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If you want to earn elite status in the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles program, you'll want to familiarize yourself with Medallion Qualification Dollars, or MQDs for short. MQDs are Delta's only status-earning metric, and you won't find yourself among the airline's elite ranks unless you earn a lot of them.
Here's everything you need to know about Medallion Qualification Dollars and how to earn them.
Page Contents
What Is a Medallion Qualification Dollar?
Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) are Delta's sole status-earning metric. In short, MQDs track how much you've spent on Delta flights, vacation packages, and select co-branded American Express credit cards. The only path to Delta elite status is to earn MQDs.
Travelers used to have an option of earning Delta status via Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) and Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs), but not anymore. These metrics were removed in 2023's overhaul of the SkyMiles program.
Medallion Qualification Dollar Requirements
To earn Delta Medallion status in 2026, you need to meet the following MQD requirements:
- Silver Medallion: $5,000 MQDs
- Gold Medallion: $10,000 MQDs
- Platinum Medallion: $15,000 MQDs
- Diamond Medallion: $28,000 MQDs
How to Earn Delta MQDs in 2026
Delta SkyMiles members have a handful of primary ways to earn MQDs. Here's an overview.
Earn by flying Delta and partner airlines
Flying earns you $1 MQD per dollar spent on the ticket price for Delta-marketed flights operated by Delta or one of its many partner airlines. Unfortunately, Delta basic economy fares do not earn any MQDs.
Partner-marketed flights earn Delta MQDs based on the distance of the flight, fare booking class, and applicable earning rate. This rate varies between Delta partners.
For example, take an Aeromexico business class ticket from Seattle (SEA) to Santiago, Chile (SCL) via Mexico City (MEX). This routing covers a total of 12,833 flight miles, and Delta uses a 30% MQD earning rate for non-full-fare business class tickets. That means you'll earn around 3,850 MQDs round-trip — regardless of how much you pay for the ticket.
Flying is still the most straightforward way to Delta MQDs and elite status. However, if you book a lot of travel through Delta, you'll want to hold a co-branded credit card. It'll expedite your path to status immensely.
Delta credit cards
Select Delta American Express cards offer bonus MQDs for spending plus a “headstart” just for holding the card. Presently, you can earn MQDs on the following Delta cards through the so-called “MQD Boost”:
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn $1 MQD for every $20 spent on the card.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn $1 MQD for every $10 spent on the card.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Earn $1 MQD for every $20 spent on the card.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Earn $1 MQD for every $10 spent on the card.
And if you hold one of the aforementioned Delta credit cards, you'll also receive $2,500 “MQD Headstart” per card you carry in your wallet. The MQDs earned from the headstart will count towards the current status qualification year, and you get them each year you hold the card.
For example, if you carry the Delta Platinum Amex or its small business equivalent, you'll be 25% of the way to Delta Gold Medallion when the head start posts to your SkyMiles account — assuming you haven't earned any MQDs elsewhere. Or, if you happen to have both of the Platinum-level cards, you'll be halfway there.
(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.
(Terms apply)
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1.5X miles per dollar on eligible transit, U.S. shipping, and U.S. office supply store purchases, plus all eligible purchases after spending $150K per calendar year
- 1 mile on every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Related: Can I Receive Welcome Offers From Multiple Delta Amex Cards?
Earn on award redemptions
If you don't want to pay for a revenue fare, you can still earn MQDs on award tickets. You'll earn 1 MQD per 100 miles redeemed. So, if you book a flight for 100,000 SkyMiles, you'll earn 1,000 MQDs. This method of earning MQDs is only helpful if you have enough SkyMiles in the first place. Luckily, you can transfer your American Express Membership Rewards at a 1:1 ratio to top off your redemption.
Again, basic economy award tickets don't earn any MQDs.
Related: Earn While You Burn — Airlines That Offer Elite Status Credits on Award Travel
Book travel through Delta Vacations
When booking Delta Vacations packages, you'll earn $1 MQD per dollar spent on the total package value, excluding taxes, fees, and basic economy fares. If you're after Medallion status and in need of a vacation, booking through Delta might be the way to go.
You can also leverage MQD promotions when Delta releases them. Depending on the promo, you could earn bonus MQDs on hotel, rental car, and/or vacation rental reservations. These earnings come on top of the $1 MQD per dollar you'll already earn.
Final Thoughts
Although some argue Delta's elite status has declined in quality over recent years, Delta Medallion Status still offers plenty of benefits to loyal customers. If you want to enjoy these benefits, you'll want to understand the requirements to get them — including being familiar with earning Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). After all, MQDs are the only way to get Delta status.
- Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 20,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Receive a Companion Certificate on a Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations 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: Get up to $10 in statement credits each month after you pay with your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights and save up to $70 per person on a round-trip Delta flight.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, 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.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- 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.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees), and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
No, you only get credit for the MQDs after you fly.
