Many vacationers consider the Delta Air Traces SkyMiles program has decreased in worth over time. In 2023, Delta introduced SkyMiles adjustments that have been so unpopular that it walked again a few of the adjustments about one month later.
However Delta Medallion standing continues to be extraordinarily priceless. One notably priceless perk out there to Platinum Medallion members and better is the Alternative Advantages program. Whether or not you are a newly minted elite member or a longtime Delta loyalist, this is what you have to find out about Delta Alternative Advantages, together with the best way to earn them, when to pick them and which advantages are finest.
The way to earn Delta Alternative Advantages
You earn Delta Alternative Advantages every calendar 12 months you qualify for Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing. Particularly, you earn one Alternative Profit while you qualify for Platinum Medallion standing and three further Alternative Advantages while you qualify for Diamond Medallion standing.
Delta now solely makes use of one metric — Medallion Qualification {Dollars} — for elite qualification. Listed below are the present calendar 12 months necessities for the 2 tiers of Delta Medallion standing that provide Alternative Advantages as a perk:
- Platinum Medallion standing: 15,000 MQDs
- Diamond Medallion standing: 28,000 MQDs
You may 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 annually:
If you wish to earn Delta Medallion standing, having a number of of those premium Delta playing cards in your pockets could possibly be extraordinarily useful.
Associated: Which bank card do you have to use for Delta Air Traces flights?
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When to pick Delta Alternative Advantages
- 2022: Choose between while you certified in 2022 and when your standing expires Jan. 31, 2024
- 2023: Choose between while you certified in 2023 and when your standing expires Jan. 31, 2025
- 2024: Choose between while you qualify in 2024 and when your standing expires Jan. 31, 2026.
Some Alternative Advantages expire on a set date no matter when you choose the profit. So, you may get essentially the most worth from some Alternative Advantages by deciding on the profit as quickly as you are eligible.
2023 Medallion 12 months Delta Alternative Advantages
For those who certified for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing throughout the 2022 calendar 12 months, you earned standing for the 2023 Medallion 12 months and will choose your Alternative Advantages by Jan. 31, 2024.
You may choose one Alternative Profit while you qualify for Platinum Medallion standing and three further Alternative Advantages while you qualify for Diamond Medallion standing. Here is a have a look at your Alternative Advantages choices in case you earned Platinum or Diamond standing for the 2023 Medallion 12 months (primarily based in your 2022 exercise):
| Platinum Alternative Advantages (select 1) | Diamond Alternative Advantages (select 3) | |
|---|---|---|
| Improve certificates | 4 regional | 4 international 8 regional 2 international and 4 regional |
| Bonus miles | 20,000 | 25,000 |
| Delta Sky Membership advantages | None | 1 particular person membership 1 visitor cross 1 government membership (requires 2 decisions except you’ve gotten a person membership legitimate by way of Jan. 31, 2024) |
| Delta journey voucher | $200 | $200 |
| Reward Delta Medallion standing | 1 Silver Medallion | 1 Gold Medallion |
Now, let’s take a more in-depth have a look at every possibility and the worth it’d present in case you certified for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing throughout the 2022 calendar 12 months.
Improve certificates
You could possibly use your one Alternative Advantages choice after incomes Platinum Medallion standing for 4 regional improve certificates. Or in case you reached Diamond Medallion, every of your decisions might get you 4 international, eight regional, or two international and 4 regional improve certificates.
These one-way improve certificates give larger precedence than Medallion complimentary improve requests. You may apply these improve certificates to most fares besides Delta fundamental financial system for a one-class, space-available improve.
Nevertheless, you’d must e book and fly utilizing these certificates by the tip of Jan. 31, 2024, since they might be related along with your 2023 Medallion 12 months. As such, they will not be the most suitable choice if you’re deciding on your 2023 Medallion 12 months Alternative Profit(s) now.
Bonus miles
Together with your Alternative Advantages, you’ll be able to choose bonus miles for your self, one other SkyMiles member or a SkyWish 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 possibility if you’re deciding on your 2023 Medallion 12 months Alternative Profit(s) now.
Associated: The way to redeem Delta SkyMiles for optimum worth
Delta Sky Membership advantages
When you earn Diamond Medallion standing, you could possibly use a number of of your Alternative Advantages choices for the next Delta Sky Membership entry advantages:
- Particular person membership: Get complimentary entry to Delta Sky Membership places across the globe for your self by way of Jan. 31, 2024.
- Visitor cross: Improve complimentary Delta Sky Membership entry from an eligible bank card to incorporate complimentary entry for as much as two visitors (or your partner or home accomplice and youngsters below 21) touring with you thru Jan. 31, 2024.
