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Are you a Delta frequent flyer? Then you must know the value of Delta Medallion status. But is it really worth it? Delta offers four different elite statuses, from entry-level Silver to Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Achieving airline elite status brings a multitude of benefits that can greatly enhance your travel experience, providing a higher level of comfort.
The significance of achieving High-level Delta elite status can be considerable, although quantifying its exact monetary value remains subjective. Because it all depends on you what your needs are, and according to that, you can choose whether to get a Delta status or not. In this article, we are gonna go through every detail of Delta’s four tiers of status, allowing you to make an informed decision on whether the esteemed Delta Maddalion status is right for you.
Delta Airlines Elite Status
Delta offers four elite tiers, and to achieve them, you have to accumulate a specific number of miles on Delta flights, referred to as Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs), or a certain number of flight segments. Additionally, meeting the spending requirement known as Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) is also crucial in attaining this status. Here is the requirement to achieve Delta elite status:
- Silver Status: 25,000 MQMs(Medallion Qualification Miles) or 30 flights (called Medallion Qualifying Segments) and $3,000 in spending on Delta or partner flights or spend $25,000 on select Delta co-branded credit cards.
- Gold Status: 50,000 MQMs or 60 Medallion Qualifying Segments and $8,000 in spending on Delta or partner flights or spend $25,000 on select Delta co-branded credit cards.
- Platinum Status: 75,000 MQMs or 100 Medallion Qualifying Segments and $12,000 in spending on Delta or partner flights or spend $25,000 on select Delta co-branded credit cards.
- Diamond Status: 125,000 MQMs or 140 Medallion Qualifying Segments and $20,000 in spending on Delta or partner flights or spend $250,000 on select Delta co-branded credit cards.
Once you attain your status, it remains valid for the current year and the following year. However, Delta has increased the difficulty of earning or requalifying for Medallion Status in 2023 by raising the spending requirements for all tiers except Silver.
Credit Cards to Earn MQD Waiver
To achieve the eligibility requirements and attain Delta status faster, one approach entails utilizing certain high-tier co-branded American Express Credit Cards offered by Delta; here are some of the cards you can use to achieve Delta status faster:
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
With the Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Platinum Business card, you are gonna earn:
- 10,000 bonus MQMs after spending $25,000
- an additional 10,000 bonus MQMs after spending $50,000
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
With the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business card, you are gonna earn:
- 15,000 bonus MQMs after spending $30,000
- an additional 15,000 bonus MQMs after spending $60,000
- an additional 15,000 bonus MQMs after spending $90,000
- an additional 15,000 bonus MQMs after spending $120,000
Read More: How To Get Delta Medallion Status: Complete Guide + Tips
Delta Elite Status Benefits
It’s the benefits you get from the status that whether they are worth it or not; here is the breakdown of the benefit you are gonna get from each elite status:
Delta Silver Medallion
Benefits you can get from Silver status:
- Earn 7 SkyMiles earned per dollar spent on Delta flights (2 additional miles per dollar).
- Free upgrades to First Class or Comfort+ seats starting 24 hours before departure.
- Elite Status on SkyTeam partner airlines.
- First checked bag free each way when traveling on a Delta or select airline partner flight.
- Priority check-in.
- No Choice Benefits.
Delta Gold Medallion
- Earn 8 SkyMiles earned per dollar spent on Delta flights (3 additional miles per dollar).
- Free upgrades to First Class or Comfort+ seats starting 72 hours before departure.
- Elite Plus Status on SkyTeam partner airlines.
- First checked bag free each way when traveling on a Delta or select airline partner flight and No fees for same-day flight changes.
- Priority check-in.
- No Choice Benefits.
- Access to SkyTeam lounges.
Delta Platinum Medallion
- Earn 9 SkyMiles earned per dollar spent on Delta flights (4 additional miles per dollar).
- Free upgrades to First Class seats starting 120 hours before departure and to Comfort+ seats soon after ticketing.
- Elite Plus Status on SkyTeam partner airlines.
- First checked bag free each way when traveling on a Delta or select airline partner flight, and no fees for same-day flight changes as well no fee for ticket reissue and to redeposit awards when canceling a ticket paid for with miles.
- Priority check-in.
- Platinum Choice Benefit.
- Access to SkyTeam lounges.
Delta Diamond Medallion
- Earn 11 SkyMiles earned per dollar spent on Delta flights (6 additional miles per dollar).
- Free upgrades to First Class seats starting 120 hours before departure and to Comfort+ seats soon after ticketing.
- Elite Plus Status on SkyTeam partner airlines.
- First checked bag free each way when traveling on a Delta or select airline partner flight, and no fees for same-day flight changes as well no fee for ticket reissue and to redeposit awards when canceling a ticket paid for with miles.
- Priority check-in.
- Diamond Choice Benefits.
- Access to SkyTeam lounges.
New Updates to the Choice Benefits
Delta SkyClubs recently announced changes to the Choice Benefits; Diamond and Platinum Medallion members, eligible for 2024 Medallion status by the end of 2023, will have the privilege to choose from an extended array of Choice Benefits, effective from February 1, 2023. Updated Choice Benefits include:
- Diamond Medallion members get a $500 American Express statement credit on basic Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Business Platinum and Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business American Express Cards, while with these cards, Platinum members get a $200 statement credit.
- 4,000 Starbucks® Rewards Star.
- $1,000 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) boost towards the next Medallion qualification year for Diamond Medallion members and $500 MQD to Platinum Medallion members.
- A Delta Vacations Experience (flight and hotel) — $500 for Diamond Medallion members and $400 for Platinum Medallion members.
- Diamond Medallion members will be granted two Gold Medallion gift statuses for each selection they make, whereas Platinum Medallion members will receive two Silver Medallion gift statuses for each selection they make.
- Increased the Delta Travel Credit Voucher to $250 and a $250 sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) contribution. Click here for more details.
Is Delta Medallion Status Worth it?
Attaining any of the Delta elite statuses can be a substantial financial investment, running into thousands of dollars. For dedicated Delta loyalists, these elite statuses can yield considerable benefits. However, if you are not a frequent Delta flyer, the effort, expenses, and time required to earn Delta status may not be justified, especially when it comes to Delta Silver or Gold Medallion status.
In 2023, Delta SkyMiles has raised the bar for achieving elite status, making it more challenging to qualify for the elite tiers in 2024. However, there’s good news for Platinum and Diamond Medallion members as Delta is enhancing its Choice Benefits, providing more rewarding perks. If you’re a frequent Delta flyer, aiming for these two elite statuses would be your best bet.
Bottom Line
So, at last, it all depends on you; whether the Delta Medallion Status is worth it or not is only decideable by your traveling habits. The value you receive from the perks will vary based on how much you personally value them and how frequently you travel with Delta. If you are a Delta loyalist, you can easily make it worth it, but if you occasionally fly Delta, then you have to keep the eligibility requirements in mind before you decide to get a Delta Elite Status.
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