Key Takeaways:
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Delta Medallion status is ideal for frequent flyers, offering a blend of savings and luxury that’s unmatched.
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Whether it’s free checked bags, priority boarding, or enhanced airport amenities, each tier offers a distinct set of privileges to enhance your travel experience with Delta Air Lines.
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Learn how to unlock the full spectrum of Delta SkyMiles Medallion benefits.
Delta Medallion Status is one of the most coveted loyalty programs in the airline industry. It offers a plethora of exclusive perks and privileges designed to elevate your overall travel experience.
From priority boarding and complimentary upgrades to access to Delta Sky Clubs and waived fees, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about achieving and maximizing your Delta Medallion Status.
Medallion Members and unlock exclusive benefits tailored to reward your unwavering loyalty. Get ready to elevate your journey with Delta Airlines to new heights!
What is Delta Medallion Status?
Delta Medallion Status is a tiered loyalty program offered by Delta Air Lines to reward its loyal customers. It grants exclusive benefits and privileges to the most frequent flyers.
Previously airline status of Delta was determined by flight miles, segments flown, and spending thresholds.
However, with the new elite status earning criteria as of January 1, 2024, Delta has now transitioned to a system solely based on Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs), leaving the Delta MQMs and MQSs behind.
Delta status levels are divided into four tiers – Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.
You can enjoy various travel benefits, such as bonus miles, free checked bags, lounge access, and upgrades for enhanced comfort and convenience when you fly with Delta and its partner airlines.
How to earn Delta Medallion Elite Status
To earn Delta Medallion Elite Status, you have to accumulate a specific number of Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) within a calendar year.
Delta has simplified the process, making MQDs the primary requirement to achieve Delta status to indulge in a range of exclusive benefits, through various avenues.
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When traveling with flights operated by Delta or partner airlines, you earn $1 MQD for every dollar spent on the ticket price.
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Additionally, cardholders with eligible Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards issued by American Express can accelerate their progress.
You can do so with Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card to get an MQD Head Start of $2,500 MQDs per card type.
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The third way is through MQD Boost, where cardholders can earn $1 MQD for every $20 of eligible purchases on Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and $1 MQD for every $10 of eligible purchases on Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
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Booking vacations through Delta Vacations also contributes, with travelers earning $1 MQD per dollar spent on the Total Package Price. These strategies offer multiple avenues to accumulate MQDs and progress toward coveted Delta Medallion status.
| Delta Status Levels | MQDs |
|---|---|
1. Silver |
$5,000 |
2. Gold |
$10,000 |
3. Diamond |
$15,000 |
4. Platinum |
$28,000 |
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Silver Medallion Status
To attain this entry-level tier, Delta SkyMiles members must earn $5,000 in Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). The Delta Silver Medallion status offers considerable value, estimated at almost $800-$900.
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Gold Medallion Status
Earning the Delta Gold Medallion status requires members to have $10,000 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). This tier presents travelers with an array of valuable benefits, valued at approximately $3,000.
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Platinum Medallion Status
To achieve this prestigious status in the Delta SkyMiles program, you must accumulate $15,000 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). The Delta Platinum Medallion Status offers exceptional value and perks, estimated at $6,000.
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Diamond Medallion Status
To reach the pinnacle of elite status with Delta SkyMiles, you need $28,000 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). You enjoy the epitome of luxury in air travel with the Delta Diamond Medallion Status, approximately valued at $14,000.
The status levels reset annually in January, requiring members to maintain MQD earnings to retain their status. Lifetime status is attainable by accumulating 1 million miles, starting at lifetime Gold status, with Delta 360, an invite-only tier, upon reaching 5 million miles.
Make sure to track your Delta MQDs via the My SkyMiles page or the Fly Delta app throughout the year to monitor your status advancement.
Delta Medallion Benefits
You get exclusive benefits at different Delta status levels. Moving up the levels of Delta Medallion means getting more and more special treatment, with Delta Diamond Medallion members enjoying the best of the best!
One cool thing Delta does is let you keep any extra miles you earn, even when you move up to a higher level. So, if you earn more miles than you need for your current level, they roll over to the next year, giving you even more benefits.
All Delta Medallion members get exclusive perks, such as free upgrades to better seats, priority check-in and boarding, and not having to pay for checked bags. The higher your level is, the more benefits you get, like skipping lines at security and getting upgrades earlier.
So, being a Delta Medallion member is really awesome for travelers who love Delta. Let’s explore some key benefits of each Delta Medallion Status tier:
Silver Medallion Status Benefits:
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Earn 7 miles per dollar on qualifying flights.
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Unlimited Complimentary Upgrades to First Class and Delta Comfort+ for you and a companion (beginning 24 hours before departure)
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Free checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions on Delta flights and select airline partner flights
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Priority check-in
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Preferred pricing on CLEAR Plus membership at $149/year
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Priority boarding
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Earn 5 miles per $1 spent on qualifying rentals with Hertz when booked through delta.com
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Five Star status in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program
Gold Medallion Status Benefits:
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Earn 8 miles per dollar on qualifying flights.
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Unlimited Complimentary Upgrades to First Class and Delta Comfort+ for you and a companion (beginning 72 hours before departure)
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First Free checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions on Delta flights and select airline partner flights
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Waived ticket changes
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Sky Priority Suite of Services, including check-in, priority security line access, expedited baggage service, and Sky Priority Boarding
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Preferred pricing on CLEAR Plus membership: $149/year
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Earn 6 miles per $1 spent on qualifying car rentals with Hertz when booked on delta.com
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Five Star status in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program
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Dedicated phone line for service and support
Platinum Medallion Status Benefits:
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Earn 9 miles per dollar on qualifying flights.
