Well, color me shocked.
Delta Air Lines is not offering the “Elevate Your Status” promotion this year. That’s the sale during which SkyMiles members can buy Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM) for absolutely insane prices. (René received an email from Delta in 2019 and was told he could buy 12,500 MQM (and 18 MQS) for the bargain basement price of just $3,399.)
If memory serves me correctly, this is the third consecutive year Elevate Your Status isn’t on the table. It kind of makes sense Delta didn’t offer the sale during 2020 and 2021, seeing how the COVID pandemic screwed up so much. Plus, Delta rolled over everyone’s MQM and MQS those years, too.
But I figured Delta would bring back Elevate Your Status in 2022 and try to get people to spend some money buying MQM. I guess not.
What Can You Do if You Need MQM?
If you’re short MQM for your Medallion status goals and need some in a hurry, you still have some options.
Earn SkyMiles Through Flying
Book and travel an MQM mileage-status run before midnight on December 31. If you need help planning and booking a run, get in touch right now with the Mileage Run department at point.me. Tell them your home airport, how many MQM you need, etc.
Prices aren’t exactly low but there may be a few deals to be found.
Delta Co-Branded Amex Welcome Offers
Four Delta SkyMiles® American Express cards offer bonus MQM as part of their welcome promotions:
- Earn 10,000 bonus MQM and 50,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases on the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card within six (6) months of being approved for card membership. Terms apply.
- Earn 10,000 bonus MQM and 60,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases on the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card within three (3) months of being approved for card membership. Terms apply.
- Earn 5,000 bonus MQM and 50,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases on the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card within six (6) months of being approved for card membership. Terms apply.
- Earn 5,000 bonus MQM and 60,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases on the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card within six (3) months of being approved for card membership. Terms apply.
In my experience, bonus MQM from credit card welcome offers apply retroactively if you meet your minimum spending requirement the following year. But make sure you have some status going into the 2023 Medallion year just so something doesn’t go wonky. The safest best is to get approved for a card, get the digital card number right away (Amex is good about giving newly approved card members that option), and start spending. (It’s the holidays and year-end spending time. That might be easier than you think.)
Final Approach
Delta isn’t offering Elevate Your Status — aka the “Buy MQM Sale.” But there still are a couple of options to add MQM to your account before year end.
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.
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Too bad for those that need it. Thanks for the suggestions!
Not sure why you’re surprised. With all the MQM rollover the entire damn world has Medallion status at this point
I’m surprised because selling MQM is another way Delta could make money.
I agree but I also see @ScottyB’s point. For me, the associated MQD would have been the only reason to get them. I still think MQD is obnoxious, especially since it doesn’t apply to overseas residents but if they are going to have it, you should have the option to roll over unused MQD if you qualify via MQD spending waiver, and vice versa.
Just did a mileage run to MEX & UIO for 1000 bucks. Compared to the GUC I get for diamonds, I think it is quite worth it.
Chris–have you noticed a delay in MQM posting after hitting the spend requirements on DL cards. I hit the 30k before the last statement was cut but still no credit on DL yet (about 3-4 weeks out). Chatted with AmEx and was told it would take 6-8 weeks but has been much quicker in the past IME.
Neither Mrs. C nor I hit our bonus MQM because we went after a bunch of new cards this year.
Can anyone else please help us with data points?
I was talking to a GA today at BNA. Hoping since the carryover isn’t extended the number of elites will drop. Getting tired of being 16 of 57 for upgrade to first on a midday, midweek flight.