What You Need to Know About the Delta Amex MQD Waiver

One benefit of holding certain Delta American Express cards is the opportunity to spend your way to Delta MQD exempt status. Except two Delta Amexes are losing that perk — kind of.

Earning MQD Exemption Waivers with Delta Amexes

Delta’s MQD requirements for Medallion status ($3000 for Silver, $6000 for Gold, $9000 for Platinum) are waived if you spend $25,000 on one or across multiple qualifying Delta American Express cards during a calendar year.

(The $15,000 Diamond MQD requirement is waived if you spend a quarter-million dollars on your Delta Amexes. There are ways to avoid that. We’ll talk about it in a few minutes.)

For example, spending $25,000 on the  Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card can earn you the Silver/Gold/Platinum MQD waiver.

Or spending $20,000 on the  Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and $5000 on the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card does it as well. (Again, just an example.)

Mix and match! Collect ’em all! Trade with your friends!

Except there’s one big exception. Actually, there are three.

Not All Delta American Express Cards Equally Earn MQD Waiver Exemption Spend

Purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card will not count toward your MQD waiver spend if those are the only Delta Amexes you hold.

But if you have at least one of the below credit cards, then your Delta Gold Amex spend will count against your MQD waiver:

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (See Rates and Fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (See Rates and Fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (See Rates and Fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (See Rates and Fees)

 

In other words, if you have a Delta Gold card — and it’s your only Delta Amex — but spend $25,000 on on it, your MQD waiver accrual will be $0.

But if you get a Delta Reserve or Delta Platinum card, that $25k spend on the Gold will earn your MQD waiver.

It’s kind of a racket, I know.

How to Make This Easier

Get a Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or its business counterpart. The everyday spend bonuses are far superior, you get a Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit (starting January 30, 2020), companion certificate, and can buy access to Delta Sky Clubs. (Or get a Reserve personal or business card and enjoy complimentary Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access whenever you fly Delta.)

Your Gold card becomes superfluous at point — unless you want to gamble that Amex Offers savings will cover the $99 annual fee.

Other Ways to Earn MQD

If you hold only a personal Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card or the business flavor but don’t want another Delta credit card, there are two other ways to earn MQDs. (These complement each other, BTW, so mix and match.)

1. Spend the required amount ($3k/$6k/$9k/$15k) on Delta Air Lines-marketed flights. Remember that only base fares and surcharges qualify as MQD. Government fees do not count.
2. Travel on a partner airline and credit the flight to your Delta SkyMiles number. Why? Your MQD accrual for those flights is based on a percentage (determined by fare class) of miles flown, regardless of what you pay.

For example, I posted a trip on Virgin Atlantic from LAX to Johannesburg, South Africa. (We often post them to our mileage run section, FYI.) The airfare was about $1860 for Premium Economy.

But because the trip travels about 22,090 miles and Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy “K” fares award 30% MQD based on distance flown, SkyMiles members can expect to earn around $6627. On one trip. That costs less than a third of the MQD it earns.

If you (understandably) wondered “Why are these people always so excited about AeroMexico runs to Ecuador or day trips to Guatemala City?” now you know. 😉

So if you don’t want to earn MQD with Delta credit card spend, consider taking a couple of MQD runs. (Keep in mind the mileage run masters at Juicy Miles can cook up something ridiculously awesome for you.)

Questions?

Ask away in the Comments section!

–Chris

Other Delta Amex Topics We’ve Covered This Month

Now is a fantastic opportunity to apply for Delta Amexes because many have great welcome bonuses. We’ve covered several related topics including:

• 10 Things to Know About Bonus MQM on the Updated Delta Amex Cards
• What You Need to Know About the Delta Amex MQD Waiver
• Delta Main Cabin 1 Boarding: How Valuable is This Delta Amex Perk?
• Sky Club Access for Delta American Express Cards: Which Cards are Now Eligible?
• Saving Money with the Delta Amex Free First Checked Bag Benefit
• “No Status” Upgrades for Delta Reserve Cardholders?
• Is Centurion Lounge Access with a Delta Reserve Card Really That Great?
• Saving 20% on Delta Purchases Made Onboard During Flights with Delta American Express Cards
• A Mileage Run Without Getting On a Plane? Yes!
• Scoring More First Class Upgrades: How Delta American Express Cards Can Help
• Trip Delay Coverage with the Delta Reserve Cards and Delta Platinum American Express Cards

 

To see rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please visit this link. Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, please visit this link. Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please visit this link. Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, please visit this link. Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, please visit this link. Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, please visit this link. Terms apply.