Hello! I am $10 MQD short of Silver Medallion. From the comments, it looks like I have to buy a ticket to make up for that $10. I did find a $91 round trip ticket ($60 MQD). My question is, do I actually have to take the flight for the MQD to count? I understand I wouldn’t get the Skymiles but would the spend still count?
I read all of the comments and none answered this very specific question:
Let’s say I bought a flight and the MQD total is $500 for the entire trip. The flight departs on December 26th and returns on January 2nd. Is the MQD total split between the years? 50/50 in other words? So I would get $250 for this year and $250 for next year?
MQDs are credited to the ear in which you take the flight, so you can expect the MQD to split between 2019/2020.
I read most everything posted here……I didn’t want you to have to answer this question if you already had. I can see several times where you have mentioned… “The current spending requirement is $25,000 in annual spend on the Delta card to avoid the MQD requirement for all status levels except Diamond (which is $250,000 in credit card spending.”
My questions are these…
What are qualified purchases for the spending requirement of $25,000.00/$250,000.00? Are we talking groceries, fuel, McDonalds….anything? Or is the 25,000 specific to Delta purchases?
Additionally, I see in your post on 3/27/19, you talk about “In other words, if you pay with the Delta card that earns miles in your husband’s account, the MQD waiver will apply to his quest for elite status.”, so would it be reasonable then to get out from under my husband’s Am Ex and get my own where i am the primary, so that we are both earning MQD’s? Currently, he is he primary on our Am Ex and if i understand what you have posted here that means that any spent on the Am Ex goes towards his elite status and NOT mine. Correct?
Sorry if these are redundant questions.
Thanks for your time in advance, this website has been the most helpful I have seen.
Hey, great questions. First, any spending on the Delta cards—McDonalds included :)—will count towards the 25K EQD qualification waiver. When you earn the waiver, you’re exempt from Delta’s requirement that you spend a certain amount on Delta flights to earn status. In other words, using the co-brand card let’s you get around spending a certain amount on Delta flights specifically.
The Delta cards earn MQMs (Medallion Qualifying Miles) at specific thresholds of spending. When you spend 25K on the Delta platinum card, you get 10K MQMs – this is independent of the MQD waiver (but for the Delta Platinum card, it happens that the threshold for both benefits is spending $25K).
So, spend 25k on the Delta platinum, get 10K MQMs and a MQD waiver that you don’t need to spend x dollars on Delta flights. The benefit goes to the primary cardholder, so if you want to earn status yourself, you’ll want to get your own Delta Amex. Hope that helps. This post has more detail on everything.
I am purchasing 5 Delta tickets for my daughters family to come visit us. Will I get the MQDs for all five flights? Also, I am the second cardholder (my husband is the main cardholder, we have different card numbers). If I charge these flights on my card, will I get the MQDs or my husband?
Each Skymiles member earns MQDs and MQMs on their own flights, so the money you’re spending on other family members will count towards their own elite qualification. However, the MQM waiver (not having to worry about meeting the dollar threshold because of spending on a Delta co-brand card) will credit to the Skymiles account that is associated with the card used to buy the tickets.
The current spending requirement is $25,000 in annual spend on the Delta card to avoid the MQD requirement for all status levels except Diamond (which is $250,000 in credit card spending). In other words, if you pay with the Delta card that earns miles in your husband’s account, the MQD waiver will apply to his quest for elite status. https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/medallion-program/how-to-qualify.html
I buy tix for my family when we travel together. Do I get the MQDs since they are purchased on my CC?
Unfortunately, no. MQDs go to the person whose name is on the ticket.
Howie,
2 Million Miles with Delta(but still struggling to “get it” with MQD$. I’ve hit miles for the year, no problem. But I am $43 dollar short of the 15k Spend on MQD’s to achieve Diamond. So is there anything besides booking and flying a flight before the end of the year that can get me there?
Thanks
Kirk
The only other way is to spend $250k on an Amex/Delta co-brand credit card before the end of the year. Go take a cheap flight to get Diamond.
What is the situation regarding travel when Delta rebooks you on to another (non-partner) airline because of cancellation of their flight. In this instance it was an 8500 mile flight with about 1100 MQD’s so was no insignificant.
You contact customer service and request “original routing credit”
I am not sure I saw in postings.
Does MQDs rollover like MQMs?
Thanks!
No. MQD does not roll.
When do you get credit for the MQD spent? For instance, if I book a trip now for February of next year, will it still count towards this year’s MQD? I have met my MQM for the year, but about $1k away from MQDs. Thanks.
You get your MQD at the same time you get your MQM and your miles, after you complete your flight.
