Will My Medallion Status Rollover to 2026 with Delta?

Delta SkyMiles Medallion Status offers frequent travelers valuable benefits, including complimentary upgrades on eligible flights, priority services, and other travel perks. However, these benefits depend on meeting Delta's qualification requirements, which follow a specific annual schedule. If you earned Medallion Status during 2025, you may be wondering whether it will roll over to 2026 and whether your unused Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) will carry forward.

The key point is that Delta Medallion Status does not automatically roll over based on the amount of MQDs you earned in the previous year. Your status level and the period during which you can use its benefits depend on Delta's qualification rules. MQDs earned during a qualification year determine whether you meet the requirements for a particular Medallion tier, while eligible rollover benefits, if offered under the applicable program rules, are a separate matter.

Understanding these distinctions can help you plan your flights, track your progress, and avoid losing sight of your next qualification goal.

How Does Delta Medallion Status Rollover Work?

Delta Air Lines uses an annual qualification system to determine which SkyMiles members earn Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond Medallion Status. Under the standard program structure, members accumulate MQDs during a qualification year, and the amount earned determines their eligibility for the following Medallion Status year.

For example, if you qualified for Gold Medallion Status using your eligible activity in 2025, your earned status generally applies throughout the 2026 Medallion benefit year, subject to Delta's published terms. You do not need to earn the same MQD amount again during January 2026 simply to retain status that is already valid for that benefit year.

However, this is different from carrying unused MQDs into a new qualification year.

What Happens to Your Existing Medallion Status?

If you earned Medallion Status through the 2025 qualification year, your status generally remains valid through January 31, 2027, under Delta's standard Medallion calendar. The status you earned is not normally removed just because the calendar changes from December to January.

Your next qualification cycle determines whether you earn status for the subsequent benefit year. For instance, eligible MQDs earned during 2026 count toward the applicable 2027 Medallion qualification requirements.

Keep these distinctions in mind:

• Existing status: Benefits remain available during the applicable status validity period.

• New qualification: MQDs earned during the qualification year determine the tier you qualify for in the next status year.

• Unused MQDs: Do not assume that dollars above your qualification threshold automatically transfer to the next year.

• Special program benefits: Any rollover promotion or exception must be checked against its specific eligibility terms.

This system makes it important to distinguish between retaining a status you have already earned and qualifying for a higher tier in the next cycle.

Do MQDs Rollover to the Next Year?

A common question among SkyMiles members is, "do mqds rollover" when a new qualification year begins.

Under Delta's standard Medallion qualification structure, MQDs are tracked for the applicable qualification year. Members should not assume that unused MQDs above a status threshold will automatically carry into the next year. The treatment of any rollover benefit depends on the rules Delta publishes for the specific program year and any applicable promotion.

For example, suppose you earned $8,000 in MQDs during a qualification year and the relevant Silver Medallion threshold was $5,000. The additional $3,000 should not automatically be treated as credit toward the next year's qualification. You would need to review the applicable Delta rules to determine whether any special rollover provision applies.

The practical lesson is simple: track the MQDs you earn in the current qualification year, check the threshold for your target tier, and verify any rollover benefit directly through your SkyMiles account or Delta's current program terms.

What Are Delta's Medallion Qualification Requirements for 2026?

Delta determines Medallion Status by the number of eligible MQDs a member earns during the qualification year. For the 2026 qualification year, the thresholds below determine the Medallion Status you can earn for 2027.

Medallion Status

Required MQDs for 2026

Silver Medallion

$5,000

Gold Medallion

$10,000

Platinum Medallion

$15,000

Diamond Medallion

$28,000

These thresholds apply to qualifying activity during January 1 through December 31, 2026. Members who meet the requirements earn the corresponding 2027 Medallion Status, generally valid through January 31, 2028.

How Do MQDs Affect Your Next Medallion Status?

