QUALIFY FOR MEDALLION® STATUS

DEFINITIONS

As a SkyMiles Member, you earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs), Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs), and Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs) when traveling on Delta and with most airline partners.

• Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs): earned based on distance flown. 
  
• Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs): earned based on segments flown.
• Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs - U.S.-based Members only):  earned based on your annual spending on Delta flights and on most partner flights. 
• MQD Waiver: The MQDs requirement for the qualification year will be waived if you make $25,000 or more in eligible purchases during the calendar year with your eligible Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Expressopens in a new window*. That spending is tracked everywhere you see your MQDs.

*Effective January 1, 2018, the MQDs requirement to reach Diamond Medallion Status for 2019 and beyond during the qualification year will be waived if you make $250,000 or more in eligible purchases during the calendar year with your eligible SkyMiles Credit Card. The MQDs requirement to reach Platinum, Gold or Silver Medallion Status during the qualification year will remain the same and be waived if you make $25,000 or more in eligible purchases in that year with your eligible SkyMiles Credit Card. Also effective January 1, 2018, the Blue Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card will no longer be eligible for the MQD Waiver.   However, if you have another Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card with the MQD Waiver benefit in addition to your Delta Blue SkyMiles Credit Card, Eligible Purchases made on the Blue Delta SkyMiles Credit Card will continue to count towards the MQD Waiver.  

HOW TO REACH MEDALLION STATUS

Here's how to reach Medallion Status through a combination of miles or segments flown and your annual spending.

SILVER	GOLD	PLATINUM	DIAMOND
25,000 MQMs or 30 MQSs AND $3,000 MQDs or MQD Waiver Qualification	50,000 MQMs or 60 MQSs AND $6,000 MQDs or MQD Waiver Qualification	75,000 MQMs or 100 MQSs AND $9,000 MQDs or MQD Waiver Qualification	125,000 MQMs or 140 MQSs AND $15,000 MQDs or MQD Waiver Qualification

MQMs, MQSs and MQDs are earned by the Member who is flying (whose name and SkyMiles number are listed on the ticket) regardless of who purchased the flight. To track your MQMs, MQSs and MQDs and climb to Status, visit the My SkyMiles pageopens in a new window or view them in the Fly Delta app in the SkyMiles section.

HOW THE MEDALLION YEAR WORKS

• 2017 Medallion Status is earned through flight and spending activity for the 2016 calendar year (January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016); 2017 Status is valid from the day it is earned until January 31, 2018.
• 2018 Medallion Status is earned through flight and spending activity for the 2017 calendar year (January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017); 2018 Status is valid from the day it is earned until January 31, 2019.

 

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MQMS

 

MQMs ARE DIFFERENT THAN MILES

• MQMs: MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are earned based on distance flown and fare class purchased.
• Miles: Miles can be used for Award Travel and other redemptions, and are earned based on ticket price (for most tickets) and your SkyMiles Status. Miles never expire.

 

ROLLOVER MQMs

MQMs earned above your earned Medallion Tier roll over to the next qualification year. Learn more.

BONUS MQMs

When you book a higher fare class, you’ll be rewarded with even more MQMs.

• Full fare First and Business Class tickets (F, J fares) are eligible for a 100% MQM bonus. 
• Discounted First, Delta Premium Select, Business, and Premium Main Cabin tickets (P, A, G, C, D, I, Z, Y, and B fares) are eligible for a 50% MQM bonus.
  
  

2019 Diamond Medallion Qualification Change to MQD Waiver

We are always looking for ways to improve the Medallion experience by listening to your feedback. Because we want to ensure our most well-traveled Members can take full advantage of all the benefits of Diamond Medallion Status, a change is being made to how Members qualify for 2019 Diamond Medallion Status.

Starting January 1, 2018, the Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) Waiver for Diamond Medallion Status is increasing. The MQD Waiver for Diamond Medallion Status is currently earned by spending $25,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year on a SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express. It is being adjusted to $250,000 in a calendar year.

This qualification change will allow us to deliver on expectations for Diamond Medallion Status so Members can maximize elite benefits like Complimentary Upgrades and Delta Sky Club^® access. This update will not change how Members earn 2018 Diamond Medallion Status.

We understand this is a significant increase, but keep in mind that the MQD Waiver to qualify for all of the best-in-class benefits of Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallion Statusopens in a new window will remain at $25,000 and you can still reach Diamond Medallion Status by earning 125,000 MQMs or 140 MQSs and $15,000 MQDs.

FAQ’s:

• Does this qualification change have an impact to my Card benefits?
  • The MQD Waiver increase to $250,000 in a calendar year to qualify for Diamond Medallion Status has no impact on any of your other card benefits.  
     
