How many MQDs do I need for Delta Gold Medallion?

You need $10,000 MQDs earned between 1 January and 31 December. Gold then runs from 1 February to 31 January of the following year. The same threshold applies for 2027 status.

Do Delta award tickets count toward Medallion status?

Yes. Award tickets in Main Classic or above earn MQDs at the miles redeemed divided by 100, so a 40,000-mile award earns $400 MQDs. They earn no redeemable miles.

Can I get Delta status just from a credit card?

Yes, for Silver and above with enough spend. A Reserve or Platinum Amex gives a $2,500 MQD Headstart, and MQD Boost adds $1 MQD per $10 (Reserve) or $20 (Platinum) spent, so $25,000 on a Reserve card plus the Headstart reaches Silver's $5,000.

Do Delta MQDs roll over to the next year?

No. MQDs reset to zero around 1 January every year, and any surplus above your tier is lost. The only carry-forward is the MQD Accelerator Choice Benefit for Platinum and Diamond members.

Does Delta Medallion status get Sky Club access?

Not on domestic trips. Gold, Platinum and Diamond get SkyTeam lounge access on same-day international flights, and Diamond can take a Sky Club membership as Choice Benefits. Medallion members are the only people who can buy a Sky Club membership.

When do Delta Silver Medallion upgrades clear?

Silver upgrades to Delta First, Delta Comfort and domestic Premium Select start processing 24 hours before departure, after higher tiers. Anything not cleared rolls onto the airport standby list.

Does Delta offer a status match?

Yes, as a Status Match Challenge: 90 days of Silver, Gold or Platinum, extended through 31 January 2028 if you earn $1,250, $2,500 or $3,750 MQDs on Delta flights in that time. You can use it once every three years.

Medallion Status · Spend-based

Delta SkyMiles elite status explained

Delta Medallion status is earned on spending alone: you need $5,000, $10,000, $15,000 or $28,000 in Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) in a calendar year for Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond. There are no segment or distance requirements.

MQDs come from Delta ticket spend, partner flights, award tickets, Delta Vacations packages and spending on Delta SkyMiles American Express cards. Delta confirmed in December 2025 that the thresholds stay the same for 2027 status.

Your SkyMiles balance, the miles you spend on award tickets, is a separate account and never counts toward status.

Written and reviewed by the Points Plug team. Last reviewed September 23, 2026.

Redeemable miles versus MQDs

What you spend

Miles

The balance that books award flights, upgrades and other rewards. See how to earn them and what they are worth.

What counts toward status

Medallion Qualification Dollars

A separate counter that decides your tier. You cannot spend it on flights or rewards.

Delta runs two balances. SkyMiles are the redeemable currency: you spend them on award flights, upgrades and more, and they never expire. MQDs are a status counter only: they cannot be spent, bought, gifted or transferred, and they reset to zero each January.

On a Delta-marketed flight both are worked out from the same number, the base fare plus carrier-imposed surcharges, excluding government taxes and fees. Each dollar earns $1 MQD, while the miles you get depend on the fare and your tier: 5 miles per dollar on Classic and Refundable fares for a General member, 7 on Extra, 2 on Delta Basic and nothing on Main Basic.

Worked example: a Main Classic round trip where the base fare and surcharges come to $500 earns a General member 2,500 miles and $500 MQDs. The same ticket earns a Gold Medallion 4,000 miles (8 per dollar) but still exactly $500 MQDs, because status bonuses add miles, never MQDs.

Some things earn one and not the other. Miles earned from a card's everyday spending, hotels or Starbucks are redeemable miles only, unless the card is a Platinum or Reserve card with MQD Boost. Award tickets go the other way: they earn no miles but do earn MQDs at the miles redeemed divided by 100, so a 30,000-mile award earns $300 MQDs.

Buying, gifting or transferring SkyMiles never earns MQDs. See the Delta award chart for what the redeemable miles are worth.