- Govt membership (requires two Alternative Advantages except you have already got a Delta Sky Membership particular person membership legitimate by way of Jan. 31, 2024): Get complimentary entry to Delta Sky Membership places across the globe for your self and as much as two visitors (or your partner or home accomplice and youngsters below 21) by way of Jan. 31, 2024.
You will solely get these advantages by way of Jan. 31, 2024. As such, we do not advocate this feature if you’re deciding on your 2023 Medallion 12 months Alternative Profit(s) now.
Delta journey voucher
You may choose a Delta journey voucher price $200 per selection. You are the one one who can use the voucher, however you need to use it towards the Delta airfare portion of a Delta Holidays package deal.
Vouchers are legitimate 12 months from issuance, which ought to happen inside 48 hours of choice. As such, this can be a respectable possibility if you’re deciding on your 2023 Medallion 12 months Alternative Profit(s) now.
Reward Delta Medallion standing
Lastly, you’ll be able to choose 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. Nevertheless, this standing will solely final by way of Jan. 31, 2024, so we do not advocate this feature if you’re deciding on your 2023 Medallion 12 months Alternative Profit(s) now.
Associated: Airline and resort loyalty applications that allow you to give the present of elite standing
Which Delta Alternative Profit is finest for the 2023 Medallion 12 months?
As famous beforehand, you will need to choose 2023 Medallion 12 months Alternative Advantages by Jan. 31, 2024. Nevertheless, most of the perks expire Jan. 31, 2024.
So, you may wish to select your advantages rigorously. The most suitable choice for many members deciding on a number of 2023 Medallion 12 months Alternative Advantages now will likely be bonus miles. The bonus miles ought to present extra worth than the journey voucher, plus Delta SkyMiles do not expire.
2024 Medallion 12 months Delta Alternative Advantages
For those who certified for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing throughout the 2023 calendar 12 months, you earned standing for the 2024 Medallion 12 months and will choose your Alternative Advantages by Jan. 31, 2025.
You may choose one Alternative Profit while you qualify for Platinum Medallion standing and three further Alternative Advantages while you qualify for Diamond Medallion standing. Here is a have a look at your choices in case you earned Platinum or Diamond standing for the 2024 Medallion 12 months:
| Platinum Alternative Advantages (select 1) | Diamond Alternative Advantages (select 3) | |
|---|---|---|
| Improve certificates | 4 regional | 4 international 8 regional 2 international and 4 regional |
| Bonus miles | 20,000 | 25,000 |
| Delta Sky Membership advantages | None | 1 government membership (requires 3 decisions) |
| Medallion Qualification {Dollars} towards 2025 Medallion 12 months | 500 | 1,000 |
| Reward Delta Medallion standing | 2 Silver Medallion | 2 Gold Medallion |
| Delta Holidays Expertise credit score (can solely choose as soon as per Medallion 12 months) | $400 | $500 |
| Delta American Specific assertion credit score (solely out there on choose playing cards; can solely choose as soon as per Medallion tier) | $200 | $500 |
| Delta journey voucher | $250 | $250 |
| Sustainable aviation gas contribution | $250 | $250 |
| Starbucks Rewards Stars (can solely choose as soon as per Medallion tier) | 4,000 | 4,000 |
Whereas some Alternative Advantages are an identical to earlier years, others are new. So, let’s take a look at every possibility and the worth they may present in case you certified for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing throughout the 2023 calendar 12 months.
Improve certificates
After incomes Platinum Medallion standing primarily based on 2023 exercise, you could possibly use your one Alternative Advantages choice for 4 regional improve certificates. And in case you earned Diamond Medallion standing, every further selection might provide you with one of many following:
- 4 international improve certificates
- Eight regional improve certificates
- Two international and 4 regional improve certificates
These improve certificates give larger precedence than Medallion complimentary improve requests and might get you a one-class, space-available improve on most fares besides Delta fundamental financial system.
Nevertheless, you will need to e book and fly utilizing these certificates by the tip of Jan. 31, 2025, since they might be related along with your 2024 Medallion 12 months.
Associated: The last word information to getting upgraded on Delta flights
Bonus miles
Together with your Alternative Advantages, you’ll be able to choose bonus miles for your self, one other SkyMiles member or a SkyWish charity. On the Platinum Medallion tier, you could possibly select 20,000 bonus miles (price $240 primarily based on TPG’s valuations). And on the Diamond Medallion tier, you could possibly select 25,000 bonus miles (price $300) per selection.
Delta Sky Membership advantages
On the Delta Diamond Medallion tier, you could possibly commerce all three Alternative Advantages decisions for a Delta Sky Membership government membership. This membership — sometimes costing $1,495 or 149,500 miles — offers you and as much as two visitors (or your partner or home accomplice and youngsters below 21) limitless complimentary Delta Sky Membership entry by way of Jan. 31, 2025.