• If I’m a Platinum Medallion Member, and halfway through 2018 I have earned enough MQMs/MQSs for Diamond Medallion Status, but have not earned enough MQDs for Diamond Medallion Status and have not reached the $250,000 MQD Waiver for Diamond Medallion Status, what happens?
  • In this instance, you would remain a Platinum Medallion Member through January 31, 2020 by reaching the Platinum Medallion requirements for 2019 Status. In order to get to Diamond Medallion Status, you would have to earn $15,000 MQDs or reach the $250,000 Diamond MQD Waiver by December 31, 2018 to reach Diamond Medallion Status for 2019 and keep Diamond Medallion Status through January 31, 2020.
     
• If I’m a new SkyMiles Member who has no previous Medallion Status, can I earn Diamond Medallion Status in 2018 through the current $25,000 MQD Waiver?
  • 2018 Medallion Status is earned through flight and spending activity from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017. From now until December 31, 2017, you have the opportunity to reach Diamond Medallion Status for 2018 through the current $25,000 MQD Waiver.
    
    
  • In order to reach Diamond Medallion Status for 2019, which is earned through flight and spending activity from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, you will need to meet the MQMs/MQSs requirement, and earn the required MQDs or reach the $250,000 Diamond MQD Waiver
    
     

Terms & Conditions

Medallion Qualification Miles: Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) earned through flight activity are calculated based on distance flown and fare class purchased on Delta, Delta Connection®, Delta Shuttle®, and select airline partners. MQMs may also be earned through activity with other select SkyMiles partners.

Medallion Qualification Segments: Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs) are earned through flight activity on Delta, Delta Connection, Delta Shuttle, and select airline partners. All paid fare classes eligible to earn MQMs count toward MQSs.

Medallion Qualification Dollars: Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) are the sum total of the SkyMiles Member’s spend on Delta-marketed flights (flight numbers that include the “DL” airline code), inclusive of the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges, but exclusive of government-imposed taxes and fees. MQDs also include select partner airline flights and select exception fares. The MQDs you will earn when traveling on select partner marketed flights not ticketed through Delta (i.e. the ticket number does not start with “006”) as well as when traveling on “exception fares” (such as consolidator, cruise, vacation packages, inclusive tour and other tickets) will be equal to one-fifth of the base miles and Class Bonus miles (when applicable) earned on the itinerary.
Base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges for travel marketed by Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 partner airlines and ticketed through a Delta channel (featuring a ticket number beginning with “006”) will also be included in MQDs. For travel ticketed and marketed by Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 partner airlines MQDs will be equal to one-fifth of the base miles and Class Bonus miles (when applicable) earned on the itinerary.
Certain tickets, including but not limited to bulk, consolidator, cruise, vacation packages, inclusive tour and other tickets where the fare is not disclosed, will also count toward MQDs excluding bookings made through priceline.com or hotwire.com where the carrier is not disclosed prior to purchase. A portion of the airfare for some Delta Vacations packages will earn MQDs based on fare class and distance flown. Award, free, barter, pass travel and other tickets not eligible for mileage accrual will not earn MQDs. Pay with Miles tickets eligible for mileage accrual will earn MQDs for the portion of the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges remaining and paid in currency after miles are applied to the ticket total.
For purposes of mileage or MQD credit, “distance flown” means the calculated distance between origin and destination, as determined by Delta in its sole discretion, regardless of the actual distance traveled on any individual flight.
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 included in MQDs . If a Delta Comfort+, paid Premium class upgrade or Preferred Seat is purchased at the airport in Amsterdam (AMS), or Paris (CDG) for a Delta-operated flight, the Member will not earn miles or MQDs . If a Member purchases a Delta Comfort+, paid Premium class upgrade or Preferred Seat and Delta is not able to accommodate the Member in that seat or a similar seat, the Member’s purchase will be refunded and no MQDs will be awarded. If a customer voluntarily changes his/her flight or seat selection once purchased, a refund for the original seat purchase will not be provided and no MQDs will be awarded. MQDs will not be awarded for complimentary access to Premium cabin, Delta Comfort+ and Preferred Seats. MQDs may only be earned by the Member traveling whose name and SkyMiles number is included in the reservation.
All other ancillary purchases or fees including but not limited to checked baggage fees, Priority Boarding, Delta Sky Club® memberships, Wi-Fi passes, in-flight food and beverage purchases, in-flight entertainment, unaccompanied minor fees, pet travel fees, Mileage Booster™ or mileage purchases, ticket change fees, Direct Ticketing Charge (DTC), same-day confirmed or standby fees, Administrative Service Charge (ASC), and External Reissue Charge (ERC), do not count toward earning MQDs.
Your spending on flights with Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 partner airlines that are ticketed through a Delta channel (the ticket number will begin with “006”) count toward MQDs as well as certain specialty tickets such as bulk, consolidator or other vacation packages. For more about what counts, what doesn’t, and how it is calculated, see the Full FAQs.

