Delta AMEX Cards Increase Status Boost Levels For 2021

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Delta previously announced that status expiring 1/31/21 would be extended through 1/31/22 and that all MQMs (medallion qualifying miles) earned in 2020 will also count in 2021. American and United took a different approach, lowering the elite qualifying miles you’ll need in 2021 to earn status valid through 1/31/23.

It remains to be seen if Delta will lower the 2021 thresholds from 25K MQMs+$3,000 MQDs (medallion qualifying dollars spent on flights) for Silver, 50K MQMs+$6,000 MQDs for Gold, 75K MQMs+$9,000 MQDs for Platinum, and 125K MQMs+$15,000 MQDs for Diamond.

It’s worth noting that spending $25K on Delta cards waives the MQD requirement for Silver, Gold, or Platinum status, but you need to spend $250K on Delta cards to waive the Diamond MQD requirement.

Status earned in 2021 expires 1/31/23.

Delta makes status easier to earn via credit card spending than other US airlines and in 2021 it will be easier than ever:

• The Delta Platinum Consumer AMEX and Delta Platinum Business AMEX normally earn 10K MQMs for spending $25K and another 10K MQMs for spending $50K in a calendar year.
  • There are targeted offers for these cards to earn 500 bonus miles and 500 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after every $1,000 in spending anywhere through 12/31/20. You can earn up to 25,000 bonus miles and 25,000 bonus MQMs per card with this promotion.
  • In 2021 these cards will earn 12.5K MQMs for spending $25K and another 12.5K MQMs for spending $50K.
• The Delta Reserve Consumer AMEX and Delta Reserve Business AMEX normally earn 15K MQMs for spending $30K, $60K, $90K, and $120K in a calendar year, up to 60K MQMs per card per year.
  • There are targeted offers for these cards to earn 500 bonus miles and 500 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after every $1,000 in spending anywhere through 12/31/20. You can earn up to 25,000 bonus miles and 25,000 bonus MQMs per card with this promotion.
  • In 2021 they will earn 18,750 MQMs for spending $30K, $60K, $90K, and $120K in a calendar year, up to 75K MQMs per card!

That means with 2 Delta Reserve cards you can earn Diamond status with about $125K in spending on each card.

Of course there’s an opportunity cost here as miles earned on other credit cards are far more valuable than Delta Skypesos. But if you highly value having Delta status then spending on Delta cards can make sense.

Do you earn Delta status through credit card spending?