Delta Status Match Challenge: How to Qualify & Keep Medallion Status

Delta elite status gives you actual, ongoing benefits: you get better upgrades, can relax in the lounge, don’t have to pay some fees, and generally have a comfier trip whenever you fly. If you already have elite status with another airline, Delta Status Match Challenge offers an easy way to get Delta Air Lines Medallion status without starting over. You get to enjoy Medallion perks for 90 days while you show Delta you’re serious about flying with them. If you meet certain flight or spending goals during the trial, you’ll get full status.

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

Now, Status Match is something you can do every year. Members can sign up whenever they want during the year, and if they finish the challenge, they get to keep their status until the end of the next Medallion Year.

You can get MQDs by flying with Delta or its partner airlines, but not if you buy a basic economy ticket. Also, booking vacation packages through Delta Vacations will earn you MQDs. If you want to get status fast, you can get MQDs by using some Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards, like:

• 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.

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 2026 Status Match Challenge is a good chance for people with elite status on other airlines. It makes it simpler to switch over to Delta’s Medallion status and start enjoying their perks. This is great if you fly a lot and want to check out what Delta’s loyalty program has to offer.