With two months left in the year, now’s the time to check your Delta elite qualification metrics and see how close you are to the Medallion thresholds. If you’re short, there are several last-minute ways to earn the Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) needed for next year’s status — and not all require flying.
MQDs: what counts
Since 2024, Delta consolidated status earning into MQDs. MQDs track eligible Delta and partner travel spend as well as certain non-flight activities, including spending on Delta-issued credit cards and Delta Vacations. Check your SkyMiles account to see exactly how many MQDs you need for your target tier and how many you’ve already earned.
Credit-card spending
Some Delta cobranded Amex cards offer MQD Headstart plus MQDs for spend:
– Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex (personal and business): 2,500 MQD Headstart; 1 MQD per $20 spent.
– Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex (personal and business): 2,500 MQD Headstart; 1 MQD per $10 spent.
If you don’t already have one, applying and using these cards for large, planned purchases can push you toward your goal. Make purchases early enough in the calendar year so transactions post before year-end — merchant posting dates can differ from the purchase date, and late-December charges may count for the next year.
Status match and Elevate Your Status
Delta’s Medallion Status Match Challenge can grant temporary status (typically three months) with a challenge to extend it. If you hold elite status with another airline, consider requesting a match.
Delta’s Elevate Your Status option lets eligible members buy MQDs to reach the next tier (one-time purchase). Delta charges $3 per MQD; this can make sense if you’re just shy and have finished travel for the year. You cannot use Elevate Your Status if you’ve already participated in a Status Match Challenge, Reclaim My Status Challenge, or Fast Track Promotion in the same year.
Choice Benefits MQD accelerators and gifting
Platinum and Diamond members earn Choice Benefits that can include MQD Accelerators:
– Platinum members can select +1,000 MQDs.
– Diamond members can select +2,000 MQDs.
These MQDs typically take six to eight weeks to post, so select promptly if you need them to qualify. Platinum members can choose one Choice Benefit; Diamond members can choose three. Choice Benefit selections for the year must be made by Jan. 31 of the following year. Platinum members can also gift Silver status to two people; Diamonds can gift Gold to two people — useful if friends or family can help you.
Fly private via Wheels Up
Delta partners with Wheels Up. Wheels Up Members who spend $100,000 in a Wheels Up Fund during a calendar year can receive Diamond Medallion status; Wheels Up Customers who spend $125,000 in flight spend can also earn Diamond. This is an expensive route but may apply if you or your business already use the service.
Book Delta-ticketed award tickets
Delta award tickets in Main Cabin or higher now earn MQDs when ticketed through Delta. MQDs earned on award travel are calculated by dividing miles redeemed by 100. Award tickets must be ticketed via Delta/SkyMiles (not ticketed through a partner program) to earn MQDs. Cardholders of select Delta Amex cards may save on award redemptions, which can make this an efficient way to convert miles into MQDs.
Earn MQDs with partner flights and Delta Vacations
Partner-operated flights can earn MQDs based on a percentage of flight distance; rates vary by carrier and fare class (for example, some partners credit a percentage of flown miles toward MQDs). This can make “distance-based” partner fares useful if ticket price alone won’t reach MQD targets.
Delta Vacations purchases earn 1 MQD per $1 spent. Note: Delta Car Rentals and Delta Stays bookings no longer earn MQDs.
Timing and final steps
– Confirm current MQD balance and how many MQDs you still need.
– Decide which combination of flights, award redemptions, credit-card spend or other options will get you there before year-end.
– For card spend, ensure charges post this calendar year. For Choice Benefits, select early enough for posting delays.
– Consider status match or Elevate Your Status only after you’ve evaluated other options and timing constraints.
Bottom line
Even late in the year you can still close gaps to the next Delta Medallion level by using credit-card spend, award-ticket redemptions, partner flights, Delta Vacations, Choice Benefits, or status-match/elevate options. Know where you stand, pick the quickest, most cost-effective route, and act before year-end deadlines.
