Guide to Delta Platinum Medallion Benefits in 2026

Delta Platinum Medallion status is one of the highest tiers in the Delta SkyMiles program, surpassed only by Diamond and Delta 360 status (which is invitation-only). It offers excellent privileges that can greatly enhance the flying experience for frequent flyers. In 2026, there were some changes to how you use your Platinum Medallion benefits, so stay tuned.

If you’re trying to upgrade from Gold to Platinum, wondering if it’s worth it, or want to avoid mistakes, this guide is for you.

Keep reading to learn what you get with Delta Platinum Medallion, how to get it, and how to get the most out of it. We’ll explain how it all works, what you need to know about upgrades and lounge access, point out common pitfalls, and show you how to turn Platinum Medallion status into real savings and comfort.

Getting Platinum Status: What You Need

Getting Delta Platinum Medallion in 2026 is easy to understand: you need $15,000 MQDs in a year. But there are details you should know, like which tickets, partners, and credit card perks count.

Platinum Medallion Qualification (2026)

If you get $15,000 MQDs in July 2026, you get Platinum Medallion benefits right away and they last until January 31, 2028. If you don’t get enough MQDs by the end of 2027, you go back to the lower tier you earned.

Common Mistakes:

• Buying Basic Economy: You get no MQDs, upgrades, or free bags
• Forgetting to use your AmEx card bonus.
• Thinking all partner flights count (only Delta-marketed or certain partner flights do).

Ways to Get Platinum Status

You need $15,000 in MQDs, but here are some ways to reach that faster:

1. Delta Flights (Main Cabin Classic or Higher): Every dollar you spend (not including taxes/fees) on regular tickets counts. It’s best to book directly with Delta; other sites might mess up the fare codes.
2. Partner Flights: Some SkyTeam and other partner flights count if the ticket has a Delta flight number. Always check before you book.
3. Delta AmEx Cards: Each Platinum or Reserve AmEx card gives you a $2,500 MQD bonus each year. Make sure you activate the card and link it to your SkyMiles account.
4. Delta Vacations: Spending money on Delta Vacations (flight + hotel) can get you MQDs, mostly if you’re close to the end of the year.
5. Miles+Cash Tickets: If you use miles and cash, you get MQDs for the cash part. This is a way to get MQDs without spending more cash.
6. Delta sometimes offers status-matching chances. If you qualify, Delta may grant you temporary Medallion status based on your elite level in another airline’s loyalty program. After status alignment, a trial period (90 days) is typically provided during which you must complete a certain number of Delta flights ($3,750 MQDs) to maintain your aligned Platinum status through the end of the current Medallion year and the following Medallion year. For a detailed description of the status match program, see our article Delta Status Match Challenge: How to Qualify & Keep Medallion Status.

Platinum Medallion Benefits List

Platinum Medallion is a great level in the SkyMiles program. Here’s what you get:

Free Upgrades

This is the best benefit. As a Platinum Medallion, you can get free upgrades to Delta Comfort+ (right after you book), First Class (usually 120 hours before the flight), and domestic Delta One (on the day of the flight, if available). This even works for award tickets and Miles+Cash tickets — just not Basic Economy.

If you fly routes that aren’t full, you can often get a better seat for free. But upgrades aren’t guaranteed. Delta might hold back seats for people who pay for them, so you could be stuck in the regular cabin even if there are empty seats up front. You need to know when upgrades happen and be flexible.

A First Class seat can cost hundreds more than a regular seat, but it changes based on the flight, how full it is, and how flexible you are.

Free Checked Bag

On every Delta flight (except Basic Economy), you and up to eight (8) people with you get a free checked bag. This can save you hundreds of dollars a year, mostly if you travel out of the country or with family. Just make sure everyone is on the same reservation.

On partner flights, only the Medallion member is sure to get a free bag — others with you might not on these flights.

Waived Change Fees

Platinum Medallion members can change flight times or routes on the same day without fees. Award ticket fees are also waived for flights in the U.S. and Canada. This makes travel much easier. (Basic Economy tickets don’t count.)

More Miles

You get 9 SkyMiles for every dollar you spend on Delta flights — almost twice as much as regular members. This can mean thousands of extra miles each year. These miles don’t count toward your status, but you can use them for award travel or upgrades later.

Choice Benefits

Here are the changes that took place in 2026.

When you qualify, you get to pick one Choice Benefit. Platinum now gets:

• 35,000 bonus miles (used to be 30,000)
• $350 Delta travel voucher (used to be $300)
• Platinum Medallion members who have already selected or will select the Gift Medallion Status benefit by February 1, 2026, will receive two (2) additional opportunities to share their status with family or friends.

