If you’re a loyal Delta traveler, then it’s vital that you earn elite status in their Medallion program. Just having the basic Silver status will offer you preferred seating, priority service and more SkyMiles from your ticket purchases. And when you reach the higher Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion statuses, you can expect more benefits such as increased upgrades to first-class and more preferential treatment when it comes to standing by for earlier flights.
To earn Medallion elite status, you have to fly a lot, and spend a lot on Delta tickets. However, Delta does allow you to shortcut some of these requirements through the use of their premium SkyMiles credit cards from American Express.
Earn Medallion Qualification Miles with These Delta Credit Cards
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Cards
When you get either the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express or the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express, you can earn valuable Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) in one of two ways. First, you can earn 5,000 MQMs and 35,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card within three months of account opening. It also offers a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within the same three months.
Related: How I Use the American Express Gold Card to Save Money and Earn Travel Rewards
It also offers an annual Miles Boost that lets you earn more MQMs each year. When you make $25,000 in eligible purchases on your card in a calendar year, you’ll earn 10,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs. And when you make a total of $50,000 in eligible purchases on your card in the same calendar year, you’ll earn an additional 10,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs. Having Delta SkyMiles card and spending $25,000 per year also grants you a waiver from the Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQD) requirement to earn elite status.
Other benefits include priority boarding, a free checked bag and a 20% savings on eligible in-flight purchases. Better yet, you get a companion airfare certificate good for a round-trip, domestic (contiguous 48 states), main cabin airfare for just the cost of government taxes and fees. There’s a $195 annual fee for these cards
Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card
Both the business and consumer versions of these cards have offers even more MQMs than the SkyMiles Platinum cards. You earn 40,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within your first three months of account opening. And each year, you can earn 15,000 MQMs and 15,000 bonus miles after you reach $30,000 in eligible purchases on your card in the calendar year. Earn an additional 15,000 MQMs and an additional 15,000 bonus miles after you spend a total of $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Delta Reserve Card within the same calendar year.
You get all the benefits of the SkyMiles Platinum cards, plus your companion certificate is good for Delta First Class tickets as well. You also receive a Delta SkyClub membership and upgrade priority over other travelers with your same SkyMiles Medallion status. There’s a $450 annual fee for this card.
Related: The Credit Cards You Need for Overseas Travel
