Many vacationers imagine the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles program has decreased in worth through the years. In 2023, Delta introduced SkyMiles adjustments that have been so unpopular that it walked again among the adjustments about one month later.
But Delta Medallion standing continues to be extraordinarily beneficial. One notably beneficial perk accessible to Platinum Medallion members and better is the Choice Benefits program. Whether you are a newly minted elite member or a longtime Delta loyalist, here is what you’ll want to find out about Delta Choice Benefits, together with the right way to earn them, when to pick out them and which advantages are greatest.
How to earn Delta Choice Benefits
You earn Delta Choice Benefits every calendar yr you qualify for Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing. Specifically, you earn one Choice Benefit while you qualify for Platinum Medallion standing and three extra Choice Benefits while you qualify for Diamond Medallion standing.
Delta now solely makes use of one metric — Medallion Qualification Dollars — for elite qualification. Here are the present calendar yr necessities for the 2 tiers of Delta Medallion standing that provide Choice Benefits as a perk:
- Platinum Medallion standing: 15,000 MQDs
- Diamond Medallion standing: 28,000 MQDs
You can earn MQDs on flights and different transactions with Delta and its companions, together with trip packages and spending on cobranded bank cards. Plus, beginning Feb. 1, 2024, cardholders of the next premium cobranded Delta bank cards get a lift of two,500 MQDs per card towards standing qualification every year:
If you need to earn Delta Medallion standing, having a number of of those premium Delta playing cards in your pockets could possibly be extraordinarily useful.
Related: Which bank card must you use for Delta Air Lines flights?
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When to pick out Delta Choice Benefits
You can choose Delta Choice Benefits after you earn Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing based mostly on exercise inside a calendar yr. And you could choose your Choice Benefits by the day your standing would expire in the event you did not requalify. Here’s an outline of when it’s best to choose your Choice Benefits based mostly on the calendar yr throughout which you earned Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing:
- 2022: Select between while you certified in 2022 and when your standing expires Jan. 31, 2024
- 2023: Select between while you certified in 2023 and when your standing expires Jan. 31, 2025
- 2024: Select between while you qualify in 2024 and when your standing expires Jan. 31, 2026.
Some Choice Benefits expire on a set date no matter when you choose the profit. So, you may get probably the most worth from some Choice Benefits by choosing the profit as quickly as you are eligible.
2023 Medallion yr Delta Choice Benefits
If you certified for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing in the course of the 2022 calendar yr, you earned standing for the 2023 Medallion yr and may choose your Choice Benefits by Jan. 31, 2024.
You can choose one Choice Benefit while you qualify for Platinum Medallion standing and three extra Choice Benefits while you qualify for Diamond Medallion standing. Here’s a take a look at your Choice Benefits choices in the event you earned Platinum or Diamond standing for the 2023 Medallion yr (based mostly in your 2022 exercise):
Platinum Choice Benefits (select 1) | Diamond Choice Benefits (select 3) | |
---|---|---|
Upgrade certificates | 4 regional | 4 world
8 regional 2 world and 4 regional |
Bonus miles | 20,000 | 25,000 |
Delta Sky Club advantages | None | 1 particular person membership
1 visitor cross 1 govt membership (requires 2 decisions until you’ve gotten a person membership legitimate by means of Jan. 31, 2024) |
Delta journey voucher | $200 | $200 |
Gift Delta Medallion standing | 1 Silver Medallion | 1 Gold Medallion |
Now, let’s take a more in-depth take a look at every possibility and the worth it would present in the event you certified for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing in the course of the 2022 calendar yr.
Upgrade certificates
You might use your one Choice Benefits choice after incomes Platinum Medallion standing for 4 regional improve certificates. Or in the event you reached Diamond Medallion, every of your decisions might get you 4 world, eight regional, or two world and 4 regional improve certificates.
These one-way improve certificates give greater precedence than Medallion complimentary improve requests. You can apply these improve certificates to most fares besides Delta primary economic system for a one-class, space-available improve.
However, you’d must e book and fly utilizing these certificates by the tip of Jan. 31, 2024, since they’d be related together with your 2023 Medallion yr. As such, they is probably not the best choice in case you are choosing your 2023 Medallion yr Choice Benefit(s) now.
Bonus miles
With your Choice Benefits, you’ll be able to choose bonus miles for your self, one other SkyMiles member or a SkyWant charity. Platinum Medallion members can choose 20,000 bonus miles, whereas Diamond Medallion members can choose 25,000 miles per selection.
