Delta has announced they’ll be extending 2020 Medallion Status for Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Medallions through January 31, 2022. This is due to the COVID-19 pandemic preventing travel across the world.

Additionally, Delta will be extending Sky Club memberships, companion certificates, Sky Club guest passes, drink vouchers and more. Delta will be rolling over all Medallion Qualification Miles from 2020 until next year.

Per Delta, Rollover MQMs from 2019 that is currently in members accounts WILL be included when everything rolls over into 2021.

Additionally, Platinum and Diamond Medallions will be able to select new Choice Benefits in 2021 as part of the extension.

Here’s of summary of what Delta is doing:

Medallion Members:

• A full-year extension will be added to your current Medallion Status through January 31, 2022, with Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members being able to select Choice Benefits in 2021 as part of the extension.
• Rollover for all 2020 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) earned on flight spend or your eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Card. All 2020 MQMs will be rolled over to 2021 for qualification towards 2022 Medallion Status will be implemented.
• All unused Medallion drink vouchers will be extended six months from their expiration date.

Sky Club Memberships: 

• Delta Sky Club Individual and Executive Memberships with an expiration of March 1, 2020, or later will receive six additional months of Club access beyond their expiration date.

SkyMiles American Express Cardholders:

• Delta SkyMiles Gold Card Members who have earned a $100 Delta Flight Credit will get a six-month extension beyond their current expiration date.
• Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve Card Members with Companion Certificates with an original expiration date between March 1 and June 30, 2020, can use them to book and fly by December 31, 2020. Certificates that expire between July 1, 2020, and April 1, 2021, will receive an additional six months after the current expiration date.
• Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members will also get a six-month extension to use their Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes beyond their current expiration date.

SkyMiles Members:

• A six-month extension on eligible Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates and $200 Delta Travel Vouchers selected as Choice Benefits.
• SkyMiles Select Members will receive a six-month extension to the Priority Boarding benefit and any unused drink vouchers.

Bottom Line

It’s great to see Delta taking the lead in extending elite status for all their members. Delta expects demand to drop as much as 90%, as a result they’re doing everything they can to maintain their loyal flyers, so I’m not surprised Delta has chosen to extend status.

What’s interesting is that this was announced on Sunday, which I suspect is Delta getting word that another major US airline will be making a similar announcement early next week, and they wanted to beat them to it, so stay tuned to see which other carrier will be announcing a similar move.

What are your thoughts on Delta extending Medallion status for another year. Feel free to share in the comments below.