Delta Left Its Status Bar Alone for a Third Year Running

Frequent flyers braced for another round of tougher requirements, and Delta Air Lines said no this week. The airline confirmed that the qualification thresholds for Medallion status will stay where they are in 2027. It is the third consecutive year without an increase, a notable stretch in an industry where loyalty programs have mostly moved in one direction.

The numbers stay the same: 5,000 Medallion Qualification Dollars for Silver, 10,000 for Gold, 15,000 for Platinum and 28,000 for Diamond. Members earn one MQD per dollar spent on Delta-marketed flights or Delta Vacations packages, and partner flights earn a share based on distance and fare class. Certain Delta American Express cards can also add MQDs, with some offering a head start each year.

The calendar matters as much as the thresholds. Every member’s MQD total resets on January 1, 2027, and dollars above a threshold do not carry over. Status earned through 2027 activity lasts for the rest of 2027 and all of 2028, expiring January 31, 2029.

The last major change came in late 2023, when Delta lowered thresholds by roughly 15 percent after a backlash over its SkyMiles overhaul. Holding the line now gives members predictability while the airline faces higher fuel costs. Travelers close to a tier should check their MQD totals before the year-end reset.

Sources: The Points Guy, The Bulkhead Seat