Breaking News: Delta Raises Revenue Requirements for Elite Status

Well, folks…the game just changed a little more for Delta flyers. While Delta hasn’t been seen recently as the top-dog frequent flyer program due to their SkyMiles changes in 2015, they are certainly not helping themselves with this new “enhancement.”

For the 2015 SkyMiles program, Delta will add new revenue requirements for each of their Medallion tier levels. For those that spend $25,000 a year on any American Express Delta co-branded card, you are exempt from this requirement. As a reminder, “MQD” stands for Medallion Qualifying Dollar – the amount of money you need to spend on the base fare of ticket purchases on Delta ticket stock to qualify for a particular Medallion status level.

Silver Medallion MQDs increasing to $3,000 from $2,500
Gold Medallion MQDs increasing to $6,000 from $5,000
Platinum Medallion MQDs increasing to $9,000 from $7,500
Diamond Medallion MQDs increasing to $15,000 from $12,500

This is yet another devaluation to the Delta SkyMiles program, and yet another reason I moved all of my travel to American Airlines.

Will you be moving away from Delta because of this devaluation?