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If you're chasing Delta elite status, an upcoming car rental could help close the gap. For a limited time, eligible personal Delta SkyMiles American Express cardholders can earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $1 spent on Hertz rentals booked through Delta.

This promotion is available for reservations made by September 20, 2026, for rentals returned by December 15, 2026. However, only certain cardholders qualify.

Here's what you need to know about the latest Delta MQD promotion.

Earn 1 MQD per $1 on Hertz Rentals

Eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express cardholders can earn 1 MQD per $1 spent on qualifying Hertz rentals booked through Delta Cars and Stays.

The promotion is available to cardholders with one of the following personal cards:

Delta SkyMiles business cards and the $0-annual-fee Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card (Rates & Fees) aren't included in the promotion's eligibility terms.

To qualify:

  • Book a Hertz rental by September 20, 2026.
  • Complete the rental by December 15, 2026.
  • Make the reservation through the dedicated Delta Cars and Stays page.
  • Include your SkyMiles number when booking.
  • Ensure the name on the reservation matches the name associated with your SkyMiles account.

The published terms don't state that you must pay with your eligible Delta Amex card. They also don't mention a separate registration requirement for the MQD promotion.

You'll earn MQDs only on the base rental rate. Taxes, fees, gratuities, and other booking charges don't qualify. Rentals paid or reduced using miles, redemption vouchers, or discount codes are also excluded. If you redeem SkyMiles toward any portion of the reservation, the entire booking becomes ineligible for MQDs.

Several discounted rental types are excluded as well, including corporate and government rates, travel industry discounts, wholesale and tour package rates, insurance replacement rates, group discounts, and rentals booked in conjunction with a frequent-flyer car award.

Miles and MQDs may take up to eight weeks after the rental is completed to appear in your SkyMiles account. Delta will accept missing-credit requests for up to nine months after the vehicle's return date.

Earn 4X to 8X SkyMiles in Addition to MQDs

These MQDs are in addition to the SkyMiles normally earned on Hertz rentals booked through Delta:

  • General SkyMiles member: 4 SkyMiles per qualifying dollar
  • Silver Medallion: 5 SkyMiles per qualifying dollar
  • Gold Medallion: 6 SkyMiles per qualifying dollar
  • Platinum Medallion: 7 SkyMiles per qualifying dollar
  • Diamond Medallion: 8 SkyMiles per qualifying dollar

Eligible Delta Platinum Amex and Delta Reserve members can also receive complimentary Hertz elite status. Delta Platinum Amex cardmembers receive Hertz Five Star status, while Delta Reserve cardmembers receive Hertz President's Circle status. Enrollment in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, account linking, and registration for the status benefit are required.

Before booking, compare the Delta Cars and Stays price against the rate available directly through Hertz and other rental channels. Earning 1 MQD per $1 can be useful if the prices are similar, but it generally isn't worth paying substantially more solely to earn MQDs.

Related: Your Complete Guide to Delta SkyMiles Partners: Airlines, Credit Cards, and Transfer Options

[Booking Closed] Earn Delta MQDs on Car Rentals, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Delta previously gave all SkyMiles members the chance to earn MQDs on car rentals, hotel stays, and vacation rentals made through Delta Cars and Stays. For both car rentals and stays, members earned 1 MQD per $1 spent on the base rate — excluding taxes, fees, and miles redeemed.

To take advantage of this offer, members had to book travel by July 20 and complete it by December 15, 2026.

Screenshot of Delta Cars and Stays promo banner.
Screenshot of Delta Cars and Stays

These MQD earnings were offered on top of the standard SkyMiles earned through Delta Cars and Stays.

[Booking Closed] Earn 5X Total SkyMiles on Your First Delta Stays Booking

Delta also offered 5X SkyMiles to members who hadn't completed a Delta Stays reservation during the previous 24 months.

The promotion applied to bookings made between May 19 and August 23, 2026, for stays completed by December 31, 2026.

The 5X earning rate consisted of the standard 2 SkyMiles per $1 spent through Delta Stays plus 3 bonus SkyMiles per $1 spent as part of the promotion. Taxes, fees, and any portion of a booking paid with SkyMiles didn't qualify.

This promotion overlapped with Delta's broader MQD promotion. However, neither promotion's landing page explicitly confirmed that the two offers would stack.

Screenshot of the Delta Stays first-stay promotion.
Screenshot of Delta Cars and Stays

Other Options to Earn Delta Medallion Qualifying Dollars

Delta's co-branded credit cards provide an ongoing path toward Medallion status.

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card each provide 2,500 MQDs through the annual MQD Headstart benefit.

