Delta Air Lines Increases Status Thresholds for SkyMiles, Adds Some Benefits

Delta Air Lines is upping what it takes to qualify for Medallion Status for its SkyMiles loyalty program.

The carrier announced this week that starting next year, it will take more to earn a higher status with Delta Air Lines. The new thresholds start on Jan. 1, 2023, the earn year to qualify for 2024 Medallion Status. Status for 2023 remains unchanged.

“These limited SkyMiles Program changes are a necessary step toward both preserving and improving the customer experience for our most loyal and engaged Members,” Dwight James, S.V.P. of Customer Engagement and Loyalty and CEO of Delta Vacations, said in the announcement.

“The travel and loyalty landscape has changed considerably since we last made changes to the earn qualifications of multiple membership tiers.”

Here are the new thresholds for Delta SkyMiles Medallions for 2024:

• Silver Medallion: $3,000, no change from 2023.
• Gold Medallion: $8,000, up from $6,000 in 2023.
• Platinum Medallion: $12,000, up from $9,000 in 2023.
• Diamond Medallion: $20,000, up from $15,000 in 2023.

At the same time, Delta announced some enhanced benefits for those Medallion members, including the ability to gift status to a friend—Diamond members get two Gold Medallion Gifts per selection and Platinum members get two Silver Medallion Gifts per selection.

Diamond and Platinum members are also getting Delta Vacations Experiences (flight and hotel)—Diamond members are getting $500 and Platinum members are getting $400—and Delta Travel Credit Vouchers worth $250.

Diamond and Platinum members are also getting a head start for their Medallion qualifications next year--$1,000 MQD boost for Diamond and a $500 boost for Platinum.

Those changes join others that Delta had already announced, including accepting miles toward baggage fees at domestic airports and requesting upgrades with certificates during check-out on Delta’s website.