How To Get Delta Air Lines Elite Status (And Is It Worth It?)

How To Get Delta Air Lines Medallion Elite Status (And Is It Worth It?)

- Updated: March 22, 2023, 3:46pm CDT|

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Travel /
Airlines

Having airline elite status can make flying so much more enjoyable. It could mean no more cramped middle seats or being the last one to board. Delta Air Lines’ loyalty program is called SkyMiles and its elite Medallion status levels offer lots of benefits and perks such as free checked bags and upgrades that will appeal to any Delta flyer.

In this post, we’ll show you exactly how to earn Delta elite status plus we’ll go over the benefits of each level. Finally, we’ll answer the all-important question — is it even worth it?

Table of contents

Delta Air Lines Elite Status
- How To Earn Delta MQMs With Your Credit Card
How To Earn Delta Air Lines Elite Status
- How To Check Your Progress Toward Delta Medallion Status
Delta Medallion Status Benefits
Is Delta Elite Status Worth It?
Final Thoughts

Table of Contents

Delta Air Lines Elite Status
- How To Earn Delta MQMs With Your Credit Card
How To Earn Delta Air Lines Elite Status
- How To Check Your Progress Toward Delta Medallion Status
Delta Medallion Status Benefits
Is Delta Elite Status Worth It?
Final Thoughts

Delta Air Lines Elite Status

As a Delta SkyMiles member, you’ll be able to earn Medallion status based on a few criteria. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to earn Delta Medallion status, there are a few terms you’ll need to understand.

Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs): MQMs are based on the fare class of your ticket (excluding Basic Economy) and the actual number of miles flown. These are different than miles earned for award travel which are based on ticket price and Medallion status level. Delta SkyMiles don’t expire, but MQMs reset at the beginning of each year.

Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs): MQSs are based on the number of flight segments you take (excluding Basic Economy). For example, a nonstop flight from San Francisco to Miami would qualify as one segment. However, if you had the same flight, but with a connection in Atlanta, that would qualify as 2 segments.

Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs): MQDs are for U.S.-based SkyMiles members only and are based on how much you spend on Delta flights and select partner airline flights. For Delta-marketed flights (with “DL” in the airline code) this includes the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges but excludes other taxes and fees. For select partner flights, you’ll earn 1/5 of the “redeemable” miles you earn for that flight.

Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) Waiver: If you make at least $25,000 in purchases in a year on select Delta American Express credit cards, your MQD requirement for Silver, Gold, or Platinum Medallion status will be waived. If you spend at least $250,000, the MQD requirement for Diamond Medallion status will be waived.

Qualification Period: The qualification period runs on a calendar year, so you have from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, to earn elite status for the 2024 Medallion year.

Medallion Year: Each Medallion year runs through January of the following calendar year. For example, if you meet the status qualifications on October 18, 2023 (for the 2024 Medallion year), your status will be valid through January 31, 2025.

How To Earn Delta MQMs With Your Credit Card

Delta American Express Reserve — You can earn MQMs with select American Express Delta credit cards. Image Credit: American Express

Thankfully, if you hold select Delta American Express credit cards, your path to elite status is a bit easier. In addition to earning bonus MQMs, you’ll get an MQD waiver when you spend at least $25,000 in a calendar year on select cards.

The following cards help you earn MQMs and an MQD waiver:

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Hot Tip: The Delta Platinum card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, Delta Reserve card, and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card will earn an MQD waiver for Silver, Gold, or Platinum status after spending $25,000 in a calendar year. If you spend $250,000, the MQD waiver is valid for Diamond status.

How To Earn Delta Air Lines Elite Status

Delta Medallion Tiers — There are 4 main levels of Delta Medallion status. Image Credit: Delta

To earn elite status with Delta Air Lines, you’ll need to meet minimum MQD requirements plus either MQM or MQS requirements. An MQD waiver earned from credit card spending will fulfill the MQD requirement.

MQD + MQM or MQS = Delta Medallion Status

Medallion Status Level	MQM Requirement	MQS Requirement	MQD Requirement
Silver Medallion	25,000	30	$3,000
Gold Medallion	50,000	60	$8,000
Platinum Medallion	75,000	100	$12,000
Diamond Medallion	125,000	140	$20,000

The SkyMiles member (whose name and SkyMiles number are on the ticket) who is flying earns the MQMs, MQSs, and MQDs regardless of who purchased the ticket.

