Each week, we will be taking a look at airline elite status level and the benefits that come with it and how to leverage earning the status. 

Delta Diamond Medallion Status

So for this week, we are going to look at Delta Diamond Medallion status, which normally requires either 125,000 miles or 140 segments.

Delta Diamond Medallion status is earned after 125,000 miles or 140 segments plus $15,000 in spending.

How to Earn:
(1) 125,00 Medallion Qualifying Miles
(2) 140 Medallion Qualifying Segments
(3) plus $15,000 in Medallion Qualifying Dollars

See airline credit card offers page for current offers.

Delta Diamond Medallion Status Benefits 

• Complimentary Comfort+ Seats at time of booking for U.S. And International Travel
• Unlimited Complimentary Upgrades 5 day out on discounted fares (with priority)
• Unlimited Complimentary Companion Upgrades
• Complimentary Preferred Seats
• Waived Same-Day Confirmed and Same-Day Standby Fees
• 100% Full Fare First/Business Class MQM Bonus (F, J Fares)
• 50% Discounted First/Business/Premium Economy MQM Bonus (P, A, G, C, D, I, Z, Y and B Fares)
• Unlimited Rollover Medallion Qualification Miles
• Waived Baggage Fees
• Priority Check-In, Priority Boarding, and Security
• Waived Award Redeposit/Reissue Fees
• Choice of 2 Delta Choice Benefit including Upgrade Certificates, Gold Medallion Status, Bonus Miles, $200 Delta voucher, etc.
• Earn 11 SkyMiles per $1 spent

And, you can Earn Miles and Starpoints for Starwood Stays through their Crossover Rewards partnership.

Other Ways To Earn:

The easiest way to earn Delta Medallion Qualifying miles is through their co-branded American Express cards. With the Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express, you earn 10,000 MQMs with your first purchase and can earn 15,000 MQMs after spending $30,000 and another 15,000 MQMs after spending 60,000. With the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express, you earn 5,000 MQMs with you spend $1,000 and can earn 10,000 MQMs after spending $25,000 and another 10,000 MQMs after spending $50,000. See airline credit card offers page for current offers.

Bottom Line

Delta Diamond Medallion offers some great perks when it comes to airline elite status on Delta. The unlimited complimentary upgrade benefit is great and as a Diamond you should find yourself at the top of the upgrade list more often than not. When it comes to choice benefits, you can choose between 4 Global or 8 Regional upgrades, though I would choose the Global since those can be upgraded on any Delta flight including long-haul international flights. As a Diamond, you can also take advantage of the waived same day confirm and standby fees to switch flights on the day of travel.  It’s also nice to be able to cancel award tickets and redeposit the miles last-minute and not be charged a fee.

What’s your favorite Delta Diamond Medallion benefit?

See airline credit card offers page for current offers.