We received (and had our own) questions since Delta Air Lines announced updates to its SkyMiles 2025 earlier this week.
A Delta spokesperson graciously spent time giving us answers. Here they are! (Some questions and answers have been edited for clarity.)
Quick Update (October 23, 2024)
Before we go any further, I’ll address a concern that’s popped up on social media, various internet forums, and our very own Comments section.
Yes, the Delta spokesperson who answered our questions is indeed a real, bonafide Delta spokesperson. Some people think that because Delta (apparently) hasn’t published all of the updates to SkyMiles 2025 on their website, issued a press release, or had Ed Bastian send an email to them the answers below aren’t true. Why haven’t they? I don’t know. And why are phone and chat reps giving conflicting information? Well, it certainly wouldn’t be the first time. In fact, you’ll see that one of our readers was given bogus information.
Again, people asked the questions and here the answers a Delta corporate spokesperson gave me.
Choice Benefits
We’ll start with the two questions on so many people’s minds.
Q: People can extend their 2024 Medallion status by one year for each 100,000 rollover Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM) in their account next year. For example, someone with Diamond status for 2024 and 500,000 rollover MQM has the option to extend their status for five (5) years. Will they receive Choice Benefits for each of those five years?
A: Yes. This is considered earned status.
Q: There were significant changes to the yearly (what we consider “lifetime”) Medallion status awarded to Million Milers. For example, 2 Million Milers will enjoy Platinum Status (an upgrade from Gold.) 3 Million Milers will jump from Gold to Diamond. Will Million Milers with automatic Diamond and Platinum status receive Choice Benefits each year?
A: Yes. This, too, is considered earned status.
Rollover MQM
Q: There are three options people have for using their rollover MQM next year:
- Extend their status (if they have 100,000 or more rolled over MQM)
- Convert them to redeemable SkyMiles at 2:1 ratio
- Convert them to MQD at 10:1 ratio
Can people mix and match?
A: Yes.
Q: What is the deadline for people to execute their decisions?
A: December 31, 2024.
Million Milers
Reader “Bridge” posted this comment:
I just called the medallion line and they(ATL) said, “No”! No Grandfathered XXMILLION Milers. Sad…….Hoping they’re wrong.
They are wrong, Bridge.
You’ll get the new yearly Medallion status upgrades even if you already earned Million Miler status this year or earlier. (And, of course, flyers who cross a Million Miler tier will receive the applicable yearly status.)
Sky Club Visits
Eligible American Express cards will no longer feature unlimited Delta Sky Club visits in 2025. (Again: 2025. Not next year.)
Delta and Amex originally announced that each card would receive a limited number of individual visits. That didn’t go over well with many people (and rightfully so!).
The updated 2025 rules now provide a rationed number of days cardholders may pack in Sky Club visits when flying Delta-marketed or -operated flights. All visits made during a 24-hour period will count as one day. For instance, I can use the Sky Club at LAX, then another at MSP during my connection, and I no longer have to worry about burning up two visits.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card members can each visit Sky Clubs for 15 days each year.
- Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum Card members may each visit Sky Clubs for up to 10 days per year.
- Card members can also purchase Sky Club access for $50 per day after using all allotted days.
Q: Can you hold multiple eligible cards and stack their Sky Club visit days?
A: Yes.
For example, I hold the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (15 days), Amex Platinum (10 days), and Amex Business Platinum Card (10 days). That gives me a total of 35 unique days during which I can visit Sky Clubs.
If you want unlimited Sky Club visits for you and your authorized cardholders, you must spend $75,000 on your card during a calendar year. That gives you unlimited visits for the rest of the current Medallion year and all of the following Medallion year.
Q: Is the $75,000 threshold unlocked by spending across multiple eligible cards (i.e., a Delta Reserve and an Amex Platinum, a Delta Reserve and a Delta Business Reserve, etc.)?
A: No. You must spend $75,000 on one eligible card for unlimited visits.
Q: Can eligible card members purchase guest day passes for $50 each, for up to two guests?
A: Yes.
While we’re talking about Delta Amexes:
$10,000 MQD for $1,600: Is that Correct?
Starting in February 2024, four Delta American Express cards will each give cardholders a $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) Headstart:
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Current annual fee: $550)
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (Current annual fee: $550)
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinium American Express Card (Current annual fee: $250)
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (Current annual fee: $250)
Q: So, does that mean if you hold all four cards you automatically get $10,000 MQD for $1,600 in annual fees?
