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Delta makes Medallion earning on award tickets permanent, removes mileage earning cap

March 31, 2022
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3 min read
Delta planes on the ground in LAX
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Delta is making a handful of positive changes for SkyMiles members -- particularly for elite status members and big spenders. These changes make it easier for members to earn elite status and earn SkyMiles on expensive tickets.

Let's take a closer look at these changes and what they mean for Delta frequent flyers.

Medallion earning on award travel now permanent

Delta aircraft
Elite status earning on award tickets is now permanent. (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)

Last year, Delta started awarding Medallion Qualification Dollars, Medallion Qualification Segments and Medallion Qualification Miles on award flights. This was later extended through the end of 2022, but Delta just announced that this will be a permanent benefit.

As a refresher, you earn MQSs based on segments and MQMs based on the length of your flight in miles. On award tickets, MQDs are earned at a rate of 1 per 100 SkyMiles redeemed. This means that a ticket that costs 10,000 SkyMiles would earn 100 MQDs.

Do note that only Delta-issued and -operated award tickets are eligible to earn elite status metrics. This means that a Virgin Atlantic award ticket would not be eligible to earn elite status.

Related: How to redeem Delta SkyMiles for maximum value

No earning cap on paid tickets

Big spenders can now earn more SkyMiles on paid tickets. (Photo by Katie Genter/The Points Guy)

Additionally, Delta is removing the 75,000-SkyMile earning limit on paid tickets, effective immediately. Members who exceeded the cap in 2022 will have the extra miles credited to their accounts retroactively.

That said, you will have to spend a lot to actually exceed this limit. Those without elite status earn 5 SkyMiles per dollar on paid tickets and top-tier Diamond Medallion elites earn 11 SkyMiles per dollar, before taxes. This means you'd have to spend $15,000 on a Delta ticket as a non-elite member or $6,818 as a Diamond Medallion to hit the maximum.

Related: Your complete guide to the Delta SkyMiles program

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Bottom line

These two changes are great news for Delta frequent flyers. They will make it easier to earn or reearn status, especially if you spend on a Delta cobranded credit card and redeem your SkyMiles for flights. Likewise, those who often fly on expensive paid tickets will appreciate the ability to earn an unlimited amount of miles on flights going forward.

Despite Delta awarding elite status metrics on award tickets since 2020, no other airlines have yet followed suit. It's great to see Delta make this industry-first policy permanent. Delta is also the first airline to remove mileage caps on paid tickets.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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