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If you are a frequent traveler, earning elite status with your preferred airline is a worthwhile goal. If you travel enough and spend enough on Delta Air Lines, you can attain Diamond Medallion status in SkyMiles’ loyalty program. You get incredible perks both on the ground as well as in the air when you reach […]

If you are a frequent traveler, earning elite status with your preferred airline is a worthwhile goal. If you travel enough and spend enough on Delta Air Lines, you can attain Diamond Medallion status in SkyMiles’ loyalty program. You get incredible perks both on the ground as well as in the air when you reach this status.


This article will discuss the elite status of Diamond Medallion, its benefits, and how to achieve it.


Delta Diamond Medallion benefits


Delta’s Diamond Medallion benefits will make your travel experience more enjoyable. These include lounge access and upgrades, free same-day cancellations and VIP customer service access.


These are the most sought-after benefits for Diamond Medallion holders:

  • Three Benefit Options: Members have the option to choose from three benefits, including Delta Sky Club memberships, gifting Gold Medallion status for a friend or relative, upgrade certificates, SkyMiles 25,000, and many more.

  • Unlimited complimentary upgrades: Diamond members and their companions can receive upgrades to Delta One (domestic First Class), first class, or Comfort Plus depending on availability.

  • Earn 11 Miles for Every Dollar You Spend: Delta-operated flights earn you 11 SkyMiles, compared to 5 miles for a general SkyMiles member.

  • Priority Boarding Board immediately following the Delta One or first class cabin.

  • SkyPriority(r) Benefits: Get priority check-in, access to security lines and expedited luggage service

  • Clear membership: Get a free membership in Clear, a Trusted Traveler Program valued at $189.

  • One free checked bag: You and up to eight companions can fly on the same flight with Delta or selected airline partners.

  • No charges for same-day changes Diamond members get no fees for confirmed ticket changes.

  • SkyTeam Elite Plus status – Get the best SkyTeam status. This status grants you perks such as free baggage and access to lounges when flying with SkyTeam member airlines.


How do I get Delta Diamond status

Delta Diamond Medallion status can be earned by spending and flying on Delta and Delta partners .


To achieve elite status, the program relies on three metrics:


  • Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs).


  • Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs).


  • Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs).


Time spent in the air is measured in MQMs. MQSs are a measure of the flight segments. MQDs reflect the spending portion.


This is a guideline on how to obtain a Diamond Medallion for Delta.


1. Earning MQMs

MQMs are calculated on the basis of distance flown and fare class. All fares other than basic economy Delta fares earn MQMs but are not eligible for MQMs. The more distance traveled, the higher the MQMs.

Fare class multipliers can help you earn more MQMs by booking a higher-fare class. A full-fare Delta One, Delta Premium Select, or Delta Premium First class ticket (all-fare class “J”) earns 200% in MQMs for the distance traveled. This applies to “J”-class tickets on partner airlines like Virgin Atlantic and Air France.


You can also earn MQMs by holding one of the Delta SkyMiles American Express premium cards. This card has the status boost benefit:


Delta will allow you to roll over MQMs earned in excess of the year you need to reach an elite level. You don’t lose any MQMs that you have earned.

Let’s say you have 105,000 MQMs and earned Platinum status. This requires 75,000 MQMs. Even though you did not make it to Diamond status at 125,000 MQMs for Diamond, you will roll over the additional 30K MQMs that you have earned the following year.


Those with more MQMs that Diamond status requires will be able to roll over any excess towards status the next year.


2. Earning MQSs


MQSs can be earned by flying on Delta, Delta Connection or Delta Shuttle, and other airline partners. Earning MQSs is not possible for basic economy fares.


Remember that 125,000 MQMs are the first requirement for Diamond Medallion status. 140 MQSs is the second. For those who fly frequently, the MQSs are often applicable. Credit card offers and other means of accelerating MQSs are not an option.


3. Earning MQDs


You will earn MQDs for Delta-marketed flights within the main cabin and above. These MQDs are based on the base fare, carrier-imposed surcharges, but not government-imposed taxes or fees. Delta will not issue MQDs for select partner airline flights that aren’t booked directly through Delta. These MQDs will equal one-fifth the base economy miles and any applicable class bonus miles.


MQDs for award travel on Delta flights will be awarded based on the number of miles that were redeemed. This is divided by 100. You will receive 400 MQDs if you book an award ticket that costs 40,000 miles.


A Diamond MQD waiver is another option if you aren’t sure you will reach $15,000 in MQDs via airfare spending. You will need to spend $250,000 with a Delta SkyMiles-branded American Express card.

Your spending can make a big difference in your chances of earning Diamond Medallion status. Spend $250,000 on the Delta SkyMiles(r), Reserve American Express Card to receive the MQD Diamond waiver. You will also get a status boost with 60,000 MQMs. This leaves you with 65,000 MQMs, which is enough to reach the 125,000 required MQMs for Diamond. You’re close to getting there if you received MQMs as a welcome gift with your new card signing-up.


What other information do you need?


Status match is not possible for Diamond but it is possible for other Delta elite level


You can’t get Diamond status even if you have top elite status in another frequent flyer program.

Delta is home to four elite tiers. While it’s possible for you to do a status matching for Silver, Platinum and Gold tiers, Diamond cannot be touched.


How long does the Diamond Medallion status last?


Status is earned in a specific calendar year. It then extends to the next year until January.


If you earn Diamond status by spending and flying in the 2023 calendar years, your status will extend through 2024 and end on Jan. 31, 2025.


SkyMiles earned do not equal MQMs


You may be curious about MQMs and MQSs.


SkyMiles can be used to purchase award flights, seat upgrades, and other benefits. MQMs cannot be used to attain elite status. You’ll receive 11 SkyMiles for every dollar you spend on Delta-marketed flights as a Diamond elite member.


What is the elite status of Diamond Medallion?

According to NerdWallet’s recent analysis, Delta Medallion has a tier value of $10860. It will cost approximately $18,072 for this status. This is a high earn rate compared to earn rates for ultra-elite statuses across American Airlines or United Airlines.


Delta Diamond offers the best value and experience overall, compared to its competitors.


Although Delta is more American than United, in general, you will get the same value from all of the elite ultra-level programs.


Delta Diamond Medallion, recapped


You might consider earning Delta Diamond Medallion status if you are a loyal Delta customer and fly often. Flying Delta with its partners is the fastest way to achieve this status. Then apply for a premium cobranded credit card and then spend, spend and spend.


You’ll get many premium benefits, such as automatic upgrades and bonus miles on flights.


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