The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
News
Here's how a last-minute award trip to Italy got me halfway to Delta Silver status
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
June 7, 2021 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.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.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
Delta introduced COVID-19-tested flights to Italy, allowing American tourists to visit starting May 16, 2021.
Award flights on Delta now count toward earning Medallion status through the end of 2021, a change from previous policies.
The author’s last-minute award trip to Italy contributed significantly toward qualifying for Silver Medallion status, thanks to the Medallion status accelerator.
Silver Medallion status provides benefits such as complimentary upgrades, a free checked bag, and priority services.
What to consider
The Medallion status accelerator applies to flights taken between April 1 and Dec. 31, 2021, and boosts qualifying metrics for status.
Award tickets must be marketed and operated by Delta to count toward Medallion status under this promotion.
Higher-tier elites receive upgrade priority over Silver Medallion members, making complimentary upgrades less likely at this level.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of how award flights and the Medallion status accelerator can help you efficiently reach Delta elite status.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
My trip to Italy came together at the last minute. After all, Delta announced on May 14 that its COVID-19-tested flights to Italy would be open to all travelers starting May 16. So on May 15, TPG booked me two sets of round-trip award flights:
New York-JFK to Milan (MXP) in main cabin economy for 60,000 Delta miles and $55.25.
Atlanta (ATL) to New York-JFK in main cabin economy for 75,000 Delta miles and $11.20.
Yes, that's right: My domestic positioning flights cost more Delta miles than my transatlantic flights. But cash fares were also more expensive for the domestic round-trip. In particular, cash fares for the flights TPG booked me would have been $808 for the transatlantic round-trip and $838 for the domestic round-trip. As such, TPG got 1.35 cents per mile for the transatlantic flights and 1.12 cents per mile for the domestic flights — both of which are slightly higher than TPG's valuation of Delta SkyMiles at 1.1 cents per mile.
You may be wondering why TPG booked two round-trips instead of one. In short, it was due to pricing. After all, a round-trip from Atlanta with a COVID-19-tested flight from New York-JFK to Milan would have cost 210,000 miles plus $88 for an award ticket or $3,013 for a cash fare.
Typically, award travel won't earn Medallion Qualification Segments, Medallion Qualification Miles or Medallion Qualification Dollars. However, thanks to Delta's Medallion status accelerator, if you fly April 1 through Dec. 31 you’ll earn:
At least 50% more MQSs, MQMs and MQDs on Delta flights, including Pay with Miles tickets, flights booked as a part of a Delta Vacations package and award tickets.
An additional 25% on Delta’s premium cabins (Delta One, Delta Premium Select, first class and Delta Comfort+) and upgrades purchased after initial ticket purchase using cash or miles.
These bonuses are only applicable for earning Medallion status. Here's how the Medallion status accelerator worked for my award flights:
Round-trip
MQMs
MQSs
MQDs
New York-JFK to Milan (MXP) in main economy
Outbound: 3,995 base x 1.5 = 5,993
Return: 3,995 base x 1.5 = 5,993
2 segments per trip x 1.5 = 3
Outbound: 30,000 miles redeemed/100 x 1.5 = 450
Return: 30,000 miles redeemed/100 x 1.5 = 450
Atlanta (ATL) to New York-JFK in main economy
Outbound: 760 base x 1.5 = 1,140
Return: 760 base x 1.5 = 1,140
2 segments per trip x 1.5 = 3
Outbound: 37,500 miles redeemed/100 x 1.5 = 563
Return: 37,500 miles redeemed/100 x 1.5 = 563
Totals
14,266
6
2,026
Note that Delta bases MQMs on flight distance. In particular, Delta calculates the distance between JFK and MXP as 3,995 miles and the distance between ATL and JFK as 760 miles. You may notice that I broke up the outbound and return segments in the above table when calculating MQMs and MQDs. I did so because the rounding doesn't work out correctly if you don't calculate each piece separately as Delta does.
Silver Medallion: 25,000 MQMs or 30 MQSs plus 3,000 MQDs.
Gold Medallion: 50,000 MQMs or 60 MQSs plus 6,000 MQDs.
Platinum Medallion: 75,000 MQMs or 100 MQSs plus 9,000 MQDs.
Diamond Medallion: 125,000 MQMs or 140 MQSs plus 15,000 MQDs.
As such, I'm currently 10,734 MQMs and 974 MQDs from earning Silver Medallion status until Jan. 31, 2023. I have several other trips planned with Delta and its SkyTeam partners this year. Unfortunately, some of these flights involve destinations that are still closed to tourists. But, assuming I can take at least a few of the SkyTeam flights I've booked, I'll snag Delta Silver status.
Of course, Silver is the lowest elite status tier with Delta. As such, it doesn't offer standout perks. But I'll get some value from the following perks:
Rollover MQMs: The MQMs earned above the required amount for Silver Medallion status will roll over to the next qualification year.
Earn 7 miles per dollar spent: Earn two more Delta miles per dollar spent than general SkyMiles members.
Unlimited complimentary upgrades: Unlimited complimentary upgrades for the member and a companion to first class and Delta Comfort+ (beginning 24 hours before departure) and to domestic Delta One (on the day of departure).
Complimentary preferred seats: The member and companions can select preferred seats at no additional cost at the time of reservation, except when flying on a Delta basic economy fare.
First checked bag free: The member and up to eight companions get a first checked bag free when traveling on Delta flights (the member also receives a first checked bag free when traveling on select airline partner flights).
Priority check-in and boarding.
Preferred pricing on a Clear membership: Pay a reduced fee of $109 per year for Clear.
The best-sounding perk is unlimited complimentary upgrades. But Silver Medallion members are below higher-tier elites and their companions for upgrades, so I don't expect I'll get many upgrades.
Additionally, snagging Silver Medallion status would give me a first checked bag free. A free checked bag when flying Delta is one of the primary reasons I carry a Delta credit card. So, although I'll likely keep my Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card through the end of the year for its $10-per-month credit at U.S. restaurants, I'll need to reevaluate once that limited-time perk ends on Dec. 31.
A month ago, I hadn't considering earning Delta Medallion status this year. Instead, I was debating which SkyTeam member airline to use when crediting several other SkyTeam trips. But now, my unexpected trip to Italy has encouraged me to push for low-tier Delta status. If you have a stash of Delta miles, this year may be an excellent opportunity to redeem your SkyMiles and work toward earning Medallion status.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