Bottom Line: Delta Medallion status is earned through a combination of MQDs plus either MQMs or MQSs. For example, the base-level Silver Medallion status is earned with at least $3,000 MQDs plus at least 25,000 MQMs or 30 MQSs.

How To Check Your Progress Toward Delta Medallion Status

You can easily check your progress toward Delta Medallion status online by clicking the drop-down arrow next to your name. For a more detailed look, click on Profile and then My SkyMiles. This information is also available in the Fly Delta mobile app (iOS, Android).

Keeping track of SkyMiles online — You can keep track of your progress toward Delta Medallion status in your online account. Image Credit: Delta

Delta Medallion Status Benefits

There are lots of benefits that come with having Delta Medallion status. While each level of status has its own perks, there are some benefits you’ll enjoy no matter what level of Medallion status you achieve:

$50 to $350 savings on Delta Vacation packages
Complimentary luggage tags
Complimentary preferred seats
Dedicated phone line
Priority check-in and boarding
Priority waitlist status
Reclaim My Status
Unlimited complimentary upgrades to Delta One for you and a companion on flights in all 50 states on the day of departure excluding Basic Economy (E fares)
Unlimited rollover MQMs
Waived baggage fees

Flying on Delta Air Lines — Having Delta Medallion status comes with perks including priority boarding and upgrades. Image Credit: Delta

Delta Silver Medallion Status Benefits

Delta Silver Medallion status is the base elite level in the Delta program, but it still offers lots of value.

Earn 7 miles per $1 spent
3-month free trial of Instacart
Discounted CLEAR membership for $149 per year
Earn 1,000 SkyMiles for each qualifying Hertz car rental
SkyTeam Elite status
Unlimited complimentary Clase Premier upgrades on select Aeromexico-operated flights beginning 24 hours (1 day) before departure
Unlimited complimentary upgrades to Delta Comfort+ for you and a companion starting 24 hours (1 day) before departure (excludes E fares)
Unlimited complimentary upgrades to first class for you and a companion starting 24 hours (1 day) before departure (excludes E fares)

Delta Gold Medallion Status Benefits

As a Delta Gold Medallion member, you’ll enjoy all of the benefits offered at the Silver level plus these additional perks:

Earn 8 miles per $1 spent
4 drink vouchers
Expedited baggage service
Hertz Five Star status
Priority security line access
SkyTeam Elite Plus status
SkyTeam lounge access
Unlimited complimentary Clase Premier upgrades on select Aeromexico-operated flights beginning 72 hours (3 days) before departure
Unlimited complimentary upgrades to Delta Comfort+ for you and a companion starting 72 hours (3 days) before departure (excludes E fares)
Unlimited complimentary upgrades to first class for you and a companion starting 72 hours (3 days) before departure (excludes E fares)
Waived same-day confirmed fees

Delta Platinum Medallion Status Benefits

In addition to the benefits at the Silver and Gold levels, Delta Platinum Medallion status holders can enjoy these benefits.

Earn 9 miles per $1 spent
1 Choice Benefit
1-year free trial of Instacart
Earn 1,250 SkyMiles for each qualifying Hertz car rental
Hertz President’s Circle status
Unlimited complimentary Clase Premier upgrades on select Aeromexico-operated flights beginning 120 hours (5 days) before departure
Unlimited complimentary upgrades to Delta Comfort+ for you and a companion shortly after ticketing (excludes E fares)
Unlimited complimentary upgrades to first class for you and a companion starting 120 hours (5 days) before departure (excludes E fares)

Hot Tip: All Delta Medallion benefits are excluded from Basic Economy (E) fares.

Delta Diamond Medallion Status Benefits

Delta Diamond Medallion status is the highest level of Delta status you can earn and it comes with tremendous value. In addition to the benefits offered at all of the other levels, Diamond Medallion members get these special perks.

Earn 11 miles per $1 spent
3 Choice Benefits
Complimentary CLEAR membership
Unlimited complimentary Clase Premier upgrades on select Aeromexico-operated flights beginning 120 hours (5 days) before departure with priority
Unlimited complimentary upgrades to first class for you and a companion starting 120 hours (5 days) before departure (excludes E fares) with priority

Choice Benefits

Choice Benefits are unique perks offered to Platinum and Diamond Medallion members only and allow those flyers to choose what’s most important to them.

