The Guide to Delta Diamond Medallion Status

Earning elite status on your preferred airline can be a worthwhile goal, especially if you travel a lot. On Delta Air Lines, if you fly and spend enough, you can reach Diamond Medallion status, the top tier in the SkyMiles loyalty program. This status comes with incredible perks — on the ground and in the air. In fact, NerdWallet values the sum of all the benefits that come with Delta Diamond Medallion Status at an estimated $18,209.

Here's a look at Delta Diamond Medallion elite status, its best benefits and how to reach this level.

Delta Diamond, however, still offers an excellent — and sometimes better — experience compared with its competitors (it simply takes incredibly high spending to earn).

» Learn more: What is Delta status worth?

Delta’s Diamond Medallion benefits are sure to make any travel experience easier, from lounge access and upgrades to free same-day changes and VIP customer service access.

Here are some of the most popular benefits available to Diamond Medallion status holders:

• Three Choice Benefits: Members can choose three benefits from a range of options, including gifting Gold Medallion status to a friend or family member, upgrade certificates, 25,000 bonus SkyMiles and more.

• Unlimited complimentary upgrades: The Diamond member and one companion on the same reservation can get free upgrades to Delta One (domestic first class), first class or Comfort Plus, depending on availability.

• Earn 11 miles per dollar spent: You’ll earn 11 SkyMiles per dollar spent on Delta-operated flights, as opposed to 5 miles earned by a general SkyMiles member.

• Priority boarding: Board immediately after Delta One and first class passengers.

• Sky Priority® benefits: Receive priority check-in and access to security lines as well as expedited luggage service

• Clear membership: Receive a complimentary membership in Clear, a Trusted Traveler Program, valued at $199.

• Free baggage: Get one free checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation when flying on Delta or select airline partner flights.

• Free same-day changes: Same-day confirmed ticket change fees are waived for Diamond members.

• VIP phone line: Receive access to a dedicated phone line for Diamond elite members.

• SkyTeam Elite Plus status: Get top SkyTeam status, which grants perks like free baggage and lounge access when flying with SkyTeam’s member airlines.

» Learn more: Your guide to SkyTeam

Delta Diamond Medallion status is earned through a combination of flying and spending on Delta and Delta partners.

The program is rooted in one metric for obtaining elite status: Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD).

To earn Diamond status, you’ll need to bank 28,000 MQD in a program year.

Here’s a breakdown of how to get Diamond Medallion on Delta.

How to earn MQDs

MQDs are earned by spending on Delta and its partners or spending on certain Delta co-branded credit cards.

For Delta-marketed flights in the main cabin or above, you’ll earn 1 MQD per $1 spent on the the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges (but not on government-imposed taxes and fees). Basic Economy is also excluded from earning MQDs.

You can also earn 1 MQD per $1 spent on Delta Vacations packages.

You can also get a head start on earning Diamond Medallion status if you hold either a Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. Cardholders receive a 2,500 MQDs head start each year to begin earning Medallion Status. Terms apply.

These cards also earn MQDs on general spending:

» Learn more: How to get the most from the Delta SkyMiles Reserve AmEx card

You can't status match to Diamond, but you can for other Delta elite levels

Even if you hold top elite status with another frequent flyer program, you can't match to Diamond status.

Delta has four elite tiers; while it’s possible to do a status match for Platinum, Gold and Silver tiers, Diamond is untouchable. To become a Diamond, you truly have to earn it.

» Learn more: What are the best Delta credit cards?

How long does Diamond Medallion status last?

Medallion status is earned in a particular calendar year, and then it extends to the following year and the next until the end of January.

So, if you earned Diamond status through flight and spending activity in the 2024 calendar year, your status would extend through 2025 and expire Jan. 31, 2026.

SkyMiles earned are not the same as MQDs

With all the talk of MQDs, you may be wondering: How are they different from SkyMiles?

While MQDs are used only to obtain elite status, SkyMiles can be used for award flights, seat upgrades and more. As a Diamond elite member, you’ll earn 11 SkyMiles per dollar spent on Delta-marketed flights.

» Learn more: The 4 best ways to use Delta SkyMiles

If you’re a Delta loyalist and fly frequently, you may want to consider working toward Delta Diamond Medallion status. The fastest way to do so is to fly Delta and its partners, apply for a premium co-branded credit card and spend, spend, spend.

With Diamond Medallion status, you'll enjoy several premium benefits such as automatic upgrades, bonus miles on flights and more.