Delta holds Medallion status thresholds steady for 2027

Delta Air Lines will not raise its Medallion elite status requirements for 2027, according to The Points Guy, which says a Delta spokesperson confirmed the decision on Thursday 22 October 2026. It is the third consecutive year the carrier has left its qualification thresholds unchanged, which matters to SkyMiles members deciding where to build status.

The 2027 thresholds

The Points Guy reports that the Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) requirements remain the same as in 2026:

• Silver: 5,000 MQDs
• Gold: 10,000 MQDs
• Platinum: 15,000 MQDs
• Diamond: 28,000 MQDs

Members earn 1 MQD for every $1 spent on Delta-marketed flights or Delta Vacations packages, according to the outlet. On flights marketed and operated by eligible partners, MQDs are calculated as a percentage of the distance flown and the fare class purchased. Certain Delta-American Express cards also allow members to earn MQDs through card spending, and some offer an annual 2,500 MQD head start.

MQDs reset on 1 January 2027, and any excess above a given threshold does not roll over. Status earned through 2027 activity lasts for the rest of 2027 and all of 2028, expiring on 31 January 2029.

Why Delta's stability stands out

The Points Guy notes that Delta has not significantly changed its Medallion thresholds since late 2023, when a major SkyMiles overhaul prompted considerable backlash from members. Delta then lowered the thresholds by roughly 15% across the board. At the time, executives said they hoped to avoid repeatedly raising status requirements year after year. The outlet says the required MQDs still have not returned to the levels first announced in 2023.

Rivals have made changes

The announcement follows a busy period for loyalty news. According to The Points Guy, United Airlines eliminated flight segments as a status metric and raised the spending required for top-tier Premier 1K status. Southwest Airlines changed some of its status thresholds as part of a wider Rapid Rewards shake-up that also affected its Companion Pass.

American Airlines has not yet detailed its requirements for the new year. The outlet says its status year does not begin until March, so AAdvantage changes may not be known for a couple more months.

The Points Guy also says United has been trying to attract Delta elites, recently offering a status match and pointing to its Starlink Wi-Fi installations.

What this means for travellers

• Delta flyers chasing status in 2027 face the same MQD targets as in 2026, so existing plans and spending patterns remain valid.
• Those weighing carriers can compare the options in our guides to Delta vs United and American vs Delta.
• Anyone considering American should expect to wait for its announcement before committing, as its requirements are not yet known.
• Remember that MQDs reset on 1 January and do not roll over, so spending beyond a tier threshold does not carry forward.

Whether Delta will make changes beyond 2027 has not been stated.

Sources: The Points Guy