The definitive guide to the Delta Choice Benefits program

Many travelers feel that the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles program has lost value over the years. In 2023, Delta made SkyMiles adjustments that were met with such backlash that it reversed some of those changes just a month later.

However, Delta Medallion status remains highly advantageous. A particularly valuable benefit for Platinum Medallion members and above is the Choice Benefits program. Whether you’re a new elite member or a dedicated Delta supporter, here’s what you should know about Delta Choice Benefits, including how to earn them, when to choose them, and which perks are most worthwhile.

Ways to earn Delta Choice Benefits

You earn Delta Choice Benefits for each calendar year you achieve Platinum or Diamond Medallion status. Specifically, you receive one Choice Benefit upon qualifying for Platinum Medallion status and three additional Choice Benefits when you attain Diamond Medallion status.

Delta now relies solely on one metric—Medallion Qualification Dollars—for elite qualification. Here are the current requirements for the two tiers of Delta Medallion status that include Choice Benefits as a perk:

• Platinum Medallion status: 15,000 MQDs
• Diamond Medallion status: 28,000 MQDs

You can accumulate MQDs through flights and various transactions with Delta and its partners, including vacation packages and spending on cobranded credit cards. Additionally, starting February 1, 2024, holders of the following premium cobranded Delta credit cards will receive a bonus of 2,500 MQDs per card towards their status qualification each year:

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

If you're aiming to achieve Delta Medallion status, having one or more of these premium Delta cards could be a significant advantage.

When to choose your Delta Choice Benefits

You can choose Delta Choice Benefits after attaining Platinum or Diamond Medallion status, based on your activities during the calendar year. It's important to select your Choice Benefits by the date your status would expire if you don’t requalify. Here’s a breakdown of when to make your selections based on the calendar year in which you earned your Platinum or Diamond Medallion status:

• 2022: Choose between when you qualified in 2022 and when your status expires on January 31, 2024.
• 2023: Choose between when you qualified in 2023 and when your status expires on January 31, 2025.
• 2024: Choose between when you qualify in 2024 and when your status expires on January 31, 2026.

Certain Choice Benefits have a fixed expiration date, regardless of when you choose them. Therefore, to maximize the value of some Choice Benefits, it's best to select them as soon as you become eligible.

Delta Choice Benefits for the 2023 Medallion year

If you achieved Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion status during the 2022 calendar year, you earned your status for the 2023 Medallion year and must choose your Choice Benefits by January 31, 2024.

You can select one Choice Benefit upon qualifying for Platinum Medallion status and three additional Choice Benefits upon qualifying for Diamond Medallion status. Here’s a look at the available Choice Benefits options if you earned Platinum or Diamond status for the 2023 Medallion year based on your 2022 activities:

Now, let’s examine each option in detail and the potential value it may offer if you qualified for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion status during the 2022 calendar year.

Upgrade certificates

After achieving Platinum Medallion status, you can choose to receive four regional upgrade certificates as your single Choice Benefit. If you reach Diamond Medallion status, each of your choices can provide you with either four global upgrade certificates, eight regional upgrade certificates, or a combination of two global and four regional upgrade certificates.

These one-way upgrade certificates take precedence over Medallion complimentary upgrade requests. You can apply these certificates to most fare types, except for Delta basic economy, for a one-class upgrade based on availability.

However, you must book and travel using these certificates by January 31, 2024, as they are linked to your 2023 Medallion year. Therefore, they may not be the most suitable choice if you are currently selecting your 2023 Medallion year Choice Benefit(s).

Bonus miles

With your Choice Benefits, you can opt for bonus miles for yourself, another SkyMiles member, or a SkyWish charity. Platinum Medallion members can choose 20,000 bonus miles, while Diamond Medallion members can select 25,000 miles for each choice.

TPG's valuations estimate the value of Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents each. Therefore, 20,000 bonus miles equate to approximately $240, while 25,000 bonus miles are valued at around $300. Bonus miles can be an excellent choice if you are currently selecting your 2023 Medallion year Choice Benefit(s).