Choice Benefits options include the following:

Choice Benefit	Delta Platinum Medallion	Delta Diamond Medallion
American Express statement credit for the Delta Platinum card, Delta Platinum Business card, Delta Reserve card, or Delta Reserve Business card	$200	$500
Bonus Delta SkyMiles	20,000	25,000
Delta travel voucher	$250	$250
Delta Sky Club Executive membership	N/A	Requires 3 Choice Benefits
Delta Sky Club guest pass (credit card access)	N/A	1 guest pass (when member already has Sky Club access through a Delta credit card)
Delta travel voucher	$200	$200
Delta Vacations experience	$400	$500
Gift Medallion status	2 Silver Medallions	2 Gold Medallions
MQD boost for the following Medallion qualification year	500 MQD	1,000 MQD
Starbucks Rewards Stars	4,000	4,000
Sustainable aviation fuel contribution	$250	$250
Upgrade Certificates	4 Regional Upgrade certificates	4 Global Upgrade certificates or 8 Regional Upgrade certificates or 2 Global and 4 Regional

Delta 360° Benefits

Delta 360° is an invitation-only status reserved for only the top Medallion members. There isn’t a published set of requirements but Delta does state that it’s based on how much you spend on flights, not necessarily how often you fly. Membership is annual, meaning you can earn it one year but not the next, regardless of your spending and activity.

Since the benefits of Delta 360° are unpublished, it can be hard to pinpoint all of the perks. But, based on crowdsourced data, Delta 360° members can look forward to perks like these:

Custom luggage tags
Delta Sky Club Executive membership
Potential for private gate transfers
Potential upgrade priority

Hot Tip: If you have elite status with another airline you can request a status match with Delta Air Lines.

Million Miler Status

Delta Million Miler Status is based on the total Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) earned throughout a member’s lifetime.

Total Number of MQMs Earned	Complimentary Medallion Status Earned
1 million	Silver Medallion
2 to 3 million	Gold Medallion
4 to 5 million	Platinum Medallion
6+ million	Diamond Medallion

Bottom Line: Delta has 4 main levels of elite status — Silver Medallion, Gold Medallion, Platinum Medallion, and Diamond Medallion. Delta 360° is an invitation-only status without published requirements or benefits. Million Miler Status is earned after flying at least 1 million miles in a lifetime.

Is Delta Elite Status Worth It?

We’ve gone over the value and benefits of each level of Delta Medallion status in detail so we’ll just look at some basics here:

Complimentary Preferred Seating: Preferred seating charges vary by flight but can range from as little as $5 to $85 or more. Let’s say you take 6 round-trip flights per year. Assuming an average of $40 per flight segment, this perk could save you $480 each year!

Waived Baggage Fees: The basic Delta baggage fee is $30 for the first bag and $40 to $100 for the second checked bag. Even if you only check 1 bag per flight and fly an average of 6 round-trips per year, this Medallion status perk could save you $360. Your savings will only increase the more you fly. Note that you could also get the first bag free by having an Amex Delta credit card.

Bonus Miles: As a Delta Medallion member, you’ll earn 2 to 6 extra miles for each dollar you spend with Delta. Let’s say you fly 6 times a year and spend $500 on each ticket, which totals $3,000 (the minimum spending requirement for Silver Medallion status). You would earn 6,000 to 18,000 extra miles, depending on your status level. Since Delta miles are valued at 1.2 cents each, you’d be getting an extra $72 to $216 in value.

Even just looking at 3 of the benefits of Delta Medallion status using conservative numbers, you’ll easily be able to get close to $1,000 in value — and that’s not even taking into account all of the other benefits. So, the answer for most Delta flyers is yes. Delta Medallion status is definitely worth it if you travel on Delta Air Lines even just a handful of times a year.

Final Thoughts

Medallion status is the elite status program for the Delta SkyMiles program. There are 4 levels of membership — Silver Medallion, Gold Medallion, Platinum Medallion, and Diamond Medallion — plus an invitation-only status called Delta 360°.

Status is earned by meeting minimum spending requirements plus either a mile or segment requirement, however, a spending waiver earned from select Delta-branded credit cards can fulfill the minimum spending requirement.

