Back this year is a Delta Air Lines promotion that gives Delta SkyMiles members another path to earn Medallion Qualification Dollars toward elite status. Specifically, you’ll earn 1 MQD per base dollar spent on hotel and car rental reservations booked through the Travel Extras portal by Feb. 29 for travel completed by May 31.
Delta Air Lines is known for its frequent flyer program, SkyMiles, which offers various benefits and perks to its loyal customers. One of the ways to achieve elite status within the SkyMiles program is by earning Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). MQDs are based on the amount of money spent on Delta flights and select partner flights. However, this year, Delta is offering an alternative way to earn MQDs by spending money on hotel and car rental reservations through their Travel Extras portal.
During this promotion, SkyMiles members can earn 1 MQD per dollar spent on hotel stays booked through Delta’s travel portal. This is in addition to the 2 redeemable SkyMiles you ordinarily earn for every dollar spent at most hotels. It’s important to note that MQDs can only be earned on the base cost of the hotel room before taxes and fees are charged at the time of booking.
For example, let’s say you book a three-night stay at the Grayson Hotel in midtown Manhattan in March. As part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, you would earn 1 MQD for every dollar spent on the base cost of the hotel room. This additional earning opportunity allows SkyMiles members to accumulate MQDs faster and potentially achieve elite status sooner.
In addition to hotel bookings, SkyMiles members can also earn 1 MQD per dollar spent on the base car rental rate for every completed rental booking made through the Travel Extras portal. Similar to hotel bookings, MQDs cannot be earned on charges like taxes, one-way rental fees, fuel services, or tolls.
For example, if you book a weeklong rental at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in late March, you would earn 1 MQD for every dollar spent on the base car rental rate. This provides an extra incentive for SkyMiles members to book their car rentals through Delta’s Travel Extras portal and earn MQDs in the process.
It’s worth noting that elite members of Delta’s SkyMiles program earn more miles with certain car rental companies, such as Hertz. However, this does not affect the number of MQDs earned through the promotion. The number of miles earned per dollar spent varies depending on the member’s elite status level, ranging from 4 miles per dollar spent for basic members to 8 miles per dollar spent for Diamond Medallion members.
There are a few important terms and conditions to be aware of for this promotion. First, MQDs can only be earned if the name on the credit card used for payment matches the name on the SkyMiles account. Delta will not credit MQDs if there is a mismatch in names. Additionally, it may take up to eight weeks to receive the MQDs after completing the travel.
For SkyMiles members who have a Delta cobranded card, there are additional benefits available. These cardholders can earn up to $100 or up to $250 in Delta Stays statement credits annually when they use the card to purchase prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays. Prepaid Delta Stays reservations also qualify as Delta purchases on cobranded cards, earning cardholders 2-3 miles per dollar spent, depending on the card.
Overall, this promotion offers SkyMiles members an alternative way to earn MQDs and work towards achieving elite status without actually flying. It sets a new precedent for earning Medallion status and provides additional value to Delta’s loyal customers. With the potential for more promotions like this in the future, SkyMiles members have more opportunities to earn MQDs and enjoy the benefits of elite status within the program.