Delta Sky Club benefits

Upon achieving Diamond Medallion status, you can utilize one or more of your Choice Benefits selections for the following Delta Sky Club access options:

• Individual membership: Enjoy complimentary access to Delta Sky Club locations worldwide for yourself until January 31, 2024.
• Guest pass: Upgrade your complimentary Delta Sky Club access from an eligible credit card to include complimentary entry for up to two guests (or your spouse or domestic partner and children under 21) traveling with you until January 31, 2024.
• Executive membership (requires two Choice Benefits unless you already possess a Delta Sky Club individual membership valid through January 31, 2024): Gain complimentary access to Delta Sky Club locations globally for yourself and up to two guests (or your spouse or domestic partner and children under 21) until January 31, 2024.

These benefits are only available until January 31, 2024. Therefore, we advise against selecting this option if you are currently choosing your 2023 Medallion year Choice Benefit(s).

Delta travel voucher

You have the option to select a Delta travel voucher valued at $200 per choice. This voucher is exclusively for your use, but it can be applied towards the Delta airfare portion of a Delta Vacations package.

Vouchers remain valid for 12 months from the date they are issued, which should occur within 48 hours of your selection. Therefore, this is a solid option if you are currently choosing your 2023 Medallion year Choice Benefit(s).

Gift Delta Medallion status

Finally, you have the option to gift Delta Medallion status to someone else. Platinum Medallion members can gift Silver Medallion status, while Diamond Medallion members can bestow Gold Medallion status.

Your gift recipient must either have no Medallion status or a lower tier of Medallion status. Keep in mind that this status will only be valid until January 31, 2024, so we do not recommend this option if you are currently selecting your 2023 Medallion year Choice Benefit(s).

Which Delta Choice Benefit is the best for the 2023 Medallion year?

As mentioned earlier, you must choose your 2023 Medallion year Choice Benefits by January 31, 2024. However, many of these perks will expire on that date.

Therefore, it’s important to select your benefits wisely. For most members choosing one or more 2023 Medallion year Choice Benefits now, bonus miles will likely be the best option. Bonus miles are expected to offer more value than the travel voucher, and remember, Delta SkyMiles do not expire.

Delta Choice Benefits for the 2024 Medallion year

If you achieved Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion status during the 2023 calendar year, you’ve secured your status for the 2024 Medallion year and should select your Choice Benefits by January 31, 2025.

Upon qualifying for Platinum Medallion status, you can choose one Choice Benefit, and if you qualify for Diamond Medallion status, you can select three additional benefits. Here’s a look at your options if you earned Platinum or Diamond status for the 2024 Medallion year:

While some Choice Benefits remain the same as in previous years, others have been introduced. Let’s examine each option and the potential value they may offer if you qualified for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion status during the 2023 calendar year.

Upgrade certificates

After achieving Platinum Medallion status based on your 2023 activities, you can use your one Choice Benefit selection to receive four regional upgrade certificates. If you attained Diamond Medallion status, each additional choice could grant you one of the following:

• Four global upgrade certificates
• Eight regional upgrade certificates
• Two global and four regional upgrade certificates

These upgrade certificates have priority over Medallion complimentary upgrade requests and can secure a one-class, space-available upgrade on most fares, excluding Delta basic economy.

However, you need to book and travel using these certificates by January 31, 2025, as they are linked to your 2024 Medallion year.

Bonus miles

With your Choice Benefits, you can opt for bonus miles for yourself, another SkyMiles member, or a SkyWish charity. As a Platinum Medallion member, you can choose 20,000 bonus miles (valued at $240 based on TPG's valuations). Diamond Medallion members can opt for 25,000 bonus miles (worth $300) for each choice.

Delta Sky Club benefits

At the Delta Diamond Medallion level, you can exchange all three of your Choice Benefits for an executive membership to the Delta Sky Club. Normally priced at $1,495 or 149,500 miles, this membership grants you and up to two guests (or your spouse or domestic partner and children under 21) unlimited complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club until January 31, 2025.

MQDs for the 2025 Medallion year

You can allocate your Choice Benefits selections for Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) for the 2025 Medallion year. Platinum Medallion members can select 500 MQDs per choice, while Diamond Medallion members receive 1,000 MQDs for each selection.

