Delta Medallions just scored a big win with upgraded Choice Benefits

Zach Griff

1 hour ago

ZACH GRIFF

In this post Show

It’s not often that loyalty programs add value without quietly taking something away.

But Delta Air Lines is doing exactly that.

The carrier is rolling out a meaningful refresh to its Choice Benefits program, and the changes are overwhelmingly positive.

Starting next year, both Platinum and Diamond Medallion members will see richer perks, more flexibility, and better gifting options.

Here’s what’s changing and what it means for your status strategy.

Delta Platinum Choice Benefits

Delta is updating four of its Choice Benefits options beginning on Feb. 1, 2026.

The updates include:

Gifting status: The ability to gift Silver Medallion status to four family members or friends (up from 2 members)
Bonus miles: Bonus miles increase to 35,000 (up from 30,000)
Delta travel voucher: increase to $350 (up from $300)
Amex statement credit: decrease to $250 (from $400)

The airline is not making changes to any of the other existing Choice Benefits, which include upgrade certificates, Starbucks Rewards stars, and status accelerators, among others.

Delta Diamond Choice Benefits

The airline is also sweetening the deal for Diamond members. The updated Choice Benefits options will include:

Gifting status: The ability to gift Gold Medallion status to four family members or friends (up from 2 members)
Bonus miles: Bonus miles increase to 40,000 (up from 35,000)
Delta travel voucher: increase to $550 (up from $350)
Amex statement credit: decrease to $500 (from $700)

The airline will continue to offer the newly released Beyond Diamond Choice Benefits for those who overqualify for Diamond status.

Those picks, as well as the other existing Diamond benefits, are not changing as part of this update.

When do the new perks take effect?

The updated Choice Benefits picks will be available starting on Feb. 1, 2026. Existing elite members who have already made their selection for next year’s Choice Benefits will receive the new, higher value early next year.

Specifically, Delta will give eligible travelers two additional Medallion statuses to gift, or it’ll credit your account with the updated higher value for bonus miles and travel vouchers.

Furthermore, Delta is once again reassuring flyers that the way you earn Medallion status will stay the same for the 2027 Medallion Year, meaning that the Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) thresholds will remain unchanged.

As a reminder, to earn Delta status next year, you’ll need to earn:

Silver Medallion: 5,000 MQDs
Gold Medallion: 10,000 MQDs
Platinum Medallion: 15,000 MQDs
Diamond Medallion: 28,000 MQDs

Which Choice Benefit should you pick?

The most frequent Delta flyers probably won’t find the updated Choice Benefits too compelling. That’s because the existing top choices of Global and Regional upgrade certificates will likely remain the most valuable choice.

That said, for those who frequently travel for business and have someone else pick up their travel expenses (or the ever-important affluent premium leisure traveler), upgrade certificates might not be nearly as compelling.

In which case, I’d actually consider the status gift, especially if you’re a Diamond Medallion who already has access to the Sky Club from a credit card.

Four gifts of Gold Medallion status aren’t too shabby, especially since they include some helpful perks like complimentary upgrades, free Preferred seats, waived bag fees, and more.

If I didn’t choose upgrades and already had Sky Club access, that’s probably what I’d pick.

Parting thoughts

In my mind, Delta deserves credit for adding meaningful value to the Medallion program without pairing it with a significant devaluation, a rarity in today’s loyalty landscape.

Sure, the Amex statement credits are decreasing in value, but they’ve never been the most compelling picks from the Choice Benefits menu anyway.

As Delta’s SkyMiles chief, Dwight James, explained in a statement, “the latest Choice Benefits updates reflect Member feedback and our commitment to delivering an experience that truly rewards loyalty. Earning and keeping the trust of our Members means being transparent about changes and continually investing in the experiences that matter most.”

Hopefully, this momentum continues, and we’ll see even more positive investment in the SkyMiles program in the year ahead.

Zach Griff Author

Zach Griff is a travel expert who’s covered airlines, loyalty programs, credit cards, and travel tech for nearly a decade. He’s visited 60+ countries and regularly shares his insights across Instagram, TikTok and X — and at From the Tray Table.