ATLANTA, Sept. 6, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Thanks to Delta Air Lines' (NYSE:DAL) loyal customers, the airline's SkyMiles program was selected as the Best Frequent Flyer Program in a survey by Travel Savvy magazine. Approximately 2,500 of the magazine's readers participated and selected SkyMiles as their top pick among all global and domestic airline loyalty programs.
"We're honored to receive this recognition and are grateful to our members for their continued loyalty," said Paul Matsen, chief marketing officer for Delta. "We believe it's important to listen closely to our customers to ensure the SkyMiles program continues to offer valuable benefits. And, we know that customers will choose an airline based on an entire experience, which is why we continue to make changes to create a better Delta for all of our customers."
Launched in 2003, Travel Savvy is a monthly publication that provides travel lifestyle coverage. This year's "Best of" award recipients are highlighted in the September issue and were given in categories such as First Class Service, Hotels, Airports, Airport Lounges, Travel Websites, Credit Cards, Car Rentals and more.
"In today's extremely competitive travel climate, airlines are challenged to provide passengers with the most satisfying and rewarding experience," said Travel Savvy Publisher, Craig Pavia. "Our readers prefer the Delta SkyMiles programs and benefits above all others available."
Delta also was recently recognized as the most preferred airline for business travelers according to the YPB&R/Yankelovich Partners 2005 National Business Travel Monitor. More than 50 percent of survey participants mentioned Delta as one of their "preferred three airlines" when traveling for business. The YPB&R/Yankelovich Partners' 2005 National Business Travel Monitor is a national survey of the travel habits, preferences and intentions of 1,200 active business travelers in the United States.
In addition, to streamline the award-winning loyalty program and make it more customer-friendly, Delta will consolidate the SkyMiles program and Delta's previous frequent flyer program on Jan. 1, 2007. Some SkyMiles members' accounts currently contain two separate types of mileage balances -- one accumulated in the older Delta frequent flyer program that ended in 1995 and a second earned in the current SkyMiles program since 1995. To simplify the program, Delta will consolidate these mileage balances on Dec. 31, 2006, and each previous program mile -- those earned before the current SkyMiles program was created in 1995 -- will automatically be converted into one mile in the SkyMiles program and added to members' balances. Once converted, the miles may be redeemed for Crown Room Club membership, upgrades or award travel to more than 14,000 destinations worldwide under the current SkyMiles program rules.
This change is part of the airline's ongoing transformation to improve the customer experience and make it easier for customers to business with Delta. Other recent changes include:
-- continuing to improve the comfort of aircraft cabins;
-- simplifying Delta's U.S. fare structure with SimpliFares(TM) and
reducing certain service fees;
-- upgrading delta.com;
-- streamlining the SkyMiles Medallion(R) program;
-- adding new routes and frequencies to where frequent flyers want
to fly; and
-- upgrading to larger aircraft in the popular Delta Shuttle markets
of Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C., and much more.
Delta SkyMiles members earn miles by flying Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection carriers, Delta AirElite and Delta's SkyTeam partners. The program offers additional mileage-building opportunities through SkyMiles 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.
Delta Air Lines is the world's second-largest airline in terms of passengers carried and the leading U.S. carrier across the Atlantic, offering daily flights to 487 destinations in 88 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection carriers and its worldwide partners. Delta's marketing alliances allow customers to earn and redeem frequent flier miles 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.
Terms and Conditions:
Taxes and fees for award travel are the responsibility of the passenger and must be paid at the time the ticket is booked. Award travel seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or in all markets. All SkyMiles program rules apply. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/skymiles. Partner offers subject to the terms and conditions of each individual offer. Partners subject to change. Offers void where prohibited by law. Other restrictions may apply. Offers subject to change without notice. (c)2005 Delta Air Lines, Inc.
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