Since these Medallion Qualification Dollars will apply toward your qualification in the 2024 calendar year for the 2025 Medallion year, you will see them reflected in your account in January 2024.

Gift Delta Medallion status

You can utilize your Choice Benefits to bestow Delta Medallion status upon someone else. Each selection allows for two gifts: Platinum Medallion members can grant Silver Medallion status to two individuals, while Diamond Medallion members can provide Gold Medallion status.

The gifted status will be valid until January 31, 2025, no matter when you choose your 2024 Medallion year Choice Benefits.

Delta Vacations Experience credit

After attaining Platinum Medallion status, you can use one of your Choice Benefits for a $400 credit towards a Delta Vacations package. Alternatively, you could wait until you achieve Diamond Medallion status for a $500 credit. Keep in mind, you can only select a Delta Vacations Experience credit as a Choice Benefit once per Medallion year.

The credit is valid for one year from the date of issuance, and a minimum stay of two nights is required.

Delta American Express statement credit

As the primary cardholder of the Delta Platinum Amex, Delta Platinum Business Amex, Delta Reserve Amex, or Delta Reserve Business Amex, you can opt for a statement credit on your card as a Choice Benefit at each Medallion status level.

At the Platinum Medallion tier, you can choose a $200 statement credit, while at the Diamond Medallion tier, the option is a $500 statement credit. However, you cannot stack multiple Choice Benefits for additional statement credits at the Diamond Medallion tier.

Delta travel voucher

You can opt for a Delta travel voucher as part of your Choice Benefits, valued at $250 per selection. The voucher is exclusively for your use and can be applied to the Delta flight component of a Delta Vacations package.

These vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date they are issued, which will happen within 48 hours of your selection.

Sustainable aviation fuel contribution

With your Choice Benefits, you can contribute to Delta's initiative for sustainable aviation fuel. For each selection, Delta will allocate $250 towards the additional cost of using sustainable aviation fuel instead of conventional jet fuel.

Starbucks Rewards stars

Lastly, U.S.-based SkyMiles members who are registered with Starbucks Rewards and have linked their accounts can choose 4,000 Starbucks Rewards stars as a Choice Benefit once per tier. Keep in mind that stars will expire six months after the month they are credited.

Which Delta Choice Benefit is ideal for the 2024 Medallion year?

You need to select your Choice Benefits for the 2024 Medallion year by Jan. 31, 2025. While many perks will expire on that date, you should still have ample time to utilize them.

For those at the Platinum Medallion tier, the top choices for most travelers include four regional upgrade certificates, 20,000 bonus miles, or the $400 Delta Vacations Experience credit. Your best option will hinge on whether you can maximize the value from the upgrade certificates and if you plan to book a Delta Vacations Experience soon.

At the Diamond Medallion tier, a mix of upgrade certificates, 25,000 bonus miles, the $500 Delta Vacations Experience credit, and the $500 Delta Amex statement credit will likely be attractive to most loyal Delta travelers. Additionally, the Delta Sky Club executive membership may interest Diamond Medallion members who often travel with family or friends, although forgoing all three choices could be challenging.

Delta Choice Benefits for the 2025 Medallion year

If you achieve Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion status in the 2024 calendar year, you'll secure your status for the 2025 Medallion year.

Delta has not yet refreshed its Choice Benefits page for the 2025 Medallion year. However, it is anticipated that you will still be able to choose one Benefit upon qualifying for Platinum Medallion status and three more upon qualifying for Diamond Medallion status. It is also likely that you'll need to make your selections by Jan. 31, 2026.

Delta may carry forward some of the Choice Benefit options from the 2024 Medallion year. However, based on recent updates regarding the Delta SkyMiles program, we know that new or enhanced options for the 2025 Medallion year will be introduced:

Since we currently lack further details from Delta, we won't delve deeper into these Choice Benefit options just yet. We will provide updates to this post once the complete set of Choice Benefits for the 2025 Medallion year is announced.

Final thoughts

Delta Choice Benefits offer a variety of options that can yield substantial value. It's crucial to make well-informed decisions, particularly since some benefits may expire soon if selected late in your Medallion year.