Delta SkyMiles has launched a promotion whereby hotel stays and rental cars can count toward elite status for a limited time. We saw a similar promotion from Delta three times in 2024 and once in 2025, and now we’re seeing it return yet again. It sure seems like this could eventually become a permanent thing…
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Delta SkyMiles awarding MQDs for hotels & rental cars
Just about all major airlines have portals through which you can earn bonus miles for booking hotels and rental cars. After all, there are commissions to be made on this, and those who fly a lot are also likely to stay at hotels and rent cars a lot.
Historically Delta SkyMiles has only awarded redeemable miles for these kinds of activities, but that’s changing for a limited time. At the moment, Delta SkyMiles is offering one Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) for every dollar spent when booking a hotel or rental car at this link, in addition to earning two redeemable miles. As you’d expect, there are some terms to be aware of:
- You must book hotel and rental car reservations between May 19 and July 14, 2025
- You must travel by September 7, 2025
- You earn one MQD per dollar spent on base rates for hotels and rental cars, before taxes, fees, etc.
- The SkyMiles account and credit card being used must belong to the same person, and the first and last name must match
- It can take up to eight weeks after a completed activity for MQDs to post to accounts
It’s important to mention that while earning miles and even elite status for a hotel or rental car booking might sound appealing, keep in mind that there’s typically an opportunity cost to doing so. For example, with hotels you can’t earn hotel points if you book this way, and you typically don’t get elite perks. Furthermore, you’ll often find better rates elsewhere.
This is an interesting promotion from Delta SkyMiles
Keep in mind that the Delta SkyMiles program was totally overhauled as of 2024. With these changes, status is based exclusively on how many Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) you rack up, and status requires anywhere from 5,000 MQDs to 28,000 MQDs in a calendar year.
There are three ways you can earn MQDs:
- You earn one MQD per dollar spent on Delta flights
- You earn one MQD per dollar spent on vacations booked through Delta Vacations
- You earn one MQD per every $10-20 spent on an eligible Delta Amex card, depending on which product it is
When Delta first announced changes to the SkyMiles program, the plan was for hotel and rental car bookings to count toward elite status as well. However, after a lot of backlash over the new program, the elite requirements were lowered, and hotel and rental cars were also eliminated as a way to earn status.
So it’s interesting to see Delta now offering MQDs on a limited time basis for hotel and rental car bookings, and this being a recurring promotion.
It’s smart for Delta to incentive this kind of business, since this is pure profit for the carrier. The company is getting a commission on these bookings, and is just giving a small kickback to people who book this way.
I’m just confused by the concept of now offering a limited time promotion for the fifth time, rather than making it a permanent feature. Is Delta not seeing as many people qualifying for status as the airline was hoping, or is the airline keeping it limited time to avoid backlash over the elite status changes?
Bottom line
Delta SkyMiles has brought back a promotion whereby you can earn MQDs for hotels and rental cars booked through the carrier’s portal. For a limited time, you can earn one MQD per dollar spent, in addition to the standard two redeemable miles you earn per dollar spent.
Delta transformed its SkyMiles program as of 2024, and initially the plan was that these kinds of travel arrangements would permanently count toward status. However, the carrier backtracked, and is now just offering this on a limited time basis (though on four separate occasions since the beginning of last year).
What do you make of this Delta SkyMiles promotion?
Ben, presumably this link would work with a status match as well, correct? The status match T&Cs say “ MQDs earned through other sources during Match Period, including but not limited to Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards, will count towards the challenge.”. So, theoretically, could match to Delta Platinum and earn 3,750 MQD through the hotels/rental cars, fly one delta flight (not in basic, although presumably award travel still counts), and get Delta Platinum through...
Ben, presumably this link would work with a status match as well, correct? The status match T&Cs say “ MQDs earned through other sources during Match Period, including but not limited to Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards, will count towards the challenge.”. So, theoretically, could match to Delta Platinum and earn 3,750 MQD through the hotels/rental cars, fly one delta flight (not in basic, although presumably award travel still counts), and get Delta Platinum through January 2027? That could be worth it for some.
I may be missing something, but where do you see that "The SkyMiles account and credit card being used must belong to the same person"?
The terms only state that the name on the booking must match the SkyMiles account, AFAICT.
My guess is that they’re saving the permanence of this benefit for when they announce the increased MQD qualifying amounts. That way they can position it as a positive win for the customer…
Do we have any information if this would trigger the Delta Stays credit on the various Delta CCs?
You can rent a car for a whole year and still not make Diamond or have enough miles to fly across the country.