ATLANTA, Dec. 12, 2003 – Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) and its SkyMiles members have donated more than 100 million miles to support the United States military’s Operation Iraqi Freedom Rest and Relaxation (R&R) program since the launch in late October. These miles are enough to provide transportation for 4,000 American heroes returning home to loved ones.
"Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our SkyMiles members, SkyMiles for Heroes has been a huge success," said Rob Borden, Delta’s SkyMiles program director. "Our members have gone above and beyond to thank the men and women serving our country – with many SkyMiles members individually donating more than 100,000 miles."
Delta was the first airline to introduce a mileage donation program in support of the military’s R&R program. Over 200 million miles have been donated by all participating carriers and nearly half of those have been donated by SkyMiles members. In addition to providing support to military personnel through the SkyMiles program, Delta will open its holiday military lounge for the 34th straight year at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport today. The lounge provides a location for military personnel to rest while traveling home for the holidays. Delta employees volunteer to staff the lounge daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Jan. 6, 2004.
To initiate the SkyMiles for Heroes campaign in October, Delta contributed 10 million miles. Miles donated by SkyMiles members are added to this account daily. Active duty members of the U.S. armed forces stationed in Iraq will be selected by the Combined Forces Land Component Commander (CFLCC) to receive round-trip award tickets once a month through Sept. 30, 2004. The SkyMiles donated will be exchanged for round-trip tickets for travel from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Baltimore-Washington International Airport or Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to destinations in the United States, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Miles contributed to this program cannot be designated for specific personnel. As part of the R&R program, the government flies members of the military to Atlanta, Baltimore and Dallas/Fort Worth, and personnel are responsible for any additional domestic travel needed to reach their hometown.
SkyMiles members may donate miles to the SkyMiles for Heroes campaign via Delta’s SkyWish program through Aug. 15, 2004. There is a 5,000-mile minimum donation. Donations can be made by sending an email to delta.bids@delta.com or a fax to 404-773-1945. Donations can also be made via the U.S. Postal Service to: Delta Air Lines Inc., SkyMiles Service Center, Dept. 654, P.O. Box 20532, Atlanta, Ga. 30320-2532. SkyMiles members should include their SkyMiles account number, the amount of miles to be donated and note SkyWish SkyMiles for Heroes as their charity of choice. SkyWish donations are not tax deductible for Delta Air Lines or SkyMiles members.
Delta SkyMiles members earn miles by flying Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, Delta Connection, and Delta’s worldwide partners, including the airline’s SkyTeam partners. The program offers additional mileage-building opportunities through SkyMiles partners such as the Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express, AT&T telecommunication services, EarthLink™ Internet services, participating hotels, car rental companies, restaurants, floral purchases and financial, mortgage and realty services. SkyMiles may be redeemed for upgrades, Crown Room Club memberships and Award Travel to more than 400 worldwide destinations.
Delta Air Lines, the world’s second largest airline in terms of passengers carried and the leading US carrier across the Atlantic, offers 6,362 flights each day to 458 destinations in 82 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, Delta Connection and Delta’s worldwide partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. For more information, please visit delta.com.
Terms and Conditions:
Award tickets may be redeemed for round-trip coach travel valid on published routings from BWI to the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands. A portion of travel for some itineraries may be on the Delta Connection carriers: Atlantic Coast Airlines, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Chautauqua, Comair and SkyWest; or codeshare partner American Eagle. Promotion Period: Award tickets must be redeemed and travel must be completed between 11/01/03 and 9/30/04. Eligibility: Offer is nontransferable and valid only for members of the US Armed Forces on active duty status in Iraq. Reservations / Ticketing: Reservations and ticketing must be completed 72 hours in advance. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or in all markets. Taxes / Fees: Passenger is responsible for all applicable taxes and/or government-imposed fees, which must be paid at the time of ticketing. Tickets are subject to the September 11th Security Fee of up to $10 maximum per round-trip. Miscellaneous: All Delta SkyMiles program rules and conditions apply. This offer is subject to change or withdrawal with 30 days advance notice. It is the responsibility of the passenger to be in possession of all necessary documentation (e.g. valid passport, visa where applicable) at the time of departure from origin. Delta reserves the right to deny boarding to passengers without the proper documentation. Blackout dates: November 26, 30; December 1, 19-21, 26. Other restrictions may apply.