Delta’s Medallion Elite Status program rewards frequent flyers with a premium loyalty experience consisting of five tiers of elite status – Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Delta 360.
Members can qualify for higher status levels each year by spending with Delta, partner airlines, or on Delta co-branded credit cards.
Each tier of Medallion Status unlocks various perks, such as complimentary upgrades, priority boarding and check-in, waived baggage fees, and more.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about Delta Medallion elite status, including how to earn each tier and their benefits.
Delta Medallion Elite Status Tiers
Delta Air Lines offers four published tiers of elite status in their SkyMiles program, with a fifth invitation-only tier.
Delta simplified its qualification metrics in 2024 to focus solely on Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). Each tier requires progressively higher spending to qualify:
- Silver Medallion = $5,000 MQDs.
- Gold Medallion = $10,000 MQDs.
- Platinum Medallion = $15,000 MQDs.
- Diamond Medallion = $28,000 MQDs.
- Delta 360 = Invite-only.
Once you earn status, you’ll maintain it through the following year. For example, if you qualify for Gold status in July 2025, you’ll keep this status through January 31, 2027.
How to Earn MQDs
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 Silver Medallion Benefits
Silver Medallion members are eligible for these benefits:
40% Mileage Bonus – Silver Medallion members earn 7 SkyMiles per dollar spent, which is a 40% bonus over non-elite members.
Complimentary Upgrades – Silver Medallion members and one companion are eligible for complimentary upgrades within 24 hours of departure to First Class and when flying select routes with AeroMexico. Silver 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: Silver Medallion members and one companion can choose Comfort+ seats without a fee starting 24 hours before departure. (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.
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.
Priority Check-In – Silver Medallion members can use the Sky Priority lane for check-in.
Priority Boarding – Silver Medallion members get priority boarding with “Main Cabin 1,” which also includes many Delta American Express cardholders and SkyTeam Elite members.
SkyTeam Elite Status: Silver Medallion members enjoy “SkyTeam Elite” status when flying a SkyTeam Alliance airline, which gets members priority check-in, extra baggage allowance, priority boarding, preferred seats, and priority airport standby.
Other Benefits: Hertz’s Five Star elite status, priority waitlist, priority phone line (1-800-323-2323), Silver Medallion luggage tags, $40 off a CLEAR Plus membership, ability to Reclaim Your Status, and up to a $350 savings off a Delta Vacations package.
Delta Gold Medallion Benefits
Delta Gold Medallion members are eligible for these benefits:
60% Mileage Bonus – Gold Medallion members earn 8 SkyMiles per dollar spent on Delta flights, representing a valuable 60% bonus over non-elite members.
Complimentary Upgrades – Gold Medallion members and one companion are eligible for complimentary upgrades to First Class beginning 72 hours before departure and to Delta One within the U.S. on the day of departure. Gold Medallion members also enjoy upgrades on select Aeromexico routes within the same timeframe. (Basic economy tickets are not eligible for these benefits.)
Delta Comfort+ Access – Gold Medallion members and one companion can select Comfort+ seats at no additional cost starting 72 hours before departure, giving them more legroom and premium amenities. (Basic economy tickets are excluded from this benefit.)
Preferred Seat Selection – Gold Medallion members can choose Preferred Seats, typically located toward the front of the main cabin, without any fees at any time – even at booking.
Baggage Benefits – Gold Medallion members enjoy their first checked bag free on Delta and select partner flights. This benefit extends to up to 8 travel companions on their reservation when flying Delta, saving significant fees on each trip.
Waived Same-Day Change Fees – When plans change, Gold Medallion members can modify their flight to another departure on the same day without paying the usual modification fee. (Basic economy tickets are not eligible.)
Sky Priority Services – Gold Medallion members move through the airport efficiently with Sky Priority check-in, security access, and boarding privileges.
Priority Security Access – Gold Medallion members can skip the standard security lines with access to dedicated Priority Security Lines, a time-saver even for travelers without TSA PreCheck.
Expedited Baggage Handling – Gold Medallion members’ checked bags receive Sky Priority tags, ensuring they’re among the first to appear at baggage claim after flight arrival.
SkyTeam Elite Plus Status – When flying any SkyTeam alliance airline, Gold Medallion members enjoy international lounge access, priority check-in and boarding, extra baggage allowance, preferred seating, and priority standby status.
Car Rental Elite Status – Gold Medallion members receive complimentary Hertz Five Star elite status, enhancing their rental car experience with benefits and faster service.
Additional Gold Benefits – Four drink vouchers annually, priority waitlist status, dedicated Medallion phone line (1-800-323-2323), distinctive Gold Medallion luggage tags, $40 discount on CLEAR Plus membership, status reclamation option if status is lost, and up to $350 in savings on Delta Vacations packages.
Delta Platinum Medallion
Platinum Medallion members are eligible for these benefits:
Mileage Bonus – Platinum Medallion members earn 9 SkyMiles per dollar spent, which is an 80% bonus over non-elite members.
Complimentary Upgrades – Platinum 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. Platinum 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: Platinum 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.
One Choice Benefit: Platinum Medallion members get to choose one “Choice Benefit” from these options:
- 4 regional upgrade certificates;
- 20,000 SkyMiles;
- Gift Silver Medallion Status to 2 Members;
- $250 Contribution for Sustainable Aviation Fuel;
- $250 Delta Travel Voucher
- $400 towards Delta Vacations Experience;
- MQD Boost for next Medallion year of $500;
- $200 Statement Credit if you have Platinum or Reserve 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: Platinum 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 – Platinum Medallion members can use the Sky Priority lane for check-in.
Priority Boarding – Platinum Medallion members get priority boarding with “Sky Priority,” which also includes SkyTeam Elite Plus members.
Priority Security – Platinum 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: Platinum 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), Platinum Medallion luggage tags, $40 off a CLEAR Plus membership, ability to Reclaim Your Status, and up to a $350 savings off a Delta Vacations package.
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.
