DL already is in the same boat as VS.
Originally Posted by
4GSM
VS Flying Club members earn tier points on award flights, so it's quite possible that other airlines will follow suit.
DL SkyMiles members also have the possibility to earn status miles from flying on DL-issued award tickets. I’m likely going to cross another million miler status mark just because of this DL policy that didn’t exist during my most frequent DL flying days on and off award tickets.