A: Yes!
Q: Is this a 2025 Medallion Year-only feature? Or will it be a regular benefit of these cards?
A: It will be an annual feature of the Delta Reserve and Delta Platinum cards.
These are the Rules — for Now
The earnings portion of SkyMiles 2025 starts on January 1, 2024.
But there’s still plenty of time for Delta to make program changes before it really kicks off in 2025. Don’t be surprised if Delta makes additional adjustments sometime within the next 14-ish months. I’m not saying they will — but mid-fall is generally when they tweak the program.
Final Approach
Thanks very much to the Delta spokesperson who spent time answering some of our questions. These give us a little more insight into the SkyMiles 2025 program!
Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Do partner flight miles count towards lifetime miles going forward? This is not clearly stated by DL (at least not as of 2 days ago).
@Geme – Yes. See the post from Chris here: https://eyeoftheflyer.com/2023/09/14/delta-decreases-mqd-earnings-on-some-partner-airline-business-class-fares/
Thank you for finding out that extended DM does get 4 choice benefits (1PM plus 3DM). This is the breaking news everyone was waiting for.
Interesting that the $75k Amex spend for unlimited SC access must all be on one Amex card. My $250k DM waiver is spread across multiple cards and still counts.
I think there is a mistake. MQMs can be converted to MQD at a 10:1 ratio not 2:1 above.
@Frankie – Type from Chris fixed. Thanks!
I’m finishing the year with 178K MQM. My 2024 status shows platinum. Will they take 75K Jan 1 and I’ll have balance of 102K? If that is the case I’ll use 100K for 2025 to keep PM. Does it make sense to spend any $ on my Amex Delta cards for MQD’s in 2024? My business travel will be less in 2024 so I won’t really have the ticket spend to get to the platinum MDQ spend qualification.
@Jamie T – It is up to you if you value the perks of PM for 2025 for the cost of the 100k MQMs you have banked.
Thanks @Rene. Most likely will use 100K for 2025 PM. Will I gain anything for spending on my Amex Delta reserve card in 2024? Is it worth using or wait till 2025 to start earning for 2026?
@rene @chris thoughts on my question above?
How much do spend on your Delta Amex?
60-80K
For the higher upgrade priority for million milers, do you know what is going on with boarding priority number 2 between this year and next? On the Delta web site it changes from “Fair Class Grouping…” in 2023 to “Cabin Purchased…” in 2024. The link is: https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/medallion-program/medallion-upgrades
Is Delta going away from all those lettered fare classes?
Also, it looks like someone with status would be able to get an upgrade above a million miler if they buy a comfort+ ticket on a domestic flight even if they would get the upgrade free. Could that be right?
That would be a major change – upgrade priority based on cabin not fare class.
A little further down the page you linked it says “Members at the same Medallion Tier will be cleared in order of fare class groupings”, so unclear if they meant to make a change with the “cabin purchased” language or whether that language was a mistake. https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/medallion-program/medallion-upgrades#:~:text=Members%20at%20the%20same%20Medallion%20Tier%20will%20be%20cleared%20in%20order%20of%20fare%20class%20groupings
Hi Chris,
I thought the leftover MQM conversion to MQDs was 10:1 – did that change?
@Michael K – It was a typeo – fixed now.
If you are set for Platinum status next year and have 200,00 MQMs you can have Platinum Delta status for the next 3 years with any spend on a card? What incentive is Delta going to use to get you to spend?
@John – In your example you would have only 125,000 after rollover as you need to deduct 75,000 for your 2024 status. So you would have 2 years of PM and 25k to do with as you please.
Are you sure? I thought it was simply a flat 100k MQMs to extend any 2024 status (FO/GM/PM/DM) for an additional year?
@Frankie – Correct 100k for any extension at whatever level you are (not sure why anyone would burn 100k for Silver Medallion or Gold for that matter but the could).
In your example above where there are 25K MQMs remaining, can you convert those at 10:1 for MQDs in future years? Since the person in the example would already have 2 years of Platinum status, could they use the MQMs for $2,500 towards 2026 status?
