Delta Increases Medallion Status Requirements, Improves Benefits
Delta Air Lines is making changes to the way you earn Medallion Status starting from next year. As you might expect, earning status in Delta’s loyalty program with be harder. But there’s also a positive change in the program in terms of benefits for the most loyal customers.
For the first time since 2015, Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) requirements to achieve 2024 Medallion Status for Diamond, Platinum and Gold Members will increase in 2023 as Delta updates select Status-earn qualifications. The airline is also debuting expanded and enhanced Choice Benefits for Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members.
Delta Medallion Status
Delta’s loyalty program offers Diamond, Platinum, Gold or Silver Medallion status. Before looking at how the requirements are changing, let’s see first how you can earn status at each level.
Medallion Status is earned for U.S.-based Members through a combination of flying and spending (retail and Award Travel) with Delta and partner airlines each year. For example, 2023 Medallion Status is earned through flight and spending activity for the 2022 calendar year (January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022). Once you earn 2023 Medallion Status, it is valid from the day it is earned until January 31, 2024.
Spending Requirement: Earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) or the MQD Waiver
- On retail tickets, MQDs are earned based on your annual spend on Delta flights and on many partner flights. On Award Travel tickets, MQDs will be calculated based on miles redeemed for the flight divided by 100 on Delta-marketed flights only.
- Platinum, Gold, Silver MQD Waiver: The MQDs requirement to reach Platinum, Gold, or Silver Medallion Status for the qualification year will be waived after you make $25,000 or more in eligible purchases during the calendar year with eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards.
- Diamond MQD Waiver: The MQD requirement to reach Diamond Medallion Status will be waived after you make $250,000 or more in eligible purchases during the calendar year with eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards.
Flying Requirement: Earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) or Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs)
- You earn MQMs based on distance flown and your fare class, excluding Basic Economy.
- You earn MQSs based on the number of flights you take, excluding Basic Economy.
How to Reach Medallion Status
How Earning Works
MQMs, MQSs and MQDs are earned by the Member who is flying (whose name and SkyMiles number are listed on the ticket) regardless of who booked or paid for the flight. To track your MQMs, MQSs, MQDs and MQD Waiver, visit the My SkyMiles page or view them in the Fly Delta app in the SkyMiles section.
Members will not earn MQMs, MQSs, and MQDs on Award Travel tickets booked through Delta but operated by a partner airline.
MQD Increases
Beginning January 1, 2023—the earn year to qualify for 2024 Medallion Status—Delta SkyMiles will increase MQD thresholds for Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion Members. There are no changes to Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) or Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs).
MQD increases are as follows:
| Medallion Tier | Current Threshold for 2023 Status | Qualification Threshold for 2024 Status |
| Silver Medallion | $3,000 | No Change |
| Gold Medallion | $6,000 | $8,000 |
| Platinum Medallion | $9,000 | $12,000 |
| Diamond Medallion | $15,000 | $20,000 |
More Choice Benefits
Diamond Medallion and Platinum Medallion Members who qualify for 2024 Medallion Status will be able to select from an expanded slate of premium Choice Benefits beginning February 1, 2023. These new offerings are in addition to Choice Benefits like the ability to gift Medallion Status to a friend or loved one and the use of Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates. The new Choice Benefits not only provide innovative experiences but also help members continue to qualify for Status. New benefits include:
- Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card can choose a statement credit for their Card: $500 for Diamond; $200 for Platinum. Terms and conditions apply and will be provided when the American Express Statement Credit becomes available.
- Expanding the ability to gift status to a friend or loved one: Diamond will receive two Gold Medallion Gift Statuses per selection; Platinum will receive two Silver Medallion Gift Statuses per selection
- A Delta Vacations Experience (flight and hotel): $500 for Diamond; $400 for Platinum
- An MQD “head start” for the next Medallion year: $1,000 MQD boost for Diamond; $500 MQD boost for Platinum
- Increasing the Delta Travel Credit Voucher to $250
- A $250 sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) contribution to help in our collective goal toward decarbonizing aviation
Early next year, Medallion Members with Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates will be able to request upgrades with their certificates themselves during check-out on Delta.com—a highly anticipated enhancement to upgrade certificate usability coming in 2023. Delta continues to invest in the SkyMiles Program, listening to member suggestions and evolving the experience to exceed member expectations and enable more seamless travel.
Guru’s Wrap-up
Delta Air Lines announced today that earning elite status will be more difficult. These changes kick in for 2023 activities and 2024 Medallion Status.
MQD requirements for Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion Members will increase, but everything else remains the same. While that’s a negative change as it increases the spending requirement, it is not a huge impact. Those who were spending the required amounts, will likely not be deterred much. Plus, you can still get MQD Waivers.
On the other end, Delta is improving Choice Benefits with additional options. That enhances status for customers who continue to earn Diamond Medallion and Platinum Medallion status.
