So, here we are in the 2025 Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Medallion status year. (And we have until December 31, 2025, to earn 2026 status.) Delta sweetened the Choice Benefits offerings for its Diamond and Platinum members this year. There were (good) enhancements almost across the board versus last year’s options. Most benefits received boosts in miles, MQD, or voucher, or credit values.
Let’s take a look at what’s available — and discuss some of their value. Remember this is my opinion (and I’d love to hear yours in the Comments section!). Benefit value can vary depending on your home airport(s), preferred destinations, spending habits and financial situations, job-related travel perks, and more. What you think is great might be worthless for someone else — and vice versa.
How Many Delta Choice Benefits Do You Get?
People who earned Diamond Medallion status for the 2025 year can pick up to three (3) Choice Benefits. Platinum may choose one (1).
But in reality, Diamonds who earn their status by accruing enough Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) also may select a Platinum Choice Benefit. Diamonds who receive complimentary status (i.e., via Million Miler) don’t get to choose Platinum benefits — unless they actually earn at least Platinum status. (Though I heard some people who received complimentary Diamond also received Platinum benefits.)
Don’t sweat it. You have until January 31, 2026, to make your selection.
Where Do I Select My Choice Benefit?
This link will take you to the page on Delta’s website. You’ll need to log in (if you’re not already) and then you can pick your Choice Benefit(s).
What Are the 2025 Choice Benefits?
Here are your options for 2025.
- Upgrade Certificates
- Diamonds: Four (4) Global Upgrade Certificates or Eight (8) Regional Upgrade Certificates or Two (2) Globals and Four (4) Regionals
- Platinums: Four (4) Regional Upgrade Certificates
- Please note: the Certificates must be used for flights departing no later than January 31, 2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® American Express Statement Credit (only for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card products)
- Diamonds: $700 statement credit
- Platinums: $400 statement credit
- Delta Sky Club Memberships
- Diamonds: One (1) Executive Membership (This requires all three of your 2025 Choice Benefits) or one (1) Individual Membership (This requires two of your 2025 Choice Benefits)
- Platinums: Not Available. Stick to your eligible Amex Card.
- Please note: Membership expires on January 31, 2026.
- Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) Accelerator Toward the 2026 Medallion Year
- Diamonds: $2,000 MQD
- Platinums: $1,000 MQD
- Medallion Status Gifting for the 2024 Year
- Diamonds: Gift Gold Medallion status to two (2) people
- Platinums: Gift Silver Medallion status to two (2) people
- Please note: 2025 Medallion status expires on January 31, 2026.
- Bonus SkyMiles
- Diamonds: 35,000 SkyMiles
- Platinums: 30,000 SkyMiles
- Delta Vacations Promo Code (Flight + Hotel)
- Diamonds: $500
- Platinums: $400
- Expires one year after being issued.
- Delta Travel Voucher
- Diamonds: $350
- Platinums: $300
- Expires one year after being issued.
- Starbucks Rewards Stars
- Diamonds: 6,000 Stars
- Platinums: 6,000 Stars
- Unused stars expire six months after they are deposited into the member’s account.
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel Contribution
- Diamonds: $250 SAF
- Platinums: $250 SAF
- Wheels Up Private Flight Credit
- Diamonds: $2,000
- Platinums: $1,500
Let’s Scratch Off Three Right Away
I’m going to strike three Choice Benefits before we go any further.
- First, let’s get rid of the Starbucks Rewards Stars. 6,000 stars would get me 30 Venti Cold Brews. Those run about $5 a pop at my local Starbucks. That benefit is worth about $150 to me. No, thanks.
- Next, I’m saying no to the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Contribution. I have no idea if Delta even cuts a check for carbon credits (or whatever the contribution does). I’d rather they donate the money to one of my favorite charities.
- Finally, the Wheels Up credit is worthless for me. I don’t know how much a “cheap” flight on Wheels Up costs. I’m guessing this is one of those “If You Have to Ask, You Probably Can’t Afford It” situations. I live near one of the world’s busiest private airports and see Wheels Up tails every time I drive by. But even this doesn’t move the needle for me.
What’s Left?