@Lee – No. You have to make the choice by end of year 2024 and the MQD numbers count for the 2025 flying year. The only thing that can be used for many years are the 100k extensions.
This is very helpful thank you. I’ll be at around 325K MQM carryover so I’ll use that for DM 2025-2027 which definitely takes out the sting and it’s great to know choice benefits still apply.
Question – the link you provided doesn’t clarify the partner airline MM qualification (it did clarify MQD). Do we have clarity on that? (Ie does AF flight count towards DL MM status or are they taking United approach where it has to be DL metal)
Thank you for the continued updates and clarifications — this is very helpful, and much appreciated.
Regarding the Million Miler question and choice benefits above where Delta’s response was, “Yes. This, too, is considered earned status.” wouldn’t this mean a lifetime Gold Medallion earned via 1M would put me closer to earning Platinum in 2024 and beyond (i.e. MQD credit) rather than starting from zero? I asked before and you rightly said it was considered a gift but the spokesperson’s phrasing was interesting.
Probably no change but a boy can dream. Thanks again.
I see Delta is being very precise with their language on complimentary annual MM status…and not using lifetime status. Any clarification on this? I can convert 500K MGMs to five years of Diamond, or as a 3MM count on Diamond for life. I would hate for Delta to pull the plug on annual complimentary diamond status after 3years or so.
@Michael – They own the program and have more lawyers than jets thus the way they state it. Yes they can change the rules at will and we have no recourse. It is Delta after all.
One of Delta’s responses that is interesting is that for the three rollover MQM options, the deadline for people to execute their decision is Dec 31, 2024. MQMs cease to count as Medallion status-earning metrics as of Jan 1, 2024. However, since the deadline for rollover options is Dec 31, 2024, this means that MQMs I have at the end of this year will rollover into 2024, correct? Also: although in 2024 MQMs won’t be a factor in status-earning, will they continue to be earned in 2024? I currently have 375K MQM. But if I can have many more MQMs in Dec of 2024, that presents me with new possibilities regarding the timing of making the selection, and the option(s) I take. (My guess is that MQM won’t continue to be earned in 2024, but if that’s the case why is the deadline for the rollover MQM options at the end of the year?)
“Excessive” MQMs at the end of 2023 will rollover into 2024, that’s right.
In 2024 no MQMs will be earned anymore (status qualification solely depends on MQDs by then).
Why the deadline for your decision what to do with rolled over MQMs is at the end of the year 2024? Well, to give you some time 😉
And they can be converted using any of the three options (or a mix of them) so earning them this year will not be totally worthless.
So if you end this with those 375k MQMs you currently have, then (375-x)k MQMs will be rolled over (x depending on your status earned). Let’s say you are Diamond then 250k MQMs would be rolled over.
These are the MQMs you can convert to MQDs, to SkyMiles or use to extend your status. And have until the end of 2024 to decide.
Chris & Rene’
Thank you for getting an answer regarding the 1 Million Milers(Gold Medallion). Appreciate everything you folks do. Just booked a MR to secure Platinum for 2025.
I wonder if AmEx will start chasing those that cancelled when they initially announced the program changes.
I’ve qualified for Platinum next year, which will leave me with very few rollover MQMs. I’ll also be Platinum next year as a 2MM. Is there any way to conserve more of my MQMs to convert to RDMs in 2024?
@Bob – None other than making more before year end.
Regarding Bob’s scenario- if you’ve qualified for Platinum status in 2024 but will also receive Platinum status because of the new 2MM lifetime scheme will 75K mqm be deducted anyway? Seems like he should be able to keep.
@Steve – MQMs will still be deducted. The gifted status has nothing to do with MQMs.
If you have more than one of the same card, say two Personal reserve cards, will you get $2500 head start for each? Possibly allowing you to get more than 10k with all the cards listed?
@Bethany – Yup! At least that is what Delta has currently stated. That is until they choose to change the rules yet again!
What happens if you also qualify for diamond with 28k spend traveling. Do you become double diamond? or does extension get pushed out another year or use it lose it type thing? If might not make sense for everyone to use mqms to extend status if you’re already do the spend.
@Stan – You have just over spent with Delta 😉
Regarding Million Miler status jumping up to number 3 for priority, does the level of million miler make a difference (i.e. does a 2 million miler get priority over a 1 million miler)?
