Here's What You Get With Delta SkyMiles Elite Status

Delta's SkyMiles frequent flyer program has four tiers of elite status, or Medallion status, as Delta calls it. As members progress through these levels, each one has more valuable benefits than the one before it.

With that in mind, here's a quick guide to what you'll get at each Medallion status level if you meet the requirements in 2024.

How to earn elite status on Delta's SkyMiles program

While the ways to earn Delta SkyMiles elite status used to be rather complicated, the program has been streamlined to have one qualifying metric known as Medallion Qualification Dollars, or MQDs.

MQDs can be earned in a few different ways, such as by spending money on Delta flights, using certain cobranded Delta cards, and booking trips through the Delta Vacations portal. And to give you an idea of how much you'll need to spend to earn status, here are Delta's four Medallion status levels and the MQD requirements to earn each level in 2024. Note that each level will go into effect immediately upon reaching the MQD threshold and will last throughout the 2025 Medallion year.

1. Delta SkyMiles Silver Medallion: $5,000 MQDs
2. Delta SkyMiles Gold Medallion: $10,000 MQDs
3. Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion: $15,000 MQDs
4. Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion: $28,000 MQDs

Keep in mind that you don't have to earn this just by spending money on flights. With some of the Delta credit cards, you could get a significant status boost that could make a big difference.

Delta SkyMiles Medallion status benefits

To be sure, this isn't an exhaustive list of the various benefits you can reap with SkyMiles elite status. But here's a rundown of what you get as you reach each of Delta's four levels.

Delta SkyMiles Silver Medallion

Silver Medallion status is Delta's "entry level" elite status tier, but comes with some excellent perks.

• An increased earnings rate of 7 miles per $1 spent on flights (Note: While MQDs qualify for status, Delta still uses miles to allow customers to earn free award travel.)
• Unlimited complimentary upgrades on U.S. travel, up to 24 hours prior to departure
• Complimentary upgrades to Delta Comfort+, starting 24 hours prior to departure
• Complimentary preferred seats
• Waived fees for checked bags
• Priority check-in and boarding
• Hertz Five Star status

Delta SkyMiles Gold Medallion

• Earn 8 miles per $1 spent on flights
• Unlimited complimentary upgrades on U.S. travel, up to 72 hours prior to departure
• Complimentary upgrades to Delta Comfort+, starting 72 hours prior to departure
• Complimentary preferred seats
• Waived fees for checked bags
• Priority check-in and Sky Priority boarding
• Priority security line access and expedited baggage service, where available
• Hertz Five Star status

Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion

• Earn 9 miles per $1 spent on flights
• Choice benefits (one selection): members can choose from options like regional upgrade certificates, bonus miles, travel vouchers, and more.
• Unlimited complimentary upgrades on U.S. travel, up to 120 hours prior to departure
• Complimentary upgrades to Delta Comfort+, shortly after booking
• Complimentary preferred seats
• Waived fees for checked bags
• Priority check-in and Sky Priority boarding
• Priority security line access and expedited baggage service, where available
• Hertz President's Circle status

Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion

• Earn 11 miles per $1 spent on flights
• Choice benefits (three selections): Not only do Diamond members get more selections, but they can choose from enhanced benefits like global upgrade certificates, more valuable travel vouchers, and more.
• Unlimited complimentary upgrades on U.S. travel, up to 120 hours prior to departure
• Complimentary upgrades to Delta Comfort+, shortly after booking
• Complimentary preferred seats
• Waived fees for checked bags
• Priority check-in and highest priority boarding
• Priority security line access and expedited baggage service, where available
• Free membership to CLEAR® Plus
• Hertz President's Circle status

It's also worth noting that while some of these benefits might sound similar from tier to tier, they can be far more valuable at the higher levels. Specifically, the unlimited complimentary first- and business-class upgrades prioritizes travelers by status level, so Diamond Medallion members are more likely to get upgrades than Platinum Medallion members, and so on.

The bottom line is that Delta SkyMiles Medallion status can be rather valuable to frequent travelers who are loyal to the airline, so keep these in mind as you're planning flights and travel credit card spending in 2024.