Beginning January 1st, Delta will provide complimentary upgrades to elites. This is a major rollback of changes made to the Skymiles program, and is directly attributed to customer feedback.

“We said early on that we would live with the program for 10 months and take customer feedback,” said Patrice Miles, Delta’s vice president of consumer marketing. “Well, we listened, and the number one thing we heard is that Medallion members wanted more upgrades and to simplify the process.”

So I certainly have to tip my hat to the loudest voices, SaveSkyMiles.

Delta is retaining their new qualifying system, making gaining elite status more dependent upon higher fares and more complex. However, once making that status, the reward may be a first class seat.

Way to go Delta (and I haven’t said that for a long time)!

Update: The news is now available on the Delta website.