Joining an airline loyalty program comes with many benefits. However this may be a difficult decision because of how many factors there are to consider. Once you decide on an airline loyalty program, something you need to consider is whether or not it’s worth it to pursue elite status.
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Keep reading to learn more about Delta Medallion Elite Status and to find out if its rewards and benefits are worth it.
 The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. You'll earn: • 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. • 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. • 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. • $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card. Enrollment Required. Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost. $150 Delta Stays Credit: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card Members can earn up to $150 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com. You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight. Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com. This card comes with a $350 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee. You'll also get fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®. (See Rates & Fees). Terms Apply. |
Delta Medallion Elite Status Overview
There are four Medallion status tiers with the Delta SkyMiles program: Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. In order to qualify, you must earn a specific amount of Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) and either a certain amount of Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) or a certain amount of Medallion Qualifying Segments (MQSs) within a calendar year.
MQDs. Receive one MQD for every dollar you spend on Delta flights. The amount does not include taxes and government fees.
MQMs. How many MQMs you’ll earn depends on how far you fly and your fare class. Economy class tickets earn a rate of one MQM per mile, while high classes earn more. Note: MQMs roll over to the following year. That means any “leftover” MQMs you didn’t use to qualify for status will get you a head start for the following year.
MQSs. These count how many takeoff-to-landing flights you take. For instance, a nonstop flight from New York to Los Angeles would earn one MQS. If you make a transfer in Atlanta, you would earn two MQSs.
| Status Tier | MQDs | MQMs/MQSs |
| Silver | $3,000 | 25,000/30 |
| Gold | $6,000 | 50,000/60 |
| Platinum | $9,000 | 75,000/100 |
| Diamond | $15,000 | 125,000/140 |
You can earn more benefits as you gain a higher status:
| Benefits | Silver | Gold | Platinum | Diamond |
| Earning rate | 7x miles | 8x miles | 9x miles | 11x miles |
| Comfort+ upgrades | x | x | x | x |
| Preferred seats | x | x | x | x |
| Preferred seats |
x | x | x | x |
| Checked bags | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Priority airport services |
x | x | x | x |
| CLEAR membership | x | |||
| Same-day standby | x | x | x | |
| Same-day confirmed | x | x | x | |
| Award change/cancellation | x | x | ||
| Priority phone line | x | x | x | x |
| Choice Benefits | x | x | ||
| Partner perks | x | x | x | x |
| Hertz perks | x | x | x | x |
*For updated information, click here for our source.
Delta Medallion Elite Status Value
The lowest tier in the Delta Medallion program is Silver status, which requires either 25,000 MQMs or 30 MQSs, plus $3,000 MQDs. For the purpose of the analysis, we’ll assume you earned 30,000 MQMs with a $3,750 total spend ($0.125/mile cost).
Mileage bonus ($90). Earn 7 miles for every dollar spent on flights. That’s 2 more miles per $1 than members without status. Based on a $3,750 total spend, you’ll earn an additional 7,500 miles (worth $90).
$3,750 x 2 miles/$1 = 7,500 miles
Unlimited complimentary Comfort+ upgrades ($100): To upgrade to Comfort+, on both domestic and international flights, you must request it. The process is not automatic. Also, Silver members are only eligible to clear into Comfort+ 24 hours before departure. So most likely, those seats will already be filled by higher-tier elites.
Unlimited complimentary First Class upgrades ($250): Surprisingly, Silver members can upgrade to First Class on domestic flights as well as flights from the United States to Canada, the Caribbean and Central America. This perk even applies to award tickets. However, you won’t start clearing until 24 hours prior to departure, so all other Delta elites take dibs before Silver members.
Preferred seats ($25): If you don’t clear into Comfort+ or First Class, you can at least select your preferred seat. Delta calls these seats, “choice Main Cabin seats,” which typically include aisle or window seats behind Comfort+ and may include exit rows on certain aircrafts.
Waived baggage fees ($125): Enjoy 1 free checked bag over the standard allowance on most Delta flights. That’s a savings of $60 per domestic roundtrip flight and up to $200 on flights to Europe. Up to eight travel companions can also benefit from this perk.
- Note: The complimentary checked bag is limited to 70 pounds.
If you have a Delta American Express card, like Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, you’ll get a second free bag when traveling within or between the United States and Canada.
Priority airport services ($50): You’re eligible for priority check-in and boarding. If you have a Delta American Express card, you also have priority boarding privileges.
Priority phone line ($50): While not the most valuable perk, it’s a useful one in the event of severe weather, power outages, system issues and more.