After that purge, we have:
- Upgrade Certificates
- Delta SkyMiles® American Express Statement Credit
- Delta Sky Club Memberships
- Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) Accelerator Toward the 2026 Medallion Year
- Medallion Status Gifting for the 2025 Year
- Bonus SkyMiles
- Delta Vacations Promo Code (Flight + Hotel)
- Delta Travel Voucher
Ugh-Grade(?) Certificates
If you’re a Diamond, using one of your Choice Benefits for the four Global Upgrade Certificates might be a decent pick. (You can select the same option multiple times, if allowed.) You upgrade into Premium Select right away and are then waitlisted for Delta One. That’s less valuable than the good ole days of a few years ago when you were upgraded into Delta One right away, space permitting. But Globals trump Regional Upgrade Certificates on long haul domestic flights, too. (Not that you want to get into the habit of using Globals for those trips.)
I’ve wasted Regional Certificates over the years and likely won’t select them again. I want to use Regionals on domestic transcontinentals like Los Angeles to New York or Boston or Washington. I don’t want to use RUC on some Minneapolis to Fargo trip. (True story: there was one time I couldn’t even burn one on an LAX to Las Vegas flight.) As we’ve written, Regionals are becoming Fool’s Gold.
But maybe you fly days when premium demand is low — and you’re fine with whatever upgrade you get. Knock yourself out!
Don’t Laugh: Delta Amex Statement Credit
I’ll be 100% honest: I rolled my eyes when this Choice Bennie was announced a few years ago. Of course there’s an Amex tie-in!
But I think it’s actually pretty valuable — especially for Diamonds.
Diamonds can have a $700 credit applied toward one of their eligible Delta Amex cards. Platinums can elect for a $400 credit. (Remember the current welcome offers available right now, too.) Heck, spend $700 or $400 on a trip and basically get it credited back to you. That’s more valuable, I think, than the $350 or $300 Delta Travel Vouchers. But that’s just me.
Or just save some money on your bills.
Delta Sky Club Memberships
Diamonds can use all three Benefits for an Executive Membership. That gives you and two guests unlimited visits to Delta Sky Clubs — when flying Delta or eligible partner flights. An Individual Membership (two picks) gets you in as many times you want, too, but without free guests. This isn’t like the olden days when you could fly another airline (like American, United, Southwest, etc.) and pop into the Sky Club. These might be a good option if you really think you’ll burn through all of the Amex Sky Club Visits.
MQD Accelerator
If you’re worried about hitting Medallion status next year, this might help you out. Diamonds can choose a $2,000 MQD deposit (up to three times!) and Platinums can pick $1,000. You could combine that with the Delta Amex cards that offer $2,500 MQD each. That’s a lot of MQD for not leaving your house.
Medallion Gifting
These are great if you have employees or family members who travel often.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
- The status expires on January 31, 2026, so don’t wait too long to gift it
- Gifted status doesn’t come with an “MQD advance.” In other words, if you gift someone Gold Medallion, they don’t also receive $10,000 MQD. They get the benefits of Gold status but if they want, say, Platinum Medallion next year, they still must earn all $15,000 MQD organically.
Bonus SkyMiles
SkyMiles are pretty worthless for premium redemptions, especially for overseas trips. I feel like I could redeem fewer points and miles for a trip to space aboard a billionaire’s rocket than for Delta One between LAX and Paris.
That said, I’ve found some decent domestic awards (yay?) — especially thanks to the TakeOff 15 discount. Again, you might get more value booking a trip and using your Delta Amex credit Benefit to pay for the flights. Just food for thought.
Plus, SkyMiles don’t expire until you do.
Delta Vacations Experience
I still haven’t used Delta Vacations, despite my saying that I will. People who’ve used Delta Vacations: please tell us if you like the service and if this Benefit be of, well, benefit.
Delta Travel Voucher
Hey, free travel on Delta’s dime. Why not? Keep in mind the voucher is valid for 12 months — versus SkyMiles which live as long as you do. Again, the Amex Delta credit might be a better way to go.
Final Approach
That’s our quick breakdown on Delta’s Choice Benefits this year.
What’s your take? Which Benefit(s) will you pick? Please share your thoughts in the below Comments section!
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.
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Hi Chris, first of all great work on the blog, I know it’s a labor of love as much as anything else so keep it up.
I’ve actually gotten thousands of dollars of value on RUCs. The best redemptions are coast to coast flights, or nearly those. Today I redeemed them on a flight I’m taking next week, they were selling FC upgrades for $560 apiece, so a pretty good deal. Unless you wait list them, you just have to check rather compulsively to see if space opens, but if you’re reading this blog, you’re probably doing that already!
