Good news for Delta frequent flyers: earning Medallion status in 2027 will not become more difficult. Delta Air Lines has confirmed that it will keep its current Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) thresholds in place for another year, giving SkyMiles members some welcome predictability as they plan their travel and spending.
The airline’s decision means 2027 will mark the third consecutive year without an increase to the spending requirements for Delta’s four Medallion tiers. For travelers who have grown accustomed to frequent changes among airline loyalty programs, keeping the same thresholds could make it easier to plan ahead.
What You’ll Need for Delta Medallion Status
Delta’s four Medallion levels remain Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. The MQD requirements for 2027 status are:
- Silver Medallion: $5,000 MQDs
- Gold Medallion: $10,000 MQDs
- Platinum Medallion: $15,000 MQDs
- Diamond Medallion: $28,000 MQDs
MQDs are the primary measurement Delta uses to determine Medallion status. The thresholds have remained unchanged since Delta revamped the SkyMiles program several years ago.
For travelers working toward status, the numbers are important because the amount you accumulate during a calendar year determines the Medallion level you can earn.
How Delta Flyers Earn MQDs
There are several ways for SkyMiles members to build their MQD balance. Delta-marketed flights generally earn MQDs based on eligible spending, with taxes and government-imposed fees excluded. Eligible partner-airline flights can also earn MQDs, with the calculation depending on the airline, fare and other factors.
Delta’s eligible SkyMiles American Express cards provide another way to work toward status. Platinum, Platinum Business, Reserve and Reserve Business cardmembers can receive a $2,500 MQD Headstart for each eligible card type during the Medallion Qualification Year. Certain cards also allow members to accumulate additional MQDs through spending.
Delta Vacations can provide another opportunity. Members can earn MQDs based on eligible spending on Delta Vacations packages, meaning the program can be useful for travelers who are already planning a flight-and-hotel getaway.
One important detail for travelers: MQDs reset each calendar year, so excess MQDs do not carry forward into the following year.
What Delta Medallion Status Gets You
For travelers who fly Delta regularly, Medallion status can provide a range of benefits designed to make the airport and onboard experience easier. Depending on the tier, benefits can include complimentary upgrades, priority boarding, Sky Priority services, waived checked-bag fees and additional rewards.
Higher tiers come with additional benefits. Platinum and Diamond Medallion members can also receive Choice Benefits, allowing eligible travelers to select perks that best fit their travel habits. Diamond is Delta’s highest Medallion tier and comes with the highest upgrade priority among Medallion members.
Of course, the value of status depends on how often you fly Delta and how much you actually use the benefits. For occasional travelers, spending thousands of dollars simply to reach a particular tier may not make financial sense. Frequent Delta flyers, however, may find the perks worthwhile.
A Stable Year for Delta Loyalists
The decision to hold the thresholds steady comes at a time when airline loyalty programs continue to evolve. Other major U.S. carriers have recently announced changes to their elite-status programs, making Delta’s decision to leave its requirements alone notable.
For SkyMiles members, the unchanged requirements mean there is no new spending hurdle to clear. Travelers who are close to a Medallion threshold can continue working toward the same target rather than adjusting their plans to accommodate an increase.
It is also a reminder that the end of the calendar year is important for anyone chasing status. Since MQDs are based on calendar-year activity, December 31 represents the cutoff for the qualification period.
Planning Your 2027 Travel
If Delta is your airline of choice, now is a good time to look at your SkyMiles account and see where you stand. Consider upcoming flights, eligible credit-card spending and potential Delta Vacations bookings when calculating how close you are to your next Medallion tier.
For travelers already loyal to Delta, the news is simple: the 2027 Medallion thresholds aren’t changing. Silver remains at $5,000 MQDs, Gold at $10,000, Platinum at $15,000 and Diamond at $28,000.
With airline loyalty programs constantly changing, sometimes the best news is that nothing changed at all.