Partner perks ($50): Silver members enjoy SkyTeam Elite privileges when traveling with a SkyTeam partner airline. Benefits include priority check-in, boarding and standby, as well as preferred seating (subject to availability). You’ll also get perks with “preferred partners” like AeroMexico, GOL and Virgin Australia (click here for more info).
Hertz benefits ($10): Earn additional bonus miles when you rent vehicles from Hertz.
The second tier in the Delta Medallion program is Gold status, which requires either 50,000 MQMs or 60 MQSs, plus $6,000 MQDs. For the purpose of the analysis, we’ll assume you earned 60,000 MQMs with a $7,500 total spend ($0.125/mile cost).
Mileage bonus ($270): Earn 8 miles for every dollar spent on flights. That’s 3 more miles per $1 than members without status. Based on a $7,500 total spend, you’ll earn an additional 22,500 miles (worth $270).
Unlimited complimentary Comfort+ upgrades ($250): Gold members are eligible to clear into Comfort+ 3 days before departure. We give this perk a higher value at Gold tier because you’ll be flying more often and you have a better chance of clearing your upgrades.
Unlimited complimentary First Class upgrades ($650): You can upgrade to First Class on domestic flights and short-haul international flights, and you’ll start clearing 3 days prior to departure. With prioritization above Silver members and with additional flying, we bumped up this benefit’s value for Gold tier.
Preferred seats ($50): Same benefit as Silver status, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Waived baggage fees ($250): Enjoy 2 free checked bag on flights within the United States and Canada. Note: Your free checked bags are limited to 70 pounds each.
Priority airport services ($250): In addition to priority check-in and boarding, Gold members also enjoy priority security and baggage delivery.
Waived same-day standby and confirmed fees ($150): Gold members don’t have to pay the $75 fee to go on standby or to switch to an earlier flight on the day you depart.
Priority phone line ($100): Same benefit as Silver status, but we calculated more frequent utilization. Plus, Gold agents are more knowledgeable than the ones for Silver members.
Partner perks ($150): Gold members enjoy SkyTeam Elite Plus privileges when traveling with a SkyTeam partner airline. Added benefits include priority security, baggage handling and immigration. You’ll also get additional perks with “preferred partners” (click here for more info).
Hertz benefits ($20): Same benefit as Silver status, but you also get complimentary Five Star Status in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program.
The third tier in the Delta Medallion program is Platinum status, which requires either 75,000 MQMs or 100 MQSs, plus $9,000 MQDs. For the purpose of the analysis, we’ll assume you earned 90,000 MQMs with an $11,250 total spend ($0.125/mile cost).
Mileage bonus ($540): Earn 9 miles for every dollar spent on flights. That’s 4 more miles per $1 than members without status. Based on an $11,250 total spend, you’ll earn an additional 45,000 miles (worth $540).
Unlimited complimentary Comfort+ upgrades ($400): Platinum members are eligible to clear into Comfort+ shortly after ticketing, if upgrade inventory is available.
Unlimited complimentary First Class upgrades ($1,100): You’ll start clearing to First Class 5 days prior to departure, with prioritization above Silver and Gold travelers.
Preferred seats ($100): Same benefit as Gold status, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Waived baggage fees ($325): Enjoy 3 free checked bag on flights within the United States and Canada. Note: Your free checked bags are limited to 70 pounds each.
Priority airport services ($375): Same benefit as Gold status, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Waived same-day standby and confirmed fees ($225): Same benefit as Gold status, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Waived award change and cancellation fees ($150): Platinum Medallions have the ability to change or cancel an award ticket without any fees. Note: This waiver does not apply to Basic Economy award tickets.
Choice Benefits ($200): When you qualify for Platinum status, you get to choose a Choice Benefit, including four Regional Upgrade Certificates (RPUs), 20,000 bonus SkyMiles, the ability to gift Silver status to a friend or family member, and more.
Priority phone line ($150): Same benefit as Gold status, but we calculated more frequent utilization and more knowledgeable agents.
Partner perks ($250): Platinum members have the same SkyTeam Elite Plus privileges as Gold Medallions, but you’ll also enjoy additional perks. Including access to Virgin Atlantic lounges internationally when traveling on Delta or Virgin Atlantic.
Hertz benefits ($40): Enjoy 250 more SkyMiles per Hertz car rental than Silver and Gold Medallions. Plus, you’ll receive automatic President’s Circle status in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program.