@Barry -Yes more matters
So – just to be clear – is there literally no difference between “earned” Diamond status from earning 28K MQDs and “extended” status from using 100K excess MQMs? None whatsoever?
I had heard that earned Diamonds had priority on upgrade lists over extended Diamonds. Is that not true either?
The Delta spokesperson told me that the status is considered earned and MMers receive Choice Benefits.
When earning diamond status you also earn platinum along the way and in the past have received those benefits. Did they say if the MMer or rollover Diamonds would receive choice benefits for both Platinum and Diamond status?
@flzer – They have not said but that has always been the case so we can expect that will be the same.
How does that answer my question?
Ew. How can I resist such a gracious follow-up?
Based on the information we were given, it appears there’s no difference between earned and extended status. I know that during status extensions a few years ago that earned status trumped extended status in the upgrade hierarchy. I don’t know if that’s the case with the new program (and don’t know if Delta’s even thought that far ahead). But WFBF.
I have 650,000 life time MQMs. Hoping to reach MM status in next 3-4 years. I have 150k MQMs right now with platinum status this year and next.
Can I convert my current 150k MQMs (10–1) to lifetime to get closer to MM status? I spend about $80k yr on my platinum AM Delta card. I spend more than I fly. What the best way or strategy to get to 1 MM lifetime Gold status?
Thanks!
@Duane Arens – No you can not convert them that way. The best way is fly Delta partner mileage runs before year end for highest bonus MQMs. Point.me folks can help you. Reason being is next year MM points are just the distance flown (no class of service bump).
What will the status of lifetime club membership be? ( Executive membership) will there be limitations on number of visits? Or more importantly will lifetime membership continue to exist.
@Anderson Lowell – Lifetime club membership is not impacted. Oh to have purchased one when you did way back when!
I’m not sure that 10,000 MQD answer is correct. The T&C talks about receiving only one head start per card type and there is a specific clause about downgrading from reserve to platinum not being eligible for another head start.
https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/medallion-program/2024-program-updates???#terms
@Skystreak – This information is confirmed with an official Delta PR rep.
This may be a silly question, but I’ve never paid attention to MQDs in the past to know the answer. If I cancel a flight and receive a credit are those MQDs then deducted or do they remain banked considering the $ was already spent? I ask only because I have a few $k in credits and wondering if I were to book say a $2k trip and use $2k in credits or GCs, would I receive the same in MQDs?
@opposite – You only get the MQD credit when the flight is completed.
Ah, yes a silly question indeed… same as MQMs. So method of payment is irrelevant. Thanks.
Does award travel (excluding basic economy) continue to earn MQD?
@Chris – Yes just like now.
Thanks for your work on this, Chris!
I’m going to be about 15k MQD short of Diamond this year (just didn’t travel this year like usual b/t company selling and having our first kid!). So I get that I’m not going to have Diamond next year even though I’ve already qualified for Platinum for 2024.
I’m trying to figure out how to remain Diamond (other than booking a $15k ticket to Tokyo for a status run).
If I’m going to rollover about $210,000 MQM’s (I’m at $333,000 MQM now and will likely get more), is there a path to Diamond status for me via that. Sounds like I could possibly do the 10:1 option for MQD transfer and have $21,000 MQD and then I’d only have $7,000 MQD to achieve in ’24 to regain Diamond?
Confusing, I know! Hope that makes sense!
First of all, congratulations to you and yours on having your first child! Remember that children fly free in your lap until they turn two years old. Our daughter took at least a dozen or so trips before she was two.
You’re right with the MQD: $21k and then get the other $7k. You could probably knock out the $7k for half (or less) than that with a partner run. point.me can find you something pretty good.
Any news on Additional Reserve cardholders on my Reserve account? Will they continue to have same access days to SkyClub, especially when traveling on their own? Do they get the 2500 Start Bonus, or do I get it as a addl card? Will their spend continue to contribute towards my account MQD and mileage earnings?
“Any news on Additional Reserve cardholders on my Reserve account? Will they continue to have same access days to SkyClub, especially when traveling on their own?”
No additional news, and yes, they’ll have their allotted 15 days.
“Do they get the 2500 Start Bonus, or do I get it as a addl card?”
AFAIK, just the primary.
“Will their spend continue to contribute towards my account MQD and mileage earnings?”
Yes.