Delta SkyMiles Changes in 2024

Delta Air Lines made major adjustments to its SkyMiles loyalty program for 2024. The airline has completely overhauled how frequent flyers earn Medallion elite status, moving away from tracking the miles you fly and focusing entirely on the dollars you spend. If you are trying to figure out how to maintain your perks or reach a new tier this year, here is exactly what you need to know about the new rules.

The Shift to Medallion Qualification Dollars

For decades, airline loyalty programs rewarded travelers based on the physical distance they flew. Delta is moving completely away from this model. Starting in 2024, Delta removed Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) and Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs) from the earning equation.

Now, there is only one metric that matters: Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). Your ability to earn elite status with Delta is strictly tied to how much money you spend with the airline and its partners.

2024 Medallion Status Thresholds

Because Delta transitioned to a single-metric system, the requirements for each elite tier changed. To earn status for the 2025 Medallion year (which you earn based on your activity during the 2024 calendar year), you need to hit the following MQD milestones:

Silver Medallion: 5,000 MQDs
Gold Medallion: 10,000 MQDs
Platinum Medallion: 15,000 MQDs
Diamond Medallion: 28,000 MQDs

These thresholds are higher than previous years. For example, Diamond Medallion previously required $20,000 in spending alongside flying requirements. Now, the strict monetary requirement is $28,000. Fortunately, Delta introduced new ways to collect these qualification dollars.

How to Earn MQDs This Year

While the thresholds are higher, you no longer have to step foot on an airplane to earn Medallion status if you have the right credit card setup. Here are the primary ways to earn MQDs in 2024.

Booking Delta Flights

When you buy a ticket operated by Delta Air Lines, you earn 1 MQD for every $1 spent on the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges. Government taxes and fees do not earn MQDs. Basic Economy tickets are entirely excluded from earning MQDs, miles, or elite status credit.

Flying on Partner Airlines

You can still earn MQDs when you fly on SkyTeam partners like Air France, KLM, or Virgin Atlantic. If you book the ticket through Delta, you earn MQDs based on the ticket price. If you book directly with the partner airline but attach your Delta SkyMiles number, you earn MQDs based on a percentage of the distance flown and the fare class of your ticket.

Booking Delta Vacations

This is one of the most lucrative changes to the program. You now earn 1 MQD for every $1 spent on Delta Vacations packages. This includes the cost of the flight, the hotel, and the rental car. If you book a $6,000 vacation package for your family, you will earn 6,000 MQDs, which instantly qualifies you for Silver Medallion status.

Using Delta Co-Branded Credit Cards

Delta made spending on American Express co-branded credit cards a core part of earning status. You can now earn MQDs through everyday credit card purchases:

Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business American Express Cards: Earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent on the card.
Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Platinum Business American Express Cards: Earn 1 MQD for every $20 spent on the card.

The MQD Headstart Benefit

If you hold a premium Delta credit card, you receive an automatic boost to your status progress every year. Cardholders receive a 2,500 MQD Headstart per eligible card.

This benefit stacks. If you hold the personal Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card and the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card, you will receive a combined 5,000 MQDs on day one of the calendar year. That is enough to automatically grant you Silver Medallion status before you even book a flight.

Converting Your Historical Rollover MQMs

Because Delta eliminated MQMs, many frequent flyers had left over miles sitting in their accounts at the end of 2023. Delta is allowing members to convert these leftover balances.

If you had rollover MQMs, you can convert them to MQDs at a ratio of 10 to 1. For example, 100,000 MQMs will convert to 10,000 MQDs. Alternatively, you can convert them to redeemable SkyMiles at a 2 to 1 ratio (100,000 MQMs becomes 50,000 SkyMiles). If you have more than 100,000 rollover MQMs, you also have the option to extend your current Medallion status by one year for every 100,000 MQMs you trade in.

Changes to Delta Sky Club Access

Alongside the changes to elite status, Delta adjusted who can access its airport lounges. If you fly on a Basic Economy ticket, you are no longer allowed to enter the Delta Sky Club, even if you have a premium credit card or elite status.

Starting February 1, 2025, credit card access to the Sky Club will also be limited. Delta Reserve cardholders will be restricted to 15 visits per year. The Platinum Card from American Express (the unbranded premium card) will be limited to 10 visits per year. To unlock unlimited Sky Club access, you will need to spend $75,000 on your eligible card during the calendar year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still earn Delta status just by flying? Yes. Every dollar you spend on the base fare of a main cabin ticket or higher earns 1 MQD. If you spend $10,000 on flights in a calendar year, you will earn Gold Medallion status.

Do taxes and baggage fees count toward MQDs? No. Government taxes, baggage fees, and seat upgrade fees paid at the gate do not earn MQDs. However, if you purchase a seat upgrade online before your flight, that specific purchase will earn MQDs.

What happens if I hold multiple Delta credit cards? The MQD Headstart benefit stacks for every eligible card you hold. If you have four eligible Delta American Express cards (such as the personal and business versions of the Platinum and Reserve cards), you will receive 10,000 MQDs automatically. This grants you Gold Medallion status without any flying or spending required.

Will my Delta Gold American Express Card help me earn status? No. The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card does not offer the MQD Headstart benefit, nor does it earn MQDs on everyday spending. You must hold a Platinum or Reserve version of the card to earn MQDs through credit card activity.