diamond Medallions. I think Delta has great service to begin with, and I think it's even better for their best customers if they use Delta's soft treatment.
Delta is much quieter about this status than American and United. Gate agents on American and United always invite invitation-only elite members to board before everyone else, while Delta members are not.
The Delta SkyClub Executive Membership is available to Delta 360 members.
How many Delta members are there?
All I can do is speculate, as this is a real mystery. I think there are between 15,000 and 25,000 United Global Services members, but my best guess is that the numbers are in the middle of the range.
I think the number of Delta 360 members is in the 3,000-8,000 range. The status seems to be more difficult to earn. This is a guess on my part, and I could be wrong. I would love to hear from anyone with data or information.
I think there are 5,000 Delta 360 members.
The bottom line.
Delta Air Lines has an invitation-only elite tier called Delta 360. The US airline status is the most difficult to earn, yet it comes with less benefits than other airlines. Good odds of tarmac transfers, SkyClub membership, and dedicated customer support are offered by Delta 360.
If you are based out of a Delta hub, you will spend a lot on Delta flights.
Are any OMAAT readers Delta? What has your experience been like?
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