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During an airport rush, having Delta Sky Priority access can come in handy especially if you’re in a hurry or just want to escape the big crowds at the airport. Sky Priority gives passengers priority access to security lanes, check-in counters, boarding, and many more.
Read More: Delta 360 – How To Get Delta’s Invitation Only Status
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What Is Delta Sky Priority?
Delta Airlines created Sky Priority to make travel faster, easier, and more convenient for their most loyal customers. It’s available in all major Delta hubs and in airports where Delta and Delta Connection fly. Just follow the signs that say “Sky Priority.”
Select elite members of the Diamond Medallion Program, SkyTeam Alliance Program, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club are eligible for Sky Priority. Additionally, passengers in first and business class will also experience Sky Priority benefits. More information about eligibility will be explained further.
Sky Priority Benefits
Basically, Sky Priority works a lot like Global Entry or NEXUS in terms of expedited security checks but the only difference is that Sky Priority offers more travel perks and benefits like the ones below:
Free Extra Baggage Allowance
If piece concept is applicable, the extra baggage allowance provided for the passengers is the maximum weight of the base allowance. If weight concept is applicable, the extra baggage allowance is 10 kg.
For those who don’t know what weight and piece concept is, piece concept limits each bag to a specific weight while weight concept limits the total weight of the passenger’s baggage.
Expedited Baggage Service
To make sure that Sky Priority passengers are always prioritized, Delta will expedite their baggage so it will arrive first on the carousel.
Priority Boarding And Seating
Prior to boarding, you can already pre-select the seat in which you feel you’re comfortable sitting in. As for boarding, Sky Priority passengers will be the 6th group to board right after Pre-boarding, Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Early Access, and Delta Comfort Plus passengers.
- Pre-boarding
- Delta One
- Delta Premium Select / First Class
- Early Access Passengers
- Delta Comfort+
- Sky Priority
- Main Cabin 1
- Main Cabin 2
- Main Cabin 3
- Basic Economy
Faster Check-in And Security
There will be dedicated areas where eligible Sky Priority passengers can check in. Exclusive security lanes will also be offered at select airports. Look for Sky Priority signs at the airport or just ask any Delta staff for assistance.
Dedicated Customer Services Hotline
An exclusive customer service hotline will be provided to Sky Priority passengers 24/7. They will be in charge of answering questions you might have about your benefits or providing you with travel assistance.
Priority Waitlist
Sky Priority passengers will be the first ones on the waitlist over regular passengers during sold-out and irregular operations.
Read More: Delta Partners To Earn SkyMiles With
Who Can Have Sky Priority Access?
You are eligible to have Sky Priority access if you belong to any of these categories below:
Medallion Members
- Diamond Medallion Members
- Platinum Medallion Members
- Gold Medallion Members
The Delta Medallion Program is Delta Airline’s frequent flyer program. Members of this program will get more exclusive travel perks and benefits.
Virginia Atlantic Flying Club Members
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold members
- Virgin Australia Velocity Platinum members
- Virgin Australia Velocity Gold members
Passengers Flying On Premium Fares
You cannot directly buy SkyPriority privileges but you can purchase premium fares that comes with it such as:
- Delta One®
- Delta Premium Select
- First Class
SkyTeam Elite Plus Members
The SkyTeam alliance frequent flyer program has two elite statuses: SkyTeam Elite and SkyTeam Elite Plus. Only Elite Plus members will be eligible to have Sky Priority privileges.
To determine your SkyTeam status, please refer to our SkyTeam guide.
Getting Sky Priority With The Delta SkyMiles Reserve
To be eligible for Sky Priority, you need to at least reach Gold Status which requires you to earn at least 50,000 MQMs and $6000 MQDs.
One way of getting Sky Priority privileges is getting Gold Medallion status through the Delta SkyMiles®Reserve American Express Card. This card comes with a big MQM bonus that can fast-track your way to Gold Medallion status.
Take note that MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different compared to airline miles which are used to redeem award flights.
Here are the benefits of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card:
- Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months. Offer ends 8/3/2022.
- Earn up to 60,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 15,000 MQMs up to four times per year.
- Get a Domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate every renewal year.
- Complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner when you book a Delta flight with your card.
- Application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Earn 3X miles on Delta purchases.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
The card has an annual fee of $550 (Terms apply, see rates and fees).
Reaching Gold Status: The Delta SkyMiles Reserve gives you 15,000 MQMs whenever you spend $30,000 in a calendar year (up to 4 times per year). This means that you can hit 60,000 MQMs if you’re able to spend $120,000 in a calendar year which automatically translates to Gold Status.
If you add the bonus of 10,000 MQMs to that, you’ll have a total of 70,000 MQMs within a calendar year which is just 5,000 MQMs closer to Platinum status.
Read More: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card: Is It Good For Frequent Travelers?
Bottomline
If you’re a Delta loyalist, the best way to earn SkyPriority privileges is through co-branded credit cards. Signing up for one will help you earn award miles for flight redemptions and at the same time earn MQMs to reach Medallion Status.
It’s the most cost-efficient way because you get more travel benefits: For being a cardholder, being a Medallion status holder, having SkyTeam status, and having eligibility for Sky Priority privileges.
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