Thanks, Al, for the kind words. What a great way to start the day!
That’s great that you’re getting such value out of the RUC! What day are you flying next week, just out of curiosity?
Monday. Perhaps not peak travel time so that helped.
I’ve always thought Mondays are pretty busy. I thought you were going to say Tuesday or Wednesday. Nicely done!!
My best value is giving my 2 kids GM. They travelled extensively last year to Europe, Asia and elsewhere and having STE+ came in very handy for lounges, bags, seats, upgrades, etc. They even got upgraded to premium on the cheapest ticket on a 13+ hour flight to Singapore. Huge value. I also take the 4 GUCs and $700 Amex. For PM I take the 4 RUCs.
Thanks, Frankie. What routes do you have the best luck with using your RUC?
I use the 4 RUC from ATL>LAS annually booked well in advance with an Amex companion cert. Great value in getting 4 FC seats on a 4-hour flight for $600 return.
RUC’s and GUC’s still have legit value if you dig.
RUC’s on a 4-leg coast-to-coast flight to LATAM and back got me and my SO auto upgraded to first on 2 of those legs, waitlisted on the other 2.
GUC’s on a nonstop transpacific flight to Asia got me auto upgraded to Delta One. I used miles as well on the original purchase, arguably compounding the value.
I like the diamond AmEx credit, because it basically knocks out the annual fee, and then some.
I’m debating next between either the miles or something else for the last pick.
I chose MQD Accelerator because I’m going on one less European adventure this year and was afraid I wouldn’t hit Platinum for next year. Then I looked at how many MQDs I earn each month from my 2 cobranded AmExs and realized I would be more than fine (I was 1K away from Diamond this year :'( ).
Do we think they will ever go back to roll overs? wishful thinking…
“Do we think they will ever go back to roll overs?”
Because Delta loves tinkering, my guess is that if it happens it would be when they raise the MQD thresholds again. That could be later this year or sometime in ’26. But that’s pure speculation.
@Christy – Delta top folks have, not just once, but repeatedly stated there will not be rollover MQDs. I personally love the idea but do not hold your breath.
I usually opt for the Regional Upgrades but I had lost two last year that I could not burn. Thus, probably aiming toward card credit.
I usually opt for the Regional Upgrades but I had lost two last year that I could not burn. Thus, probably aiming toward statement Credit.
Hey Chris, also want to express my appreciation for what you do I have been able to use RUC successfully the last 4 years on transcon flights including Hartford to Cabo and Hartford to LA in lie flats from ATL – LAX. Definitely requires working the schedule and some advanced planning but what else do we do with our time?
Lifetime platinum here as I have over 2M miles with Delta over 40 years of flying. I pick RUCs and use them to fly to Hawaii from Detroit. Obviously, it takes a lot of searching to find available flights, but I am flexible so I never waste any RUCs. When I do find availability I use the Amex companion certs to reduce costs even more.
I have used Delta Vacations many times which have worked out to save money until there is a flight issue. Dealing with DV customer service is terrible versus the Delta elite lines so unless there is a significant savings to booking the hotel, flight, or car rental packages, I would advise avoiding Delta Vacations.
Good to know, Bill, thanks!
Why would a Diamond use 2 benefits for a SkyClub Membership if you can use 1 benefit and get a $700 AMEX credit, essentially pay for the same price of the membership and put it on your Reserve Card and earn MDMs?
Sorry, MQDs!
on the $2k MQD’s it gives me the option for 1 or 2 benefits. do you know if I choose 2, it would give me $4k?
Just came across your site on this google search. looks like great info. I’ll definitely be coming back.
Hi, Josh — welcome and thanks much for the kind words. You should be able to get $4k MQD.
I just redeemed my Platinum Choice Benefit for 4 RUCs and used two of them for a return trip between BWI and DFW. OK it’s not coast to coast.
I don’t believe that you can get more than one set of GUCs when you are Diamond.
I used a statement credit last year, it was a good move. I am waiting till closer to the end of the year to see if I need to use the MQD accelerators.
$700 Amex credit, MQD accelerator and 35K miles
I think the MQD accelerator (if you think your travel will lessen and might need the extra boost). Definitely not the Sky Club. I’ve already saved two of my precious 15 visits this year by using the Centurion instead. Plus, there are airports with no SC’s at all (Europe, smaller US cities, etc.)