SPG Crossover Rewards: SPG Platinum & Gold Benefits on Delta

Couple of weeks ago, I wrote about SPG Crossover Rewards that were coming this spring. I had an educated guess that it would have something to do with an airline and/or car rental company.

I have now made an updated post about this program after the official launch.

The SPG PLT Delta flight upgrade benefit that was included on the version of the terms and conditions that I had access to, is not not included in the final version.

Edit (09/12): The upgrade benefit for SPG Platinum members has now been included on the program. 

Now, I have more information about this product. Starwood Preferred Guest Gold and Platinum members will receive certain benefits on Delta marketed and operated flights such as Starpoints based on the spend, upgrades, priority boarding, and waived checked bag fees.

First, you need to link your Delta SkyMiles and Starwood Preferred Guest accounts. It can take 24 hours after linking the accounts for the benefits to kick in.

If you have status with Delta’s SkyMiles program, you will continue to receive most of these crossover benefits based on your Delta status and not on your Starwood one. It seems that if you have both Delta SkyMiles Medallion status and SPG Gold or Platinum status, the only benefit is basically earning 1 Starpoint per eligible spend on Delta marketed and operated flights that are not booked using any of the online travel agencies.

Starpoints for Delta Flights

SPG Gold and Platinum member will receive 1 Starpoint per dollar spend excluding taxes and fees on Delta marketed and operated flights. Some ticket types will earn flat 500 Starpoints per segment (this is bit unclear). There are ticket types i.e. that are not eligible for this credit like there are tickets that are not eligible to earn SkyMiles.

First Bag Free

This benefit only apply to SPG Platinum members and maximum of 3 companions for a maximum of 4 free bags that are on the same reservation. This apply for Delta and Delta connection operated and marketed flights.

Priority Boarding

SPG Platinum members and up to 8 companions that are on the same reservation will get zone 1 priority boarding on Delta and Delta Connection flights.

Priority Check-In

SPG Platinum members can access Silver Medallion/SkyTeam Elie or Sky Priority check in lanes.

Complimentary Upgrades

SPG Platinum members are eligible for day of departure upgrades on Delta and Delta Connection flights within the United States excluding flights with BusinesElite configuration (New York to San Francisco or Los Angeles routes are eligible for upgrades on BusinessElite configuration).

Conclusion

The official announcement about this new partnership should be shortly coming. It is very exciting that you can start earning Starpoints on Delta tickets and get benefits for being SPG Platinum or Gold member on Delta.

Here are the terms and conditions of this program:

Registering for Crossover Rewards: To receive Crossover Rewards Benefits, members must be a member in good standing with both the Delta SkyMiles program and Starwood Preferred Guest to be eligible for benefits and link their accounts. If not an existing member of both programs, member must join both programs before opting-in. To opt-in to Crossover Rewards, members must register and link their Delta SkyMiles® and Starwood Preferred Guest accounts via delta.com or spg.com/crossover rewards. The first and last names on both accounts must match. Members should expect a delay of 24 hours between opt-in and qualification for benefits. Members qualify for benefits based on status at check-in, not at ticketing.

Benefits Eligibility:  Members that are both SPG Platinum and Delta Medallion will not receive first bag free, Priority Boarding, priority check-in, and Complimentary Upgrades as part of Crossover Rewards but will continue to receive these benefits as a Medallion member. SPG Platinum members that are Delta SkyMiles American Express cardholders will not receive additional checked bags or priority boarding benefits through Crossover Rewards but will continue to receive benefits as a Delta SkyMiles American Express cardholder. Starpoints on Flights and Complimentary Upgrades are eligible on paid tickets only.

Starpoints on Flights: SPG Platinum, and Gold Members will receive 1 Starpoint per dollar spent on tickets (excluding taxes and fees) on flights that are both Delta marketed and operated flights. All legs of the ticket must be both Delta marketed and operated for the ticket to qualify for Starpoints. If one leg of the ticket is flown with one of Delta’s partner airlines, the full itinerary will not be eligible for Starpoints. Special fares often referred to as unpublished fares including, but not limited to, consolidator fares, tour, groups, merchant marine and cruise packages will earn 500 Starpoints per leg rather than 1 Starpoint per dollar spent. Corporate Sales, Military, and Government fares are eligible for Starpoints but will earn either 1 Starpoint per dollar OR 500 Starpoints per leg dependent on the organization’s contract with Delta. Tickets booked with Online Travel Agencies including but not limited to Orbitz, Cheaptickets, Expedia, Priceline, Travelocity, Hotwire, or their subsidiaries will not be eligible for Starpoints. All tickets must be eligible for mileage accrual with the SkyMiles program based on SkyMiles program rules in order to be eligible to earn Starpoints. Starpoints will be posted to your SPG account within 4 to 6 weeks after the activity date.

First Bag Free: Benefit is limited to SPG Platinum members who are not also Delta Medallion members. Reservation must include the SPG member’s SkyMiles number. Fee waiver also available for passengers traveling in the same reservation as the SPG member. Maximum four waivers per reservation. Waiver is only for normal first checked bag fee, if any fee applies, for a bag that is not overweight and not oversize under Delta’s applicable rules as set forth in Delta’s contract of carriage. Additional checked bags will be subject to the applicable baggage fees as outlined by Delta’s rules and the purchased fare as set forth in Delta’s contract of carriage. The first checked bag fee waiver will only be applied on flight segments which originate on a Delta or Delta Connection® carrier when you  check-in with Delta for both a Delta marketed and Delta operated flight. Les vols en partage de code ne sont pas éligibles. The first bag fee waiver will be applied to the reservation at check-in when checking-in with Delta.  Please refer to delta.com/baggage for more details.  Modalités de l’offre soumises à des changements. D’autres restrictions peuvent être en vigueur.

Priority Boarding: SPG Platinum Members will receive Zone 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights. Reservation must include the SPG Member’s SkyMiles number. Priority Boarding is also available for passengers traveling in the same reservation as the SPG Member. Maximum nine passengers per reservation receive Priority Boarding. Priority Boarding will only be available on Delta and Delta Connection® carrier operated flights. Delta does not offer Priority Boarding on Delta Shuttle® flights.

Priority Check-In: SPG Platinum members should show their SPG card to gain access to designated Silver Medallion and SkyTeam elite check-in areas where Delta offers this service which currently includes Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Memphis, Minneapolis, New York City – JFK, New York City – LGA, Salt Lake City , and Tokyo –Narita. In airports where Delta doesn’t offer designated check-in for Silver Medallion and Sky Team elite customers, the Sky Priority check-in lanes should be used.

Complimentary Upgrades: SPG VIP or Platinum members are eligible for day of departure upgrades on Delta or Delta Connection flights within the United States. Free upgrades are subject to availability and conditions may not be available on all flights or in all markets. Free upgrades are not available on flights affected by our product BusinessElite ®, with the exception of flights between New York / JFK and Los Angeles or San Francisco. Upgrades are not eligible on Award or Pay with Miles tickets. Medallion members may request an SPG VIP or Platinum member as their companion upgrade which would allow clearance at the Companion level up to 24 hours prior to departure.