Delta Air Lines and United Airlines each are extending loyalty program status through the end of next year, the carriers announced.
Delta is extending all Medallion status levels achieved for 2020 through full-year 2021, and qualifying miles earned this year will be used in 2021 to qualify for status in 2022. Individual and Executive Sky Club memberships set to expire on March 1, 2020, or later will be extended by six months. In addition, Delta is adding a six-month extension to SkyMiles members' upgrade certificates and $200 travel vouchers as well as priority boarding benefits and drink vouchers for SkyMiles Select members.
United also is extending 2020 Premier status levels, up to Premier 1K, to last until Jan. 31, 2022. Additionally, the carrier has cut the requirements for flights and qualifying points to reach its status levels for 2021 by 50 percent while doubling the maximum number of qualifying points that United Explorer cardholders can earn. For United Club cardholders, that maximum was quadrupled. United also is extending by six months PlusPoints set to expire before Jan. 31, 2021, and the carrier is extending memberships for United Club as well as subscriptions for Economy Plus, Wi-Fi and checked bags by six months.
The carrier plans to ease status requirements in 2021 for the 2022 program year as well, according to United.
[Update, April 6]: Air Canada is extending all Altitude status for this year until the end of 2021, and travelers who earn a higher status this year will get that until the end of 2021. Those members who this year earn the status level they achieved last year can gift that status to a friend or family member while keeping their original status. Air Canada also is giving its members one Altitude Qualifying Mile for every five Aeroplan miles they donate to a charity fighting the Covid-19 crisis.