New in 2014, the MQD qualification for status levels at Delta.

Delta announced in late 2013 that starting in 2014 there would be a requirement for a dollar spend on tickets to reach the various status levels in conjunction with the two possible qualification methods of miles or segments.   These new requirements are as follows:

• Silver  $2,500 MQD’s (plus mileage/segment qualification)
• Gold  $5,000 MQD’s (plus mileage/segment qualification)
• Platinum  $7,500 MQD’s (plus mileage/segment qualification)
• Diamond  $12,500 MQD’s (plus mileage/segment qualification)

What qualifies as an MQD?  Any time you purchase and fly on a Delta flight (flight number with a “DL” airline code), you’ll receive MQDs for the ticket’s base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges, but not for taxes or fees.

At first, I was a little put off by the additional requirement as a way for Delta to increase their profits as those seek to get to the next level.  But upon further thought, this will actually benefit domestic flyers.  In 2013 I reached platinum with 100 segments, and my MQD’s (Delta tracked them in 2013 as an informative tracker for members) easily met the $7,500 qualifier, and I always try to get the lowest price tickets for my clients.  Who is this going to affect?  If you fly Air France in Europe (a Delta partner) and jaunt around Europe all the time, money spent with Air France won’t apply.  Therefore, those of us that are in the list for upgrades won’t be competing with non-domestic flyers that get a free diamond status transferred from another airline.

Of course, you can also get a waiver on the whole MQD qualification if you spend $25,000 in qualified purchases on your Delta American express card as well. 

For more information, see:  https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/about-skymiles/medallion-program/medallion-qualification-dollars.html