Check out this guide for additional last-minute suggestions on qualifying for Delta Medallion status. Related: All the tips and tricks you need to use Delta Upgrade Certificates. The Delta SkyMiles program is unique among major U. Terms Apply. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser.
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Nick Ewen is a senior editor and was one of the site's first contributors in DoubleTree by Hilton will open 15 new properties in Southeast Asia. You also may qualify on segments rather than miles, and you may have heavier travel in certain parts of the year. Related: How to redeem Delta SkyMiles for maximum value. There are a couple of things to keep in mind as you decide to chase Delta elite status in The pandemic has changed travel as we know it, and many of us are traveling less.
Airlines have responded to the pandemic by extending elite status and making it easier to earn status in While Delta was the first U. This includes MQMs earned with a credit card.
Make sure to go through your travel plans and see if it makes sense for you to chase elite status during the pandemic. Remember, you edit the provided Excel sheet and make changes to my assumed valuations for a more accurate look at the value of elite status.
Likewise, the status you earn this year will be valid through when travel hopefully returns to normal. Related: When will international travel return? A country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery. Delta has hubs all around the U. If you live near one of these hubs, Delta status could be a great option. This is especially true in places like Detroit and Salt Lake City, where Delta is the only carrier with a hub.
Delta operates a handful of focus cities around the U. Whatever the case may be, look at your flight habits and see if it makes sense for you to move the bulk of your flying to Delta and its SkyTeam partners. The airline has very limited service from this airport when compared to American and United.
On the other hand, it may make sense for someone based in Des Moines DSM to pick Delta as all airlines have limited service to the city. Delta is one of the easiest statuses to earn with a credit card.
This waives the requirement for Silver, Gold and Platinum status. Keep this in mind as you choose to earn Delta elite status. If you have lots of credit card spend, you may be able to earn a higher tier of elite status with Delta than you would another airline. That said, you should also keep in mind the opportunity cost of using your Delta credit card for purchases where you may earn more points using another credit card.
Putting lots of spend on your Delta cards could mean losing out on points with other cards. Look through your spending habits and see if it makes sense to earn status with your Delta card. Related: Boost your progress toward Medallion status with select Delta credit cards. If international travel is your goal, Delta can be tough. The airline has devalued its SkyMiles currency twice in the past year , focusing on international partner awards.
The most recent devaluation means Delta partner awards to Asia and Europe now start a huge , SkyMiles one-way in business class. This is far higher than almost any other program and not a particularly good way to redeem your miles.
Even worse, economy tickets cost almost as much as business class tickets do with other airlines. The airline dynamically prices its own award tickets and is known for super high award pricing on long-haul business class. So, what are SkyMiles good for? Domestic awards are generally your best bet.
The airline recently ran a number of award sales , with tickets starting at just 2, SkyMiles one-way. Standard Main Cabin economy starts at just 6, SkyMiles. Of course, we could see this change post-pandemic. But for the time being, your best bet for redeeming Delta SkyMiles is on domestic flights.
When you pay for tickets with the card, you get the first checked bag free for you and up to eight other people traveling on your reservation. Terms Apply. Terms apply. Delta's non-airline partners include:. Hotels and Airbnb: You can earn SkyMiles at thousands of properties in most major hotel chains. In some cases, you earn a flat number of points per stay; in others, you earn points based on how much you spend. You can also earn miles at Airbnb.
See hotel partners and earning rules here. Auto rentals and Lyft: Several major rental agencies have an option to earn SkyMiles. You can also earn miles using the Lyft ride-hailing service.
Details here. Dining: Register your credit card with SkyMiles Dining and earn up to 5 miles per dollar when you use that card at thousands of participating restaurants.
You can use any credit card; it doesn't have to be a Delta-branded card. Shopping: Earn miles at hundreds of online merchants through the airline's shopping portal, SkyMiles Shopping. You can buy additional SkyMiles through the Delta website, but this generally isn't a good value. SkyMiles cost 3. SkyMiles are redeemable for flights through Delta Air Lines and its partners.
In most cases, you redeem by booking through Delta's website. Go to the booking tool and choose the option for seeing the price in miles. Basic Economy: This is a no-frills fare. You sit in a standard seat and get free drinks and snacks, but you don't get to pick your seat, you're the last to board the plane, you can't get upgraded even with Medallion status, and there are sharp restrictions on ticket changes or refunds.
Main Cabin: This is a standard economy seat. Free nonalcoholic drinks and basic snacks. Seat-back entertainment when available. First Class: Bigger seat with more legroom; free alcoholic drinks, snacks and meals on longer flights; dedicated storage and flight attendant service; priority boarding. Delta Premium Select: First class with extra-comfortable seating and amenities on select international flights. Delta One: First class with lie-flat seating available only on select long-haul flights.
Unlike some other airlines, Delta doesn't publish an award chart showing you exactly how many miles you need for a given flight. You have to figure it out the hard way — by entering your flight information and seeing what it costs in terms of miles. Delta advertises that there are no blackout dates for award travel.
You can also use miles to purchase seat upgrades; membership to Delta Sky Clubs airport lounges; vacation packages; exclusive experiences; for merchandise, gift cards, hotel stays and car rental in the SkyMiles Marketplace; or donate them to charity through Delta SkyWish.
See details about these and other options here. If you happen to have at least 2. According to Delta , those 2. For the most part, using SkyMiles for anything other than flights will result in below-average redemption values.
Anyone can join the Delta SkyMiles program for free. But to move up from basic membership to elite status, where the real perks are, you need to fly the airline regularly. Delta has introduced a slew of changes and promotions to make Medallion status easier to earn in Earn bonus qualifying miles, dollars and segments on regular Delta flights. This bonus does not apply to flights flown with Delta partners. Earn qualifying miles, dollars and segments on Delta award flights. Usually you would not earn any elite qualification from award flights, but Delta has changed this for the remainder The earning rate is somewhat complicated: The Medallion Qualifying Miles are based on miles flown, while the Medallion Qualification Dollars are based on the number of miles used divided by Bonus qualifying miles on some Delta co-branded credit cards.
These promotions vary by card — see here for complete details. These qualifying bonuses apply for flights taken between April 1 and Dec. Put simply: Medallion status is easier to earn when flying with Delta for the remainder of The requirements for each level described below remain unchanged, but Delta is offering bonuses to make them easier to reach.
The SkyMiles Medallion program has four levels. We'll start by looking at what you get at each level, then how to get there. All Medallion members get priority check-in and priority boarding. All levels above Silver get priority security lane access and priority baggage service at select airports.
Additional benefits include:. Medallion members at the Platinum and Diamond levels are eligible for "Delta Choice Benefits," in which they choose the premium benefits they want from a list. Platinum members can choose one of the following:. Package of four regional upgrade certificates. Gift of Silver Medallion status to a friend. Diamond members can choose three of the following:.
Individual membership to Delta Sky Clubs unlimited access for self; guests pay a fee. Executive membership to Delta Sky Clubs unlimited access for self and two guests — this option counts as two choices. Package of as many as eight upgrade certificates eight regional, four global, or two global and four regional. Gift of Gold Medallion status to a friend. See full details about choice benefits.
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