How to Earn Delta Medallion Qualification Dollars (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.