The top tier in the Delta Medallion program is Diamond status, which requires either 125,000 MQMs or 140 MQSs, plus $15,000 MQDs. For the purpose of the analysis, we’ll assume you earned 150,000 MQMs with an $18,750 total spend ($0.125/mile cost).
Mileage bonus ($1,350): Earn 11 miles for every dollar spent on flights. That’s 6 more miles per $1 than members without status. Based on an $18,750 total spend, you’ll earn an additional 112,500 miles (worth $1,350).
Unlimited complimentary Comfort+ upgrades ($700): Diamond members are eligible to clear into Comfort+ shortly after ticketing and enjoy the highest upgrade priority.
Unlimited complimentary First Class upgrades ($1,800): You’ll start clearing to First Class 5 days prior to departure with the highest upgrade priority.
Preferred seats ($100): Same benefit as Platinum status.
Waived baggage fees ($450): Same benefit as Platinum status, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Priority airport services ($620): Same benefit as Platinum status, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
CLEAR membership ($100): Enjoy expedited airport security via your complimentary CLEAR membership. Currently, CLEAR is available in 30+ airports and 20 event venues.
Waived same-day standby and confirmed fees ($450): Same benefit as Platinum status, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Waived award change and cancellation fees ($300): Same benefit as Platinum status, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Choice Benefits ($2,150): Receive 3 additional Choice Benefits when you unlock Diamond status. There are more Choice Benefits available at this tier, including Sky Club membership, additional upgrades, 25,000 bonus miles and the gift of Gold status to a friend or family member. For a full list of Diamond Choice Benefits, click here. It’s hard to pinpoint a value for this, because it depends on which Choice Benefits you select. But let’s assume you choose the following:
- Sky Club membership: We value this at $550 because you can access these lounges with certain credit cards, including The Platinum Card® from American Express ($550 annual fee) and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card ($550 annual fee).
- 4 Global Upgrade Certificates: We value these at $300 each. We gave them a high value because they’re transferable to a travel companion.
- Gifted Gold status: Given the perks above, we give this Choice Benefit a $400 value.
Priority phone line ($325): Same benefit as Platinum status, but we calculated more frequent utilization and extremely helpful and knowledgeable agents.
Partner perks ($425): Same benefit as Platinum status, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Hertz benefits ($60): Same benefit as Platinum status, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Is Delta Medallion Elite Status Worth It?
Taking into account the numbers above, you can decide whether or not Delta Medallion Elite Status is worth pursuing. Here are some further questions you should consider to help you decide:
- Does Delta fly to where you want to go? If you don’t fly with Delta or its partners frequently, Medallion status isn’t worth pursuing. Check Delta’s service from your home airport and see how easily you can get to your choice destinations.
- Do the benefits matter to you? Look at the next Medallion tier benefits to see if they will be beneficial to you.
- How often do you travel? If you don’t fly regularly, then pushing hard for a higher status won’t be worth it. Medallion benefits only apply when you travel. So if you don’t use your perks, the value of your status plummets.
- Do you prioritize price and convenience? If you would rather choose the cheapest or most convenient option over Delta, then you might not want to push for Medallion Elite Status.
- Could you get the same perks with a credit card? A majority of airline co-branded cards offer similar perks you’d receive as an elite member. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers a free checked bag, priority boarding and a 20% inflight discount. Additionally, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers complimentary Sky Club lounge access when you fly with Delta, as well as waived checked bag fees, preferred boarding and the same 20% inflight discount. If the cards are within your budget, you might consider getting one instead of working hard to earn Medallion status.
Our Methodology
There are many other ways to calculate if a status is worth it or not. Depending on what you value, you might prefer some benefits over others.
These value estimates are based on the perks you would enjoy after having already achieved status and qualifying each year thereafter. New members of the Delta SkyMiles program won’t get any benefits from the first 25,000 miles it takes to unlock Silver status.
To tie in values to Medallion benefits, a certain amount of flying and a corresponding amount of spending needed to be determined. For all our analyses on elite status, the following were assumed:
- You earned 20% more elite-qualifying miles than the minimum required for that status level.
- You spent an average of $0.125 per elite-qualifying mile.
As mentioned previously, you can adjust these numbers to match your travel behaviors. If you only travel domestically, you’re probably spending less than $0.125 per mile. And if you’re paying for international First Class travel on a regular basis, you’re likely spending much more per mile.
The value of SkyMiles is based on our most recent valuations, which is $0.012 apiece.
Conclusion
There are many benefits of having elite status that can make your travelling experience more comfortable. However, some status levels are more beneficial than others, so make sure you research to find out which one matches your travel patterns.
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