Delta holds Medallion thresholds flat for spending in 2027, while United and Southwest tighten
Delta confirmed on 22 October 2026 that Medallion Qualification Dollar thresholds stay at $5,000, $10,000, $15,000 and $28,000 for 2027 activity. MQDs still reset on 1 January, and Delta Amex holders keep their Headstart.
In this article
Not every loyalty program is getting harder next year. A Delta spokesperson confirmed to The Points Guy on 22 October 2026 that Medallion thresholds will not rise in 2027, the third straight year they have held. Upgraded Points and The Points Party report the same confirmation.
| Medallion tier | MQDs required |
|---|---|
| Silver | 5,000 |
| Gold | 10,000 |
| Platinum | 15,000 |
| Diamond | 28,000 |
Mind the year labels
Delta names status by the year you use it, not the year you earn it, which makes these announcements easy to misread. TPG says activity in calendar 2027 earns status for the rest of 2027 and all of 2028. Delta's own qualification page currently shows only the status earned from 2026 spending, at these same figures, so the 2027 confirmation rests on what outlets were told rather than a Delta page we could read.
Two things do not change. MQDs reset on 1 January 2027, and anything above a threshold does not roll over.
Where the cards fit
These rules come from Delta's qualification page:
| Delta Amex card | MQD Headstart per year | MQDs from eligible purchases |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum, Platinum Business | 2,500 | 1 per $20 |
| Reserve, Reserve Business | 2,500 | 1 per $10 |
Headstart is per card type, and Delta caps it at four deposits across all eligible cards in a qualification year. It is worth 2,500 MQDs of the 5,000 needed for Silver, so one eligible card covers half of that tier before you fly. The Delta page does not list the Gold card among those eligible.
None of the reports describes a change to Headstart or to the card spend rates for 2027. Delta could still adjust either, so read the terms when you renew.
Why it matters
Stable thresholds are a real difference this year. United is removing its flight-count path for 2027, and Southwest is ending card bonus credit towards Companion Pass.
What to do
- If you are close to a tier this year, finish before 31 December. Unused MQDs do not carry over.
- If you plan to spend your way to status, compare the MQD rate against what the same spend earns elsewhere. Our points calculator and Polo Match show the rewards you would be giving up.
Sources
Every claim on this page is backed by a primary or reputable source.
Card figures on CardPolo come from our catalog, each with an issuer source and a verified date where we have checked it. Spot something out of date? Tell us at hello@cardpolo.com.
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