The right Choice Benefit can be worth a lot. For example, 35,000 bonus miles is worth about $420, which is better than the $350 voucher. Upgrade coupons can also be worth a lot if you use them well.

CLEAR Discount

Skip the TSA line with a $149/year CLEAR Plus membership (usually $40 more). It’s not free, but it’s a nice discount if you fly often.

Better Service

You get a special phone line for Medallion members and higher priority for upgrades and stand-by lists.

SkyTeam Perks

Platinum Medallion gives you SkyTeam Elite Plus status, which means better check-in, boarding, and baggage handling on all SkyTeam partner airlines. Lounge access is different – see below.

Other Perks

You also get Hertz President’s Circle status (faster car rentals), a free Instacart+ trial (often with bonus miles), and drink vouchers. Delta also sends bag tags.

How to Use Your Platinum Medallion Benefits

Upgrades: Timing

• Delta Comfort+: You get upgraded when you book an eligible ticket.
• First Class: Upgrades start 120 hours (5 days) before the flight. The system looks at your status, ticket type, and check-in time.
• Delta One (domestic): Upgrades usually happen closer to the flight, often on the day of travel if there’s space.

Remember: Upgrades aren’t guaranteed. Delta might want to sell those seats. If you see seats available but don’t get upgraded, you can try changing flights to get an upgrade offer.

Baggage

The free bag benefit happens automatically when you check in with your SkyMiles number on the reservation. For others with you, make sure everyone is on the same reservation.

Change Fees

Use the Delta app, website, or call Delta to change your flight without fees. Award ticket fees are also waived. Basic Economy tickets never qualify.

Choice Benefits

Log in to your SkyMiles account and pick your benefit by January 31. Delta will send you an email in about 48 hours, and you can see your certificate/coupon online. Each certificate has its own expiration date. For example, upgrade certificates for 2026 must be used by January 31, 2027. Travel vouchers usually last 12 months. You can only pick each type of benefit once per year.

Lounge Access

Lounge access rules:

• Delta Sky Club: You only get in when flying in Delta One or Premium Select. Regular tickets don’t count, even on international flights.
• Guests: Platinum doesn’t include guest passes. You can only bring guests if you have a Delta Reserve credit card.
• SkyTeam Partner Lounges: As a SkyTeam Elite Plus member, you can use SkyTeam lounges on international partner flights (Delta-marketed flights flown by another SkyTeam airline). You and one guest can enter. For example, if you’re flying on Air France between the U.S. and Paris, you can use the Air France lounge with one guest. But flights in the Caribbean don’t count. If you’re in a Comfort or Basic cabin, access might be limited.

SkyTeam Lounge Guest Info

Important: Always check the airline’s rules and your ticket type before flying.

How to Get the Most Value

To get the most out of Platinum Medallion benefits, use the right perks and avoid mistakes.

1. Don’t Buy Basic Economy. You won’t get MQDs, upgrades, or perks. Always pick Main Cabin Classic or higher.
2. Use Credit Card Bonuses Early. If you have a Delta Platinum or Reserve AmEx, activate your $2,500 MQD bonus at the start of the year.
3. Pick Choice Benefits Quickly. Choose your Choice Benefit as soon as you qualify. Don’t wait until January 31. Bonus miles or vouchers are often a safe bet.
4. Track MQDs. Check your MQD progress each month and plan trips if needed.
5. Use Miles+Cash. Book Miles+Cash tickets to earn MQDs on the paid part.

Getting Back to Platinum (Delte Reclaim My Status)

So, you had Delta Platinum Medallion status but didn’t keep it this year? Delta has a Reclaim My Status program that might help. It’s for Medallion members whose travel plans got messed up because of big life stuff, like health problems or family emergencies that stopped them from flying as much as usual.

With this program, Delta could bring back your old Medallion level for about 90 days as a trial. You’d need to show you’re traveling again by earning a certain amount of Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). If you want Platinum back, you’ll likely need to earn around $3,750 MQDs in those 90 days. If you do, Delta will give you back your Platinum status for the rest of the year.

Not everyone can get this deal automatically. You had to be a Medallion member before, and Delta will want you to explain (and prove) why you didn’t fly as much. This is really for people who had real problems, not just folks who didn’t feel like traveling. Also, Delta usually only lets you use this program once every few years.

If you’re a former Platinum member who hit a rough patch, this program is a good way to recover your status without starting from the bottom.

In Conclusion

Delta Platinum Medallion benefits can be great if you understand the rules and use the perks. By picking the right tickets, using credit card bonuses, and tracking deadlines, you can make Platinum worth it. Delta changes the rules each year, so keep an eye out.