Delta SkyMiles have decreased in worth over time, and Delta devalued international improve certificates in 2021 and extra not too long ago tightened its Sky Club entry insurance policies. Yet there’s a lot to like about Delta Air Lines.
Many Delta loyalists recognize the worth of Delta standing, which features a Choice Benefits program for Platinum Medallion members and better. If you’re a newly minted elite member, deciding on your Choice Benefit(s) could be difficult. Here’s what it’s essential to find out about Delta Choice Benefits, together with learn how to earn them, when to pick out them and which advantages are greatest.
How to earn Delta Choice Benefits
You earn Delta Choice Benefits whenever you qualify for Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing. Specifically, you earn one Choice Benefit whenever you qualify for Platinum Medallion standing and three extra Choice Benefits whenever you qualify for Diamond Medallion standing.
To earn Delta Choice Benefits, you may have to earn Delta elite standing. Here are the qualification necessities for these two tiers of Delta Medallion standing:
- Platinum Medallion standing: 75,000 Medallion Qualification Miles or 100 Medallion Qualification Segments, and $12,000 Medallion Qualification Dollars or a waiver.
- Diamond Medallion standing: 125,000 MQMs or 140 MQSs, and $20,000 MQDs or a waiver.
You’ll make progress towards standing when flying with Delta and its companions. But you can even earn MQMs and even an MQD waiver by reaching particular spending thresholds on choose Delta bank cards. To study extra, try our put up on incomes Delta Medallion standing with bank cards.
Related: Which bank card do you have to use for Delta Air Lines flights?
When to pick out Delta Choice Benefits
You can choose Delta Choice Benefits after incomes Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing. And you need to choose your Choice Benefits by the day your standing would expire if you happen to did not requalify.
So, if you happen to earned 2023 Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing by exercise within the 2022 calendar yr, you could possibly choose your Choice Benefits anytime between whenever you certified in 2022 and when your standing expires on Jan. 31, 2024.
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If you earn 2024 Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing by exercise within the 2023 calendar yr, you’ll be able to choose your Choice Benefits anytime between whenever you qualify in 2023 and when your standing expires on Jan. 31, 2025.
Some Choice Benefits, equivalent to presents of elite standing and Delta SkyClub entry, expire on a set date no matter when you choose the profit. So, you may get essentially the most worth from some Choice Benefits by deciding on the profit as quickly as you are eligible.
Related: Delta makes it simpler to trace Medallion standing progress with a brand new account dashboard
2023 Medallion yr Delta Choice Benefits
If you certified for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing through the 2022 calendar yr, you earned standing for the 2023 Medallion yr and will choose your Choice Benefits by Jan. 31, 2024.
You can choose one Choice Benefit whenever you qualify for Platinum Medallion Status and three extra Choice Benefits whenever you qualify for Diamond Medallion Status. Here’s a have a look at your Choice Benefits choices if you happen to earned standing for the 2023 Medallion yr (primarily based in your 2022 exercise):
Platinum Choice Benefits (select 1) | Diamond Choice Benefits (select 3) | |
---|---|---|
Upgrade certificates | 4 regional. | 4 international.
8 regional. 2 international and 4 regional. |
Bonus miles | 20,000. | 25,000. |
Delta Sky Club advantages | None. | 1 particular person membership.
1 visitor move. 1 govt membership (requires 2 selections except you have got a person membership legitimate by Jan. 31, 2024). |
Delta journey voucher | $200. | $200. |
Gift Delta Medallion standing | 1 Silver Medallion. | 1 Gold Medallion. |
Now, let’s take a better have a look at every of those choices and the worth they could present if you happen to certified for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing through the 2022 calendar yr.
Upgrade certificates
You may use your one Choice Benefits choice after incomes Platinum Medallion standing for 4 regional improve certificates. Once you earn Diamond Medallion, every selection may get you 4 international, eight regional, or two international and 4 regional improve certificates.
These one-way improve certificates give larger precedence than Medallion complimentary improve requests. You can apply these improve certificates to most fares besides Delta primary financial system for a one-class, space-available improve.
However, you need to e book and fly utilizing these certificates by the tip of Jan. 31, 2024, since they’d be related along with your 2023 Medallion yr.
Related: How I used a Global Upgrade Certificate to fly Delta One for the worth of Premium Select
Bonus miles
You can choose bonus miles for your self, one other SkyMiles member or a SkyWant charity along with your Choice Benefits. Platinum Medallion members can choose 20,000 bonus miles, whereas Diamond Medallion members obtain 25,000 miles.
TPG’s valuations peg the worth of Delta SkyMiles at 1.41 cents every. So, 20,000 bonus miles are value about $282, whereas 25,000 bonus miles are value about $352.
Related: How to redeem Delta SkyMiles for optimum worth
Delta Sky Club advantages
Once you earn Diamond Medallion standing, you could possibly use a number of of your Choice Benefits picks for the next Delta Sky Club entry advantages:
- Individual membership: Get complimentary entry to Delta Sky Club places across the globe for your self by Jan. 31, 2024.