Residency: Country of residence is determined by the primary address in the Member’s SkyMiles account at the time of qualification for Medallion Status. Delta reserves the right to audit an account at any time for residency requirements, request further supporting documentation and update the address for any Member's SkyMiles account using the National Change of Address (NCOA) data filed by relocating postal Members, but shall have no obligation to do so. Accounts found in violation are subject to penalty, up to and including termination of Medallion Status and closure of the SkyMiles account. Members moving into the U.S. will be required to update their account address information using their Delta password by visiting My Profileopens in a new window, editing their address and attaching any required documentation through the online form. Once the address has been updated, the MQD requirement will once again apply towards earning Medallion Status. Members moving outside of the U.S. who wish to have the MQD requirement no longer apply towards earning Medallion Status will be required to update their account address information using their Delta password by visiting My Profileopens in a new window, editing their address and attaching any required documentation through the online form as well as provide the following additional documentation that cannot be completed over the phone or online: Members will need to submit one of the documents listed below via mail or fax to complete the address change request. The document must reflect the Member’s name and a residential address which may not be the address of a corporation or business. Members should include their SkyMiles number and signature on all requests and documentation:

• Government issued ID with new address (Driver’s License, Country/State-issued photo ID card, passport)
• Utility bill in Member’s name showing new address, dated within the past 60 days
• Deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement or residential rental/lease agreement showing proof of ownership at new address, with Member’s name and signature. Lease must be dated within the past year
• Bank statement with Member’s name and address, dated within the past 60 days (may block out sensitive information)
• Payroll statement with Member’s name and address, dated within the past 60 days (may block out sensitive information)
• Postal Service change of address confirmation form
• Current automobile or life insurance bill, or homeowners or renter insurance bill (cards or policies are not accepted)
• Copy of school records/transcript from a school in which the applicant is currently enrolled, issued by an accredited school
• Postmarked mail with forwarding address label (must display the Member’s full name)
• Receipt for personal property taxes or real estate taxes paid within the last year
• Letter from Member’s employer on official company letterhead, detailing Member’s current address. Letter must be signed by employee’s supervisor with supervisor’s full contact information

Members can send their documentation to “SkyMiles Account Support” group by:

Fax
404-715-9220 (Medallion Members)
404-773-1945 (All other SkyMiles Members)

Mail 
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
SkyMiles Account Support
Dept. 654
P.O. Box 20532

Atlanta, GA 30320-2532

Once all proper documentation has been submitted, please allow 6-8 weeks for processing. Members who are approved will no longer see MQDs tracked in in My SkyMiles.

Other Terms and Conditions:  Qualification requirements for Medallion Status will not be prorated or reduced in situations where an account is open for less than the full calendar year. Travel is identified by those itineraries that include a Member’s name and SkyMiles account number attached to the reservation. Award, Pay with Miles, free, barter, pass travel and other tickets not eligible for mileage accrual will not earn Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs), Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) or credit for Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). Delta reserves the right to modify these requirements at any time without prior notice. All Delta SkyMiles program rules apply. To review the rules, please visit Membership Guide & Program Rules.

Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) Waiver: Effective January 1, 2018, the MQDs requirement to reach Diamond Medallion Status for 2019 and beyond during the qualification year will be waived if you make $250,000 or more in eligible purchases during the calendar year with your eligible SkyMiles Credit Card. The MQDs requirement to reach Platinum, Gold or Silver Medallion Status during the qualification year will remain the same and be waived if you make $25,000 or more in eligible purchases in that year with your eligible SkyMiles Credit Card. Also effective January 1, 2018, the Blue Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card will no longer be eligible for the MQD Waiver.   However, if you have another Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card with the MQD Waiver benefit in addition to your Delta Blue SkyMiles Credit Card, Eligible Purchases made on the Blue Delta SkyMiles Credit Card will continue to count towards the MQD Waiver. 

Effective until December 31, 2017: If the MQD threshold is not met for a Qualification Year, you can still qualify for Medallion Status if you have earned the required Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) or Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs) and make at least $25,000 in Eligible Purchases within that Qualification Year on your Eligible Card. A Qualification Year is from January 1 to December 31 of a given year. The close of the Qualification Year is December 31, without regard to the time of the year that the credit card account is opened. This means that for the first year of Card Membership, the Card Member's Eligible Purchase period may be less than twelve months. Eligible Purchases means purchases for goods and services minus returns and other credits. Eligible Purchases do NOT include fees, interest charges, balance transfers, cash advances, purchases of travelers' checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of other cash equivalents. Eligible Purchases made by Additional Card Members on the Basic Card Member's Eligible Card will count toward the Eligible Purchase threshold. For purposes of calculating the Eligible Purchase threshold, Eligible Purchases will be combined across multiple Eligible Cards of the Basic Card Member if those Card accounts are linked to the same SkyMiles number. Eligible Cards are the following: Blue Delta SkyMiles Credit Card, Delta SkyMiles Credit Card, Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card, Platinum Delta SkyMiles, Delta Reserve Credit Card, Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card, Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card, Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card, Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card from American Express. This benefit extends to Basic Card Members only (Additional Card Members are not eligible). Offer terms and conditions subject to change.

Basic Economy Fares: Basic Economy (E) fares are not eligible for paid, complimentary or discounted Delta Comfort+ and paid or complimentary Preferred Seats, regardless of Medallion or other elite Status.