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After several months of debating our future Medallion elite status with Delta Air Lines, my wife and I finally arrived at a decision.
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Our Status History
For better and worse, here’s a summary of our history with Delta status.
Like many couples, we wanted to travel before starting a family. I’m over six feet tall and value legroom. So, sometime in 2013 (I think), my wife and I decided to pursue Silver Medallion status. Nothing higher. Why? As long as I had exit row seats, I’d be happy — and she wouldn’t have to listen to me complain about legroom.
Well, then I started traveling more for client work. And I got creative with my credit spending. A couple of years later, I stumbled into Gold Medallion status. Customer service was better. And when we traveled together, my Silver wife enjoyed my Gold priority. We even got upgraded to a First Class several times!
I planned to heed Johnny Cade’s advice from The Outsiders and “stay gold.” Because exit row seats and a few upgrades were all I’d ever need.
Then came Platinum. And then Diamond. All of this was before our daughter was born. So, my wife was always Silver or Gold (because of Delta SkyMiles® American Express Card spending) and I was Platinum or Diamond. We used Global Upgrade Certificates and Regional Upgrade Certificates, flew in First Class quite frequently, and all that.
Then our daughter was born in 2017. That, of course, changed life in every aspect.
Both of us being Diamond wasn’t feasible — especially when Delta upped the Amex MQD Waiver to $250,000. So, I dropped down to Platinum; Mrs. Carley was usually Silver or Gold. Our daughter flew for free as an infant in arms. But exit row seats were out of the question. (Interestingly, we continued to travel frequently after our daughter was born — much more than anticipated!)
But our kiddo officially became an adult (in terms of airfare) when she turned two. That meant there’d be an odd person out when it came to piggybacking on someone’s status. But I still traveled for client work. We still easily made Platinum Medallion status through traveling and Delta Amex spending. We sat in Comfort+ and still enjoyed frequent-ish First Class upgrades (even when it meant challenging a rogue gate agent who decided his own upgrade rules).
I’ve traveled for clients maybe three or four times since COVID struck. All of those were trips to Las Vegas and on Southwest Airlines. Freelancer travel has been cut by about 97% because most of our work is now remote. Delta status is now worthless for that job.
We have been Platinum since. But Delta’s Medallion changes this year, the dramatic drop in upgrades, and our experience trying to redeem Regional Upgrade Certificates this year soured us.
Our decision this year: should we just leave it at Gold for me and Silver for Mrs. Carley? Or use our rollover MQM and Delta Amexes for another year of Platinum?
Our Current Situation
I hold the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, which each give me $2,500 MQD. So, that’s $5,000 MQD. I spent enough on airfare (mostly using vouchers/eCredits and points/miles) and have the rollover MQM to reach 2025 Platinum.
Mrs. Carley holds the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and reached Silver organically through Delta travel. She almsot got to Gold. Rollover MQM would get her there. But she’d need to upgrade a Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card back up to Delta Amex Platinum Card for those $2,500 MQD (she originally held the Platinum Delta Amex years ago but downgraded it during the pandemic). Then, she’d need to apply for a Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card to get those MQD. Then she’d hold Platinum status for 2025.
We accept that First Class upgrades are dying and we won’t receive them on longer flights, if that. Plus, we might save money on credit card annual fees and just buy Comfort+ seats when/if we want them. Our family of three fits OK into a standard row of economy. We survive. (For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Amex, please visit this link. For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Business Amex, please visit this link. For rates and fees of the Delta Platinum Amex, please visit this link. For rates and fees of Delta Platinum Business Amex, please visit this link. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, please visit this link.)
Alcohol and I have been on a trial separation since early November and my wife rarely drinks. So, we couldn’t care less about free drinks in Comfort+. We just value the extra couple inches of legroom.
On top of that, Delta’s airfares and award prices are becoming more and more expensive. We stopped spending money on our Delta Amexes and now use Amex Membership Rewards cards, Chase points cards, and our respective Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card cards. We can use those points toward redemptions on myriad airlines.
Platinum, Gold, or Silver?
We already have one family trip booked and another in the planning stages.
We’re going to the Caribbean this spring (our daughter’s first “international” trip, kinda).
One of our extended family members is getting married in New England this summer. We might make that trip with my in-laws. Platinum status for Comfort+ upgrades right after booking will be helpful. Heaven forbid there are any Regional Upgrade spaces available at booking, that could be nice, too.
We’ll have at least two trips to the Midwest to see family — although we may take a different airline if Delta is too expensive.
We decided to go Platinum for another year — and it could be our last at that level. If we reach it organically for 2026, great. But if Delta plans to lose longtime, loyal customers who actually travel regularly on the airline as opposed to someone who drops a lot of money once and earns status, then we’re happy to get out of their way.
It seems like Diamond is the only worthwhile status with actual upgrade possibilities — and I think that’s how Delta wants it.
Readers: Farewell to Delta?