Each level of the program comes with lots of benefits and perks to make all aspects of flying on Delta more comfortable and enjoyable.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get Delta elite status?

Delta elite status, or Medallion Status, is earned based on a member’s number of Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs), Medallion Qualifying Segments (MQSs), and Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs). To earn the base level status (Silver Medallion) you’ll need to earn $3,000 MQDs and either 25,000 MQMs or 30 MQSs.

How long does Delta status last?

Delta elite status lasts from the day you earn it through the next calendar year and until the following January 31. For example, if you earn Medallion status on October 3, 2023, you would have status through January 31, 2025.

What does Delta Diamond status get you?

Delta Diamond Medallion status is the top-level status offered by Delta. When you earn Diamond Medallion status, you’ll enjoy benefits like upgrade certificates, bonus SkyMiles, waived fees, a complimentary CLEAR membership, a priority security line, SkyTeam lounge access, and so much more.

Can I lose my Delta Silver Medallion status?

Yes, you need to re-earn Medallion status each year to keep your benefits. When you earn Medallion status it’s valid from the day you earn it through the next Medallion year, but the qualification period to earn status runs on a calendar year.

How many levels of Delta status are there?

There are 4 main Delta status levels — Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. A fifth level exists with unpublished eligibility requirements and is called Delta 360° — it’s an invitation-only status exclusive to the highest-level elites. Million Miler status is achieved after flying at least 1 million miles in a lifetime.

12 comments

Jon Shapiro October 7, 2021

The post above says ” If you spend at least $100,000, the MQD requirement for Diamond Medallion status will be waived.” I think the MQD waiver amount for Diamond has been raised to $250k. At least that is what it says in my app and in the email they sent me. Do you have any info to the contrary?

Jarrod West October 7, 2021

Hi Jon,

Thanks for pointing that error out. I’ve just corrected the post to the accurate figure of $250k.

Reply

Tom November 21, 2021

Has Delta just changed the perk of upgrade certificates to business regardless of the class booked to ONE class up from class booked? I am about to get Diamond Medallion for 2022 and if this is true, is very annoying!

Christine Krzyszton November 22, 2021

Hi Tom. The change is effective on Feb 1, 2022. If you book a flight and request to use your GUC (upgrade certs) before that time, the old rules apply. On flights that do not have Premium Select seating, you would still be able to upgrade from Main Cabin/Comfort+ to Business using the cert as it would be a one-class move. Delta has announced, however, that it is adding Premium Select to all European routes by mid-2022. You can read more here:https://upgradedpoints.com/news/delta-devalues-global-upgrade-certificates-for-diamond-elites/

Reply

Juan January 14, 2022

I am currently an elite member at LATAM (platinum), but I want to switch to DELTA since I will be traveling a lot more to the USA, and US destinations, in the coming years. Is it possible to transfer my elite status to DELTA, without having to earn the status during the first year? Thanks!

Jarrod West January 18, 2022

Hi Juan,

You cannot outright transfer your elite status to Delta, but you can request a status match that will give you the opportunity to earn elite status within the program faster than usual. Here are the details: https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/medallion-program/status-match-challenge

Reply

Douglas Vanderwilp February 15, 2022

If I get the reserve Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express card how soon would I be able to use the benefits such as lounge access, seat upgrade,s and such? Thanks for your time, Doug

Katie Seemann February 22, 2022

Hi Doug,
You would be able to use the card’s benefits as soon as you receive it. The only exception would be the companion certificate which you’ll get each year after renewal.

Reply

Jamie September 21, 2022

Do you receive points on a flight purchased using points?

Jarrod West September 21, 2022

Hi Jamie,

Yes, award tickets earn redeemable miles, and count towards Delta elite status.

Reply

LP November 12, 2022

Hi! Your article says medallion status kicks in immediately. I just got mine and thought it means I’ll have status now until 2024. But I called Delta and the agent says it doesn’t start until Feb 1, 2023. I asked if that was something new and he said no, it has always been like that. So, I am very confused.

Christine Krzyszton November 13, 2022

Hi LP. Medallion status begins immediately after you have met the qualifications. For example, if you just earned Medallion status for 2022, it would be valid immediately, good through the current membership year (January 31, 2023), then through January 31, 2024. You can check your status in the My SkyMiles section when logging into your Delta SkyMiles account.

Reply

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