New: Delta Announces End of Year MQM Purchase Option

This morning, Delta frequent flyers have woken up to the option of purchasing year-end Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQMs) to help bump up their status.

First off, I’ll say the easiest way to add MQMs to your account is through a Delta Reserve Credit Card – hands down. It’s the cheapest and easiest way. That said, if you’re in a pinch, purchasing MQMs directly through Delta may be the way to go…but it is going to cost you.

The offer is good until December 31 and you can purchase between 2,5000 and 10,000 MQMs per account.

As a reminder, the following notes apply:

• MQMs purchased are for 2015 and will help for 2015 elite status. They’ll be deposited in your 2014 MQM balance.
• The miles purchased on not redeemable miles (meaning, you can’t spend them on a ticket).
• The dollars you use to purchase MQMs WILL count toward Medallion Qualifying Dollar spend, and you’ll still need to also meet this spending threshold to achieve elite status.

Like last year prices appear to change based upon your current Medallion status. For example, I am currently a Gold Medallion, and was offered the following buy-schedule. I won’t be renewing my Delta status this year in favor of moving to American Airlines for Executive Platinum status.

 

Another Diamond Medallion was offered this buy-schedule:

As you can see, in either case it’s an extremely high cost to do this – I can think of plenty of mileage runs that will cost you under $1,000 for more than 2,500 MQMs.

I won’t be purchasing from this offer. Will you?