Delta Status Levels: How to Qualify and What Each Tier Offers

If you fly Delta even a few times a year, Delta elite status can make your travels more relaxed and comfortable: earlier boarding, better seats, priority assistance when things go wrong, and at higher levels, a real chance to upgrade. That’s why millions of people strive to achieve it every year. The Delta SkyMiles program is also huge — approximately 120 million members — so an overview of Delta status levels (also known as Medallion tiers), how MQDs work and the exact requirements to earn them, plus a tried-and-true guide to quickly getting Delta Medallion status, will help you decide if it’s worth pursuing based on your travel habits.

What Are the Delta Status Levels?

Delta has four public Medallion tiers (plus invite-only Delta 360°). Since 2024, only MQDs (Medallion Qualification Dollars) determine status.

MQD is the only metric that counts toward earning Medallion status, which is based on your total spending on flights, award bookings, credit card spending, and vacation packages or bonus programs (not the distance you fly, as was the case prior to 2024).

Delta Status Levels Chart (2025 qualification → 2026 status)

How to Get Medallion Status

Elite status is earned after accumulating the required amount of MQD during a calendar year and is retained for the entire following calendar year. For example, if you earn $5,000 MQD in July 2025, you will immediately get Silver Medallion status and keep it until the end of 2026. If you don’t earn enough to get the status, you won’t get it and will start over at the beginning of the next calendar year.

Ways to Earn MQD (Get Medallion Status)

1) Earn MQDs from flights

The primary way to earn MQDs is by flying Delta or Delta partner airlines and award tickets.

• Delta-marketed tickets (DL-number): 1 MQD per $1 on the base fare + carrier surcharges (not taxes/fees).
• Partner flights: Earn based on published partner charts; DL-ticketed (006) spend on core/global partners also counts.
• Award tickets: When booked through Delta channels, 1 MQD per 100 SkyMiles redeemed (Main Cabin or higher).

Basic Economy doesn’t earn miles or MQDs.

2) Delta SkyMiles Amex “MQD Boost” + Headstart

Delta’s co-branded American Express cards offer two powerful ways to earn MQDs without flying: an automatic MQD Headstart at the start of the year, and an MQD Boost based on your everyday spending. Here’s how both work:

• Holders of Amex Delta SkyMiles co-branded credit cards (Platinum/Platinum Biz/Reserve/Reserve Biz) receive a 2,500 MQD Headstart bonus approximately six to eight weeks after February 1 each year.
• Cardholders also receive an MQD Boost after reaching a certain spending threshold:
  • Reserve / Reserve Biz: 1 MQD per $10 purchases.
  • Platinum / Platinum Biz: 1 MQD per $20 purchases.

3) Delta Vacations

When you book a package through Delta Vacations, you will receive one (1) MQD for every US dollar of the total cost.

The total package price does not include taxes, fees, insurance, room service, other booking fees, amounts paid directly to the hotel, rental company or event organizer, or any booking elements that are paid for or reduced with vouchers or discount codes.

4) Delta MQD Accelerator (Choice Benefit)

After achieving Platinum status and above, you can choose benefits, including an increase in your MQD balance.

• Platinum can pick $1,000 MQDs;
• Diamond can pick $2,000 MQDs (applied to next Medallion year; selectable more than once).

Use Delta’s built-in delta airlines miles calculator on the “How to Qualify” page to model MQDs from flights, Vacations and card spend.

Delta Medallion Benefits

Silver Medallion (MQD: $5,000)

Rare flyers who want to upgrade and enjoy additional benefits without spending too much. If you take at least 4 Delta round-trip flights per year and have one of the Delta Amex cards (Platinum or Reserve), Silver status is within your reach. It is suitable for travelers who do not want to pay for additional services such as baggage check-in or seat selection, but want to travel smarter, without necessarily flying premium class every time.

Key benefits of Silver status:

• Unlimited complimentary upgrades: On First Class and Comfort+ within U.S., including for a companion (waitlist priority behind higher tiers).
• 7x SkyMiles per dollar on Delta-marketed flights (vs. 5x for general members).
• Priority boarding: Sky Priority Group 2.
• Waived baggage fees: 1 free checked bag for you + 8 companions.
• Priority check-in and security lanes (where available).
• Discounted CLEAR membership (U.S. biometric ID lane program).
• Preferred seating access during booking (aisle/window/front).
• SkyTeam Elite status: priority services on all SkyTeam flights (but no international lounge access at this level).

Gold Medallion (MQD: $10,000)

Frequent passengers on domestic and international flights who appreciate the benefits of the alliance and significant upgrades. This is often the ideal option for consultants, business travelers, or small business owners who fly Delta regularly but not too often. For example, you can get Gold status by having one of the cards and making approximately 11 round-trip flights at the base fare.

Gold status includes all Silver benefits, plus:

• Earlier upgrade window: 72 hours prior to departure.
• 8x SkyMiles per dollar on Delta flights.
• SkyTeam Elite Plus status:
  • International lounge access when flying SkyTeam internationally (you + 1 guest).
  • SkyPriority check-in, security, and boarding.
• Priority baggage handling (tagged and delivered first).
• Phone support priority: dedicated Gold Medallion line.
• Waived same-day confirmed flight change fees.

Platinum Medallion (MQD: $15,000)

Platinum status for frequent travelers, small business owners, or families who use Delta as their primary airline. If you fly every few weeks or regularly purchase Main Cabin or Comfort+ tickets, Platinum gives you access to real rewards for your loyalty, especially at the first level with Select Perks.

