Delta MQM rollover conversion choices now live: Here's how to do it
As part of a slew of changes to the Delta SkyMiles Medallion program, the earning metric known as MQMs is going into the dustbin of history. Collecting Medallion Qualification Miles has been one of the most unusual and fun ways to pursue status with Delta Air Lines. Now Delta is ditching the annual rollover benefit that used to let you begin each year with an MQM boost of however many MQMs over last year's status level you went.
Delta has now gone to a less complicated metric: Medallion Qualification Dollars, or MQDs. These are essentially a measure of how much you spend with Delta Air Lines in its many iterations.
The good news is that the extra MQMs you may have sitting in your account can still be very useful. Delta has now made several one-time conversion choices live in your Delta SkyMiles account.
Delta Air Lines' rollover MQM options are now live
Delta was one of the few programs that let you roll over excess MQMs you accumulated during the status year into the next elite status qualification year. Some people (including me) had accumulated hundreds of thousands of extra MQMs over the years, and there were fears they wouldn't be worth much now that Delta has moved toward an all-MQD world.
But Delta came through in the end, offering a unique opportunity for some top-tier elite members.
Delta made those rollover options live overnight.
Elite members can use up their rollover MQMs from last year by extending their 2024 status. For every 100,000 rollover MQMs you had sitting in your account after the end of 2023, you can choose to extend your status by a year.
You will have until Dec. 31 to decide how you would like your rollover MQMs to be converted.
You can choose to convert your MQMs to MQDs, miles or a combination of both. Here are those choices:
- 100% redeemable miles, 0% MQDs
- 75% redeemable miles, 25% MQDs
- 50% redeemable miles, 50% MQDs
- 25% redeemable miles, 75% MQDs
- 0% redeemable miles, 100% MQDs
Members with MQM rollover balances over 100,000 can also choose to extend their 2024 Medallion status for one year for every 100,000 rollover MQMs.
I was sitting on 108,671 rollover MQMs. One hundred thousand of those MQMs can be used to extend my Diamond status by a year. That means I'll be Delta Diamond through 2025 (and part of 2026) just via MQMs. That is quite a perk and is the one that I chose.
As you can see in the screenshot below, I elected to extend my status by a year. I will now have top-tier Diamond Medallion status through Jan. 31, 2026.
That left me with just 8,671 rollover MQMs. Since I will have status already, I chose to earn the extra miles. I didn't love the conversion rate of 2:1, but I'll take what I can get.
Once you've made your selections, you must confirm the choices on another page.
That's it. Delta then warns that the conversion will take up to 48 hours to be applied to your SkyMiles account.
I'll be monitoring and will update this story when the rollover status and extra miles actually hit my account.
Bottom line
Delta Air Lines overnight made its MQM rollover choices live for its SkyMiles customers with excess rollover MQMs. It's a really nice perk that those with more than 100,000 MQMs can extend their status for a year, and it sure beats the original announcement that MQMs would only be available for conversion.
If you are one of the lucky Delta flyers with lots of MQMs, you can also convert them to MQDs or turn them into redeemable SkyMiles.
I'm sad to see MQMs go away, but I'm thrilled that Delta didn't just abandon those of us who'd accumulated extra MQMs over the years. It's allowing me to extend my status until 2026 and will keep me roped into the SkyMiles universe after I'd strongly considered abandoning the program altogether. In addition to this rollover benefit and the enhancements Delta made to its American Express cobranded credit cards, I will stick with Delta for the next few years at the very least.
Related reading:
- What is Delta Air Lines elite status worth?
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- How to survive basic economy on Delta Air Lines
- The ultimate guide to getting Delta Sky Club access
- The 7 do's and don'ts in an airport lounge
- 9 domestic lounges that are worth going out of your way for
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended 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.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $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.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.