Don’t tell me you forgot to select your 2021 Delta Choice Benefits.
What?! You did?!
Breathe. It’s okay!
The Medallion year doesn’t end until January 31. That’s your deadline to choose.
Which Choice Benefits Do You Receive?
Choice Benefits are gifts Delta gives Diamond and Platinum Medallion members each year they earn their status.
Delta was generous last year and gave all Diamonds and Platinums their Choice Benefits — even if their status automatically rolled over. (Quick caveat: We give Delta grief when we think it’s warranted. But this was a good move on Delta’s part.)
Diamond Medallions can choose up to three of the following benefits:
- Delta Sky Club Membership
- Individual
- Executive (requires two Choice Benefits)
- Upgrade Certificates
- Four (4) Global OR
- Eight (8) Regional OR
- Two (2) Global AND Four (4) Regional
- Delta Sky Club Guest Pass
- If you have “an eligible credit card — such as the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card” that gives you Sky Club access, you can bring two guests into the Sky Club for unlimited visits
- 25,000 bonus SkyMiles
- $200 Delta travel voucher good for 12 months from the date of issuance OR a Tiffany & Co. gift card. (What, no Taco Bell gift card?!)
- Gift Gold Medallion to someone
Platinum Medallions can choose one of the following benefits:
- Four Regional Upgrade Certificates
- 20,000 bonus SkyMiles
- $200 Delta travel voucher good for 12 months from the date of issuance OR a Tiffany & Co. gift card
- Gift Silver Medallion to someone
Diamonds: remember you also get to choose a Platinum Medallion Choice Benefit in addition to your Diamond ones!
Do you see the big differences between Diamond and Platinum? That’s one reason people take Delta partner mileage runs to earn Diamond Medallion status quickly and affordably!
Which Choice Benefits Should You Choose?
Time to bring out my usual mantra: it depends on your travel goals, needs, preferences, and budget.
Choose what will make you happy — but because you’ll actually use it. Don’t get something only because other people say it’s great. Like, don’t select Global Upgrade Certificates if you probably won’t travel internationally before January 31, 2023.
Similarly, I wouldn’t recommend choosing the Sky Club Individual Membership if you hold one of these American Express cards that get you into the Delta lounges anyway. Why? You have to be traveling on a same-day Delta or partner flight. Plus, Platinum and Diamond members are considered SkyTeam Elite Plus, giving them lounge access when traveling on a partner’s international flights.
So consider which benefit(s) will genuinely benefit you.
Last year, René selected a Tiffany gift card. Here’s why.
In the past, I sometimes opted for the bonus SkyMiles because they don’t expire.
The Global Upgrade Certificates got my wife and me to Japan and back in Delta One. That was a trip we’ll always remember.
But I’ve also finished years with unused Regional Upgrade Certificates because inventory was shot.
Remember that Upgrade Certificate rules and practices change markedly on February 1. You can only receive a confirmed upgrade one cabin higher than the one you purchased. For example, you have to buy Premium Select to get a confirmed upgrade to Delta One on international trips. You can also buy a Main Cabin (or Comfort+, but why?) ticket and apply a Global Upgrade Certificate to get into Premium Select; you’ll then get waitlisted for Delta One and be eligible to clear 24 hours before your flight.
(We’ll have a post on Upgrade Certificates later today or tomorrow.)
If you gift someone Medallion status, their MQM do not roll over to the next year — unless they actually cross the MQM (or MQD) and MQD (or Delta Amex Waiver) thresholds during that year. They’ll enjoy Medallion benefits such as Main Cabin 1 (Silver) or Sky Priority (Gold) boarding; free first checked bag; free Preferred seats (exit rows, baby!); and complimentary Comfort+ and First Class upgrades, inventory permitting.
Where Can I Select My Delta Choice Benefits?
This link should direct you to the correct page on Delta’s website.
Final Approach
There’s still time for you to select your Delta Choice Benefits. Just make sure to do it no later than January 31! Select something that you’ll actually use. Then plan some travel and have a great time!
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If 2022 is my diamond medallion year do I have to pick my benefits before January 31st or do I have until January 31st 2023 like the Delta website says ?
@Dale – You have to pick the CB earned flying in 2020 for the 2021 Medallion year. If you earned status during 2021 you earning the 2022 year and have till next year this time to choose those. Anyone flying now in 2022 is earning 2023 status and will have till this time 2024 to choose those. Clear?
I’m clear now !! Thank you so much. I appreciate the timely response .
I’m assuming no choice benefits for folks who got their status extended for this year?
Nope, sorry (if that applies to your situation).
Chris – somewhat ironic. On the day that you talk about making sure to make your Choice Benefit selections, Delta sends me a Diamond Medallion welcome to 2022 with the following notice tucked in near the bottom –
“Don’t forget, as a Diamond Medallion Member, you also get access to great benefits like the highest priority for Unlimited Complimentary Upgrades, complimentary CLEAR membership, a VIP phone line and more.
Please note that Choice Benefits are not an extended Medallion® Status benefit this year.'”
Wow. Let me check the phase of the moon…
Thanks for the comment!
One of the Diamond Choice Benefits is Sky Club membership. But, under that selection, is this: “All Delta Sky Club selections are valid through January 31, 2022.” Surely that doesn’t mean the membership will expire this year, does it? I would think the membership would be through 1/31/2023. Are they saying that this choice will go away after this month, or what?
@Rob W – We are talking about 2021 CB that was earned in 2020. If you choose Sky Club membership you will have it only till Monday the 31s then it is over i.e. 2 days. So, I would not pick this!