With just two months left until 2025, time is running out to earn (or regain) Delta elite status.
If you haven’t done so already, check your Elite Qualification Metrics, tally up your travel for the rest of the year, and see where that puts you in terms of Elite Qualification for next year. If you don’t reach your goal, you still have time to close the gap. There are many ways to earn Delta Medallion status, and not all of them involve flying.
Here are some ideas for making the income you need before the end of the year.
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Delta’s last-minute profit strategy
Time is short, but if you don’t think you’ve reached the income threshold yet at the level of elite status you want, there are still some great options to get you over the top.
Keep in mind that starting January 1, 2024, Delta consolidated all Medallion Qualifying Activity into Medallion Qualifying Dollars and cut the Medallion Qualifying Miles and Medallion Qualifying components — though it did reverse some of those changes after widespread customer outrage.
MQD now tracks not only your eligible travel spending on Delta and its partners, but also through other means, such as your spending on Delta-issued credit cards and car rentals, hotel stays and Delta vacations. You need to meet the following MQD thresholds for each Medallion status level:
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Spend with a Delta co-branded credit card
Some Delta co-branded credit cards allow cardholders to earn MQDs. The following cards automatically give you 2,500 MQD per year (called MQD Headstart), plus you get additional MQD when you spend on the card:
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It might be worth applying for one of these cards to close the gap in next year’s Medallion eligibility. If you already have one of these cards and regular purchases aren’t getting you close enough to your desired status level, you might consider using a co-branded card to temporarily pay bills and other expenses to get some extra MQD.
Please note that purchases made with these cards must be posted to your account within 2025 to count toward 2026 Elite status. Items purchased in late December may be rolled over to the next year, depending on the transaction date the merchant submits to American Express (which may be different from the date of your purchase). For example, if you make a purchase on December 31st and the merchant lists the transaction date as January 1st, the MQD you earn will be credited to next year instead of this year.
If you’re relying on credit card purchases to cross the elite status threshold, buy early to ensure MQDs count as part of your earnings this year.
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Application status match
Delta SkyMiles has historically been one of the most generous programs for status challenges. After being temporarily unavailable during recent program changes, the SkyMiles Medallion Status Match Challenge is back. If you have elite status with another airline, you can request a match. If approved, you’ll receive three months of equivalent Delta status, plus the qualification challenge to extend your new Medallion status.
In 2025, Delta will also launch a new route called “Elevate Your Status.” As long as you already have the required amount of MQD to qualify, you can make a one-time purchase of MQD to help you reach the next level of Medallion status. For example, if you are a basic member with at least 4,500 MQD but no more than 4,999 MQD, you will be eligible to purchase the MQD required to obtain the Silver Medallion Card. Delta charges $3 per MQD, so it’s not the cheapest route to membership, but it might make sense if your last trip in 2025 is just one step away from your desired membership tier.
If this route appeals to you, make sure you’ve completed the year of travel before opting into this program. Additionally, if you have already participated in the 2025 Status Match Challenge, Restore My Status Challenge, or Fast Track, you will not be eligible to advance your status.
Earn status by choosing benefits
Delta’s select benefits for Platinum and Diamond members include MQD Accelerators to help you get closer to next year’s membership. In 2025, Platinum members can choose this option to increase their MQDs by 1,000, while Diamond members can earn an additional 2,000 MQDs this way. But it usually takes six to eight weeks for these MQDs to be credited to your account. So if you plan to use this pathway to become eligible next year, now is the time to make your choice about benefits.
Another select benefit option allows you to gift Medallion status to other members. Platinum Medallion members can choose to grant Silver Medallion membership to two people, and Diamond members can choose to grant Gold Medallion membership to two people. So be nice to a friend or family member and they might be able to help you get into the club.
Please note that Platinum members can choose one selected benefit and Diamond members can choose three benefits. You may elect your elective benefits immediately after obtaining status; however, 2025 benefits must be elected by January 31, 2026.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Delta’s Select Benefits
private flight
Delta Air Lines has partnered with private jet subscription service Wheels Up. Wheels Up members can earn a Diamond Medallion status for every $100,000 spent in Wheels Up funds in a calendar year, while Wheels Up customers can earn a Diamond Medallion status after spending at least $125,000 on flights. Neither status offer includes select benefits.
Of course, this isn’t the cheapest option for achieving Delta elite status. However, if you or your business use the service anyway, it might be a good option to bypass the other requirements and go straight to the top.
To learn more about Delta’s partnership with Wheels Up, click here.
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Book award tickets
One of the best changes to the SkyMiles program in recent years is that you can now earn MQDs when booking Delta award tickets in Economy or higher. This was initially introduced as a temporary benefit in 2021, but has since become a permanent feature of the scheme – and it could make income status more affordable.
If you have a lot of SkyMiles in your account, consider redeeming your miles to close the gap to your desired status level. The number of MQDs you will receive is calculated by dividing the number of miles redeemed by 100. (Keep in mind that select Delta American Express card holders will automatically save 15% when purchasing award tickets operated by Delta Air Lines.)
There’s one major exception to keep in mind: Only award flights ticketed by Delta earn elite status indicators. Your award ticket must be booked through Delta SkyMiles directly through Delta to be eligible. For example, booking an award flight operated by Delta Air Lines using Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles will not earn MQDs, even if you add your SkyMiles number to the itinerary.
However, according to the terms and conditions, “SkyMiles members can earn MQDs on Delta award travel tickets operated by Delta partners.” So it appears that the operating airline could be Delta or any of its partners, as long as the flight is ticketed through Delta.
RELATED: A Complete Guide to Delta’s SkyMiles Program
Earn MQD with partners
Because qualifying for Delta Medallion membership now requires a spending threshold, mileage runs are no longer as useful as they once were if you’re flying on Delta Metal. But the bright side is that you can still earn MQD quickly using partner fares. This is because these flights earn MQD based on a percentage of the distance flown rather than the price of the ticket.
If you choose this route, please note that the earn rate will vary based on the airline and fare class you fly. For example, Air France’s all-economy class flights will earn MQDs based on 20% of the miles flown, while WestJet’s all-economy class tickets will earn MQDs based on 15% of the miles flown. Remember, MQDs are not to be confused with SkyMiles.
You can also earn 1 MQD for every $1 spent on Delta Vacations, Delta’s platform for booking all-in-one vacation packages. However, MQDs are no longer earned on Delta Car Rentals and Delta Hotels bookings.
Related: How (and Why) You Should Regularly Audit Your Loyalty Account
bottom line
Even though the year is coming to an end, there’s still time to upgrade to the next level of elite Delta Medallion status.
The most important thing is to know where you are now and how short your time is after taking into account planned travel for the rest of the year. Once you figure out how much extra MQD you’ll need, you can use these strategies to ensure you get the elite level you need next year – and all the perks that come with it.
