Many readers posted comments and sent us emails asking our opinions about what they should do with their rollover Medallion Qualification Miles (when the MQM post to their SkyMiles accounts and can be converted next month).
Like, I genuinely get the feeling some people are losing sleep over it.
It’s not worth it! Here’s our take (at least for now):
Rollover MQM Options
Medallion members who qualified for 2024 status have three options to redeem their rollover MQM. You don’t have to choose just one. You can mix and match!
- Extend your 2024 Medallion status for 100,000 rollover MQM per year — with no limit on how long you can extend it (MQM balance permitting)
- Convert them to Medallion Qualification Dollars at a 10:1 ratio (i.e., 10,000 MQM = $1,000 MQD)
- Convert them to redeemable SkyMiles at a 2:1 ratio (i.e., 10,000 MQM = 5,000 SkyMiles)
Medallion members will have until December 31, 2024, to make their choice(s). Despite what some Delta reps may tell you, there are no minimums for rolling over MQM.
Delta SkyMiles® Amex Card MQD “Bonuses”
(Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.)
Before we get too far ahead, remember that four co-branded Delta SkyMiles® American Expresses give cardholders $2,500 MQD per card product, up to $10,000 in MQD, starting in February.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card ($650 annual fee) See Rates and Fees.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card ($650) See Rates and Fees.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card ($350) See Rates and Fees.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card ($350) See Rates and Fees.
Annual fees all-in: that’s $2,000 in annual fees for $10,000 MQD.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please visit this link.
For each $10 you spend on a respective Reserve card (business or personal), you earn $1 MQD. Each $20 you spend a Delta Platinum card (again, business or personal) earns you $1 MQD.
With that in mind:
What Should You Do?
I don’t mean to sound snarky or dismissive but do what works best for you.
This is far from a one-solution-work-for-everyone sort of situation.
For example, one of my friends is a Diamond Medallion and rolling over about 295,000 MQM. He also is about 10,000 miles shy of hitting 3 Million Miler. Once he crosses that threshold, he’ll have Diamond status for life. He’ll knock that out before summer — and enjoy Diamond status the rest of his life.
So, there’s no need for him to extend his status or convert any MQM to MQD. (He’ll convert his MQM to redeemable SkyMiles.)
I’m rolling over just north of 47,000 MQM. I also hold the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card cards. So, before converting anything, I already have $5,000 MQD from the Delta Amexes — enough for Silver Medallion. I may upgrade a couple of Delta SkyMiles Blue Amexes to Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card. That would give me $10,000 MQD (or Gold). So, it’d make sense for me to convert those 47,000 MQM to $4,700 MQD. I’d need only $300 MQD to reach Platinum Medallion at $15,000. (I’ll have the $300 MQD wrapped up during a trip today. 🙂 )
But I probably won’t convert my MQM until later in the year.
Should You Wait to Make Your Choice(s)?
As tempting as it may be to immediately convert my MQM, I’ll probably wait until late fall to pull the proverbial trigger. (That said, MQD earned in the current calendar year is now the sixth priority in Delta’s upgrade hierarchy.)
Why? I don’t yet know all of my travel plans for this year. There’s a chance I could waste some of my MQM on a conversion I don’t need. (Also, I want to wait and make sure the IT aspects work before I do anything.)
For example, one of my colleagues was sent to England relatively at the last minute. His company booked him on a Virgin Upper Class roundtrip (we’re talking full “J” class fare). He credited the trip to his SkyMiles account and was suddenly over $4,300 MQD richer. Then, he had to travel to Asia a few months later — and his employer picked up a Delta One tab. (This was when Platinum was 75,000 MQM and only $9,000 MQD.) So, he hit Platinum without spending a dime of his own money.
I’m not saying the same thing will happen to me. But anything is possible. So, why would I convert MQM to MQD right away?
Say I have the $5,000 MQD from my Delta Amex cards. There are indications some of my client travel may continue returning. If it does substantially, they could pay a chunk of the remaining $23,000 MQD to Diamond. If I get to $24,000 in MQD with no more travel in sight, then I’ll convert 40,000 MQM to MQD and lock in Diamond. (I can convert the balance to redeemable SkyMiles.) Or if I hit $28,000 MQD without converting any MQM, why not turn those 47,000 into 23,500 redeemable miles?
See what I mean?
Or, maybe my clients will fly me on other airlines — and/or not very much at all. Perhaps I will upgrade to a personal Reserve and business Platinum. I already have $2000 in MQD earnings booked and am confident I’ll rack up another $3,000 in Delta travel. So, I’ll probably hit Platinum without converting anything. Then maybe down the road, I’ll convert MQM to MQD and see if our friends at point.me could help find a tasty partner MQD run to hit Diamond 🙂 )
But it also depends on my wife’s travel schedule and MQD earnings. We like to have the same status, so I may have to stop at Platinum if she can’t make it Diamond. So, I don’t want to waste an MQM-to-MQD conversion if I know I’ll fall short of Diamond. Then again, maybe we can take a few date night partner mileage run trips… 😉
Short story now long, I plan to wait until everything becomes more apparent later in the year.