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Unlimited Complimentary Upgrades to Delta Comfort+ for you and a companion, with additional benefits for early upgrades to First Class and domestic Delta One.
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Free checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions on Delta flights and select airline partner flights
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Waived Same-Day Confirmed Fees
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Sky Priority Suite of services, from check-in to priority boarding, for a seamless airport experience
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Preferred pricing on CLEAR Plus membership at $149/year
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Earn 7 miles per $1 spent on qualifying rentals with Hertz when booked via delta.com
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President’s Circle status in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program
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High Priority line for service and support
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Choice Benefits: Select from a range of exclusive rewards, including Upgrade Certificates, Delta vacation options, Wheels Up Flight Credits, statement credits, and Starbucks Reward Stars.
Diamond Medallion Status Benefits:
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Earn 11 miles per dollar on qualifying flights.
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Unlimited Complimentary Upgrades to Delta Comfort+ for you and a companion, with additional benefits for early upgrades to First Class and domestic Delta One.
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First Free checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions on Delta flights and select airline partner flights.
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Waived ticket changes on same-day.
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Complimentary CLEAR Plus membership (a $189 annual value)
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Sky Priority Suite of services, including check-in, priority security line access, and expedited baggage service
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Earn 8 miles per $1 spent on qualifying rentals with Hertz when booked through delta.com
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President’s Circle status in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program
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VIP phone line for service and support
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Choice Benefits: Pick from various rewards, such as Upgrade Certificates, Delta vacation options, Wheels Up Flight Credits, statement credits, an option to Gift Gold Medallion Status to 2 Members, and Starbucks Reward Stars.
Do Delta Points Expire?
No, Delta SkyMiles points do not expire. The loyalists of Delta Air Lines benefit from this perpetual validity.
Unlike some other loyalty programs, Delta points never expire, regardless of account activity, offering flexibility to infrequent travelers for gradual accumulation without the looming threat of expiration.
As outlined in Delta’s policy, your miles remain intact indefinitely. However, it’s essential to understand Delta’s reservation to deactivate or close accounts under certain circumstances, which results in the forfeiture of accrued miles.
Is Delta Medallion Status Worth It?
Delta Medallion Status can be immensely valuable, especially for frequent Delta flyers. In addition to the exclusive perks and privileges, the bonus miles contribute towards future travel savings and rewards.
Business travelers who fly out weekly for meetings and conferences can benefit from Delta status levels, with perks like complimentary upgrades, priority boarding, and waived fees, enhancing their travel experience and productivity.
Even the entry-level Silver Medallion status provides considerable value, with benefits like waived checked bag fees and priority boarding.
Thus, committing to the SkyMiles program can yield substantial long-term benefits, making the Delta Medallion status worth considering.
Ultimately, the worth of Delta status depends on your future travel plans. Assess how much you intend to travel or often do to determine if the benefits justify the effort. It’s essential to evaluate if the perks align with your travel habits.
Assess your preferences and travel patterns to find the most beneficial strategy. Overall, Delta Medallion status proves worthwhile for those who prioritize comfort, efficiency, and loyalty rewards in their frequent travels.
FAQs
What is Delta Medallion Status?
Delta Medallion Status is a tiered loyalty program by Delta Air Lines, offering four elite status levels (Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond) with benefits like priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, and bonus miles to frequent flyers.
How to get Delta Medallion Status?
You can achieve Delta Medallion Status by earning enough Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) for each tier by flying with Delta and its partner airlines within a calendar year.
How can I get Delta medallion status fast?
To fast-track Delta Medallion Status, utilize the MQD Boost feature offered by Delta SkyMiles cards, which offer accelerated qualification requirements for elite status.
With Amex credit cards like Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve, you can get a head start of $2,500 MQDs per card type for the ongoing Medallion Qualification Year.
How do you get silver medallion status on Delta?
You can get the Silver Medallion Status on Delta by meeting specific annual requirements of earning $5,000 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) with Delta or its partners in a calendar year.
Do you ever lose Delta medallion status?
Yes, Delta Medallion Status can be lost or moved to a lower tier if you fail to meet the annual qualifying criteria for any reason in the subsequent Medallion Qualification Year.
Typically, the status is valid for the current year and the following year, but failure to meet the required thresholds for qualification will result in the loss of status.
However, you can always apply to reclaim the status.
Does Delta medallion status reset every year?
Yes, Delta Medallion Status resets annually, requiring members to requalify each calendar year by meeting the specified requirement of MQDs.
What is the lowest medallion status on Delta?
The lowest tier of Delta Medallion Status is Silver Medallion Elite Status, with a threshold of $5,000 MQDs in a year, offering benefits such as complimentary upgrades, priority boarding, and waived baggage fees.
What does medallion status mean on Delta?
Medallion Status on Delta refers to the airline’s loyalty program, which rewards travelers with premium perks and privileges based on their Delta Medallion elite status level.
Can you earn Delta medallion status without flying?
Yes, you can earn Delta Medallion Status without flying with co-branded American Express credit cards, which offer Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) that help you reach a status tier.
Although, flying with Delta is the primary way to earn Medallion status.
Does Delta medallion status expire?
Delta Medallion status does expire, typically at the end of the qualification year. Each Medallion status is valid for the calendar year in which it is earned, as well as the subsequent calendar year.
So, a Medallion status earned in 2024 will be valid for the rest of 2024 and all of 2025. However, if you do not meet the requirements to maintain your status for the following year, your status will expire at the end of that year.
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