Tom Brady is blamed for Delta Air Lines’ drastic changes to Sky Clubs seven days after he was named strategic advisor
- Delta announced controversial changes to lounge access earlier this week
- The poorly received changes came six days after Brady’s role was made public
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Tom Brady is used to criticism, but after Delta Air Lines’ drastic changes, the seven-time Super Bowl champion was on the receiving end of a different kind of criticism.
Delta has responded by announcing plans to limit the number of entries into its lounges and tighten the qualification criteria for customers to earn frequent flyer status.
The airline announced the controversial move on Wednesday ā just seven days after a release appointing Brady as a strategic advisor.
Frustrated customers turned to X and suggested that Brady had some hand in the coming changes. Of course, this is not known to be a fact.
āTom Brady is redefining what it means to be ‘Elite’ at Delta,ā one account wrote, referencing his status as perhaps the greatest football player of all time.
Tom Brady has been blamed by some social media users for the changes at Delta Air Lines
![Tom Brady is blamed for Delta Air Lines' drastic changes to Sky Clubs seven days after he was named strategic advisor 2 One social media user created a funny mockup of the](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1694879098_219_Tom-Brady-is-blamed-for-Delta-Air-Lines-drastic-changes.jpg)
One social media user created a funny mockup of the “new” Delta medallion requirements
![Tom Brady is blamed for Delta Air Lines' drastic changes to Sky Clubs seven days after he was named strategic advisor 4 1694879100 511 Tom Brady is blamed for Delta Air Lines drastic changes](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1694879100_511_Tom-Brady-is-blamed-for-Delta-Air-Lines-drastic-changes.jpg)
![Tom Brady is blamed for Delta Air Lines' drastic changes to Sky Clubs seven days after he was named strategic advisor 6 1694879102 269 Tom Brady is blamed for Delta Air Lines drastic changes](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1694879102_269_Tom-Brady-is-blamed-for-Delta-Air-Lines-drastic-changes.jpg)
![Tom Brady is blamed for Delta Air Lines' drastic changes to Sky Clubs seven days after he was named strategic advisor 8 1694879104 995 Tom Brady is blamed for Delta Air Lines drastic changes](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1694879104_995_Tom-Brady-is-blamed-for-Delta-Air-Lines-drastic-changes.jpg)
![Tom Brady is blamed for Delta Air Lines' drastic changes to Sky Clubs seven days after he was named strategic advisor 10 Furious Delta passengers went to X and blamed Tom Brady for the controversial changes](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1694879107_893_Tom-Brady-is-blamed-for-Delta-Air-Lines-drastic-changes.jpg)
Furious Delta passengers went to X and blamed Tom Brady for the controversial changes
Funnily enough, a mock-up of the “new” Medallion Status requirements was posted, stating that customers will need 25,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles or “2 Super Bowl Championships” to qualify.
Those hoping for diamond status will need 125,000 MQMs or seven Super Bowl titles ā of which Brady is the only person in NFL history (player or coach) to do so.
āTom Brady starts a partnership with Delta and SkyMiles goes to the damn — who’s to blame here,ā one woman wrote.
While Brady’s compensation for his brand ambassadorship and advisory role has not been disclosed, some focused on the fact that the future Hall of Famer was on the books at all.
āHey @Delta, maybe you can use the money you’re using to pay noted millionaire @TomBrady to reverse the embarrassingly bad #skymiles changes you’re trying to implement.ā
Starting February 1, 2025, travelers will have access to the Atlanta-based airline’s swanky Delta Sky Clubs, reduced to just six visits per year.
Those who book a basic economy ticket will no longer be allowed into the lounge at all from January 1, 2024 – even if they hold an American Express Platinum card or other premium credit card.
Starting in early 2025, American Express Platinum and Platinum Business card holders will be able to visit the Delta Lounge just six times a year to access complimentary meals and drinks and an area to relax before their flight.
Delta Reserve and Delta Business Reserve customers will be limited to 10 visits per year, the company announced.
![Tom Brady is blamed for Delta Air Lines' drastic changes to Sky Clubs seven days after he was named strategic advisor 12 1694879110 53 Tom Brady is blamed for Delta Air Lines drastic changes](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1694879110_53_Tom-Brady-is-blamed-for-Delta-Air-Lines-drastic-changes.jpg)
![Tom Brady is blamed for Delta Air Lines' drastic changes to Sky Clubs seven days after he was named strategic advisor 14 Brady was announced as strategic advisor on September 6, eight days before the changes](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1694879112_757_Tom-Brady-is-blamed-for-Delta-Air-Lines-drastic-changes.jpg)
Brady was announced as strategic advisor on September 6, eight days before the changes
![Tom Brady is blamed for Delta Air Lines' drastic changes to Sky Clubs seven days after he was named strategic advisor 16 Delta CEO Ed Bastian promised: āMagic will happenā during the ālong-termā partnership](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1694879114_216_Tom-Brady-is-blamed-for-Delta-Air-Lines-drastic-changes.jpg)
Delta CEO Ed Bastian promised: āMagic will happenā during the ālong-termā partnership
Brady has signed a ālong-termā contract with the airline, and Delta CEO Ed Bastian promised, āMagic is going to happen.ā
Something good has happened. Fireworks maybe, until now.
Brady’s role will include helping develop training and “teamwork tools” for the airline’s more than 90,000 employees and “inspiring the next generation of Delta community leaders.”
His mother, Galynn, worked as a flight attendant during his childhood. In announcing the partnership, Delta touted the “innovative new partnership” as an opportunity to leverage its “expertise in teamwork, performance and perseverance.”