MQDs towards the 2025 Medallion 12 months
You should utilize Alternative Advantages choices for MQDs for the 2025 Medallion 12 months. You’d get 500 MQDs to 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 12 months for the 2025 Medallion 12 months, you may see them in your account in January 2024.
Reward Delta Medallion standing
You should utilize your Alternative Advantages to present Delta Medallion standing to another person. Every selection is price two items, 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 way of Jan. 31, 2025, no matter when you choose your 2024 Medallion 12 months Alternative Advantages.
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Delta Holidays Expertise credit score
You could possibly use your one Alternative Advantages choice after you earn Platinum Medallion standing for a $400 credit score towards a Delta Holidays package deal. Or you could possibly wait till you earn Diamond Medallion standing for a $500 credit score. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to solely choose a Delta Holidays Expertise credit score as a Alternative Profit as soon as per Medallion 12 months.
The credit score is legitimate for one 12 months after it is issued, and a two-night minimal keep is required.
Delta American Specific assertion credit score
In case you are the first cardmember of the Delta Platinum Amex, Delta Platinum Enterprise Amex, Delta Reserve Amex or Delta Reserve Enterprise Amex, you’ll be able to select a press release credit score in your card as a Alternative Profit at every Medallion standing tier.
You may select a $200 assertion credit score on the Platinum Medallion tier and a $500 assertion credit score on the Diamond Medallion tier. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to’t use a number of Alternative Advantages to get a number of assertion credit on the Diamond Medallion tier.
Associated: Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise
Delta journey voucher
You may choose a Delta journey voucher along with your Alternative Advantages, price $250 per selection. You are the one one who can use the voucher, however you need to use it towards the Delta flight portion of a Delta Holidays package deal.
Vouchers are legitimate for 12 months from their issuance, which ought to happen inside 48 hours of when you choose the voucher.
Sustainable aviation gas contribution
You should utilize your Alternative Advantages to assist Delta’s use of sustainable aviation gas. Delta will apply $250 towards the incremental value of sustainable aviation gas as a substitute of conventional jet gas for every selection.
Associated: How one can donate your factors and miles to charity
Starbucks Rewards stars
Lastly, 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 Alternative Profit as soon as at every tier. Nevertheless, stars will expire six months after the calendar month they have been deposited.
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Which Delta Alternative Profit is finest for the 2024 Medallion 12 months?
You have to choose 2024 Medallion 12 months Alternative Advantages by Jan. 31, 2025. Lots of the perks expire Jan. 31, 2025, however which will nonetheless depart you loads of time to make use of them.
On the Platinum Medallion tier, the most suitable choice for many vacationers is 4 regional improve certificates, 20,000 bonus miles or the $400 Delta Holidays Expertise credit score. Nevertheless, the only option for you’ll rely upon whether or not you’d be capable to get good worth from the regional improve certificates and whether or not you intend to e book a Delta Holidays Expertise quickly.
On the Diamond Medallion tier, some mixture of improve certificates, 25,000 bonus miles, the $500 Delta Holidays Expertise credit score and the $500 Delta Amex assertion credit score will enchantment to most Delta loyalists. The Delta Sky Membership government membership may additionally enchantment to Diamond Medallion members who ceaselessly journey with relations or associates. Nevertheless, giving up all three decisions could also be too tough.
2025 Medallion 12 months Delta Alternative Advantages
For those who qualify for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing throughout the 2024 calendar 12 months, you may earn standing for the 2025 Medallion 12 months.
Delta hasn’t but up to date its Alternative Advantages web page for the 2025 Medallion 12 months. However I anticipate you may nonetheless be capable to choose one Alternative Profit while you qualify for Platinum Medallion standing and three further Alternative Advantages while you qualify for Diamond Medallion standing. I additionally anticipate you may want to pick your Alternative Advantages by Jan. 31, 2026.
Delta could proceed a few of the 2024 Medallion 12 months Alternative Profit choices. However primarily based on the knowledge supplied 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 12 months:
| Platinum Alternative Advantages | Diamond Alternative Advantages | |
|---|---|---|
| Bonus miles | 30,000 | 35,000 |
| Delta Sky Membership advantages | None | 1 particular person membership (requires 2 decisions) |
| MQD accelerator for the subsequent Medallion qualification 12 months | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| Delta journey voucher | $300 | $350 |
| Wheels Up flight credit score | Unknown quantity | Unknown quantity |
As we haven’t any further info from Delta, we cannot go into further element about these Alternative Profit choices now. Nevertheless, we’ll replace this submit as soon as the 2025 Medallion 12 months Alternative Advantages are totally unveiled.
Backside line
There are various choices in relation to Delta Alternative Advantages. These advantages can present vital worth, so making an knowledgeable selection is essential — particularly since some perks could expire shortly in case you select them close to the tip of your Medallion 12 months.
