Delta
Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) and Starwood Hotels and
Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced a comprehensive new partnership
that offers exclusive new benefits to Delta
SkyMiles Medallion members and Starwood
Preferred Guest® (SPG®) elite members.
The
program, called Crossover Rewards, begins March 1 and provides elite
members of both loyalty programs reciprocal benefits.
Crossover
Rewards allows Delta and Starwood elites to
share program benefits and earn more miles and
Starpoints. SkyMiles Diamond and Platinum Medallion members will have
access to added benefits including priority check-in, 4 p.m. late
checkout and free in-room internet access when staying at Starwood
Hotels and Resorts. All Delta Medallion members also will earn one
mile per dollar spent on eligible room rates when staying with
Starwood in addition to the Starpoints usually earned for their stay.
In turn, SPG Platinum members will receive one free checked bag,
priority check-in and priority boarding when flying Delta. SPG elite
members will earn one Starpoint per dollar spent on eligible flights
in addition to the miles usually earned for their flight.
"Crossover
Rewards allows Starwood and Delta to extend loyalty outside of our
hotels and beyond the window
seat by giving our respective elite members
reciprocal benefits and earning power," said Frits van
Paasschen, president and CEO of Starwood. "This enriches the
experience for our most valuable travelers, and gives both Delta and
Starwood an opportunity to target frequent travelers who aren't
already part of our programs, enabling us to capture greater share of
the global, high-end traveler."
"Crossover
Rewards is another example of Delta's commitment to making the travel
experience more beneficial and enjoyable for our customers,"
said Tim Mapes, Delta's senior vice president - Marketing. "For
our loyal customers, hotel accommodations are
a vital component of the travel experience, which makes this new
alliance with an innovative company like Starwood a strategic
addition to the SkyMiles program."
The
companies' global alignment was key to uniting the two organizations
for the creation of Crossover Rewards. Withflights
to more than 300 destinations and hubs in
markets like Tokyo, Paris, New York City and Atlanta, Delta's global
reach complements Starwood's worldwide hotel footprint including nine
hotel brands in 100 countries around the world.
"SPG
continues to invest in one-of-a-kind benefits to truly reward those
who reward us with their unwavering loyalty and business," said
Mark Vondrasek, senior vice president - Distribution, Loyalty and
Partnership for Starwood. "More and more we look to extend our
relationship with our guests beyond the four walls of our hotels,
which we believe is a way to cultivate 'loyalty beyond reason.' Delta
shares with Starwood a spirit of innovation and a truly global reach
that aligns with our global footprint, and we are thrilled to welcome
their most loyal Medallion members as our own."
Beginning
March 1, customers can register for Crossover Rewards by linking
their Delta SkyMiles and SPG accounts at
delta.com/crossoverrewards or spg.com/crossoverrewards. Benefits will
begin once Delta Medallion or SPG elite status is reached. For
additional information on Crossover Rewards and to view a complete
list of benefits, please visit delta.com/crossoverrewards or
spg.com/crossoverrewards.