Summary
- Changes to Delta Air Lines Medallion status earning structure.
- Increased spending thresholds for 2025 Medallion status.
- Updates on Delta Sky Club access policies.
The way passengers earn status for Delta Air Lines is about to change. Starting Jan. 1, 2024, travelers will only be able to earn medallion status with Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs), as the airline announced on Thursday. Currently, there are three methods to earn status: accruing Medallion Qualification Segments (MQS), Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs), and MQDs.
MQDs are specifically earned by purchasing Delta or Delta-partner flights, as well as booking hotels, car rentals, or Delta Vacations directly through the airline’s website. For every dollar spent on eligible purchases, 1 MQD will be earned.
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Moreover, spending thresholds for earning status in 2025 will increase, as outlined below:
- Silver Medallion – 6,000 MQDs
- Gold Medallion – 12,000 MQDs
- Platinum Medallion – 18,000 MQDs
- Diamond Medallion – $35,000 MQDs
Travelers with a Delta credit card are in luck, as they can earn bonus MQDs while spending. Cardholders of the Delta SkyMiles American Express can earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent. Furthermore, with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business American Express cards, as well as the Platinum Business American Express Card, members can earn 1 MQD for every $20 spent on their cards.
Additionally, Delta has announced future policy changes regarding their Delta Sky Club access. Starting Feb. 1, 2025, Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business cardholders will be limited to 10 Club visits per calendar year unless they spend at least $75,000 annually, which would grant them unlimited visits. Travelers with an American Express Platinum card will be restricted to six lounge visits a year unless they meet the $75,000 spending requirement.
Currently, card members can access the club without any spending requirement. However, passengers traveling on a Basic Economy fare will no longer have access to the Delta Sky Club when trying to enter using a membership obtained through an American Express card.
Consequently, Delta highlights that some improvements for passengers have already begun, including free Wi-Fi for SkyMiles members and a partnership with Starbucks that offers reciprocal earnings within the loyalty programs.
