Delta Air Lines SkyMiles – Part 1, Overview of the program and the different medallion status

Today we will give you an overview of Delta Air Lines SkyMiles and the medallion status benefits.

Unlike with some other frequent-flyer programs, the miles you earn never expire as long as your account is open.

• Delta Air Lines SkyMiles – Part 1, Overview of the program and the different medallion status
  
• Delta Air Lines SkyMiles – Part 2, Earn more SkyMiles with Delta Air Lines partners
• Delta Air Lines SkyMiles – Part 3, Alternative ways to earn SkyMiles

SkyMiles is the frequent-flyer program of Delta Air Lines

You may join the program for free.

Medallion Status

Medallion statuses can be achieved by flying a certain number of Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM) or Medallion Qualification Segments (MQS) between January 1 and December 31 each year. A certain number of Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) is required for the US members in addition to either the MQM or the MQS requirement.

Medallion status for a given year is earned based on activity in the previous calendar year. Your status is generally valid until January 31st of the following year. For example, your Medallion status for 2019 is based on your activity in 2018 and will last until January 31, 2020.

An other important consideration for earning the Medallion status is that MQMs roll over from one year to the next.

Say you earned 60000 MQMs in 2018. That’s enough for the Gold status (which requires 50000 MQMs) but not for Platinum (75000). The “unused” 10000 extra MQMs roll over to 2019 to give you a head start on your next year’s earning.

 

Different Medallion Status levels and their benefits

– Basic Membership

Up on registration.

Benefits

• Earn SkyMiles

– Silver Medallion

You need 25,000 MQMs (or 30 MQSs) and spend $3,000 MQDs for Silver Medallion each calendar year.

Benefits

• Earn SkyMiles
• Free checked bags
• Priority boarding/seating
• Free cabin upgrades

 

– Gold Medallion

You need 50,000 MQMs (or 60 MQSs) and $6,000 MQDs for Gold Medallion each calendar year.

Benefits

• Earn SkyMiles
• Free checked bags
• Priority boarding/seating
• Free cabin upgrades
• Expedited security
• Lounge Access

Free seat upgrades are available, 72 hours before departure, but that doesn’t count for basic economy fares.

You will also receive Five Star status in the Hertz rental car loyalty program.

– Platinum Medallion

You need 75,000 MQMs (or 100 MQSs) and spending $9,000 MQDs for Platinum Medallion each calendar year.

Benefits

• Earn SkyMiles
• Free checked bags
• Priority boarding/seating
• Free cabin upgrades
• Expedited security
• Lounge Access

You will also receive a Choice Benefits welcome gift – you can pick from four regional upgrade certificates, a $200 Delta or Tiffany & Co. gift card, a Global Entry application voucher, 20,000 bonus miles or gifting Silver Medallion status to a friend or a family member.

You’ll also receive waived change fees for award flights and complimentary upgrades shortly after ticketing or as many as 120 hours before departure, depending on the seat type. Again that doesn’t count for basic economy fares.

Furthermore you will receive President’s Circle status in the Hertz rental car loyalty program, earn 1,250 miles per qualifying vehicle rental.

 

– Diamond Medallion

You need 125,000 MQMs (or 140 MQSs) and $15,000 MQDs for Diamond Medallion each calendar year.

Benefits

• Earn SkyMiles
• Free checked bags
• Priority boarding/seating
• Free cabin upgrades
• Expedited security
• Lounge Access

The highest membership level of Delta’s Medallion program

You can choose three Choice Benefits welcome gifts such as 25,000 bonus miles, four global or eight regional upgrade certificates (or two global and four regional certificates), two Global Entry application vouchers, Delta Sky Club membership and gifting Gold Medallion status. A complimentary CLEAR membership.

 

Earning SkyMiles

Delta Air Lines is a dollar-based program. As a basic member you will earn 5 SkyMiles per $1 spent, as Silver Medallion 7 SkyMiles per $1 spent, as Gold Medallion  8 SkyMiles per $1 spent, as Platinum Medaillon 9 SkyMiles per $1 spent and as Diamond Medallion 11 SkyMiles per $1 spent if you fly with Delta Air Lines.

But there are other/better ways to earn SkyMiles, which we will cover up next week:

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles – Part 2, Earn more SkyMiles with partners