Delta SkyMiles tiers and what each one takes

Tier	To qualify	Bonus miles	Alliance tier
Silver Medallion	$5,000 MQDs	+2 miles per US$ (7 per US$ on Classic fares)	SkyTeam Elite
Gold Medallion	$10,000 MQDs	+3 miles per US$ (8 per US$ on Classic fares)	SkyTeam Elite Plus
Platinum Medallion	$15,000 MQDs	+4 miles per US$ (9 per US$ on Classic fares)	SkyTeam Elite Plus
Diamond Medallion	$28,000 MQDs	+6 miles per US$ (11 per US$ on Classic fares)	SkyTeam Elite Plus

MQDs are counted from 1 January to 31 December and reset to zero on or about 1 January. The tier you reach is valid for the following Medallion Year, 1 February to 31 January, so MQDs earned in calendar 2026 set your status from 1 February 2027 to 31 January 2028.

Benefits of each Delta SkyMiles tier

Silver Medallion

Earn $5,000 MQDs between 1 January and 31 December. A Platinum or Reserve Amex MQD Headstart of $2,500 covers half of it.

Unlimited complimentary upgrades to Delta First, Delta Comfort and domestic Premium Select, clearing from 24 hours before departure
First checked bag free, plus a free first bag for up to eight companions on the same reservation
Complimentary Preferred Seats (not on Delta Basic fares)
Priority check-in and Zone 5 boarding
Same-Day Confirmed costs $75 (free on Extra fares)
SkyTeam Elite on partner airlines
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star status and 15% off Delta Stays VIP hotels
US$40 off CLEAR Plus

Gold Medallion

Earn $10,000 MQDs between 1 January and 31 December.

Complimentary upgrades to Delta First, Delta Comfort and domestic Premium Select from 72 hours before departure
Two checked bags free, up to 70 lb each
SkyTeam Elite Plus: SkyTeam lounge access on same-day international flights and priority baggage on partners
Same-Day Confirmed fee waived
Sky Priority security lanes, expedited baggage and Zone 4 boarding
Complimentary Preferred Seats
Four drink vouchers and a higher-priority phone line

Platinum Medallion

Earn $15,000 MQDs between 1 January and 31 December.

One Choice Benefit, such as four Regional Upgrade Certificates, 35,000 bonus miles, a $350 Delta travel voucher or gifting Silver Medallion to four people
Delta Comfort upgrades shortly after ticketing; Delta First and domestic Premium Select from 120 hours out; domestic Delta One on the day of departure
Two checked bags free, up to 70 lb each
SkyTeam lounge access on same-day international flights
Same-Day Confirmed fee waived, Sky Priority and Zone 4 boarding
Hertz President's Circle and 20% off Delta Stays VIP hotels with upgrades, early check-in and late checkout when available

Diamond Medallion

Earn $28,000 MQDs between 1 January and 31 December.

Three Choice Benefits, including four Global Upgrade Certificates, a Sky Club Individual membership (two selections) or Executive membership (three selections), 40,000 bonus miles or gifting Gold Medallion to four people
Top upgrade priority: Delta Comfort shortly after ticketing, Delta First and domestic Premium Select from 120 hours out
Two checked bags free, up to 70 lb each
SkyTeam lounge access on same-day international flights
Zone 2 boarding, Sky Priority and a Diamond VIP phone line
US$90 off CLEAR Plus, Hertz President's Circle and 20% off Delta Stays VIP hotels
Eligibility for an invitation to Delta 360

Above Diamond Medallion: invitation only

Delta 360. An invitation-only level offered to a very small percentage of Diamond Medallion members based on their flying and premium purchases. Delta does not publish a threshold. Million Milers at 5 million miles or more receive an annual Delta 360 invitation.

How flights earn MQDs

Delta-marketed flights earn $1 MQD per $1 of base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges, excluding government taxes and fees. Delta Main Basic tickets earn no MQDs and no miles.
Partner flights sold under a Delta flight number earn $1 MQD per $1 spent. Flights sold by partners under their own code earn MQDs as a percentage of the distance flown, from 5% to 60% by fare class, on most partners; the Delta airline partners page lists the rates by airline.
Award tickets on Delta and Delta Global Airline Partners in Main Classic or above (or Comfort Basic) earn MQDs at the miles redeemed divided by 100 when booked through a Delta channel. Upgrades bought with miles earn MQDs the same way.
Delta Vacations packages earn $1 MQD per $1 of the total package price, excluding taxes, fees and insurance.
Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve Amex cards add MQDs through MQD Headstart and MQD Boost, covered under credit cards below. MQDs can take up to 6 to 8 weeks to post after a flight.

