Many MQMs need clarification about their actions and how to earn them. There is no rocket science behind these MQMs, as they don’t help book flights but are only used to fulfill the qualifications for getting Delta Elite Status.
You’ll earn MQMs on Delta flight bookings, and unlike Delta SkyMiles, they have no relation to booking the flights. Let’s learn about Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs).
Delta SkyMiles are revenue-based, and they help redeem Delta award flight tickets. But MQMs are different and have nothing to do with flight bookings and award tickets. They are used to fulfill the requirements and qualifications for getting Delta Elite Status.
You’ll earn 1 MQM per mile, but for premium cabin passengers, they increase at a higher rate; for example, the flight distance between New York City and Miami is 1089 miles, and if you booked a Main Cabin ticket, then you’ll earn a total of 1089 MQMs irrespective of the cost of the ticket.
Delta Elite Status: How To Earn It?
Now that we’ve discussed MQMs in detail, it is time to learn about Delta Elite Status, for which we collect MQMs. The table below shows the number of MQMs you must collect to qualify for the different levels of Delta Elite Status.
| Silver Medallion | Gold Medallion | Platinum Medallion | Diamond Medallion | |
| MQMs and MQSs needed | 25,000 MQMs or 30 MQSs | 50,000 MQMs or 60 MQSs | 75,000 MQMs or 100 MQSs | 125,000 MQMs or 140 MQSs |
| MQDs needed | $3,000 or MQD Waiver | $8,000 or MQD Waiver | $12,000 or MQD Waiver | $20,000 or MQD Waiver |
Medallion Qualifying Miles(MQMs) depends upon the distance flown or miles covered, and for each mile, you’ll earn 1 MQM. MQSs are earned by the number of individual flights, irrespective of the travel distance. According to many passengers, it is easy to earn MQMs compared to MQSs, but the latter is possible if you take several short-haul flights annually.
What Are the Benefits of Delta Elite Members?
Delta has four tiers of elite status: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. By earning more Medallions, you get higher in the levels of Elite Status, which comes with many benefits, including an upgrade in flight tickets, sitting in the front, a luxurious flight experience, waived fees, baggage fees, and other essential benefits that only Delta offers.
You must earn more Medallion with each mile to up your travel game and crack the Delta Elite levels to enjoy Delta’s unlimited offers. The above table shows the number of MQMs you’ll require to crack each level of Delta Elite Status.
How To Earn MQMs?
MQMs are different from Delta SkyMiles, and they have nothing to do with the awards flights and tickets. The primary purpose of the MQMs is to qualify for the Delta Elite Status and enjoy unlimited offers.
You’ll earn 1 MQM per mile, but for premium cabin passengers, they increase at a higher rate; for example, the flight distance between New York City and Miami is 1089 miles, and if you booked a Main Cabin ticket, then you’ll earn a total of 1089 MQMs irrespective of the cost of the ticket.
Earning MQMs while flying can be difficult for many people, and those who want to get into the higher tier of the Delta Elite Status without flying have many other earning options. Delta’s Platinum and Reserve Card allows users to earn MQMs by making a purchase of a certain amount within a calendar year. With this, users don’t have to worry much about the traveling part, as Delta has other options in store.
How To Earn Delta MQMs Without Flying?
Delta credit cards cannot only be used to earn SkyMlies but can also be used to earn MQMs with the help of the Status Boost feature on Select cards. You can easily earn a particular number of MQMs by paying a certain amount and thus enjoy its benefits. There are several ways in which you can earn the MQMs and make your Delta Elite Status upgrade:
Earning MQMs depends on the purchases made in a year on a particular credit card, Delta Platinum card, or Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card. For example, you can earn 10,000 MQMs by making a $25,000 purchase and earning Medallion Qualification Miles twice a year.
Similarly, you can use the Delta Reserve Card or Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Card to earn up to 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles on a purchase of $30,000 on the card up to 4 times a year. You can earn 60,000 MQMs in a calendar year and enjoy its benefits. It helps a lot to increase your Delta Elite Status level.
How Are MQMs Calculated?
If you book Delta award tickets on Main Cabin and Comfort+tickets, you’ll earn 1 MQM per mile flown, and if you book a ticket on Delta One, Premium Select, and First, you’ll earn 1.5 MQMs per mile flown. The MQMs will only be available on these fare codes, and if any other kind of award ticket bookings are done, then you’ll not be eligible to earn MQMs.
Visit Delta Airlines’ official website to learn more about the MQMs earnings and calculation process. You can also contact the airline’s management team to learn everything about the MQMs in detail.
FAQs
The FULL FORM of MQMs is Medallion Qualification Miles.
There is no rocket science behind these Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs), as they don’t help book flights but are only used to fulfill the qualifications for getting Delta Elite Status.
Delta has four tiers of elite status: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Elite Status has many benefits, including an upgrade in flight tickets, sitting in the front, a luxurious flight experience, and waived fees.
MQMs are earned by 1 MQM per mile. You can also purchase $25,000 on Delta Platinum to earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times a year or $30,000 on Delta Reserve to earn 15,000 MQMs up to four times a year.
The Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve Cards offer a Status Boost feature, which significantly helps earn MQMs on particular purchases within a calendar year.
No, they are not the same. MQMs are used only to qualify for Delta Elite Status, whereas Delta SkyMiles are reward currency used to redeem Delta Award flight tickets.
Elite Status has many benefits, including an upgrade in flight tickets, sitting in the front, a luxurious flight experience, waived fees, baggage fees, and other essential benefits that Delta offers.
