Time Is Running Out for Delta SkyMiles Members to Roll Over Their MQMs for Next Year

With 2024 coming to an in depth, the countdown to qualify for Delta Medallion standing is on. Nevertheless, Delta SkyMiles members have one vital process to finish earlier than the 12 months ends.

In late 2023, the airline overhauled its Medallion Program, simplifying three elite-qualifying metrics into one for the 2024 calendar 12 months. Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs), representing the gap flown, and Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs), monitoring the variety of flights taken, have formally been retired.

Now, qualifying for Delta’s 2025 elite standing is all about incomes Medallion Qualification {Dollars} (MQDs), representing the quantity spent on airfare with Delta and its companion airways. To bridge the hole with this main transition, Delta Medallion members can take part in a “one-time rollover MQM conversion” based mostly on their MQMs earned in the course of the 2023 calendar 12 months. 

Members have the choice to transform their MQMs into SkyMiles, redeemable totally free flights, or MQDs, to pad their steadiness of elite-qualifying {dollars} wanted to earn standing once more. Nevertheless, the deadline to make this choice is quickly approaching—conversions have to be accomplished by Tuesday, December 31. Those that don’t make a choice will routinely see their MQMs transformed into MQDs, the airline shared with T+L.

To finish this one-time conversion, vacationers ought to log in to their frequent flier accounts and go to the “My SkyMiles” overview web page. In the event you haven’t carried out so already, a notification on the high will information you to make your choice. Rollover MQMs may be transformed into MQDs at a 10-to-1 ratio, SkyMiles at a 2-to-1 ratio, or a mix of the 2.

Along with streamlining its elite-qualifying metrics to focus solely on MQDs, Delta additionally considerably elevated the necessities, making it harder to achieve status. Selecting whether or not to transform MQMs into MQDs or SkyMiles will rely on one’s journey objectives—whether or not it’s extra vital to prioritize incomes miles for award tickets or gaining a head begin towards elite standing.

To recap, Delta fliers want 5,000 MQDs for Silver, 10,000 MQDs for Gold, 15,000 MQDs for Platinum, and 28,000 MQDs for Diamond standing. As soon as achieved, the standing is legitimate for the remainder of the present 12 months and the entire following 12 months, however these metrics reset firstly of every calendar 12 months.

Along with flying (and spending rather a lot) with Delta, a number of of its cobranded American Specific bank cards provide an MQD headstart every calendar 12 months. The Delta Reserve and Delta Platinum playing cards—accessible in each private and enterprise variations—routinely present 2,500 MQDs per card. As well as, it’s potential to earn 1 MQD per $10 spent and 1 MQD per $20 spent on every card, respectively.

Nevertheless, a lesser-known solution to rack up a considerable variety of MQDs is by reserving a Delta Holidays bundle. SkyMiles members earn 1 MQD for each greenback spent on these bundles, which embody airfare, inns, actions, and rental automobiles right into a single worth. Whereas every traveler earns MQDs for their very own flights, the bundle holder receives full elite credit score for the full price of lodging and journey extras.