Delta Changing Some Choice Benefits Selections for Elite Members in 2026

Delta Air Lines has announced changes for its elite members starting in 2026, focusing on changes to Choice Benefits members can pick from after attaining Platinum and Diamond Medallion status.

While there are changes coming to 4 of the Choice Benefit options next year, the good news is that 3 of the options are gaining value — though 1 option will lose value.

Delta says these changes came from “listening to our Members and evolving to meet their needs. The latest Choice Benefits updates reflect Member feedback and our commitment to delivering an experience that truly rewards loyalty,” according to Dwight James, Delta’s senior vice president of customer engagement and loyalty and CEO of Delta Vacations. That vision includes “being transparent about changes and continually investing in the experiences that matter most.”

Let’s take a closer look at these changes to Delta elite benefits that will take place on February 1, 2026.

Changes to Delta’s Choice Benefits in 2026

Delta announced on December 2, 2025, that it’s making slight changes to the SkyMiles program in 2026. These changes will take effect on February 1, 2026.

The changes focus on Delta’s elite status members at the Platinum and Diamond Medallion tiers — the highest publicly available tiers in the program.

Platinum and Diamond Medallion members will receive an email about these changes, but the updates revolve around the annual Choice Benefits members can pick. As a reminder, Platinum members can choose 1 Choice Benefit upon status qualification. Diamond members can choose 3 perks upon qualification. Choices are available immediately upon qualification, and the deadline for selecting is January 31 of the following calendar year (so January 31, 2026, for current perks).

The good news is that Delta isn’t changing how many Choice Benefits you get, isn’t changing how you select them, and isn’t changing the deadline. In fact, the changes are quite small, focusing on just 4 of the available options:

• Gifting status
  • Platinum members will be able to gift Silver Medallion status to 4 family members or friends (up from 2 gifts)
  • Diamond members will be able to gift Gold Medallion status to 4 family members or friends (up from 2 gifts)
• Bonus miles
  • Platinum members can choose a gift of 35,000 bonus SkyMiles (up from 30,000 miles)
  • Diamond members can choose a gift of 40,000 bonus SkyMiles (up from 35,000 miles)
• Delta travel vouchers
  • Platinum members can choose a voucher worth $350 (up from $300)
  • Diamond members can choose a voucher worth $550 (up from $350)
• American Express statement credits
  • Platinum members can choose a statement credit worth $250 (down from $400)
  • Diamond members can choose a statement credit worth $500 (down from $700)

The American Express statement credits are available to members with an American Express Delta credit card at the Platinum or Reserve level. Cards at the Blue or Gold level aren’t eligible.

Analyzing Delta’s Changes

Gaining value in your elite perks is always good news. And when we heard these changes were coming, we expected bad news. Luckily, this is mostly good news.

Other than the Amex statement credit option, the other perks are all gaining value. And that’s only considering the Choice Benefits that are changing. Many of them aren’t undergoing changes, and that includes Sky Club memberships, status accelerators, and upgrade certificates.

If you routinely choose the Amex statement credit as your Delta Choice Benefit, though, you’re probably not happy. You may want to consider other benefits going forward.

What if You Already Made Choice Benefit Selections for 2026?

These changes to Choice Benefits will take effect in the new Medallion benefits year, starting February 1, 2026. If you’ve already made your selections for 2026, a spokesperson for Delta says, the changes will be applied automatically.

That’s good news if you picked a perk that’s gaining value. Those who chose the Amex statement credit will be disappointed to see they picked something with a decreasing value. If that’s you and you don’t like the news, it’s worth reaching out to Delta to see if the airline will let you change your choice, given the circumstances.

Final Thoughts

Starting February 1, 2026, Delta will adjust 4 of the annual Choice Benefits available for its Platinum and Diamond Medallion members. Three are getting more valuable. The sole perk losing value is the Amex statement credit.

Delta says these changes will be applied automatically for anyone who’s already made their benefit selections for 2026. The airline also says elite members affected by these changes — those in the Platinum and Diamond tiers — will receive emails about the changes today, December 2.