Delta SkyMiles Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs): How To Earn Them - Delta

Delta SkyMiles Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs): How To Earn Them

Ben Schlappig — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 23:49:27 +0000

Nowadays Delta awards elite status exclusively based on how many Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) members rack up. In this post, I want to take a look at all the ways you can rack up MQDs with the airline, in order to earn status.

Continue reading: Delta SkyMiles Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs): How To Earn Them

Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.

Daniel G. — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 02:23:49 +0000

Hi there, Hope you're still responding to comments on this thread. I was told by a Delta agent that if I buy an upgrade from Delta Main to Delta First, I would receive an equivalent number of MQDs for dollars spent on the upgrade. I can't find any information on this on the Delta website or on sites like yours. Can you answer this question. I'm asking because I'm 159 MQDs toward Platinum status and am taking a flight where a first class upgrade costs $209. Would this be enough to get me to the next level? Thanks for any advice you can offer.

Stanley C — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 01:38:03 +0000

@RealTaylor Thanks for your reply.

RealTaylor — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 17:01:21 +0000

Yes - you get 2500 MQD for each card. You can earn 10,000 MQDs if you have the business and personal versions of the Delta Reserve and Delta Plat (4 cards).

Anthony — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 15:14:04 +0000

Here is to hoping Delta permanently reintroduces earning MQD via Delta Stays. I used it during the promotion last year, and MQD posted pretty quickly.

Stanley C — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 14:52:29 +0000

I am not too sure about how it works with Delta as I rarely fly them.

Stanley C — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 14:51:22 +0000

Hi @Ben If you get 2,500 MQDs for each Amex card that you listed above then can you apply for more than one card and still get the 2,500 MQDs each. For instance, the Delta Amex Platinum paired with the Delta Amex Reserve can get you a total of 5,000 MQDs just for having the cards. Can or cannot stack them? That can already get you Delta Silver elite then.

Fred — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 14:41:43 +0000

If Delta wants to drive long-term loyalty and revenue, Delta ought to switch the metric for lifetime tier status to MQDs. British Airways is doing this and will have a conversion factor for those with existing lifetime credits from the old metric to its revenue metric. Separately, Delta has occasionally had promotions during which dollars spent on stand-alone hotel bookings at Delta Hotels count towards MQDs. This needs to become permanent.

mgrappy — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 14:35:11 +0000

The MQD head start also counts. At least in the situation where you open the card after you start the challenge (and probably any situation in which the head start posts after the challenge has started)

Ben Schlappig — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 13:18:19 +0000

@ OL -- Credit card spending does count toward Delta status challenges. I believe as long as you apply before your current status expires, you should be eligible for the Platinum challenge.