But if converting MQM to MQD can help you quickly jump up a tier, then you might want to do that sooner rather than later. That’ll give you more time to maybe score upgrades and enjoy that status’ other perks. Or if you know which status you’ll reach this year and are OK with that (i.e., Diamond) you might as well convert them to redeemable SkyMiles when you get the chance.
However, if you have 100,000 rollover MQM and Gold or Silver status (maybe you didn’t accrue enough MQD or the now-defunct Delta Amex MQD Waiver), I wouldn’t extend that status. Instead, convert those MQM to $10,000 MQD and make a run toward at least Platinum. (Again, you can do it for $500 in annual fees with just a Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. You’ll get $5,000 MQD right there.)
And if you plan to spend a lot of money on your Delta Reserve or Delta Platinum cards, that will also factor in your decision because that will earn you MQD. (That is not part of my plan…)
My recommendation: unless you’re sure you know how many MQD you’ll earn this year and/or really need to convert your MQM right away when you’re able in late February, consider hanging tight for a while.
But everyone is different, so do what works best for you.
Final Approach
Delta rollover MQM should be available to convert in late February. I’m waiting until later in the year to decide because I don’t yet have a clear picture of how many MQD I’ll accrue between now and early winter. I don’t want to waste a conversion or make what is ultimately the wrong choice.
But converting MQM ASAP might be advantageous for people who can extend their 2024 status (assuming they like it) or know how many MQD they’ll earn for sure this year. Or if they even need MQD (like my friend who is almost a lifetime Diamond).
What’s your situation? Have you decided yet what you’re going to do?
For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, please visit this link. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please visit this link. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, please visit this link. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please visit this link.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.
I believe there are two mistakes above. Spend on Amex Platinum converts at $20:1 MQD not 25:1. And I believe the 100,000 MQM extension is only available for PM/DM not GM or FO.
I will also wait until close to the end of 2024 to make my decision as my initial decision was to extend my DM status but I will probably hit 28k MQD anyways by the end of 2024 so I might as well take the RDMs as MQDs do not rollover. The only reason to extend quickly would be to take advantage of the CBs earlier in 2024.
@Frankie – Typo fixed. Delta does not seem to limit us to only DM and PM. See: https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/medallion-program/2024-program-updates
“SkyMiles Members with a Rollover MQM balance at or greater than 100,000 MQMs also have the option to extend their earned 2024 Medallion Status using their Rollover MQMS at a rate of 100,000 MQMs per one year of Status extension. Using the 100,000:1 ratio, Members may select the number of years of Status extension they desire, up to the number for which they are eligible. Medallion Status will not be awarded for partial years; any Rollover MQMs exceeding a 100,000 threshold, and which are not used for Status extension, can be converted into miles or MQDs using the applicable conversion rate above. For example, a SkyMiles Member that has 550,00 Rollover MQMs and who has earned Diamond Medallion Status for the 2024 Medallion Qualification Year is eligible to extend their Diamond Medallion Status for up to 5 years (500,000 Rollover MQMs) and can elect to convert the remaining 50,000 Rollover MQMs into miles, MQDs or a combination of both at the conversion rates above.
If a SkyMiles Member does not make a selection by December 31, 2024 11:59:59 PM CST, all Rollover MQMs will automatically be converted to MQDs. Members will be able to select their conversion preference until the selection window closes on December 31, 2024 11:59:59 PM CST. Miles/MQDs and Medallion Status extension are nontransferable and can only be credited to the SkyMiles Member’s account who was in possession of the Rollover MQMs. Selections are final, irrevocable and not changeable.” – bold mine
Thanks for the catch. But 25:1, 20:1, meh, at the point… 😉
I don’t know about everyone else but 2024 is looking real bad for work travel. At least in my industries. Lots of corporate downsizing. Meeting and events still haven’t returned to pre-pandemic levels. My colleagues in the business development and client services realms aren’t flying across the country to wine-and-dine anymore, at least after the contract or deal gets signed. I have exactly one work trip booked through March. At this time in 2023, I was booked two weeks out of every month through May.
With 540,000 MQMs to rollover, I’ll probably take the 100,000 per year for diamond renewal. I can at least get diamond for three or four years without having to worry about meeting the MQDs moving forward. I would not be surprised if Delta raises the MQD in another two years. Extending it for three or four years would also allow me to fly United Polaris or whatever airline made sense based on the route and airfare as opposed to defaulting to Delta.
