Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
GUIDE
American AAdvantage vs Delta SkyMiles: status compared
American AAdvantage vs Delta SkyMiles compares two US airline loyalty programmes that build elite status in different ways: Delta Air Lines SkyMiles sets four Medallion tiers by Medallion Qualification Dollars, with published thresholds running from $5,000 for Silver to $28,000 for Diamond toward 2026 status, while American Airlines AAdvantage names five status levels — ConciergeKey, Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, Platinum and Gold — with boarding groups, priority lanes and checked baggage attached to each. [3] [1] The comparison is limited to these two programmes and to card benefits each airline publishes on its own site.
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- Delta publishes one qualification currency, the Medallion Qualification Dollar, with four thresholds for 2026 Medallion Status: $5,000 Silver, $10,000 Gold, $15,000 Platinum and $28,000 Diamond. [3]
- American's status ladder has five named levels, and its boarding order follows them after ConciergeKey members, First and Business travellers, and families with children under two. [1]
- Delta counts base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges on Delta-marketed flights, excludes government taxes and fees, and gives no miles or status credit on Main Basic (Basic Economy) tickets. [3]
- American's free checked bag benefit is described for itineraries marketed and operated by American Airlines and may not apply to codeshare flights not operated by American. [1]
How do the AAdvantage and SkyMiles status ladders compare?
Delta SkyMiles measures elite progress in a single dollar-based figure. Delta lists four Medallion tiers and the Medallion Qualification Dollars needed to earn toward 2026 Medallion Status. [3]
| Medallion tier | MQDs required |
|---|---|
| Silver Medallion | $5,000 [3] |
| Gold Medallion | $10,000 [3] |
| Platinum Medallion | $15,000 [3] |
| Diamond Medallion | $28,000 [3] |
American structures its ladder as named levels instead. AAdvantage status runs ConciergeKey, Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, Platinum and Gold, and boarding order is set by those levels. [1] After ConciergeKey members, First and Business travellers and families with children under two years are invited, the numbered groups board in this order: [1]
| Group | Who boards |
|---|---|
| Group 1 | AAdvantage Executive Platinum members [1] |
| Group 2 | AAdvantage Platinum Pro members and Oneworld Emerald members [1] |
| Group 3 | AAdvantage Platinum members and Oneworld Sapphire members [1] |
| Group 4 | AAdvantage Gold members and Oneworld Ruby members [1] |
Partner recognition therefore shows up inside the boarding order at American, where Oneworld alliance tier holders are placed in the same groups as AAdvantage members of equivalent rank. [1]
How do you earn Delta SkyMiles Medallion Qualification Dollars in 2026?
As of 18 October 2026, Delta awards $1 MQD for each $1 spent on the ticket price of a Delta-marketed flight operated by Delta or by one of its partner airlines. [3] The calculation uses base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges and excludes government-imposed taxes and fees, while select partner airline flights and select exception fares also count. [3]
Travel marketed by Delta's Core Global and Global Airline Partners and ticketed through a Delta channel with a ticket number beginning 006 is also eligible, and where such partners both ticket and market the travel, MQDs follow the published Mileage Earn Charts. [3] Award tickets are not shut out either: Delta Award Travel tickets operated by Delta partners in Main Classic or above, booked through a direct Delta channel, earn MQDs equal to the miles redeemed toward the award price divided by 100, with taxes and fees excluded. [3]
Paid premium purchases made through a Delta channel, including Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta First, Delta Comfort and Preferred Seats, earn MQDs. [3] Ancillary spending does not: checked baggage fees, Delta Sky Club memberships, Wi-Fi passes, in-flight food and beverage, unaccompanied minor fees, pet travel fees, mileage purchases, ticket change fees, same-day confirmed fees and administrative charges all sit outside the calculation. [3] Only the member travelling, whose name and SkyMiles number appear in the reservation, earns the credit. [3]
A Qualification Year runs from 1 January to 31 December, MQDs do not roll over, and the balance resets to zero on or about 1 January. [3] Delta's Medallion overview also sets out card contributions published by the airline itself, including an MQD Headstart of $2,500 per eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Card type each Medallion Qualification Year, capped at four deposits and $10,000 in total. [3]
What airport benefits come with each status?
At American, benefits follow the status level held at the time of travel. Priority check-in and security lanes are offered at select airports, and free checked bags apply for the member and guests on the same reservation, excluding group reservations, on itineraries marketed and operated by American Airlines. [1] The number of free bags depends on the highest status level at ticketing or at check-in: if status was higher at ticketing, the member shows the ticket receipt to an airport agent, and if it was lower at ticketing than at check-in, current benefits apply automatically. [1] Where the standard cabin allowance is higher than the status allowance, the standard allowance applies. [1]
Delta frames its tiers around upgrades and fee waivers. Unlimited Complimentary Upgrades appear at every Medallion tier, with Diamond Medallion holding the highest complimentary upgrade priority. [3] Silver Medallion benefits include waived baggage fees and Gold Medallion benefits include waived fees, while Diamond Medallion also carries the highest priority boarding among Medallion members and Choice Benefits that include Delta Sky Club access. [3] Choice Benefits have been selected through the Fly Delta app since 1 February 2025. [3]
Exceptions and limits
- American's free checked bags may not apply to codeshare flights not operated by American; the operating airline's own site carries the details. [1]
- Oversize or overweight bags may incur additional fees at American, and seasonal or year-round limits may apply to select destinations. [1]
- Delta Main Basic (Basic Economy) tickets earn neither SkyMiles miles nor credit toward Medallion and Million Miler status. [3]
- Paid premium seat purchases made at Amsterdam (AMS) or Paris (CDG) airports for Delta-operated flights earn no miles and no MQDs; a seat Delta cannot honour is refunded without MQDs, and voluntary changes to a purchased seat bring no refund and no MQDs. [3] Complimentary access to those seats does not earn MQDs. [3]
- Delta may cancel or rescind MQDs, or downgrade status, if an eligible card is cancelled or downgraded to a non-eligible card within 60 days of the MQD deposit or within 60 days of the card renewal date. [3]
Frequently asked questions
Do Delta SkyMiles MQDs roll over to the next year?
No. Delta states that MQDs do not extend or roll over and that the balance is reset to zero on or about 1 January each calendar year. [3]
How many MQDs does a Delta award ticket earn?
On Delta Award Travel tickets operated by Delta partners in Main Classic or above and booked through a direct Delta channel, Delta awards 1 MQD for every 100 miles redeemed toward the award price, with government taxes and fees excluded. [3]
When can an American AAdvantage member board?
Members can board any time after their group is called, up to 15 minutes before departure, using the priority boarding lane. [1]
Do AAdvantage free checked bags apply on codeshare flights?
The benefit is described for itineraries marketed and operated by American Airlines, and American says it may not apply to codeshare flights not operated by American. [1]
What MQD total earns Diamond Medallion for 2026?
$28,000 MQDs, the highest of Delta's four published thresholds for 2026 Medallion Status. [3]
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. United MileagePlus, Alaska Mileage Plan, the hotel programmes and the award pricing rules of either airline are not covered here; see the glossary for related definitions.
- American Airlines AAdvantage member statuses and benefits, checked 18 October 2026
- Delta SkyMiles Medallion Program overview and MQD terms, checked 18 October 2026