Some readers commented on the blog — and a bunch emailed me — that they’re extending their status with rollover MQM while exploring other airlines. Why? Delta’s prices are too high. Plus, they’re not seeing the upgrades they once enjoyed.
Some business travelers have posted to online forums that Delta’s airfares are now too high for their companies’ travel policies.
Final Approach
Our family poured another serving of the Delta Platinum Kool-Aid. My guess is that we’ll back off after 2025, but who knows? Delta’s airfares and declining upgrades just really aren’t impressing us.
What are you doing for status? Please share in the Comments section below.
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® Platinum Business American Express Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, please visit this link.
Advertiser Disclosure: Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc., is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers. Compensation may impact how and where card products appear on the site. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some of the links on this page are affiliate or referral links. We may receive a commission or referral bonus for purchases or successful applications made during shopping sessions or signups initiated from clicking those links.
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.
are you finally giving up on the cool aid? Bastian has thumbed his nose at you and other elites more than any other CEO. Out of principle it makes sense to tell Delta to take a hike.
I’m definitely taking fewer sips.
I am staying with Flying Blue. Far better proposition than Delta. And I stopped flying Delta ‘cause now I only really get miles and xp for my status, but don’t see any real perks now that they have closed the lounges for flying blue platinum passengers. Who cares about priority boarding? )) I am getting a lifetime platinum this year with Flying Blue at which point won’t even look at Deltad just pick the cheapest option when traveling in the US. For international / transatlantic I will keep using AF/KLM
I have Diamond status for the first time through 2025. Based on my current work travel and salary, I might be able to get up to Platinum for 2026 if I go back to irrational credit card spending patterns. I see myself also pursuing airline free agency at some point during the next year.
Got to get Mackinac to pay you more. Ask Joe Lehman. That guy rips off your donors. He’s 360.
I am Diamond now through Jan ‘26 – then I am done with Delta (and I live in Minneapolis). Chasing Diamond was expensive and will yield almost nothing in terms of upgrades. That is not an opinion – is is data – 12% of seats remain open for complimentary upgrades .. not enough to make the chase worth it.
I think we all knew Delta was going to tilt this all towards the airline winning – not Medallion members.
It all feels like a massive false pretense- the amazing welcome kit when you reach diamond. But other than saying nice things – it now means nothing in the real world.
What are your plans going forward out of MSP? Whoever has the best fare? Do you already have a preferred other airline? (Sun Country, Southwest, United, AA, Spirit, etc?)
So true. I’ve been diamond for 5 years. It’s worthless now and my company is starting to complain about my Delta airfare prices. Switching to American in 2025. Lastly, I only get upgraded on flights from DTW to Appleton WI on the CRJ 700 or 900 planes that don’t have a first class.I’m done with Delta.
Great post, I read the previous post about the 4 cards to get to $10,000 MQDs and it was brilliant. I am at $13,800 MQDS with no remaining travel and a Reserve Card. Based on the earlier post, I am contemplating getting the Platinum Card for $350, getting the MQD Boost posted this year and having another year of Platinum. I would love to hear anyone’s thoughts. Thanks for the great work!
@BJ Harman — thanks for the kinds words. If you’re that close to PM and you’re going to fly Delta a decent amount in 2025, I say go for it. Best case scenario: you enjoy it and decide to keep going. Worst case: you tried it, have another Companion Certificate to use when the annual fee hits (you can cancel the card and still keep the cert), and then figure out another plan.
I’m DM through 2025, but won’t be chasing it for 2026. With the requirements to attain DM now, combined with reduced upgrade chances even if DM, it simply isn’t worth it. In fact, I won’t be chasing any level, because I am PM for life (2MM). I’ll maintain some nice Delta perks, and I’ll continue to fly Delta some. But, I’ll also look for good premium cabin fares on any airline. Free agency has it’s benefits.
Between Chris and Rene, is this blog going to even be about Delta anymore?
Yep! I have no plans to quit Delta completely. I really like their product. Their prices are getting too high and their attitude toward loyal customers is what’s so discouraging. But we’ll absolutely keep our focus on Delta.
Delta is like the husband who beats his wife or girlfriend and we, the frequent flyers, are the wife or girlfriend. We keep coming back, knowing he’ll beat us again but we hope he won’t and his ways have changed.
For years, I’ve heard people use the term “abusive relationship” when describing Delta. I’ve tried staying away from putting it in those exact terms because I know people who’ve been in actual abusive relationships. They’d probably have a thing or two to say about physical and mental violence versus, say, upgrades and lounges. But, yes, many of us keep coming back. Maybe it’s a Midwest thing?
I will be PM this coming year using my MQM’s and one final flight out of FAR to MDT for Christmas. I am a little over 50k miles short of reaching the 2MM level. Hope to hit that in 2025. Delta works best for us out of Fargo.
Shout out to my homies from FAR!