TPG’s valuations peg the worth of Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents every. So, 20,000 bonus miles are price about $240, whereas 25,000 bonus miles are price about $300. Bonus miles are a superb possibility in case you are choosing your 2023 Medallion yr Choice Benefit(s) now.
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 choices for the next Delta Sky Club entry advantages:
- Individual membership: Get complimentary entry to Delta Sky Club areas across the globe for your self by means of Jan. 31, 2024.
- Guest cross: Upgrade complimentary Delta Sky Club entry from an eligible bank card to incorporate complimentary entry for as much as two friends (or your partner or home accomplice and youngsters beneath 21) touring with you thru Jan. 31, 2024.
- Executive membership (requires two Choice Benefits until you have already got a Delta Sky Club particular person membership legitimate by means of Jan. 31, 2024): Get complimentary entry to Delta Sky Club areas across the globe for your self and as much as two friends (or your partner or home accomplice and youngsters beneath 21) by means of Jan. 31, 2024.
You’ll solely get these advantages by means of Jan. 31, 2024. As such, we do not advocate this selection in case you are choosing your 2023 Medallion yr Choice Benefit(s) now.
Delta journey voucher
You can choose a Delta journey voucher price $200 per selection. You’re the one one who can use the voucher, however you should utilize it towards the Delta airfare portion of a Delta Vacations bundle.
Vouchers are legitimate 12 months from issuance, which ought to happen inside 48 hours of choice. As such, it is a first rate possibility in case you are choosing your 2023 Medallion yr Choice Benefit(s) now.
Gift Delta Medallion standing
Finally, you’ll be able to decide 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 means of Jan. 31, 2024, so we do not advocate this selection in case you are choosing your 2023 Medallion yr Choice Benefit(s) now.
Related: Airline and lodge loyalty packages 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 could choose 2023 Medallion yr Choice Benefits by Jan. 31, 2024. However, most of the perks expire Jan. 31, 2024.
So, you may need to select your advantages rigorously. The best choice for many members choosing a number of 2023 Medallion yr Choice Benefits now shall be bonus miles. The bonus miles ought to present extra worth than the journey voucher, plus Delta SkyMiles do not expire.
2024 Medallion yr Delta Choice Benefits
If you certified for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing in the course of the 2023 calendar yr, you earned standing for the 2024 Medallion yr and may choose your Choice Benefits by Jan. 31, 2025.
You can choose one Choice Benefit while you qualify for Platinum Medallion standing and three extra Choice Benefits while you qualify for Diamond Medallion standing. Here’s a take a look at your choices in the event you earned Platinum or Diamond standing for the 2024 Medallion yr:
Platinum Choice Benefits (select 1) | Diamond Choice Benefits (select 3) | |
---|---|---|
Upgrade certificates | 4 regional | 4 world
8 regional 2 world and 4 regional |
Bonus miles | 20,000 | 25,000 |
Delta Sky Club advantages | None | 1 govt membership (requires 3 decisions) |
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 gasoline contribution | $250 | $250 |
Starbucks Rewards Stars (can solely choose as soon as per Medallion tier) | 4,000 | 4,000 |
While some Choice Benefits are equivalent to earlier years, others are new. So, let’s take a look at every possibility and the worth they may present in the event you certified for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing in the course of the 2023 calendar yr.
Upgrade certificates
After incomes Platinum Medallion standing based mostly on 2023 exercise, you could possibly use your one Choice Benefits choice for 4 regional improve certificates. And in the event you earned Diamond Medallion standing, every extra selection might offer you one of many following:
- Four world improve certificates
- Eight regional improve certificates
- Two world and 4 regional improve certificates
These improve certificates give greater precedence than Medallion complimentary improve requests and may get you a one-class, space-available improve on most fares besides Delta primary economic system.
However, you could e book and fly utilizing these certificates by the tip of Jan. 31, 2025, since they’d be related together with your 2024 Medallion yr.
Related: The final information to getting upgraded on Delta flights
Bonus miles
With your Choice Benefits, you’ll be able to choose bonus miles for your self, one other SkyMiles member or a SkyWant charity. At the Platinum Medallion tier, you could possibly select 20,000 bonus miles (price $240 based mostly on TPG’s valuations). And on the Diamond Medallion tier, you could possibly select 25,000 bonus miles (price $300) per selection.
