Delta Air Lines and Starwood Introduce Industry-Leading Joint Loyalty Partnership

Delta Airlines and Starwood merge on loyalty scheme

Crossover Rewards™ allows Delta SkyMiles Medallion members and SPG elite members to share program benefits and earn more miles and Starpoints when traveling with either brand

Today, Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE: DAL) and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) 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, 4pm 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 brand 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. With flights 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.