Earning elite status with an airline can be extremely beneficial for frequent travelers, and Delta Air Lines Medallion status is no exception. However, Delta made significant changes to how you earn elite status in their SkyMiles program last fall, and these changes are now in effect. The new qualification metric is Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs), and Delta has also overhauled how credit cards can help you achieve status.
To earn Delta Medallion status in 2024, the current requirements are as follows:
– Silver Medallion: 5,000 MQDs
– Gold Medallion: 10,000 MQDs
– Platinum Medallion: 15,000 MQDs
– Diamond Medallion: 28,000 MQDs
On most Delta-marketed tickets, you will earn 1 MQD per dollar spent (excluding taxes), but basic economy fares do not earn MQDs. There is also the possibility of earning more than 1 MQD per dollar on partner-issued tickets credited to Delta SkyMiles, although these earning rates have been reduced since January 1st.
Previously, select Delta credit cards allowed you to earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) based on spending. However, now that MQMs have been retired, Delta has revamped how these cards can help you accelerate your progress towards status. Delta now allows you to earn MQDs across four of its co-branded cards with American Express.
There are two general ways to use these cards to speed up your progress to Medallion status:
1. MQD Headstart: For each eligible card you have, you will receive a one-time deposit of 2,500 MQDs at the beginning of each qualification year. This puts you halfway to Silver Medallion status, and if you have two cards, you will automatically reach Silver Medallion status without even flying.
2. New status boosts: Delta Platinum and Reserve cardholders can now earn MQDs based on their spending. Delta Platinum and Delta Platinum Business cardholders earn 1 MQD for every $20 spent, while Delta Reserve and Delta Reserve Business cardholders earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent. These MQDs can take eight to 12 weeks to appear in your account, but it’s often faster.
These status boosts, along with the MQD Headstart, mean that you can effectively spend your way to status each year, as there is no limit to the MQDs you can earn with these cards. For example, with a personal Delta Reserve card, you will receive 2,500 MQDs each year and can earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent. This means you can unlock Medallion status with different spending thresholds depending on the tier you want to achieve.
While these numbers represent significant spending, it’s important to note that most Delta cardholders likely fly with the airline relatively frequently. In that context, spending on your Delta card can help you reach a higher status tier.
If you’re not currently a cardholder, the ability to earn status with spending can be a powerful incentive to get one. For example, if you spend $7,000 per year on Delta flights, you can achieve Gold Medallion status by applying for the Delta Reserve card and spending an additional $5,000 on the card.
Besides using Delta credit cards, there are other ways to earn MQDs outside of flying. Delta offers a status challenge for elite travelers with other airlines, allowing you to earn complimentary Medallion status for three months and potentially extend it based on MQDs earned during that period.
You can also earn MQDs when booking Delta or partner flights using SkyMiles, with 1 MQD earned for every 100 SkyMiles redeemed. Delta Vacations also offers the opportunity to earn MQDs for every dollar spent on vacation packages, excluding taxes and fees. Additionally, Delta occasionally offers limited-time promotions to earn MQDs for specific activities, such as hotel stays and car rentals.
In conclusion, there are various ways to earn Delta Medallion status without actually boarding a plane. Utilizing Delta’s co-branded credit cards and taking advantage of other earning opportunities can help you achieve elite status and enjoy the associated benefits.