When Delta Air Lines announced sweeping changes to its Delta SkyMiles loyalty program for 2024, many longtime Delta flyers balked at the updates. The new program eliminated most measures travelers used to earn Delta Medallion status in previous years, including segments and number of miles flown. In its place, the program would only rely on dollars spent, or Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs), to award elite status regardless of other factors.
What does this mean? In this new world for Delta flyers, members have to spend their way to elite status by flying with Delta Air Lines, spending with co-branded credit cards and posting other qualifying activities. In positive news, travel booked through Delta Vacations also counts toward Delta Medallion status requirements. Deals found through the portal can also be fantastic, although you should still compare prices elsewhere so you know for sure you’re getting the best price.
➤ SEE MORE:5 ways to earn elite airline status faster in the new year
With the new spending-based requirements to earn Delta Medallion status, Delta SkyMiles members can reach each tier of elite status with the following levels of spending:
- Silver Medallion: $5,000 MQDs
- Gold Medallion: $10,000 MQDs
- Platinum Medallion: $15,000 MQDs
- Diamond Medallion: $28,000 MQDs
Members can earn MQDs by flying eligible itineraries with Delta or its airline partners, spending on select co-branded Delta credit cards (such as the card_name discontinued_disclaimer, card_name discontinued_disclaimer, card_name discontinued_disclaimer or card_name discontinued_disclaimer) or booking eligible travel through Delta Vacations. American Express is a CardRatings advertiser.
With Delta Vacations, SkyMiles members can earn $1 MQD per dollar spent on their total package price. This amount includes the hotel portion of a booking for the lead traveler and the MQDs for their flight portion of the trip, although other individuals in each itinerary earn MQDs for their own flight portion if they’re a member.
How can a Delta vacation package help you earn Delta MQD? First off, you should know that these packages can include different components including flights, hotels, car rentals and activities. At a bare minimum, they need to include flights and a hotel stay.
To find out how Delta vacation packages can help you earn elite status, consider my own personal situation and the travel I have booked so far for 2025. I have been a Delta enthusiast for the last decade or longer, and I’m a current Delta Diamond member for 2025. I am also trying to earn Delta Medallion status again this year for the 2026 status year, thus I am flying mostly with Delta this year and I have two Delta Vacations packages booked for 2025 so far.
One of them is a romantic getaway for my 20th wedding anniversary at the Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets resort in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. My husband and I plan to travel there in December for our anniversary trip, and the total cost including a six-night hotel stay and round-trip First Class flights totals $9,390.52. That’s a lot of money to spend but, like I said, this trip is for our 20th wedding anniversary.
When Delta breaks this down on the final payment page, you can see that I (the main booking passenger) am set to earn $7,222 MQDs on the booking toward elite status, while my husband will earn $788 MQDs based on the flight portion of his trip. I also earn 10,000 bonus miles for flights just for booking, which is another perk of Delta vacation packages.
Note: The difference between the MQDs earned and the total vacation costs is made up of taxes and fees, which don’t earn MQDs.
Interestingly, the cost of booking this trip through Delta Vacations is considerably less than it would be if we booked flights and our hotel stay directly. For example, the flight portion of this trip comes out to $3,141.70 for two with the exact same itinerary if booking directly through Delta.
If we booked this hotel directly with Hyatt over our travel dates, the cost for six nights in the same room category comes out to $7,260.
This means that, for this particular Delta Vacations package, the savings versus booking direct with Delta and Hyatt comes out to more than $1,000. The big tradeoff I’m making here is earning MQDs toward Delta Medallion status but giving up the World of Hyatt points I would otherwise earn on this booking.
How to earn Delta Medallion status with Delta Vacations
You can use Delta Vacations packages to earn MQDs toward elite status when you fly and stay nearly anywhere, and the steps required to do so are a breeze. Here’s everything you need to do to earn MQDs with a Delta vacations package.
Step 1: Choose travel dates and a destination
In this example, we’re searching for a vacation package in Rome, Italy with flights from Indianapolis, Indiana in October of 2025. However, you can try any combination of dates and destinations that suit you.
Step 2: Browse hotels and resorts
The number of results you get will vary based on your destination, but you may be able to choose from dozens to hundreds of hotels and resorts where you want to travel.
Step 3: Pick your room type and flights
Once you find a property that suits your needs and budget, you’ll pick your room type and choose from available flights. Note that costs for upgraded rooms and flights can make the cost of the vacation package increase, whereas you can pick the lowest cost room type and flights to lock in the lowest shown price for the package.
Step 4: Enter your personal and frequent flyer information
Next, you’ll enter all the information you would normally enter when you book a flight or hotel stay. This includes your full name, date of birth and emergency contact details.
You’ll also enter your frequent flyer information with Delta in order to earn MQDs on the booking.
Step 4: Pay for your trip
Once you’re ready to book, you can opt to put down a deposit on the trip or pay the full amount owed. The amount of the deposit for your booking will vary depending on the trip.
BONUS TIP!
You can boost the amount of MQDs you earn with Delta Vacations by paying for your travel with certain co-branded Delta credit cards. You’ll earn either $1 MQD per $10 spent or $1 MQD per $20 spent depending on the card you have. Eligible cards also offer an annual MQD bonus called MQD Headstart that can help you get to elite status even faster.
The bottom line
If you’re wondering how to get Delta status this year, Delta Vacations gives you the chance to earn valuable MQDs on more than just flights. For even more impact, you can pick up a co-branded Delta credit card that awards some MQDs based on credit card spending.
Other than that, you will need to work toward status by flying with the airline and its SkyTeam partners.
Frequently asked questions
How do you earn MQDs on Delta?
You can earn Delta MQDs by flying with the airline or its partners, spending with an eligible Delta credit card and booking Delta Vacations packages.
What are MQDs Delta?
Delta Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) are elite qualifying points that help you earn elite status with the Delta SkyMiles program.
What are Silver Medallion benefits?
Delta Silver Medallion benefits include unlimited complimentary upgrades on eligible flights, a free checked bag, priority check-in at the airport and more.
