Delta Platinum Medallion Elite status is the third highest elite status for Delta Air Lines – above Gold Medallion but below Diamond Medallion.
It offers a range of benefits, including complimentary upgrades, a free Choice Benefit, free checked bags, extra SkyMiles on flights, and more.
This article will cover how to earn Delta Platinum Medallion status and all of its benefits.
How to Earn Delta Platinum Medallion Status
To earn Delta Platinum Medallion status, you need to earn $15,000 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 Platinum Medallion Benefits
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.
