Delta Air Lines made significant waves over the past several years with its SkyMiles frequent flyer program. In 2023, the SkyTeam Alliance airline announced a significant overhaul of the program, which many frequent flyers felt was a devaluation of the program, leading to a considerable backlash.
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The most significant change was the replacement of the carrier's system of using a combination of Medallion Qualifying Dollars, Miles, and Segments to reach elite status. The airline confirmed it was moving to a system based entirely on the amount of money spent with the airline, Medallion Qualifying Dollars.
The change brings the program in line with other airline loyalty programs worldwide but can make achieving frequent flyer status more difficult for those who typically fly on the cheapest tickets.
Following pushback from frequent flyers, the carrier reversed several of the proposed changes and reduced the spending threshold for each of its elite status tiers.
In 2024, the airline sunset its Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) in favor of the Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) and allowed members to either convert the miles to MQDs to help them attain a higher level of status or use them on award trips.
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For the current year, members must earn the following amount of Medallion Qualifying Dollars to reach elite status, which is held until the end of 2026:
There are several ways to earn MQDs. The most intuitive way to earn is by flying with Delta or its partners in the Star Alliance . According to Delta Air Lines, members earn $1 MQD per $1 spent on the ticket price for a Delta-marketed flight operated by Delta or by one of its partner airlines. Significantly, MQDs are not earned on taxes, fees (including government-imposed fees), Delta Car Rentals, Delta Stays bookings, other booking charges, or on Basic Economy and similar fares.
Delta One, Delta Premium Select, First Class, Delta Comfort+, and Preferred Seats purchases and paid Premium class upgrades made through a Delta channel (including delta.com, Fly Delta mobile app, Delta Reservations, Delta kiosks, and select Delta airport locations) are eligible to earn MQDs, except when purchased at the airport in Amsterdam (AMS), or Paris (CDG).
There are also a number of ways that frequent flyers can earn MQDs on non-flying activities. The first is to book Delta Vacations packages. While MQDs are not awarded for individual hotel or car rental bookings made through Delta, they are earned when the bookings are combined with a flight as part of a Delta vacation getaway.
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However, the Vacation packages provide a way for multiple people to earn status at the same time. All passengers in the booking will earn MQDs for the flight portion of the package based on the Exception Fares Chart. In addition to the MQDs earned on the flight portion of the package, the primary passenger who books the package will also receive MQDs on non-flight portions of the package, such as hotels, rides, cars, and activities.
The amount of MQDs earned for the ancillary portion equals the difference between the total package price and the combined MQDs awarded to all passengers for the flight portion.
Naturally, Delta Air Lines also leverages its incredibly lucrative credit card partnership with American Express to offer additional ways to earn elite status. Anyone who holds the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business American Express Card will receive 2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars to get closer to elite status with MQD Headstart. For cardholders, this means they start the year with half the MQDs needed to reach Silver Medallion status.
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In addition, the majority of Delta co-branded cardholders can enjoy a 15% discount on the miles price of award tickets booked with Delta, thanks to the airline's TakeOff15 initiative. When reached for comment, a Delta Air Lines spokesperson noted how the additional earning opportunities can benefit customers:
"Delta is focused on creating value for our SkyMiles Members by providing a range of ways to earn and redeem miles, ultimately making them more valuable at every level".
Delta Air Lines is a member of the SkyTeam Alliance , allowing for frequent flyers to earn MQDs on flights with many international carriers. The number of MQDs earned on partner flights can vary significantly based on the distance, travel class, and how the fare was purchased.
Members are able to earn points both with cash tickets and when redeeming Delta SkyMiles on flights operated by Delta and its partners. However, Delta has separate agreements with each of its partners, and MQDs are awarded differently based on which carrier is operating the flight. Simple Flying previously found that some of the best value flights can be booked with Delta's Core Global Airline Partners, which include:
Depending on the airline, flight distance, and class of travel, some airlines offer up to 3.5 MQDs per $1 spent, which can provide for some interesting route options that earn more with a partner airline than they would if flown on a Delta service.
Delta Air Lines is not alone in changing to an entirely revenue-based frequent flyer program in recent years. British Airways recently confirmed that its Executive Club frequent flyer program is changing to a system where customers earn Tier Points, which are required for status upgrades, based on the amount of money spent on the ticket as opposed to the distance flown.
