Remember Your Delta Medallion Choice Benefits (And Two It Might Be Too Late to Enjoy!)

Don’t look now but it’s suddenly August. Some NFL preseason games are already in the books. (New Year’s Day 2026 is — as of this post date — less than 150 days away. That’s it!)

If you’re a Delta Diamond or Platinum Medallion and haven’t yet picked your 2025 Choice Benefits, now’s a good time to start thinking about pulling the proverbial trigger.

Remember that any given Delta Choice Benefit’s value is subjective. Some people may love the Regional Upgrade Certificates while others rarely have any luck successfully using them. A few people might really like the Delta SkyMiles® American Express statement credit options — but someone else think, Nah, not worth it.

That said, there are a couple of Medallion Choice Benefits that might not be your best options this “late” in the year.

What Are This Year’s Choice Benefits?

• 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

Which Ones Should You Maybe Skip — and Why?

Just as I did in my post discussing the refreshed Choice Benefits, I’ll slash the Starbucks Stars, Sustainable Aviation whatchamahoosits, and the Wheels Up credit.

That means 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

So, what should you pick — or maybe even avoid?

Again, this all depends on you. But the Delta Sky Club membership (Diamonds only) and Gifting Medallion Status options might not be the best selections right now.

Why?

They expire January 31, 2026.

Well, so do the Upgrade Certificates! you might say. Very true. I assume you have at least a few trips planned over the next five months, which you can use to move closer to the top of the upgrade list if a confirmed upgrade isn’t available immediately.

I also think most people with status have one of the five American Express cards that give card members complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs. If you regularly bring guests into the Sky Club, the Executive Membership might be a good redemption. Regardless, make sure you have enough opportunities to enjoy the lounges during the next several months.

The same goes for gifting someone Medallion status. Elite status can come in handy during busy travel periods (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, etc.) if something goes sideways, such as weather or maintenance delays. That might be worth it for people you want to make Gold or Silver.

But if your recipient isn’t going to travel Delta much — or at all — between now and the end of January, you’re probably better off getting something else. Even if it’s Starbucks Stars or Delta Amex credit.

Gifted Medallion status doesn’t include any MQD headstarts or rollover status. In other words, giving someone Silver status doesn’t advance them $5,000 MQD.

Where Can You Pick Your Choice Benefits?

This is the link Delta has on their Choice Benefits page.

Final Approach

Remember to pick — and use — your Delta Choice Benefits soon! Gifting Medallion Status and redeeming selections for Sky Club membership might not be worth it this late in the year — unless you’re sure you’ll use them enough for whatever your travel goals are.

What are you picking — or did you pick — as your Choice Benefit(s)?

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.