Delta Status Match Challenge (2025): How to Qualify & Keep Medallion Status

Today, we’re talking about Delta Status Match Challenge, which offers travelers the opportunity to exchange their existing elite status with another airline for a 90-day trial of Silver, Gold, or Platinum Medallion—then keep it by hitting clear MQD targets. 

Understanding the SkyMiles Medallion Status Match Challenge

What is the Medallion Status Match Challenge?

Delta’s Medallion Status Match Challenge invites travelers with elite status on other airlines to switch to Delta. The program matches the equivalent Medallion Status for a complimentary three-month (90 days) period. If you earn the required MQDs on Delta-marketed flights during those 90 days (and take at least one Delta-marketed flight), you can extend your status through January 31, 2027, when enrolling any time Jan 1–Dec 31, 2025.

Benefits of Switching to SkyMiles

Switching to SkyMiles offers several advantages:

• Perpetual miles and access to more than 1,000 destinations worldwide.
• Blackout-free travel on any Delta flight using miles.
• Accelerated mileage accumulation for various activities, especially when using the Delta SkyMiles American Express card.
• Additional benefits for Medallion members, such as complimentary upgrades, baggage fee waivers, priority boarding, and privileged cabin seating. 

For more information about the benefits of Delta statuses, click here.

The Delta match only grants Platinum, Gold, or Silver—Diamond isn’t available via a status match.

Eligibility and Participation Process

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Status Match Challenge, participants must:

• Not have received a similar status match or complimentary status from Delta in the past three years.
• Possess elite status with another airline, earned through that airline’s published requirements.
• Provide valid documentation proving their elite status.
• Your SkyMiles account has been open ≥ 30 days and, within the last 3 years, you’ve flown at least one Delta-marketed flight in a fare higher than Basic Economy.

Participation Steps

• Check eligibility and prepare necessary documentation.
• Reviews can take up to 15 business days; the 90-day clock starts within 24 hours of your enrollment approval email.
  

Extending Medallion Status

To extend the complimentary Medallion Status beyond three months, participants must earn a specified amount of Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) from Delta flights within the three-month period (excluding Basic Economy tickets). See below for what qualifying activities count.

The MQD requirements vary based on the Medallion tier:

• Silver: $1,250 MQDs
• Gold: $2,500 MQDs
• Platinum: $3,750 MQDs

The Status Match is now an annual opportunity, allowing members to enroll anytime within a specified year and, upon completion of the challenge, extend their status through the end of the next Medallion Year.

MQDs can be accrued by flying on flights marketed by Delta or its partner airlines, but fares in basic economy are excluded from MQD accumulation. Additionally, booking vacation packages through Delta Vacations is another way to accumulate MQDs. For those aiming to rapidly gain status, MQDs can be earned through purchases made with certain eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards, including:

• The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business Card, which allow you to earn 1 MQD for every $20 spent.
• The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, offering 1 MQD for every $10 spent.

Please note: Starter Miles earned under the MQD Headstart program on these credit cards will not be counted towards the required Miles for the “Change of Status” promotion, even if the relevant card was purchased during the Offer Period.

Award tickets earn MQDs: Delta calculates MQDs on Award Travel at 1 MQD per 100 SkyMiles redeemed (ex-Basic Economy). These MQDs can help you complete the Delta status match challenge.

Status Comparison Chart

Below is a table comparing Medallion levels to other airlines’ elite statuses to help you understand which Delta tier you may qualify for.

* If your airline isn’t listed (excluding Delta partners), you can still submit for the **status match Delta** challenge if you meet all criteria.

Conclusion

Delta’s 2025 Status Match Challenge offers a strategic opportunity for those holding elite status with other airlines. It not only allows for an easier transition to Delta’s Medallion status but also provides a pathway to enjoy the benefits associated with Delta. This challenge is particularly appealing for frequent travelers seeking new loyalty benefits or exploring what Delta has to offer in its loyalty program.