Your MQD total determines the tier you qualify for in the following Medallion year. You can earn eligible MQDs through qualifying Delta and partner airline flights, eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express card benefits, and qualifying Delta Vacations packages.

The amount of MQD credit varies according to the earning method and its applicable terms.

For example:

• A member who earns $5,000 in qualifying MQDs during 2026 meets the Silver threshold for 2027.

• A member who earns $10,000 meets the Gold threshold.

• A member who earns $15,000 meets the Platinum threshold.

• A member who earns $28,000 meets the Diamond threshold.

If your goal is to move from Silver to Gold, you need to reach the Gold threshold during the applicable qualification year. Having earned Silver previously does not automatically give you credit toward the next year's Gold requirement.

Which Purchases and Flights Count Toward MQDs?

Not every travel expense earns MQDs. Understanding eligible spending can help you avoid assuming that a purchase will contribute to your status.

Eligible earning methods may include:

• Qualifying Delta-marketed flights, based on eligible ticket spending.

• Eligible flights marketed by participating partner airlines, subject to the applicable earning rules.

• Qualifying spending on eligible Delta SkyMiles Platinum or Reserve American Express cards.

• Eligible MQD Headstart benefits from qualifying cards.

• Qualifying Delta Vacations packages.

Certain charges do not count toward MQDs, including many government-imposed taxes and fees, baggage fees, ticket-change fees, and onboard purchases. Basic Economy tickets, referred to as Delta Main Basic under Delta's newer fare terminology, are also subject to restrictions and may not earn qualifying credit.

Always check the specific fare conditions and earning rules before estimating your MQD total.

How to Check Your Delta MQD Balance and Status

Checking your account regularly is one of the easiest ways to understand your qualification progress. It can also help you identify missing credits before the qualification year ends.

Check Through the Delta Website

Follow these steps to review your Medallion progress:

1. Visit Delta's official website.

2. Sign in to your SkyMiles account.

3. Open the My SkyMiles section.

4. Find your Medallion Status and MQD progress.

5. Review your current MQD total and the threshold for your target status.

Your account provides the most relevant information about your recorded qualification progress.

Check Through the Fly Delta App

You can also check your progress through the Fly Delta app.

1. Open the app and sign in.

2. Navigate to the SkyMiles section.

3. Look for your Medallion Status information.

4. Review the MQDs credited to your account.

If a qualifying flight or eligible card transaction is missing, allow the applicable posting period before contacting Delta. Flight credits and card-related MQDs can take several weeks to appear, depending on the earning method.

Keep your booking confirmation, ticket receipt, and relevant transaction details available if you need to request a review.

What Should You Do If Your MQDs Are Missing?

Missing MQDs can affect your qualification progress, especially near the end of the year. Before assuming that the credit has been lost, check the following:

• Confirm that the ticket or purchase was eligible to earn MQDs.

• Verify that your SkyMiles number was attached to the reservation.

• Check whether the flight has been completed.

• Review the expected posting time for the relevant earning method.

• Contact Delta or the applicable card issuer if the credit remains missing beyond the expected period.

Do not assume that a pending transaction will count toward a particular qualification year. The date and eligibility rules used to credit the transaction can determine which year receives the MQDs.

How to Prepare for the Next Medallion Qualification Year

If you want to retain your current tier or reach a higher one, the best approach is to plan around the actual MQD thresholds rather than relying on rollover.

Here are some practical ways to manage your qualification goals.

Set a Realistic MQD Target

Choose your desired Medallion tier and calculate the gap between your current MQD balance and its threshold.

For instance, if your 2026 balance is $7,000 and you want to reach Gold for 2027, you need another $3,000 in eligible MQDs. This calculation assumes that the displayed balance reflects your eligible activity and that the relevant qualification rules remain applicable.

Track Eligible Spending Throughout the Year

Review your MQD progress after qualifying flights and eligible card transactions. Monitoring your balance monthly can help you spot discrepancies and understand whether your planned travel is likely to meet your target.

