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If you've got elite status with an airline but have been looking for a new program to call home, Delta has a Medallion elite status match and challenge that keep you from starting from scratch. With this offer, you can pick up complimentary elite status for three months, but you'll have the opportunity to extend it through January 31, 2027.
Here's what you need to know about Delta's elite status challenge — and the newly enhanced offer for disaffected Southwest elites.
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Delta’s Status Match Challenge
Delta's offer is simple: Match your status from one of 16 airlines to Delta SkyMiles and enjoy your complimentary matched status in a three-month trial period. Earn requisite Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) during your trial period and extend your status for two years — until January 31, 2027.
Enrollment for the current status year closes on December 31, 2025, so there's time to wait to jump on the offer until you have plans to fly on Delta. That way, you can ensure you're able to extend your status as long as possible.
Eligibility
What's not as simple are the terms. You're only eligible for Delta's status challenge if you meet all the following requirements:
- You haven't received a status match, promotional Medallion status, or complimentary Medallion status in the past three years — unless the complimentary Medallion status was through your Million Miler status.
- You currently have elite status with an airline (shown in the table below) that was earned through published requirements. Complimentary status or status earned via promotions doesn't count.
- You can present both:
- A valid elite physical or digital membership card with your name on it.
- A statement showing your name, earned status with an airline, and the corresponding activity that made you achieve the status.
- You have been enrolled in the SkyMiles program for at least 30 days before enrolling in the status challenge offer and have flown at least one Delta-market flight as a SkyMiles member within the last three years, though basic economy fares don't count.
Admittedly, that's a lot to read and far stricter than other status match/challenge offers we've seen in recent history. But without further ado, here's the complete list of eligible airlines:
| Airline/Loyalty Program | Match to SkyMiles Silver Medallion from: | Match to SkyMiles Gold Medallion from: | Match to SkyMiles Platinum Medallion from: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 25K 35K | 50K | 75K Super Elite |
| Air New Zealand Airpoints | Silver | Gold | Elite |
| Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan | MVP | MVP Gold | MVP Gold 75K MVP Gold 100K |
| All Nippon Airways Mileage Club | Bronze | Platinum | Diamond |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | Gold | Platinum | Platinum Pro Executive Platinum Concierge Key |
| Asiana Airlines Asiana Club | Gold | Diamond | Platinum Diamond Plus |
| British Airways Club | Bronze | Silver | Gold |
| Copa Airlines ConnectMiles | Silver | Gold | Platinum Presidential Platinum |
| Japan Airlines Mileage Bank | Crystal | Sapphire | Premier Diamond |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | N/A | Mosaic 1 | Mosaic 2 Mosaic 3 Mosaic 4 |
| Lufthansa Miles & More | Frequent Traveler | N/A | Senator HON Circle |
| Qantas | Silver | Gold | Platinum Platinum One |
| South African Airways Voyager | Silver | Gold | Platinum Lifetime Platinum |
| Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards (Limited-time offer valid through September 30, 2025) | N/A | A-List | A-List Preferred |
| United Airlines MileagePlus | Premier Silver | Premier Gold | Premier Platinum Premier 1K Global Services |
| Virgin Australia Velocity | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
Delta's Enhanced Status Match for Southwest A-List Elites
Now through September 30, 2025, Delta will match Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List members to Gold Medallion and A-List Preferred members to Platinum Medallion. On October 1, this will revert back to offering Silver and Gold Medallion, respectively.
| Southwest A-List Status | Delta Medallion Match Tier (through September 30) | Delta Medallion Match Tier (starting October 1) |
|---|---|---|
| A-List | Gold Medallion | Silver Medallion |
| A-List Preferred | Platinum Medallion | Gold Medallion |
Extend your status until January 2027 by earning MQDs
What's unique about this Delta status challenge is the opportunity to extend your status until January 2027. And you might not even have to step foot on a plane to earn the MQDs necessary to do so.
Each tier has a different amount of MQDs you'll need to earn within three months of receiving the confirmation email that you've enrolled in the challenge:
- Silver Medallion: $1,250 MQDs
- Gold Medallion: $2,500 MQDs
- Platinum Medallion: $3,750 MQDs
If you're unfamiliar with the Delta ecosystem, you'll want to familiarize yourself with MQDs. You can only earn them in three ways:
- Flights booked through Delta — including award travel and partner-operated flights.
- Note: Basic economy tickets do not earn MQDs.
- Vacation packages booked through Delta Vacations.
- Spending on the following co-branded American Express cards:
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: 1 MQD for every $20 spent
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: 1 MQD for every $20 spent
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: 1 MQD for every $10 spent
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: 1 MQD for every $10 spent
The aforementioned cards offer a $2,500 MQD headstart, but these MQDs won't count toward the status challenge thresholds. However, MQD earnings through card spending might.
(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: How To Choose the Right Delta Credit Card for You
Final Thoughts
Delta's status challenge offer is worth a look if you're interested in picking up complimentary SkyMiles status for a three-month trial period and/or keeping it until January 2027. It'll take some work and spending to extend your status, which is easier to justify if you see yourself enjoying the benefits and taking Delta or partner-operated flights frequently enough.
If you're a disaffected Southwest A-List or A-List Preferred elite, remember that Delta will match you to a higher Medallion tier than normal through September 30, 2025. For those considering the switch to Delta, it's a good time to do so.
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)
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