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Having status with an airline can get you lots of perks when flying. But if you don't always fly the same airline, you can lose out on those benefits. Luckily, the three major airline alliances offer reciprocal benefits to travelers who hold elite status with a member airline.
SkyTeam is one such alliance. With 18 member airlines, SkyTeam lets you enjoy your elite benefits when flying with carriers like Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and Air France-KLM.
Here's how to earn SkyTeam Elite Plus status and the benefits you can enjoy when flying with other alliance members.
What Is SkyTeam Elite Plus?
The SkyTeam alliance has two status levels: Elite and Elite Plus. You earn these levels by obtaining qualifying elite status with one of the 18 member airlines. Your airline status then corresponds to one of the two SkyTeam elite levels. For example, if you have elite status with Delta and book a KLM flight, KLM will recognize your corresponding SkyTeam status and provide your applicable benefits.
The status with the most perks is SkyTeam Elite Plus. Let's look at how you can obtain this valuable status.
How To Get SkyTeam Elite Plus Status
Each SkyTeam airline has multiple tiers to its
| Airline/Loyalty Program | SkyTeam Elite Plus-Equivalent Tier |
|---|---|
| Aerolineas Argentinas: Aerolineas Plus | Platinum, Diamante |
| Aeromexico: Aeromexico Rewards | Platinum, Titanium, Caballero Aguila |
| Air Europa: Suma | Gold, Platinum |
| Air France/KLM: Flying Blue | Gold, Platinum, Club 2000 |
| China Airlines: Dynasty Flyer | Emerald, Paragon |
| China Eastern: Eastern Miles | Gold, Platinum |
| Delta Air Lines: SkyMiles | Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion |
| Garuda Indonesia: GarudaMiles | Platinum |
| Kenya Airways: Asante Rewards | Gold, Platinum |
| Korean Air: SKYPASS | Morning Calm Premium Club, Million Miler Club |
| MEA: Cedar Miles | Gold, Presidents Club, Platinum |
| Saudia: AIFursan | Gold |
| SAS: EuroBonus | Gold and Diamond |
| Tarom: Flying Blue | Gold, Platinum, Platinum for Life |
| Vietnam Airlines: Lotusmiles | Platinum, Million Miler |
| Virgin Atlantic: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | Gold |
| Xiamen Air: Egret Club | Platinum, Diamond |
Earn Delta Medallion status, get SkyTeam Elite Plus
Delta Air Lines is probably the most common route to SkyTeam Elite Plus — at least for our U.S.-based readers. Since you'll need to earn Gold, Platinum, or Diamond Medallion status on Delta in order to receive SkyTeam Elite Plus benefits, let's briefly look at how to earn Delta status.
Delta elite status is based on earning Medallion Qualifying Dollars. You can earn MQDs through Delta and partner flights, eligible Delta SkyMiles
Here are the MQD requirements to earn 2027 Medallion status during the 2026 calendar year:
- Gold Medallion: $10,000 MQDs
- Platinum Medallion: $15,000 MQDs
- Diamond Medallion: $28,000 MQDs
Several Delta co-branded credit cards can help you earn Delta status as well.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each qualification year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 on eligible purchases made on your Delta Platinum Amex.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each qualification year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 on eligible purchases made on your Delta Business Platinum Amex.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each qualification year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 on eligible purchases made on your Delta Reserve.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each qualification year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 on eligible purchases made on your Business Delta Reserve.
$350
- 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.
$650
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
$350Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- 3X miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta
- 3X miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases with hotels
- 1.5x miles on eligible purchases over $5,000 (up to 50,000 bonus miles annually)
- 1.5X miles on eligible transit and U.S. shipping purchases*
- 1X miles per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Other ways to earn SkyTeam Elite Plus status
Of course, Delta isn’t the only route to SkyTeam Elite Plus. You can earn the status through any qualifying SkyTeam member program. Here are two other common options:
Flying Blue: Air France and KLM’s Flying Blue program grants SkyTeam Elite Plus status beginning at the Gold level. Flying Blue uses Experience Points (XP) for elite qualification. Members need 100 XP to reach Silver, then another 180 XP to reach Gold. Platinum and Ultimate members also receive SkyTeam Elite Plus status.
SAS EuroBonus: EuroBonus Gold and Diamond members receive SkyTeam Elite Plus status. To earn Gold, members need 45,000 Level Points or 45 qualifying flights during their qualification period.
Accessing SkyTeam Elite Benefits
To receive reciprocal SkyTeam benefits, you'll need to add the frequent-flyer number associated with your SkyTeam Elite Plus status to your eligible SkyTeam reservation. For example, if you have Delta Gold Medallion status and are flying Air France, add your Delta SkyMiles number to the Air France reservation. This allows Air France to recognize your SkyTeam Elite Plus status and provide the applicable benefits. You can typically add your number when booking or before travel. Some perks are guaranteed across the alliance, while others depend on the airline and fare you book.
