Delta Diamond Medallion Elite status is the highest tier in Delta Air Lines’ SkyMiles program and is reserved for the airline’s most elite travelers.
It offers a range of exclusive benefits, including the high priority for upgrades, mileage bonus, three Choice Benefits options, and more.
This article will cover how to earn Diamond Medallion elite status and all of its benefits.
How to Earn Delta Diamond Medallion Status
To earn Delta Diamond Medallion status, you need to earn $28,000 MQDs (Medallion Qualification Dollars).
Accumulating Medallion Qualification Dollars is essential for reaching your desired Delta status level. Fortunately, Delta offers multiple paths to earn these valuable MQDs beyond just flying. Here are the six ways you can build your MQD balance: Delta Flights: Earn 1 MQD per $1 spent on Delta-marketed flights (those with “DL” flight numbers). This includes your base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges, but excludes government taxes and fees. Remember that Basic Economy fares don’t earn MQDs or miles. Partner Flights: When flying with Delta’s airline partners, you’ll earn 1 MQD per $1 spent when the flight has a Delta ticket number (starting with “006”). For flights ticketed by partners, MQDs are awarded based on distance flown and fare class. Delta Award Flights: You can earn MQDs on award tickets. The calculation is simple: divide the number of miles redeemed by 100. For example, a 25,000-mile award ticket would earn you 250 MQDs. Delta Reserve Cards: The Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business American Express Cards earn 1 MQD for every $10 you spend on everyday purchases. Plus, cardholders receive a 2,500 MQD headstart each year, deposited 6-8 weeks after February 1. Delta Platinum Cards: The Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Platinum Business American Express Cards earn 1 MQD for every $20 spent on purchases. These cards also provide a 2,500 MQD headstart annually. Delta Vacations: When booking through Delta Vacations, you’ll earn 1 MQD per $1 spent on the total package price. This includes flights, hotels, and car rentals, but excludes taxes, fees, insurance, and other charges. Not everything you spend with Delta counts toward status. Baggage fees, Sky Club memberships, inflight purchases (food, drinks, Wi-Fi), same-day change fees, and other ancillary charges don’t earn MQDs. Focus your spending on actual airfare and the other qualifying methods above to maximize your status progress.
Delta Diamond Medallion Benefits
Diamond Medallion members are eligible for these benefits:
Mileage Bonus – Diamond Medallion members earn 11 SkyMiles per dollar spent, which is an 120% bonus over non-elite members.
Complimentary Upgrades – Diamond Medallion members and one companion are eligible for complimentary upgrades within 120 hours of departure to First Class and when flying select routes with AeroMexico. Diamond Medallion members are also eligible for upgrades to Delta One within the U.S. on the day of departure. (Basic economy tickets are not eligible for this benefit.)
Access to Delta Comfort+ Seats – Diamond Medallion members and one companion can choose Comfort+ seats without a fee shortly after booking a flight. (Basic economy tickets are not eligible for this benefit.)
Access Preferred Seats– All Medallion Members can choose Preferred Seats, which are typically towards the front of the aircraft, without a fee at any time.
Three Choice Benefits – Diamond Medallion members get to choose three “Choice Benefits” from these options:
- Delta Sky Club Executive Membership (requires 3 choices);
- Upgrade Certificates: 4 Global OR 8 Regional OR 2 Global AND 4 Regional;
- 25,000 Bonus SkyMiles;
- Gift Gold Medallion Status to 2 Members;
- $250 Sustainable Aviation Fuel Contribution;
- $250 Delta Travel Voucher;
- $500 Delta Vacations Experience credit;
- MQD Boost of $1,000 towards the next Medallion Year;
- $500 Statement Credit if you have a Delta Reserve or Delta Platinum American Express; OR
- 4,000 Starbucks Rewards Stars (equivalent to 20 handcrafted drinks).
Free Checked Bag – Enjoy a first checked bag free each way when traveling on a Delta or select airline partner flight. Plus, up to 8 of your travel companions also receive their first checked bag free when traveling on a Delta flight.
Waived Same-Day Fees – Diamond Medallion members can change their flight to another flight on the same day without a fee. (Basic economy tickets are not eligible for this benefit.)
Priority Check-In – Diamond Medallion members can use the Sky Priority lane for check-in.
Priority Boarding – Diamond Medallion members get priority boarding right after boarding for First Class (for Diamond Medallions sitting in the Main Cabin).
Priority Security – Diamond Medallion members get access to a Priority Security Line, which can be useful if you don’t already have TSA PreCheck.
Expedited Baggage – Checked baggage will have a special Sky Priority tag, making it one of the first bags that comes out of baggage claim.
SkyTeam Elite Status – Diamond Medallion members enjoy “SkyTeam Elite Plus” status when flying a SkyTeam Alliance airline, which gets members SkyTeam lounge access on international flights, priority check-in, extra baggage allowance, priority boarding, preferred seats, and priority airport standby.
Other Benefits – Hertz’s President’s Circle elite status, four drink vouchers per year, priority waitlist, priority phone line (1-800-323-2323), Diamond Medallion luggage tags, complimentary CLEAR Plus membership, ability to Reclaim Your Status, and up to a $350 savings off a Delta Vacations package.