Delta Sky Club advantages
At the Delta Diamond Medallion tier, you could possibly commerce all three Choice Benefits decisions for a Delta Sky Club govt membership. This membership — usually costing $1,495 or 149,500 miles — provides you and as much as two friends (or your partner or home accomplice and youngsters beneath 21) limitless complimentary Delta Sky Club entry by means of Jan. 31, 2025.
MQDs towards the 2025 Medallion yr
You can use Choice Benefits choices for MQDs for the 2025 Medallion yr. You’d get 500 MQDs in your selection on the Platinum Medallion tier and 1,000 MQDs 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.
Gift Delta Medallion standing
You can use your Choice Benefits to present Delta Medallion standing to another person. Each selection is price two presents, with Platinum Medallion members capable of present Silver Medallion standing to a pair of vacationers and Diamond Medallion members capable of present Gold Medallion standing.
The gifted standing will final by means of Jan. 31, 2025, no matter when you choose your 2024 Medallion yr Choice Benefits.
Related: Delta baggage charges and the right way to keep away from paying them
Delta Vacations Experience credit score
You might use your one Choice Benefits choice after you earn Platinum Medallion standing for a $400 credit score towards a Delta Vacations bundle. Or you could possibly wait till you earn Diamond Medallion standing for a $500 credit score. However, 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 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 major cardmember of the Delta Platinum Amex, Delta Platinum Business Amex, Delta Reserve Amex or Delta Reserve Business Amex, you’ll be able to select an announcement credit score in your card as a Choice Benefit at every Medallion standing tier.
You can select a $200 assertion credit score on the Platinum Medallion tier and a $500 assertion credit score on the Diamond Medallion tier. 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 vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business
Delta journey voucher
You can choose a Delta journey voucher together with your Choice Benefits, price $250 per selection. You’re the one one who can use the voucher, however you should utilize it towards the Delta flight portion of a Delta Vacations bundle.
Vouchers are legitimate for 12 months from their issuance, which ought to happen inside 48 hours of when you choose the voucher.
Sustainable aviation gasoline contribution
You can use your Choice Benefits to assist Delta’s use of sustainable aviation gasoline. Delta will apply $250 towards the incremental price of sustainable aviation gasoline as an alternative of conventional jet gasoline 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’re enrolled in Starbucks Rewards and have 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 very best 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 Jan. 31, 2025, however that will nonetheless go away 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, the only option for you’ll depend upon whether or not you’d be capable of get good worth from the regional improve certificates and whether or not you intend to e book a Delta Vacations Experience quickly.
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 attraction to Diamond Medallion members who steadily journey with relations or buddies. However, giving up all three decisions could also be too tough.
2025 Medallion yr Delta Choice Benefits
If you qualify for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing in the course of the 2024 calendar yr, you may earn standing for the 2025 Medallion yr.
Delta hasn’t but up to date its Choice Benefits web page for the 2025 Medallion yr. But I anticipate you may nonetheless be capable of choose one Choice Benefit while you qualify for Platinum Medallion standing and three extra Choice Benefits while you qualify for Diamond Medallion standing. I additionally anticipate you may want to pick out your Choice Benefits by Jan. 31, 2026.
Delta could proceed among the 2024 Medallion yr Choice Benefit choices. But based mostly on the knowledge offered by Delta about its adjustments to the Delta SkyMiles program, we all know this system is providing the next new or improved choices for the 2025 Medallion yr:
Platinum Choice Benefits | Diamond Choice Benefits | |
---|---|---|
Bonus miles | 30,000 | 35,000 |
Delta Sky Club advantages | None | 1 particular person membership (requires 2 decisions) |
MQD accelerator for the subsequent Medallion qualification yr | 1,000 | 2,000 |
Delta journey voucher | $300 | $350 |
Wheels Up flight credit score | Unknown quantity | Unknown quantity |
As we haven’t any extra info from Delta, we can’t go into extra element about these Choice Benefit choices now. However, we’ll replace this put up as soon as the 2025 Medallion yr Choice Benefits are totally unveiled.
Bottom line
There are many choices in relation to Delta Choice Benefits. These advantages can present vital worth, so making an knowledgeable selection is essential — particularly since some perks could expire shortly in the event you select them close to the tip of your Medallion yr.
Source: thepointsguy.com”