Keep in mind that some SkyTeam Elite Plus benefits may not apply when traveling on basic economy or similar restricted fares. Restrictions vary by airline, so you'll want to check the operating carrier's rules before booking. For example, Delta Main Basic fares aren't eligible for benefits such as priority boarding, preferred seating, or Delta Sky Club access, regardless of elite status.
Guaranteed SkyTeam Elite Plus Benefits
SkyTeam Elite Plus members receive a standard set of reciprocal benefits when traveling on eligible SkyTeam itineraries. These include lounge access, SkyPriority airport services, additional baggage allowance, and guaranteed reservations on certain sold-out flights.
Lounge access
One of the best perks of SkyTeam Elite Plus status is access to more than 750 airport lounges worldwide, including partner lounges and SkyTeam-branded lounges. Want to see what SkyTeam Lounges are like? Check out these 360-degree virtual tours.
- International lounge access: Elite Plus members can access participating lounges when traveling on a qualifying international itinerary, provided they have a same-day boarding pass for a flight operated by a SkyTeam member airline. If the itinerary includes a domestic connection, both the domestic and international flights must be operated by SkyTeam airlines.
- Domestic lounge access: Since 2025, Elite Plus members can also access select lounges when traveling on domestic SkyTeam flights. More than 70 lounges participate in this expanded domestic lounge benefit, but access is limited to participating locations and isn't available on every domestic SkyTeam itinerary.
Eligible Elite Plus members can bring one guest, provided the guest is traveling on the same SkyTeam-operated flight. Lounge access is also subject to local restrictions and capacity at the participating lounge.
There's one important exception for travelers who earn SkyTeam Elite Plus status through Delta. Delta Sky Club access follows Delta's own rules, and Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Medallion members don't receive Sky Club access based on elite status when flying internationally in Delta Main or Delta Comfort. However, they can still access eligible SkyTeam partner-operated lounges on qualifying international itineraries.
Related: How Priority Pass Lounge Access Works — and Which Credit Cards Offer a Membership
SkyPriority services
SkyTeam Elite Plus members can enjoy SkyPriority airport services even when flying economy, including:
- Priority check-in
- Priority security lanes, where available
- Priority baggage drop-off and handling on arrival
- Priority immigration at select locations
- Priority boarding
- Priority transfers
- Priority ticket office service
You can see which SkyPriority services are available at an airport by using its SkyPriority Finder.
Additional baggage allowance
SkyTeam Elite Plus members receive an additional baggage allowance when traveling on eligible SkyTeam flights. Members are generally entitled to an extra 20 kilograms (about 44 pounds) of checked baggage, or one additional bag on airlines that use a piece-based baggage system.
Guaranteed reservations
Elite Plus members can also receive a guaranteed full-fare economy reservation on certain sold-out long-haul flights. To use this benefit, travelers generally need to book a full-fare Y-class ticket at least 24 hours before departure, making this a useful backup when an eligible flight is otherwise sold out.
Benefits That Vary By Airline
Not every perk associated with airline elite status is guaranteed across the SkyTeam alliance. Individual member airlines may offer additional benefits, but the details can depend on the airline, fare type, route, and whether you hold status with that airline's own loyalty program or are relying on reciprocal SkyTeam Elite Plus benefits.
Preferred and priority seating
SkyTeam Elite Plus status may give you access to preferred or priority seating, but exactly what that means varies by airline. Some carriers may waive fees for certain standard preferred seats, while others may only offer a seating preference or earlier access to seat selection. Extra-legroom, exit-row, and other premium seats are not automatically included simply because you have Elite Plus status.
Complimentary upgrades
Complimentary upgrades are not a standard SkyTeam Elite Plus benefit. Individual airlines may offer upgrades to members of their own elite programs, but those upgrade benefits generally do not transfer across the alliance.
For example, a Delta Gold Medallion member flying Air France shouldn't expect to receive the same upgrade privileges they might receive when flying Delta.
Benefits for companions
Benefits for traveling companions can also vary by carrier. Beyond the standard lounge guest benefit, perks such as complimentary seat selection, preferred seating, and additional baggage may or may not extend to companions on the same reservation. If you are traveling with others, check the operating airline's rules to see which benefits apply only to the Elite Plus member and which may extend to the rest of the reservation.
Related: How To Get Airline Elite Status Without Flying
Final Thoughts
SkyTeam Elite Plus status can make traveling with other alliance members a lot more comfortable. Whether you're flying Delta, Air France, or another SkyTeam airline, perks like lounge access, priority boarding, and extra baggage can make a big difference.
Just remember that not every benefit carries over between airlines, so it's worth checking what you're entitled to before your next flight.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
