Delta Air Lines jets lined up on the taxi way. REUTERS/Tami Chappell Starting January 1, you'll have to spend a whopping $250,000 a year on the Delta American Express credit card if you want to waive into the airline's prized Diamond Medallion frequent-flyer status.

It's a major change from the $25,000 in annual spending currently required to reach Diamond Medallion status.

The immediate reaction from the Delta AmEx cardholders was overwhelmingly negative. On Twitter, many pledged to end their relationship with the card.

In a statement to Business Insider, a Delta Air Lines spokesman said:

"Feedback from Diamond Medallion Members drove Delta's Diamond MQD Waiver adjustment. The goal is to enable those who fly and spend most with Delta to better enjoy their Diamond Status benefits including Complimentary Upgrades and the Delta Sky Club experience.

"The Medallion Qualification Miles, Segments, and Dollars required to reach Diamond Status aren't changing and the $25,000 MQD Waiver can still be used to achieve all of the best-in-class benefits of Platinum, Gold, and Silver Medallion Status."

Delta's "medallion" requirements. Delta

To qualify for Delta's frequent-flyer perks, passengers have to achieve one of its four "medallions" by flying a certain number of flights or miles and spending a certain amount of money with the airline.

However, those who possess a Delta AmEx can waive the spending requirement with the airline if they use their card enough. That's the portion of the qualifying process that has changed.

With this move, Delta is aiming to give its coveted Diamond Medallion status to those who achieved it by flying on its planes and spending money with the airline.

Delta emphasized that no other card benefits or medallion qualifying requirements had been affected.

This means Delta AmEx cardholders will effectively be capped at Platinum Medallion status.

Since status for 2018 is determined by spending and travel in 2017, the new waiver requirement will take effect for those seeking Diamond Medallion status for 2019.

Here's how people are responding on Twitter: