A number of Delta SkyMiles members are receiving a nice surprise in their inbox today as they’re being gifted Silver status through the end of November, with the ability to extend that through May 30, 2025 by earning $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs).
The Deal
- Delta is gifting some SkyMiles members Silver status through November 30, 2024. Maintain Silver status through May 30, 2025 by earning $2,500 MQDs by November 30, 2024.
Key Terms
- Select U.S.-based SkyMiles Members who receive this offer directly from Delta Air Lines (“Delta”) will automatically receive Silver Medallion Status during the Offer Period; no enrollment necessary. To extend Silver Medallion Status until May 30, 2025, Members must earn $2,500 Medalion Qualification Dollars (“MQDs”) during the Offer Period. The offer to extend complimentary Silver Medallion Status is only valid during the Offer Period; MQDs earned prior to or after the Offer Period will not count towards this offer for purposes of extending status. Complimentary Status will expire after the end of the Offer Period. Medallion Status must be earned in subsequent years by earning the required MQDs in accordance with published guidelines from Delta.
- MQDs earned on travel during the Offer Period on Delta, Delta Connection, and SkyMiles Partner Airlines on qualifying flights will count towards the challenge. MQDs earned through other sources during offer period, including but not limited to Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards, will count towards the challenge. MQDs earned from MQD Headstart using an eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Card will not apply towards required MQDs for this offer, even if the eligible card is acquired during the Offer Period. Visit 2024 SkyMiles Program Changes to learn more about how to earn MQDs.
Quick Thoughts
It looks like quite a few SkyMiles members are receiving this targeted offer today. At least a couple of people have mentioned having status with Delta in previous years, so it might be that people are being targeted on that basis in the hope of them returning to the fold. Having said that, it’s worth keeping an eye on your inbox even if you’ve not had Delta status before because they might be targeting members more widely than that.
There’s two parts to this status offer. The first is immediate Silver status that’s valid through November 30, 2024. There’s no need to enroll in this offer – if you log in to your account, you should see the status already reflected there.
You can then maintain Silver status through May 30, 2025 (i.e. an additional 6 months) by earning $2,500 MQDs by November 30, 2024. As noted in the Key Terms, in addition to MQDs earned through flight activity, MQDs earned through Delta Amex cards will count too other than those obtained via the MQD Headstart.
Delta launched a separate promotion last week providing the ability to earn MQDs when booking hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars by June 24, 2024. That could be another way to earn the $2,500 MQDs needed to maintain the Silver status through next May.
h/t amanofwords
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Whether a person loves or hates American Airlines, hobbyists agree that AA’s Loyalty Points scheme is the most clever incentive system for loyalty program members. And, for AA, it drives spending to each of its revenue channels. Brilliant.
The smartest thing Delta could do is to replicate it. My wife and I have substantial hotel spending and we’d move non-network hotel bookings to Delta’s platform in a heartbeat.
I haven’t received this yet- did have status the past few years.
I had status for years, but not since COVID and a change in travel frequency for my job. Plus I’m an Amex card holder. I did receive the offer.
I already have two flights booked through the offer period so it’s a nice benefit to have.
I’ve never had Delta status and received it today. I did have a recent international business class flight through Delta.
I got the offer today and I also received it back in April 2023. I didn’t complete the requirements then. I will try to this time, however. I fly bi-weekly on United so it’ll be interesting to have flexibility with airlines.
I have not had Delta status before and was targeted.
Are these two promotions a sign that the 2024 SkyMiles revamp removed more customers from status than they anticipated?
I don’t know about “removed”, but I can tell you that this certainly isn’t enough to entice me to put any spend on a Delta Amex card.
Short answer: no. This is pure marketing — an attempt to lure some to move bookings to Delta.