Cardholders can also earn MQDs through eligible purchases:

There's no limit to the number of MQDs you can earn through eligible credit card spending. Plus, eligible new card members can earn the following welcome offers:

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
How to Apply
Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
Limited-Time Offer Apply and find out your welcome offer: As High As 90,000 Bonus Miles + Earn a $300 Statement Credit after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. You may not be eligible for the maximum welcome offer amount. Offer ends 11/04/2026.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Limited-Time Offer Apply and find out your welcome offer: As High As 90,000 Bonus Miles + Earn a $300 Statement Credit after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. You may not be eligible for the maximum welcome offer amount. Offer ends 11/04/2026.
Annual Fee:$350
Show moreWhy We Like ItHighlightsEarning Rates
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is tailored for frequent Delta travelers and those who spend regularly on dining and travel. Cardholders earn 3 miles per dollar on Delta and direct hotel purchases, and 2 miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., as well as at U.S. supermarkets. The card offers a Domestic Delta Main round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal. Benefits include a first checked bag free on Delta flights worldwide, a second free bag on Delta domestic flights, Zone 5 Priority Boarding, and 20% back on in-flight purchases. Cardholders also receive a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit. Enrollment required for select American Express benefits.
  • Apply and find out your welcome offer: As High As 90,000 Bonus Miles + Earn a $300 Statement Credit after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. You may not be eligible for the maximum welcome offer amount. Offer ends 11/04/2026.
  • Receive a Companion Certificate on a Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
  • Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Resy Credit: Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay with your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card for eligible purchases.
  • $120 Rideshare Credit: With your $120 Rideshare Credit, earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment Required.
  • Check your first bag for free on Delta flights worldwide and get your second bag free when flying domestically.
  • Receive either a $120 statement credit for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee every 4 years, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.§
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $350 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
  • 3X miles per dollar at hotels
  • 2X miles per dollar at U.S. supermarkets
  • 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
  • 1 mile on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
How to Apply
Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
Limited-Time Offer Earn two round-trip Delta Comfort Flight Certificates valid for travel to the U.S. 48, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. A 21+ day advance purchase is required. Taxes and fees up to $80 per person apply. Terms and other restrictions apply. Offer ends 11/4/2026.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Limited-Time Offer Earn two round-trip Delta Comfort Flight Certificates valid for travel to the U.S. 48, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. A 21+ day advance purchase is required. Taxes and fees up to $80 per person apply. Terms and other restrictions apply. Offer ends 11/4/2026.
Annual Fee:$650
Show moreWhy We Like ItHighlightsEarning Rates
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the best option if you want elite level benefits without holding the status required. The standout feature is complimentary Delta Sky Club® access with 15 visits per year effective from 2/1/25 (unlimited visits with $75,000 spend), providing a relaxing space before flights. Cardholders can earn 1 MQD per $10 of eligible purchases charged to the Delta Reserve. Additionally, there's a complimentary Domestic Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flight each year upon card renewal. Other benefits include 15% off when booking Award Travel on Delta, a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fees, a free first checked bag on Delta flights worldwide, a second one on domestic Delta flights, access to complimentary upgrades, and 20% back on in-flight purchases. Enrollment required for select American Express benefits.
  • Earn two round-trip Delta Comfort Flight Certificates valid for travel to the U.S. 48, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. A 21+ day advance purchase is required. Taxes and fees up to $80 per person apply. Terms and other restrictions apply. Offer ends 11/4/2026.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits each Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card during a calendar year. Reserve Card Members can also enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge and Escape Lounges when you book your Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
  • Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
  • Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flight each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
  • $240 Resy Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay with your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases.
  • Global Dining Access by Resy gives you special access to sought-after U.S. Resy restaurants when you add your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to your Resy profile. Access to exclusive reservations, premium dining experiences, Priority Notify, and more, all from Resy.com or the Resy app.
  • $120 Rideshare Credit: With your $120 Rideshare Credit, earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment Required.
  • Check your first bag for free on Delta flights worldwide and get a second bag free when flying domestically.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
  • $650 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
  • 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.

Related: Which Delta Credit Card Is Right for You?

Our Take

If you hold a personal Delta Gold, Platinum, or Reserve Amex and need more MQDs, this promotion could make an upcoming Hertz rental more rewarding. Book through Delta Cars and Stays by September 20, 2026, and return the vehicle by December 15, 2026, to earn 1 MQD per $1 on the eligible base rate.

But compare prices before booking. Delta Cars and Stays reservations won't always offer the lowest available rate, and earning MQDs isn't worth paying substantially more for the same rental. This promotion makes the most sense when Delta's price is competitive and you're already working toward the next Medallion tier.

For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Rates & Fees), and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees)

Tip of The Day
Curious about which of your loyalty program balances have recently changed? AwardWallet shows an indicator (to the left of the account) for accounts that have changed in the last 24 hours. Look for this indicator to easily spot any accounts that have been recently updated.
Image showing AwardWallet account dashboard with the cursor over a green indicator showing that the account balance changed within the last 24 hours

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