Platinum status includes all Gold benefits, plus:

• 9x SkyMiles per dollar on paid Delta flights.
• Upgrade priority: 120-hour window; higher on the list.
• Access to Choice Benefits (pick 1 per year), including:
  • Regional Upgrade Certificates
  • 20,000 bonus miles
  • $200 Delta travel voucher
  • Gift Silver Medallion status
  • Delta Sky Club Guest Pass (when you have an eligible Amex)
• Waived award redeposit/reissue/change fees
• Free same-day standby confirmed seat changes.
• Priority on service recovery (e.g. in IRROPS situations)

Diamond Medallion (MQD: $28,000)

Diamonds are a tiny fraction (approximately 1% of Medallion participants). This status is usually achieved by executives, consultants who frequently fly long distances, or travelers with high spending levels. Diamond offers the best chances for upgrades, the most benefits, and the most powerful benefits to choose from, such as global upgrade certificates (economy class → business class on long-haul flights).

Diamond status includes all Gold benefits, plus:

• 11x SkyMiles per dollar on Delta flights.
• Highest upgrade priority: 120-hour window (top of list).
• 3 Choice Benefits, including:
  • Global Upgrade Certificates
  • Additional Regional Upgrades
  • 25,000 bonus miles
  • $500 Delta Vacations credit
  • Gift Gold or Platinum Medallion status
  • MQD Accelerator: Choose 2,000 MQDs toward next year
  • Annual Wheels Up membership credit
  • Starbucks Stars
• Dedicated Diamond Medallion phone line (often instant connection).
• Complimentary Delta Sky Club access if flying Delta or eligible partner (otherwise requires card or paid membership).

Delta 360° (Invite-only)

Delta 360° is Delta’s exclusive, invitation-only elite tier offered to the airline’s most valuable and loyal customers. While it’s not officially published in the SkyMiles program and doesn’t appear in your account like Silver, Gold, or Diamond status, it exists as a secret VIP layer above Diamond Medallion.

It’s not something you can earn by hitting a specific number of MQDs or flights. Instead, Delta selects members annually based on internal metrics related to your total spend, loyalty, and influence.

Selected from top Diamond Medallions based on:

• Revenue contribution
• Loyalty history
• Travel patterns (not publicly disclosed)

Perks include:

• Delta 360° phone concierge line
• Surprise gifts (like branded luggage, invites to private events)
• Premium IRROPS treatment
• May include airport escorts and Porsche tarmac transfers at hub airports (based on availability)

• Mileage earning on paid Delta tickets: 7x Silver, 8x Gold, 9x Platinum, 11x Diamond (general members earn 5x).
• Upgrades: Unlimited complimentary upgrades (incl. domestic Delta One on eligible routes) for you + a companion; upgrade window priority improves with tier.
• Airport perks: Priority check-in/boarding/security (tier-dependent).
• SkyTeam: Gold/Platinum/Diamond = Elite Plus (intl. lounge access when flying SkyTeam overseas).
• Choice Benefits (Platinum/Diamond):
  • Upgrade Certificates (Global/Regional),
  • Amex statement credit, Starbucks Stars, Delta Travel Voucher, Bonus miles, Wheels Up credit, Gift status, MQD Accelerator. From June 1, 2025, choose in the Fly Delta app.

Status Challenge & Сomeback Options

Delta Status Challenge (Status Match)

The SkyMiles Medallion Status Match Challenge is a special program that allows you to match your Medallion status with elite status at another airline for a period of three months (90-day), free of charge. During this period, you can meet the qualifying requirements and maintain your matched status (by participating in the challenge in 2025, you can confirm your status until January 31, 2027).

Here are the programs for frequent flyers of airlines participating in the challenge.

The MQD requirements vary based on the Medallion tier:

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

Matches through Dec 31, 2025 extend to Jan 31, 2027.

Please note: Start miles earned through the MQD Headstart program on credit cards will not count toward the miles required for the Status Change promotion, even if the eligible card was purchased during the offer period.

Reclaim My Status

To restore your lost status due to certain life circumstances, you must submit an application and provide documents confirming the life event that limited your ability to travel (all life events will be taken into account). Once confirmed, as with the status match challenge, you will regain your lost status and have 90 days to confirm your eligibility.

The MQD requirements vary based on the Medallion tier:

• Silver: $1,250 MQDs
• Gold: $2,500 MQDs
• Platinum: $3,750 MQDs
• Dimond: $7,000 MQDs

Smart, Legal Stacking (Step-By-Step)

1. Book DL-ticketed fares (and partners when useful) to keep MQDs simple.
2. Layer card spend (MQD Boost + Headstart) early in the year to de-risk.
3. Use award tickets strategically to generate MQDs when cash fares are pricey (1 MQD per 100 miles redeemed).
4. If you’ll hit Platinum/Diamond, select the MQD Accelerator to leapfrog next year’s target.
5. Consider a Delta Vacations package for additional MQDs if it fits your trip plan.

For simple explanations about MQD, how it works, and how to track it, please refer to our guide.

Conclusions

Delta Status Levels offer a path to a better travel experience for those who fly regularly with Delta or use Delta cards. With the transition to MQD-only qualification, the program is now more transparent and accessible. Each tier offers significant comfort and service enhancements, from baggage fee waivers and early boarding to access to lounges worldwide and free upgrades. Delta’s partnership with Amex also means travelers can earn elite status without even flying. While the highest tiers require a significant investment, the benefits often outweigh the effort, especially for those loyal to Delta or the SkyTeam alliance. Overall, it’s a well-structured program that provides real value at every stage for both occasional and frequent flyers.