After reviewing all the flights I am scheduled to take this year, and I am short 100 MQD ($100). If I pay for Delta Comfort or in-flight wifi, will those dollars be MQDs? Thanks!
MQDs are based on your FARE. You’ll need to upgrade / change your ticket if you want to earn MQDs. You should contact Delta directly about your specific ticket and see if you can upgrade it to a comfort+ or first class fare to earn the additional MQDs. They can calculate it for you on the phone. Purchasing Wi-Fi will not count towards MQD.
If buying a ticket directly from Delta, do you get 1 MQD per $1 spent on the actual ticket fare ( less taxes and fees)? Is it always a 1:1 ratio? Or, are MQD’s amounts affected by ticket class or level ( ie Basic Class vs Main Cabin vs First class, etc…).
Thanks in advance for your response.
Correct, not affected by fare class. Earn rate is 1x MQD for every $1 spent on DL operated flights, minus government imposed fees and taxes.
Thanks for this. Do all ticket charges purchased for me count toward my MQDs? For example, if my client books a ticket for me, but the ticket is in my name, do I get the credit in my MQDs, or do they? Thanks very much!
MQDs are credited to the traveler with the butt in the seat.
Does purchases for Delta travel packages (other than the actually air portion, i.e. the hotel etc portion) qualify for MQD?
It does not.
Thanks, Howie. At one time I thought I had been given the option of linking my Marriott points to an airline. That was a long time ago, though, and it may have been a link to miles….not dollars. It looks like I’ll be $550 away from Gold status at the end of 2017, and I’m trying to figure out how to get there! I’m not sure I’ll be able to fit in one more trip this calendar year. Bummer. So close. It’s this new dollar requirement that gets me. Segments and miles I way exceed.
You can buy the last bit of miles (MQM), segments (MQS) or dollars (MQD) directly from Delta: https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/elevate-your-status.html
5,000 MQM + 9 MQS + $695 MQD for a price of $695
They have smaller and larger packages. I’m $80 short on MQD this year but the smallest package looks like it’s $295.
I am wondering if money spent in 2017 for travel in 2018 applies to the MQD requirement for 2017 or 18?
It counts based on when the flight is flown, so 2018.
Is there a way I can see the detail for my current year’s total MQDs?
Yes, simply access to your account at Delta.com and you’ll see the total once you’re in.
Thanks. I found it and the detail was very useful.
One other question. Does Delta have a relationship with Marriott? If so, can the dollars spent on my 2017 Marriott hotel stays be counted as MQDs?
Tari, no they do not.
So MQDs are earned at the time ticket is booked or the time the flight is flown please? Thanks
They are earned at the time that the flight is flown. Same for MQMs, MQSs and RDMs.
“Additionally, the MQD requirement is waived for all non-U.S.-based SkyMiles members.”
So if I am a Delta SkyMiles member living overseas, can I have this requirement waived? Could you provide info on how to go about doing that? Thanks!
Correct. Simply change the address and be sure you can provide proof of residency.
I just hope MQD (or EQD in general) does not spread to anymore airlines.
Calculating and tracking EQD is such a pain in the neck, I can’t believe how much time I ended up wasting with calculating/tracking EQD.
Also, if you have a status with Delta there’re some crossbenefits when you stay in SPG properties as they’ve got a partnership but I can’t remember what they are actually
Crossover Rewards: https://awardwallet.com/hotels/marriott-bonvoy/marriott-airline-partners/
Gotta love these partnerships.
So is it correct that you cannot earn MQDs when booking through third-party sites like Kayak, Expedia, etc.?
No, that is incorrect. There are some fares that are ineligible for MQD earning, such as Priceline or Hotwire fares where you don’t know which airline you’re buying through prior to purchase, but otherwise, you can expect to earn MQDs
I had never even heard of this before this post! Thanks for sharing
Great post. I was under the impression that MQDs were accrued only if the flight was purchased directly off the Delta website, not going through a 3rd party like Expedia to find the flight. Can you clarify that it doesn’t make a difference where ever the flight is purchased, as long as the flight number has the “DL”, it’ll still qualify for MQDs? Thanks!
Miguel, there are a few circumstances where tickets issued will not earn MQDs, such as those purchases through hotwire or priceline when the airline is not disclosed prior to purchase. However, most all other purchases will count. You’ll need to read through the terms on the page for your specific circumstance, but tickets purchased through Expedia are eligible for MQDs. You may only receive a fraction of MQDs.
That helps. Thanks!
Really hope they re-offer a co-branded Delta SkyMiles credit card in Canada.
Interesting post! Thank you.
You have to love SkyPesos.
So, as I understand Delta Connection flights and other partner airline flights qualify as long as the flight has a DL number, even if it also has other airlines’ numbers?
correct.
Simple and straightforward explanation of a MQD. Good post.