Now Live: Delta’s Beyond Diamond Feature Gives More Choice Benefits (Gift Diamond Medallion Status?!) to Big Spenders

Want to gift someone Delta Diamond Medallion status? That’s now a possibility.

It’s not the Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) rollover many of us want. But Delta Air Lines is rewarding SkyMiles Medallion members who spend (way) above and beyond its $28,000 MQD threshold for Diamond status: they can select additional (and some different!) Choice Benefits as part of the carrier’s “Beyond Diamond” program.

Beyond Diamond: Additional Choice Benefits

We heard rumors the past few days that people who earned over $28,000 MQD in a calendar year could pick extra Choice Benefits.

A Delta spokesperson confirmed to me today that “Diamond Medallions are eligible to earn up to three additional Choice Benefits upon earning $50K, $75K, and $100K MQDs.”

The spokesperson told us, “eligible Diamonds should have received a notification email on May 8, or they can see their Choice Benefit options in the app.”

Unlock Different Choice Benefits

Here’s where things get more interesting — like gifting Diamond and Platinum Medallion status!

Reaching those tiers gives members access to some standard selections — and unlocks a few new Choice Benefits.

• Four (4) Regional Upgrade Certificates
• Two (2) Global Upgrade Certificates
• 50,000 Bonus Miles (to keep, gift, donate)
• $5,000 MQD Accelerator for 2027 Medallion Year
• Gift Platinum Medallion Status to up to 2 Recipients
• Gift Diamond Medallion Status to 1 Recipient* (*only an option upon earning $100K MQDs)

Quick update: We’re hearing that you can select one (1) additional Benefit at each additional $25,000 tier up to $100,000.

Does That Make Delta SkyMiles® American Express Cards More Important?

For some folks, that news might make certain cobranded Delta Amex cards more valuable. (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.)

Four cards give members $2,500 MQD each year. No flying necessary.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
  • $650 annual fee. (Rates & Fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
  • $650 annual fee. (Rates & Fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
  • $350 annual fee. (Rates & Fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
  • $350 annual fee. (Rates & Fees)

For up to $2,000 in annual fees, you can earn up to $10,000 MQD. (That’s Gold Medallion status without leaving your sofa.)

Delta Reserve Amex and Delta Business Reserve Amex cardholders earn $1 MQD for each $10 spent on eligible purchases on their respective cards. (Not across cards — on one card.). Meanwhile. 

Delta Platinum and Delta Business Platinum Amex members earn $1 MQD for every $20 spent on eligible purchases on their respective cards.

This news might inspire some folks to spend more on their Delta Amexes.

Remember, too, that trips on Delta partners earn MQD. (The Mileage Run Department at point.me actually specializes in these kinds of trips — and they don’t even need to be mileage runs. They’ll find whatever you want.)

Final Approach

Delta’s big MQD earners are now eligible to select additional (and some new) Choice Benefits. Will this change your Delta MQD earning strategy going forward?

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.