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If you have Delta Platinum Medallion or Delta Diamond Medallion status, you're likely very familiar with Delta Choice Benefits. The opportunity to select one (or multiple) perks that align with your travel and financial goals helps you extract maximum value from Delta's elite status program.
Well, Delta just announced changes to the Choice Benefit selections for 2026 — but don't worry, the changes are almost all positive. Delta has received plenty of bad press for its changes to the SkyMiles program over the past few years, but that isn't the case today.
Here's what you need to know about the changes to Choice Benefits coming in February 2026.
Delta Choice Benefits Changes for 2026
If you aren't familiar, Delta Medallion elites can choose one Choice Benefit when they reach Platinum status. If you reach Diamond Medallion, you can choose another three Choice Benefits. The benefits categories are the same across Platinum and Diamond, but the value of the benefit varies.
Beginning February 1, 2026, Delta Platinum and Diamond Medallion members will see a few changes to the Choice Benefits selection. The changes impact four Choice Benefits:
- Gift Medallion Status
- Platinum members can gift Silver Medallion status to 4 people (up from 2)
- Diamond members can gift Gold Medallion status to 4 people (up from 2)
- Bonus Miles
- Platinum members can receive 35,000 bonus SkyMiles (up from 30,000)
- Diamond members can receive 40,000 bonus SkyMiles (up from 35,000)
- Delta Travel Voucher
- Platinum members can choose a travel voucher of $350 (up from $300)
- Diamond members can choose a travel voucher of $550 (up from $350)
- American Express Statement Credit
- Platinum members can choose a statement credit worth $250 (down from $400)
- Diamond members can choose a statement credit worth $500 (down from $700)
The other Choice Benefit options will remain the same. If you've already selected your Choice Benefit for 2026, don't worry. For the three Choice Benefits that are increasing in value, you will receive the difference in mid-February 2026. However, if you choose the Amex statement credit before February 1, 2026, you'll receive the higher value.
Bottom Line
For the most part, these changes are positive. Delta Platinum and Diamond Medallion members can now gift status to more people, receive more bonus miles, or choose a larger Delta travel voucher. Although the Amex statement credit option is losing value, that only matters if you are a cardholder of a co-branded Delta credit card. Even so, there are plenty of other high-value options to choose from.
(Terms apply)
- Apply and find out your welcome offer: As High As 80,000 Bonus Miles + Earn a $250 Statement Credit after you spend $3,000 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.
- Enjoy a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold 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.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: With your $120 Rideshare Credit, earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after your first Card renewal when you use your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
- When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, you can earn: 2X miles on Delta Purchases, 2X miles at restaurants, 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets, 1X miles on all other eligible purchases. Every mile you earn brings you closer to the places you want to go. Turn them into your next trip, use them for seat upgrades, and more.
- Check your first bag for free on Delta flights worldwide and get your second bag free when flying domestically.
- $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
- Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- Send money, split purchases, and focus on the moments that matter - with Send & Split®. Powered by Venmo and PayPal. Enrollment Required. Terms apply.
- Terms Apply.
- 2X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 2X miles per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets
- 2X miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 1X miles on all other eligible purchases
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For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
