Editor's note: Big changes are coming to Delta's SkyMiles program in 2024, including how members can earn elite status. The carrier will also be cutting back Sky Club lounge access. Read more on these upcoming changes here.

Earning elite status on your preferred airline can be a worthwhile goal, especially if you travel a lot. On Delta Air Lines, if you fly and spend enough, you can reach Diamond Medallion status, the top tier in the SkyMiles loyalty program. This status comes with incredible perks — on the ground and in the air. In fact, NerdWallet values the sum of all the benefits that come with Delta Diamond Medallion Status at an estimated $14,153.

Here's a look at Delta Diamond Medallion elite status, its best benefits and how to reach this level.

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How much is Diamond Medallion elite status worth?

In NerdWallet’s annual analysis of the best airline elite status programs, we sought to determine how much value the major U.S. airline loyalty programs deliver to flyers. Here's how the Delta Medallion program did.

Delta Diamond, however, still offers an excellent — and sometimes better — experience compared with its competitors (it simply takes incredibly high spending to earn).

Delta Diamond Medallion benefits

Delta’s Diamond Medallion benefits are sure to make any travel experience easier, from lounge access and upgrades to free same-day changes and VIP customer service access.

Here are some of the most popular benefits available to Diamond Medallion status holders:

Three Choice Benefits: Members can choose three benefits from a range of options, including gifting Gold Medallion status to a friend or family member, upgrade certificates, 25,000 bonus SkyMiles and more.

Unlimited complimentary upgrades: The Diamond member and one companion on the same reservation can get free upgrades to Delta One (domestic first class), first class or Comfort Plus, depending on availability.

Earn 11 miles per dollar spent: You’ll earn 11 SkyMiles per dollar spent on Delta-operated flights, as opposed to 5 miles earned by a general SkyMiles member.

Priority Boarding: Board immediately after the Delta One or first-class cabin.

Sky Priority® benefits: Receive priority check-in and access to security lines as well as expedited luggage service

Clear membership: Receive a complimentary membership in Clear, a Trusted Traveler Program, valued at $189.

Free baggage: Get one free checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation when flying on Delta or select airline partner flights.

Free same-day changes: Same-day confirmed ticket change fees are waived for Diamond members.

VIP phone line: Receive access to a dedicated phone line for Diamond elite members.

SkyTeam Elite Plus status: Get top SkyTeam status, which grants perks like free baggage and lounge access when flying with SkyTeam’s member airlines.

How to get Delta Diamond status

Delta Diamond Medallion status is earned through a combination of flying and spending on Delta and Delta partners.

The program is rooted in three metrics for obtaining elite status:

Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs).

Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs).

Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs).

Time spent in the air, including the class of service and distance flown, is reflected in MQMs, while MQSs reflect the number of flight segments taken. The spending part is reflected in MQDs.

To earn Diamond status, you’ll need to bank 125,000 MQMs or 140 MQSs. You’ll also need to spend $20,000 in MQDs or qualify for an MQD waiver by spending at least $250,000 on eligible purchases with your Delta co-branded American Express card.

Here’s a breakdown of how to get Diamond Medallion on Delta.

1. Earning MQMs

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Rates & Fees

MQMs are calculated based on distance flown and fare class on Delta, Delta Connection, Delta Shuttle and select airline partners. Delta basic economy fares are excluded from earning MQMs, but all other fares earn MQMs. The greater the distance of the flight, the more MQMs.

Booking a higher fare class can lead to more MQMs thanks to fare class multipliers. For example, a full-fare first class, Delta One or Delta Premium Select ticket (all fare class “J”) earns 200% MQMs of the actual distance flown. This is also true of “J” class tickets on airline partners like Air France and Virgin Atlantic.

It's also possible to earn MQMs if you hold one of the premium Delta SkyMiles American Express cards through the card’s status boost benefit:

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn 15,000 MQMs after making $30,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year, up to four times per year. That means you could bank up to 60,000 MQMs each year solely from credit card spending. Terms apply.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn 10,000 MQMs after making $25,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year, up to two times per year, for a total of 20,000 MQMs. Terms apply.