ATLANTA, April 28, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Delta Air Lines' SkyMiles program was honored at InsideFlyer magazine's Freddie Awards for helping to start and shape the world of loyalty programs throughout the past 25 years. Delta representatives received the award last night during ceremonies in Los Angeles.
The Freddie Awards have recognized excellence among frequent travel programs in the airline, hotel and credit card industries since 1988 and are the most prestigious consumer-generated awards in the industry. The special "Lifetime Achievement Award" was designated to Delta, American Airlines and United Airlines' frequent flyer programs by InsideFlyer publisher Randy Petersen.
"We are grateful to be recognized with this special award, and dedicate it to our loyal customers and faithful employees to thank them for 25 years of support," said Jeff Robertson, managing director of the SkyMiles program. "We will continue to commemorate our 25th anniversary with special events, customer and employee recognition, as well as exciting promotions exclusively designed for our SkyMiles members."
Earlier this year, Delta created a unique way for SkyMiles members to redeem miles when it launched the online Medallion Marketplace, which offers Platinum Medallion members the ability to redeem miles for travel and non-travel related merchandise. And to celebrate the Silver Anniversary, Delta is sponsoring a grand sweepstakes giveaway with the support of Avis Rent A Car. Delta will award new 2007 Saturn SKY roadsters to 25 lucky U.S.-based SkyMiles members.
The Sweepstakes aims to reward Delta's loyal SkyMiles members, such as Chip Matthews, an Atlanta-based, elite Platinum Medallion member.
"I've been flying Delta for nearly 40 years and have earned millions of miles along the way," said Matthews. "The SkyMiles program has been extremely rewarding to me, as I've used miles to travel to exotic places and even send my parents to Italy on vacation."
This is the second time in recent years that Delta has garnered special recognition at the Freddie Awards. The SkyMiles program received the 2001 Industry Impact Award for industry-leading and customer-focused promotions after the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
To learn more about the SkyMiles program and the "SkyMiles 25th Anniversary SKY Sweepstakes," please see below and visit delta.com/skymiles.
Delta SkyMiles members earn miles by flying Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection carriers, Delta AirElite and Delta's SkyTeam partners. The SkyMiles program offers additional mileage-building opportunities through partners such as the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express, SkyMilesShopping.com, participating hotels, car rental companies, telecommunication services, restaurants, floral and gift retailers and financial, mortgage and realty services. Now in its 25th year, the SkyMiles program was recently named the Best Frequent Flyer Program by Travel Savvy magazine in a survey that included all global and domestic loyalty programs. The airline plans to offer an array of exciting programs, promotions and benefits as Delta celebrates the silver anniversary of its frequent flyer program in 2006.
Delta Air Lines (Other OTC: DALRQ) is one of the world's fastest growing international carriers with more than 50 new international routes added or announced in the last year. Delta offers flights to 452 destinations in 95 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection carriers and its worldwide partners. In summer 2006, Delta plans to offer customers more destinations and departures between the U.S., Europe, India and Israel than any global airline (see Note), including service on 11 new transatlantic routes from its Atlanta and New York-JFK hubs. Delta also is a major carrier to Mexico, South and Central America and the Caribbean, with more than 35 routes announced, added or applied to serve since Jan. 1, 2005. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than 14,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.
Note: From the U.S., based on July 2006 OAG.
The "SkyMiles(R) 25th Anniversary" Sweepstakes is sponsored by Delta Air Lines. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. You may register online to participate beginning at 12:00:00 Midnight, U.S. Eastern Time on 3/22/06 through 11:59:59 PM, U.S. ET, on 12/31/06. You may also enter by mail and mail-in entries must be postmarked by 1/1/07 and received by 1/10/07. See complete official rules for details at www.delta.com/skymiles25. Open to legal U.S. residents, who are 18 years of age or older and licensed drivers as of 3/22/06. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited.
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