Delta’s Silver Medallion is the entry-level tier of the airline’s Medallion loyalty program.
As the most attainable elite status, Silver Medallion allows frequent flyers to enjoy some perks for their travel like priority boarding and complimentary upgrades subject to availability. However, the benefits are more limited than higher Medallion tiers.
We will cover everything you need to know about Silver Medallion status, including how to earn it and its benefits.
How to Earn Delta Silver Medallion Status
To earn Delta Silver Medallion status you need to earn $5,000 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 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.