Avoid making unnecessary purchases solely to earn status. Compare the cost of additional eligible spending with the value of the benefits you realistically expect to use.

Understand the Difference Between MQDs and Miles

SkyMiles are primarily used for eligible award redemptions, while MQDs measure progress toward Medallion Status.

These balances serve different purposes. Unused SkyMiles may remain available under the SkyMiles program rules, but unused MQDs do not automatically carry over to the next qualification year.

Likewise, earning more redeemable miles does not necessarily mean you are closer to your Medallion qualification threshold.

Review Special Status Extensions Separately

Delta may offer specific status extensions or other exceptions to eligible members in certain circumstances. Such arrangements have their own eligibility requirements and should not be confused with ordinary MQD rollover.

If you qualify for a special program, review its conditions carefully, including the status period covered and the activities required to retain or regain status.

Conclusion

Delta Medallion Status and MQD rollover follow different rules. If you earned status during 2025, you generally retain the corresponding benefits throughout the applicable 2026 Medallion year. However, unused MQDs do not ordinarily roll over into 2026 and cannot be treated as automatic credit toward the next qualification cycle.

To earn Medallion Status for 2027, focus on eligible MQDs accumulated between January 1 and December 31, 2026. Track your progress through your SkyMiles account, confirm that eligible activity has been credited, and plan around the threshold for your desired tier.

Understanding these rules helps you manage your travel spending, avoid relying on unused qualification credit, and make informed decisions about your next Medallion Status goal.

Frequently Asked Questions?

1. Will my Delta Medallion Status roll over to 2026?

If you earned Medallion Status through the 2025 qualification year, your status generally remains valid during the 2026 Medallion benefit year, through January 31, 2027. This is the continuation of status already earned, not a rollover of unused MQDs.

2. Do MQDs rollover from 2025 to 2026?

No. Under Delta's standard program rules, MQDs do not roll over from one qualification year to another. The balance resets around January 1, and you must earn eligible MQDs during the new qualification year to qualify for the following Medallion year.

3. Will my 2026 MQDs count toward 2027 Medallion Status?

Yes. Eligible MQDs earned during the 2026 calendar year count toward 2027 Medallion Status. The amount you earn determines which tier you qualify for under the applicable thresholds.

4. When does Delta reset my MQD balance?

Delta generally resets MQD balances to zero on or around January 1 each calendar year. Your new qualification progress is then based on eligible activity for the new year.

5. Can I keep my Gold Medallion Status without earning more MQDs in 2026?

If you earned Gold through the 2025 qualification year, your status generally remains valid through January 31, 2027. However, to earn Gold for the 2027 Medallion year, you must meet the applicable qualification requirements during 2026.

6. What happens if I earn more MQDs than required for my status?

Any MQDs above your tier's qualification threshold do not automatically transfer into the following year. Check the current program terms for any specific exception that may apply to your account.

7. Do Delta SkyMiles roll over like MQDs?

SkyMiles and MQDs are different balances. Redeemable SkyMiles are generally retained according to the SkyMiles program rules, whereas MQDs are used for annual Medallion qualification and do not ordinarily roll over.

8. Can Delta extend my Medallion Status if I cannot qualify again?

Certain members may be eligible for a special extension or a program such as Reclaim My Status. Approval and eligibility depend on Delta's applicable conditions. These exceptions are separate from the standard annual qualification process.

9. How can I earn more MQDs before the end of 2026?

You can review qualifying flight options, eligible card benefits, and qualifying Delta Vacations packages. Check the MQD earning rules before making a purchase, and remember that not every ticket, fee, or card transaction qualifies.

10. Where can I confirm my current Medallion Status?

Sign in to your SkyMiles account on Delta's website or use the Fly Delta app. Review your current tier, MQD balance, and qualification progress to understand your status and the amount needed for your next goal.