Given that Delta pretty much revealed where it intends to go with MQD and Ed Bastian said changes are coming — just that Delta “went too far…too fast,” before the airline (wisely) made the program updates — yes, I 100% agree we’ll MQD go into the originally planned thresholds in the not too distant future.
I have 200,000 MQM to rollover after DL deducts the DM 125,000. I know I will organically hit 28k MQD in calendar 2024 but given the uncertain MQD amount required for DM in 2025 am I allowed to extend for just 2025 or do I have to extend for both 2024 and 2025? The smart move would be to take the RDM in 2024 and an extension in 2025.
@Frankie – I would use the two years free. It also give you the liberty to fly other airlines when you want for better price and better product! 🙂
Checking the logic here.
If you will hit 28K MQD in calendar year 2024, that would give you DM for 2025. Wouldn’t the 200K MQM rollover give you DM for 2026 and 2027?
I’m a current GM with 935K lifetime miles. I will have 40K rollover MQMs. Is there any way to apply that balance to my lifetime mileage, so I can get closer to million miler status?
@John K – No.
If you aren’t spending enough to earn status, then you don’t NEED status.
Chasing it with special credit cards and spend is a poor financial proposition. Look how many people hold credit cards JUST for the “rewards” thinking that these benefits somehow offset the annual fee.
With all the recent changes, there is absolutely no financial reason to retain ANY of the Delta branded American Express cards. Not for miles based on spend, not for the thrill of 10:1 or 20:1 MQDs, not for the ridiculous “retention” bonus game that AMEX plays.
Sit down. Do the math. You’ll come out ahead with a simple cash back card, buying specific tickets, airlines, and schedules you choose. Don’t believe the hype.
It depends on how much you use the cards. I have both the reserve business and reserve personal cards. I don’t put anything on either that cannot be paid off monthly nor anything I would get a better deal on if I pay cash or check, but the spending is enough that it’s well worth it. I’ve done the math. These cards more than pay for themselves every year and the new program makes them even more lucrative. With the new program I will achieve Diamond status, which was not feasible before with the amount I spend on actual travel.
@chris I believe I read that we must convert our MQMs in 25% tranches. For example, you will have 47K MQMs rollover, so you have to convert them in blocks of 11.75K. (I cant find that clause in Ts&Cs right now, so maybe this has changed?)
In this case, you wont be able to convert 40K of them as you surmised in one of your potential scenarios. Personally, I will have about 369K MQMs rollover, and with the 25% tranches, i come up short of clean 100K blocks to extend status.
Would you please show me that link?
Found it:
https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/medallion-program/2024-program-updates???#terms
Click on Show Terms and Conditions
Scroll to Rollover MQM section
Here is the paragraph:
If miles are selected, the Rollover MQM balance will be converted at a ratio of 1 mile per 2 MQMs. If MQDs are selected, the Rollover MQM balance will be converted at a ratio of 1 MQD per 10 MQMs. SkyMiles Members can split their Rollover MQM balance conversion between miles and MQDs based on 25% increments, and subject to the conversion ratios in the previous sentence. For example, a SkyMiles Member can elect to convert 25% of their Rollover MQM balance into miles and the remainder 75% into MQDs.
In reading the Ts&Cs, my comments about 25% tranches hold for conversions to MQDs or Miles.
However, with 369K MQMs rolling over, I can extend status for three years (300K MQM), then convert the 69K to Miles or MQMs in 25 % increments.
Found the link: https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/medallion-program/2024-program-updates???#terms
>> Click on Show Terms And Conditions
>> Scroll down to Rollover MQMs section
Here is the paragraph:
If miles are selected, the Rollover MQM balance will be converted at a ratio of 1 mile per 2 MQMs. If MQDs are selected, the Rollover MQM balance will be converted at a ratio of 1 MQD per 10 MQMs. SkyMiles Members can split their Rollover MQM balance conversion between miles and MQDs based on 25% increments, and subject to the conversion ratios in the previous sentence. For example, a SkyMiles Member can elect to convert 25% of their Rollover MQM balance into miles and the remainder 75% into MQDs.
relatedly, and i don’t think i’ve seen it mentioned in blogs, but maybe a couple of times on ft, dl seems to have significantly and broadly increased domestic award fares such that it’s nearly impossible to get better than $0.01/mile for main cabin, which I frequently book on dl domestic. In prior years this was very common. This looks to be at least a 10% devaluation from what I’m seeing. Any interest in digging in and publishing a post about this? i think this may be related to why vs awards on dl domestic were also devalued in 23Q4.
I’ve got a big family trip to Europe in July (and a few smaller ones before), and will have about 190k MQM to roll over after my deduction for this year’s PM (plus a DL Platinum and Reserve bonus). I’m gonna go big and shoot for Diamond before that trip, with the plan to stop spending on DL cards after the Diamond hit and go all out on Chase after.