I am Platinum because of 2 MM status-at the rate the seat miles accumulates I may never get to 3 MM!! East to west to back to east coast is barely 5,000 miles each round trip….. I have some left over MQM’s to apply to get DM for another 2 years,,but all bets are off after that…..My husband has 1 year of MQM’s to keep DM then??? I just spent over 600,000 miles/points to get 5 adult children and 6 grands to the east coast for Christmas and it was a big challenge–Thanks Delta….
Diamond and delta million miler. Through rollovers DM through Jan 2030. After that will be content with an annually renewing Gold. Have only flown economy award tickets on delta this year and accrued enough miles on 2 international rt with GUC applied to pay for that. No further spend. No further plan to. Will top up miles balance as needed with international PE/J travel on partner with much better service than delta (eg KE, VS, AF/KL). Cash spend nearly only on transferrable award currency cards. Have status with other airlines.
Home base is a delta hub but not a fortress.
I generally don’t value F domestically in the US from any of the carriers for soft product. Hard product is worse than foreign competition for price most of the time too on close to head-to-head routes. I don’t see much premium in any cabin from delta, united, or american.
I have been PM for a decade but think 2025 will be it. I converted my MQMs to MQDs yesterday, which bumped me over the PM threshold by almost $1,300 MQDs, and it annoys me that amount will go poof come the New Year. I’ll travel on business maybe twice or thrice next year, which, with my Delta Reserve Skymiles card may get me to GM for 2026, but maybe not. If not, then I’ll follow my wife’s example and convert my Amex to Blue or some other non-Skymiles card and start using my Chase Sapphire Visa and other cards more. I live in ATL so avoiding Delta may be against the law, but I expect to become a free agent and start flying based on best price come 2026 or 2027 at the latest. The last time I took a non-Delta flight was 2019 but I’m sure I’ll be flying other airlines again soon.
Living overseas now since December 2021 and Delta can no longer reliably even book me a ticket to fly so I am using Japan Airlines and ANA for my international travel to the US and their partners for US domestic. I was Diamond status with Delta for 8 years in a row. Now, as far as I see, Mr Bastian no longer cares about the customer, all he sees is shareholder dollars. Delta can go scratch for me after 16 years of flying with them exclusively. I still have over 1.5 million miles banked and I am a million miler but their miles are worthless anymore for the type travel I do so not even going to bother. Using miles for an international flight and then when something goes wrong, Delta said they are limited as to what they can do. So not doing that again.
I would be curious to know what the average Delta diamond does or flies. Are they flying Detroit to Nashville or New York to Los Angeles every Monday and Friday? I think diamond and Delta loyalty makes a lot of sense if you fly the same route week in and week out. You probably know which flights are easy for upgrades and even if you don’t get into first, what’s 75 minutes in comfort-plus? You still get a coffee or a stiff drink. I’m actually curious about the travel patterns. I suspect there are few customers who travel to all four corners of the Lower 48, let alone international. And those customers flying the longest routes are probably buying first or business, either personally or by virtue of a contract entitling them to the highest class of service.
Yep…after nearly 30 years of extensive travel on Delta and mostly at the Platinum level, I’m done. You said it so well: “But if Delta plans to lose longtime, loyal customers who actually travel regularly on the airline as opposed to someone who drops a lot of money once and earns status, then we’re happy to get out of their way.” That’s my sentiment exactly.
It seems only Diamond status gives you a slim chance of upgrades with even the option for an international upgrade certificate. As a Platinum member who is Platinum for 2025 , I have not seen any benefit except the immediate comfort + upgrade if available. There are many DM travelers so any lower status won’t get you much
I have a Delta skymiles Plat credit card and use it frequently
Also, I travel only for pleasure , take multiple international flights / year , but only a couple domestic flights. I have been loyal to Delta for over 30 years , but I am no longer going to be flying them
Internationally , and won’t chase status
I am a Delta Diamond, United 1k and American Executive Platinum (not a brag it’s pathetic). I didn’t go with trying to obtain ultra secret, just keep spending, we will tell you when you get there status because this gives me an opportunity for domestic upgrades regardless of who i fly. I never understood why some consider Delta the premium US carrier. I thinking about it a lot when i’m sitting in a Polaris lounge.
I have been a platinum medallion for 8 years and will be diamond medallion next year. I am looking into other travel cards and their benefits for the future. Delta tickets are expensive, first class upgrades are becoming less frequent and even waived baggage fees don’t happen when traveling on a codeshare delta flight which adds up to further expense. As Delta continues to push harder to sell class upgrades to people after ticket purchase, I assume the amount of space for upgrades will dwindle lower than the current 12%.
Former Diamond now a free agent but still flying Delta via Membership Rewards 35% rebates for three reasons: 1) I need its reliable service into BGR for family visits (I will try the Breeze MCO service eventually); 2) I need MCO-SEA nonstop for work at least once a year and its morning service fits my needs whereas the Alaska Air nonstop leaves just after dawn; and 3) I have some work trips with very tight timing and clients willing to pay a little more for the most reliable carrier. I need to be where I need to be and my clients know it.