“I Need Delta MQD! How Can I Earn Them Right Now?”

We’re getting to that point in the year when some people scramble to meet their Delta SkyMiles Medallion elite status goals. Maybe their travel plans didn’t pan out during the year as planned. Others might have reached their desired tier level — but are close to the next level of Medallion status.

We’re hearing from readers and seeing posts online asking how people can earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD).

So, here are some ideas that might help you.

Flying

You can earn MQD by flying not only Delta Air Lines flights but also trips on Delta partner carriers.

The great thing about Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM), may they rest in peace, was you could earn bonus MQM if you purchased premium cabin tickets (Premium Select, First Class, Delta One). Even if the bonuses were 25%, those still added up on long trips.

Unfortunately, Delta doesn’t offer bonus MQD for flights. An MQD is an MQD is an MQD. There’s no real “hack” or way around gaming the MQD system. Remember, someone can earn at least Gold Medallion status from taking just one flight — regardless of any loyalty to Delta.

But let’s say you already have some Delta flights booked during the next two and a half months. Check your itineraries and see if Delta offers any buy-ups to Premium Select, First Class, or Delta One. Because you’ll spend more money (or upgrade using SkyMiles), you’ll earn MQD for those upgrades.

Remember that flights on Delta partner carriers earn MQD based on a formula: a percentage of the distance flown — and that percentage is based on which fare class you purchase. You want to shoot for business class or premium economy flights. The key to this is crediting the trips to your Delta SkyMiles number.

For example, the point.me Mileage Run department alerted us to this Dubai trip that costs just over $1,500 — but earns over $4,800 MQD. Here’s another example: this trip to Rome costs $2,250 and earns $4,774 MQD.

No, partner trips generally aren’t as lucrative as they once were. But there still are some good finds out there. We blog them whenever we get a chance to go mileage run huntin’. But the point.me Mileage Run department is dedicated to creating personalized mileage runs for you. Sign-up is free for a point.me account.

In a few minutes, we’ll talk about ways to perhaps save a few bucks on your trips.

Convert Your MQM

If you haven’t yet converted your rollover MQM, remember to do that before the end of the year. That might give you a sudden MQD boost.

Delta SkyMiles® American Express Cards

There are a few different ways certain Delta Amex cards can help you earn MQD. (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.)

MQD Bonuses

First, four Delta American Express cards annually each give cardholders a $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) Headstarts:

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Current annual fee: $650. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please visit this link. )
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (Current annual fee: $650. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, please visit this link.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Current annual fee: $350. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please visit this link.)
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (Current annual fee: $350. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, please visit this link.)

If you hold all four of those cards, that’s $10,000 MQD without stepping foot on a plane.

Here are the current welcome offers for each card:

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on the card within six (6) months of being approved for card membership. (Terms apply.)  Learn here how to apply.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Earn 80,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $10,000 in eligible purchases on your new card within six (6) months of being approved for membership. (Terms apply.) Learn here how to apply.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new card within six (6) months of being approved for card membership. (Terms apply.) Learn here how to apply.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Earn 70,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new card within six (6) months of being approved for membership. (Terms apply.) Learn here how to apply.

Please note that if you’ve held the personal/consumer Delta Reserve Amex that you aren’t eligible for the personal/consumer Delta Platinum Amex’s welcome offer.

Spending

The Reserve and Platinum cards earn MQD for reaching various spending thresholds.

• Delta Reserve Amex
  • Earn $1 MQD for each $10 in eligible purchases
• Delta Reserve Business Amex
  • Earn $1 MQD for each $10 in eligible purchases
• Delta Platinum Amex
  • Earn $1 MQD for each $20 in eligible purchases
• Delta Platinum Business Amex
  • Earn $1 MQD for each $20 in eligible purchases

We recently blogged a targeted promotion awarding bonus MQD for credit card spending. That might come in handy.

Choice Benefits

Diamond and Platinum Medallions can select an MQD deposit as a Choice Benefit.

• Diamond: $1,000
• Platinum: $500

(Thanks for the reminder, Bill!)

Delta Vacations

I’ve never booked a trip through Delta Vacations but may consider giving it a go at some point.

Exclusively with Delta Vacations, you’ll earn $1 Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) per $1 spend on flights, hotels, rides and activities. Which means with just one vacation, you could earn Status! …

The primary passenger who books the package you will also receive MQDs on nonflight portions of the package, such as hotels, rides, cars, and activities.

You can read more here.

Reduce Your Costs Using Statement Credit Opportunities

Several credit cards offer statement credits that can help you save money on your travels. These can come in helpful with purchasing airline tickets, upgrades, etc.

For example, Chase Sapphire Reserve® holders may earn up to $300 in statement credits each cardmember year for eligible travel purchases.

The The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express both offer members up to $200 each calendar year for eligible incidental purchases charged to their cards. Consider applying Delta gift cards toward some of a trip’s cost and then paying the cash balance with your Amex Platinum or Business Amex Platinum Card. We’ve had great luck with the cash balance crediting back to our cards.

Final Approach

The race is on to earn MQD for Delta status (well, at least for some people). How are you earning MQD toward status?

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 rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles® Business Platinum American Express Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this link.