How many miles each tier earns

On Classic and Refundable fares a General member earns 5 miles per dollar, Silver 7, Gold 8, Platinum 9 and Diamond 11. Extra fares earn 7 miles per dollar before the Medallion bonus, and Delta Basic earns 2.
Delta Main Basic earns no miles at any tier.
On partners marked eligible for elite bonuses, Silver gets +40%, Gold +60%, Platinum +80% and Diamond +120% of the base miles earned.
Award tickets earn no redeemable miles, only MQDs and Million Miler flown miles.

Upgrades for Delta SkyMiles elites

Every Medallion tier gets unlimited complimentary upgrades on Delta and Delta Connection flights, including on award, Miles + Cash and Pay with Miles tickets. Delta Basic and Main Basic tickets are never eligible.
Windows by tier: Delta First and domestic Premium Select from 120 hours out for Diamond and Platinum, 72 hours for Gold and 24 hours for Silver. Delta Comfort clears shortly after ticketing for Diamond and Platinum. Domestic Delta One upgrades clear only on the day of departure for everyone.
When seats are short, Delta ranks requests by Medallion tier, then cabin purchased, Million Miler status, fare experience, Delta Reserve cardholders, corporate travellers, MQDs earned this year and finally request time.
One companion on the same reservation can be upgraded with you if they are a SkyMiles member. Upgrades that have not cleared roll onto the airport standby list at check-in.
Upgrade Certificates come as Choice Benefits: Platinum can take four Regional certificates and Diamond four Global, eight Regional or two Global plus four Regional. Global certificates work on Delta, KLM, Air France, Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air, Aeromexico and LATAM, and all certificates expire at the end of the Medallion Year.

Credit cards that help with Delta SkyMiles status

MQD Headstart: the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex and Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex (and their Business versions) each deposit $2,500 MQDs every Medallion Qualification Year, per card type, up to four deposits or $10,000 MQDs in total. Existing cardholders see it within 6 to 8 weeks after 1 February.
MQD Boost: Reserve cards earn $1 MQD for every $10 of purchases, and Platinum cards $1 MQD for every $20. A Reserve cardholder who spends $75,000 therefore earns $7,500 MQDs, which with the $2,500 Headstart reaches the $10,000 needed for Gold Medallion.
The Reserve card costs US$650 a year and adds 15 Sky Club visits per Medallion Year (unlimited after $75,000 spend in a calendar year), upgrade priority over others of the same tier, and an annual companion certificate. The Platinum card costs US$350 a year and adds an annual companion certificate but no lounge access.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex (US$0 the first year, then US$150) earns no MQDs. It gives a free first checked bag, Zone 5 boarding and a $200 Delta flight credit after $10,000 spend in a calendar year.

Fees, sign-up bonuses and every other benefit are compared in the Delta SkyMiles credit cards guide.

Other ways to get Delta SkyMiles status

Status Match Challenge

Elites of other airlines can get 90 days of Silver, Gold or Platinum Medallion (never Diamond). Keep it through 31 January 2028 by earning $1,250, $2,500 or $3,750 MQDs on Delta flights within the 90 days. You must have been a SkyMiles member for 30 days, flown Delta above Main Basic in the last 3 years, and not used a match since 2023. Delta: Status Match Challenge

Reclaim My Status

If you lost or dropped a tier after a life event such as a new child, job change or illness, Delta gives 90 days of your former tier. Earn $1,250 (Silver), $2,500 (Gold), $3,750 (Platinum) or $7,000 (Diamond) MQDs in that window to keep it through 31 January 2028. It can be used once every three years.

