Early autumn is when Delta Air Lines usually announces significant changes to its SkyMiles elite status program. Well, we already have the answer to a major question for 2027 status. (And I need your help with data points!)

Will Delta Raise the MQD Levels for 2027?

It’s been a few years since Delta’s infamous rollout of the enhanced Medallion® program. Remember the one? When someone could literally take one flight and be “more loyal” than someone who regularly flies Delta.

Since then, Delta lowered the Medallion® Qualification Dollar (MQD) thresholds for elite status — after backlash that made front-page news.

We’ve expected Delta to raise the MQD requirements. That’s how loyalty programs, in general, work. Not just Delta’s. I figured we’d learn sometime around or before next September that Delta would raise 2027 Medallion® status thresholds.

I’m delighted to tell you that I’m wrong on both matters!

Delta announced Tuesday that MQD levels will remain the same for 2027 Medallion® status! (#KeepClimbing!)

That’s right. So, during 2026 (the earning period for the 2027 Medallion® year), the figures are:

• Silver: $5,000 MQD
• Gold: $10,000 MQD
• Platinum: $15,000 MQD
• Diamond: $28,000 MQD

Choice Benefit Enhancements — Good and Bad?

Delta also announced changes to several Platinum and Diamond 2026 Choice Benefits:

• Medallion®® Status Gifting for the 2026Year
  • Diamonds: Gift Gold Medallion®® status to four (4) people — up from two (2)!
  • Platinums: Gift Silver Medallion®® status to four (4) people — up from two (2)!
  • Please note: 2026 Medallion®® status expires on January 31, 2027.
• Bonus SkyMiles
  • Diamonds: 40,000 SkyMiles (up from 35k)
  • Platinums: 35,000 SkyMiles (up from 30k)
• Delta Travel Voucher
  • Diamonds: $550 (up from $350 — that’s a generous leap!)
  • Platinums: $350 (up from $300)
  • Expires one year after being issued.
• 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: $500 statement credit (down from $700)
  • Platinums: $250 statement credit (down from 400)

What? No increases to Starbucks Stars or the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Contribution? 😉

Gifting Gold status to four people is pretty bonkers. That leads me to wonder how many elites Delta lost during the past few years. It kinda stinks that the Amex statement credits went down. But the travel voucher and SkyMiles values going up is an OK compromise.

Let me put it this way: Delta was far more customer proactive than they could’ve been. The pessimist in me says this is all to setup big changes for 2028. Delta can say, “Well, we did X, Y, Z for you in the past few years, so now it’s time to raise MQD…”

I do wish vouchers could be used toward upgrades. (Hint, hint, Delta C-suiters reading this post. 😉 )

Buy MQD

In years past, people could purchase Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQM) toward whatever their status goals were. This was called “Elevate Your Status.” (René had an opinion about these.) But then MQMs tragically died last Medallion® year. And Elevate Your Status pretty much went away during the COVID years. (When Delta extended people’s status for a few years.)

I still think about them from time to time. I treasure the memories I have of MQM mileage runs to Asia, Europe, and wild goose chases across the United States during weekends. *sigh* We’ll always have Paris.

Since the new SkyMiles program took effect, MQD couldn’t be purchased without flying or holding a credit card. The closest was having one of the four Delta Amex cards that give cardholders $2,500 each just for being members.

Delta just relaunched “Elevate Your Status” to purchase MQD. You can buy MQD — if you’re targeted.

Here’s where I need your help.

I’m not eligible to buy MQD.

If you are, would you please tell us in the below Comments section what options you were given? Thanks!

Final Approach

Delta dropped some announcements for their Medallion® program. I think it’s very much net positive. What are your thoughts?