- Guest move: Upgrade complimentary Delta Sky Club entry from an eligible bank card to incorporate complimentary entry for as much as two company (or your partner or home associate and youngsters underneath 21) touring with you thru Jan. 31, 2024.
- Executive membership (requires two Choice Benefits except you have already got a Delta Sky Club particular person membership legitimate by Jan. 31, 2024): Get complimentary entry to Delta Sky Club places across the globe for your self and as much as two company (or your partner or home associate and youngsters underneath 21) by Jan. 31, 2024.
You’ll solely get these advantages by Jan. 31, 2024, no matter when you choose your 2023 Medallion yr Choice Benefits.
Related: Delta overhauls Sky Club entry coverage, makes huge cuts to scale back overcrowding
Delta journey voucher
You can choose a Delta journey voucher value $200 per selection. You’re the one one who can use the voucher, however you should use it towards the Delta airfare portion of a Delta Vacations package deal.
Vouchers are legitimate for 12 months from issuance, which ought to happen inside 48 hours of choice.
Gift Delta Medallion standing
Finally, you’ll be able to choose to present Delta Medallion standing to another person. Platinum Medallion members can present Silver Medallion standing, whereas Diamond Medallion members can present Gold Medallion standing.
Your present recipient should have no Medallion standing or a decrease tier of Medallion standing. However, this standing will solely final by Jan. 31, 2024, no matter when you choose your 2023 Medallion yr Choice Benefits.
Related: 7 airline and resort loyalty applications that allow you to give the present of elite standing
Which Delta Choice Benefit is greatest for the 2023 Medallion yr?
As famous beforehand, you need to choose 2023 Medallion yr Choice Benefits by Jan. 31, 2024. However, lots of the perks expire on Jan. 31, 2024.
So, you may wish to select your advantages fastidiously — particularly if you happen to learn this information in late 2023 or early 2024. Upgrade certificates will be the most beneficial perk if you happen to imagine you may get strong worth from these certificates on flights booked and flown by Jan. 31, 2024. But, some Delta loyalists could favor Choice Benefits associated to Delta Sky Club entry.
If not one of the choices appear notably interesting — otherwise you’re selecting your 2023 Medallion yr Delta Choice Benefits in late 2023 or January 2024 — choosing bonus miles could also be the best choice. After all, Delta SkyMiles do not expire.
Related: The final information to getting upgraded on Delta
2024 Medallion yr Delta Choice Benefits
If you qualify for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing through the 2023 calendar yr, you may earn standing for the 2024 Medallion yr and will choose your Choice Benefits by Jan. 31, 2025.
You can choose one Choice Benefit whenever you qualify for Platinum Medallion standing and three extra Choice Benefits whenever you qualify for Diamond Medallion standing. Here’s a have a look at your choices if you happen to earn standing for the 2024 Medallion yr:
Platinum Choice Benefits (select 1) | Diamond Choice Benefits (select 3) | |
---|---|---|
Upgrade certificates | 4 regional. | 4 international.
8 regional. 2 international and 4 regional. |
Bonus miles | 20,000. | 25,000. |
Delta Sky Club advantages | None. | 1 govt membership (requires 3 selections). |
Medallion Qualification Dollars towards 2025 Medallion yr | 500. | 1,000. |
Gift Delta Medallion standing | 2 Silver Medallion. | 2 Gold Medallion. |
Delta Vacations Experience credit score (can solely choose as soon as per Medallion yr) | $400. | $500. |
Delta American Express assertion credit score (solely accessible on choose playing cards; can solely choose as soon as per Medallion tier) | $200. | $500. |
Delta journey voucher | $250. | $250. |
Sustainable aviation gas contribution | $250. | $250. |
Starbucks Rewards Stars (can solely choose as soon as per Medallion tier) | 4,000. | 4,000. |
While some are equivalent to earlier years, others are new for 2023.
Let’s have a look at every possibility and the worth they could present if you happen to qualify for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing through the 2023 calendar yr.
Upgrade certificates
After you earn Platinum Medallion standing primarily based on 2023 exercise, you could possibly use your one Choice Benefits choice for 4 regional improve certificates. And if you happen to earn Diamond Medallion standing, every extra selection may get you one of many following:
- Four international improve certificates.
- Eight regional improve certificates.
- Two international and 4 regional improve certificates.
These improve certificates give larger precedence than Medallion complimentary improve requests and might get you a one-class, space-available improve on most fares besides Delta primary financial system.
However, you need to e book and fly utilizing these certificates by the tip of Jan. 31, 2025, since they’d be related along with your 2024 Medallion yr.
Related: How to not ‘waste’ your Delta regional and international improve certificates
Bonus miles
You can choose bonus miles for your self, one other SkyMiles member or a SkyWant charity along with your Choice Benefits.