Million Miler lifetime status

1 million flown miles on Delta and partners gives Gold Medallion for life, 2 million Platinum and 3 million Diamond. Award flights count, Basic Economy does not, and the status cannot be gifted.

Gifted status from a Platinum or Diamond

A Platinum Medallion can spend their Choice Benefit on gifting Silver Medallion to four people, and a Diamond can gift Gold Medallion to four. This is the only way to share status; accounts and MQDs cannot be transferred.

MQD Accelerator

Platinum and Diamond members can take a $1,000 or $2,000 MQD Accelerator as a Choice Benefit, which helps with next year's requalification. Delta does not sell MQDs outright; its Elevate Your Status offer ended on 31 December 2025.

World of Hyatt relationship

Delta and Hyatt announced on 9 September 2026 an exclusive relationship launching in the coming months, starting with Medallion members earning SkyMiles on Hyatt stays. Delta has not yet published any status match or reciprocal tier benefits.

Keeping Delta SkyMiles status

There is no soft landing and no rollover. MQDs reset to zero on or about 1 January, and on 1 February you move to whatever tier the previous year's MQDs earned, up or down.
Choice Benefits for the 2026 Medallion Year must be picked in the Fly Delta app by 31 January 2027, and for the 2027 Medallion Year by 31 January 2028.
If you fall short after a life event, Reclaim My Status gives 90 days to earn back your former tier. Million Milers never drop below their lifetime tier.

Delta SkyMiles status: FAQ

How many MQDs do I need for Delta Gold Medallion?: You need $10,000 MQDs earned between 1 January and 31 December. Gold then runs from 1 February to 31 January of the following year. The same threshold applies for 2027 status.
Do Delta award tickets count toward Medallion status?: Yes. Award tickets in Main Classic or above earn MQDs at the miles redeemed divided by 100, so a 40,000-mile award earns $400 MQDs. They earn no redeemable miles.
Can I get Delta status just from a credit card?: Yes, for Silver and above with enough spend. A Reserve or Platinum Amex gives a $2,500 MQD Headstart, and MQD Boost adds $1 MQD per $10 (Reserve) or $20 (Platinum) spent, so $25,000 on a Reserve card plus the Headstart reaches Silver's $5,000.
Do Delta MQDs roll over to the next year?: No. MQDs reset to zero around 1 January every year, and any surplus above your tier is lost. The only carry-forward is the MQD Accelerator Choice Benefit for Platinum and Diamond members.
Does Delta Medallion status get Sky Club access?: Not on domestic trips. Gold, Platinum and Diamond get SkyTeam lounge access on same-day international flights, and Diamond can take a Sky Club membership as Choice Benefits. Medallion members are the only people who can buy a Sky Club membership.
When do Delta Silver Medallion upgrades clear?: Silver upgrades to Delta First, Delta Comfort and domestic Premium Select start processing 24 hours before departure, after higher tiers. Anything not cleared rolls onto the airport standby list.
Does Delta offer a status match?: Yes, as a Status Match Challenge: 90 days of Silver, Gold or Platinum, extended through 31 January 2028 if you earn $1,250, $2,500 or $3,750 MQDs on Delta flights in that time. You can use it once every three years.

Sources

Delta: Medallion program overview · official page
Delta: Medallion benefits at each tier · official page
Delta: Medallion complimentary upgrades · official page
Delta: Medallion Choice Benefits · official page
Delta: SkyMiles program rules · official page
Delta: Status Match Challenge · official page
Delta: Reclaim My Status · official page
Delta: Million Miler status · official page
Delta: Diamond Medallion and Delta 360 · official page
Delta: SkyMiles airline partners · official page
Delta: travel with miles (award tickets) · official page
Delta: baggage overview · official page
Delta: Sky Club access · official page
Delta News Hub: 2026 Medallion status, what to know before year end · official page
Delta News Hub: Delta and Hyatt introduce new strategic relationship · official page
American Express: Delta SkyMiles Reserve card · official page
American Express: Delta SkyMiles Platinum card · official page
American Express: Delta SkyMiles Gold card · official page