Delta makes Medallion earning on award tickets permanent, removes mileage earning cap
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
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
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
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.
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- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
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Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month