At the Platinum Medallion tier, you could possibly select 20,000 bonus miles (value $282 primarily based on TPG’s valuations). And on the Diamond Medallion tier, you could possibly select 25,000 bonus miles (value $352) per selection.
Related: 6 Delta SkyMiles candy spots value saving up for
Delta Sky Club advantages
At the Delta Diamond Medallion tier, you could possibly commerce all three Choice Benefits selections for a Delta Sky Club govt membership.
This membership — usually costing $1,495 or 149,500 miles — provides you and as much as two company (or your partner or home associate and youngsters underneath 21) complimentary Delta Sky Club entry by Jan. 31, 2025.
Related: Inside Delta’s beautiful new Sky Club in Kansas City
Medallion Qualification Dollars towards 2025 Medallion yr
You can use Choice Benefits picks for Medallion Qualification Dollars towards Medallion qualification for the 2025 Medallion yr.
You’d get 500 Medallion Qualification Dollars to your selection on the Platinum Medallion tier. Meanwhile, you’d get 1,000 Medallion Qualification Dollars per selection on the Diamond Medallion tier.
As these Medallion Qualification Dollars will rely towards your qualification within the 2024 calendar yr for the 2025 Medallion yr, you may see them in your account in January 2024.
Related: How to earn Medallion Qualification Dollars inexpensively by reserving Delta associate tickets
Gift Delta Medallion standing
You can use your Choice Benefits to present Delta Medallion standing to another person. Each selection is value two presents, with Platinum Medallion members in a position to present Silver Medallion standing to a pair of vacationers and Diamond Medallion members in a position to present Gold Medallion standing.
The gifted standing will final by Jan. 31, 2025, no matter when you choose your 2024 Medallion yr Choice Benefits.
Related: Delta baggage charges and learn how to keep away from paying them
Delta Vacations Experience credit score
You may use your one Choice Benefits choice after you earn Platinum Medallion standing for a $400 credit score towards a Delta Vacations flight-and-hotel package deal. Or you could possibly wait till you earn Diamond Medallion standing for a $500 credit score.
But you’ll be able to solely choose a Delta Vacations Experience credit score as a Choice Benefit as soon as per Medallion yr. The credit score is simply legitimate for one yr after it is issued, and a two-night minimal keep is required.
Delta American Express assertion credit score
If you’re the main cardmember on a number of of the next Delta bank cards, you’ll be able to select a press release credit score in your card as a Choice Benefit at every Medallion Status tier:
You can select a $200 assertion credit score on the Platinum Medallion tier. And on the Diamond Medallion tier, you’ll be able to go for a $500 assertion credit score. However, you’ll be able to’t use a number of Choice Benefits to get a number of assertion credit on the Diamond Medallion tier.
Related: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex card overview
Delta journey voucher
You can choose a Delta journey voucher along with your Choice Benefits, value $250 per selection. You’re the one one who can use the voucher, however you should use it towards the Delta air portion of a Delta Vacations package deal.
Vouchers are legitimate for 12 months from their issuance, which ought to happen inside 48 hours of voucher choice.
Sustainable aviation gas contribution
You can use your Choice Benefits to help Delta’s use of sustainable aviation gas. Delta will apply $250 towards the incremental price of sustainable aviation gas as a substitute of conventional jet gas for every selection.
Related: How you’ll be able to donate your factors and miles to charity
Starbucks Rewards Stars
Finally, U.S.-based SkyMiles members who’ve additionally enrolled in Starbucks Rewards and linked their accounts could select 4,000 Starbucks Rewards Stars as a Choice Benefit as soon as at every tier.
However, Stars will expire six months after the calendar month they have been deposited.
Related: These are the most effective bank cards to make use of at Starbucks
Which Delta Choice Benefit is greatest for the 2024 Medallion yr?
You should choose 2024 Medallion yr Choice Benefits by Jan. 31, 2025. Many of the perks expire on Jan. 31, 2025, however that leaves you loads of time to make use of them.
At the Platinum Medallion tier, the best choice for many vacationers is 4 regional improve certificates, 20,000 bonus miles or the $400 Delta Vacations Experience credit score. However, your best option for you’ll rely upon whether or not you’d have the ability to get good worth from the regional improve certificates and whether or not you intend to e book a Delta Vacations Experience within the close to future.
At the Diamond Medallion tier, some mixture of improve certificates, 25,000 bonus miles, the $500 Delta Vacations Experience credit score and the $500 Delta Amex assertion credit score will attraction to most Delta loyalists. The Delta Sky Club govt membership may additionally attraction to Diamond Medallion members who incessantly journey with relations or buddies, however giving up all three selections could also be too tough.
Related: Chasing Diamond: Why I flew to South Africa for 3 days to requalify for Delta elite standing
Bottom line
There are many choices with regards to Delta Choice Benefits. These advantages can present important worth, so making an knowledgeable selection is essential — particularly since some perks could expire rapidly if you happen to select them close to the tip of your Medallion yr.
Source: thepointsguy.com”