Delta Medallion Status Guide to Tiers and Benefits

How Do Delta Medallion Status Match and Challenges Work?

Delta Medallion status matches and Delta status challenges are made to help the travelers who really deserve the Medallion status. With status match, you can enjoy all the perks even if you are traveling on a different airline, while for status challenge, you need to fulfill the requirements to earn the status.

Status Match

• This tier type gives passengers the opportunity to receive an equivalent elite status, and they do not have to spend a lot of money.

• The only rule for status match is to understand the various Delta medallion levels and have proof of being an active member of the Delta medallion. 

• This is not always available to all the passengers, it is one-time and has a non-refundable application fee.

Status Challenge

• There is a status challenge that is available to the passengers for a limited period of time (90-120 days).

• You need to complete this challenge during which the temporary challenge will not change with physical Delta Medallion tags until the challenge is fully met.

• If the passenger wants to keep the status for the whole year, you need to achieve the miles amount and with a new airline within the trial period.

Delta Medallion Status Match Comparison

Delta Medallion Tiers

There are different Delta Medallion tiers starting from Silver, then getting upgraded to Gold and Diamond, and reaching the top with Platinum. Let's look at each of the tiers carefully and select the best one for us.

Silver Medallion

• This is the basic-level tier, which promises the passengers to get the lowest-level perks with the other competitor airlines when you match your status to get the premium upgrades.

• In general, when matching your status with the competing airlines, you will either match it with Oneworld or Star Alliance services. The matching does not give you the perks of getting upgraded lounges or business class seats.

• However, you get the best benefits, like no fees on the checked luggage, priority check-in, or getting special seats as well.

Gold Medallion

• The most chosen status is gold, which fits with everything. Its value is very high since it provides loyalty and high spending. Because of this reason, a lot of passengers chose it, and they want to exchange it for mid-tier status.

• A gold medallion best goes with Oneworld Sapphire and Star Alliance Gold.

• By getting upgraded to gold, the passengers get access to a premium international lounge, priority check-ins, and complimentary domestic change.

Platinum Medallion

• The carriers that are competing and always want a challenge are interested in platinum tier.

• As soon as one gets an upgrade to Platinum. They get benefits like same-day change priority, that too within a day, extra-legroom seats during the time of booking, customer service available 24/7, and if a passenger wants to make any changes, it will be done for free.

Diamond Medallion

• The highest tier in Delta is Diamond tier. However, it is a bit difficult to get the same status match for this tier.

• Most of the airlines keep the requirements very minimal to keep their top-tier rankings always very prominent.

• You will get the same prices as Platinum, but with this some airlines provide backup solutions for any defectors.

How to Status-Match Delta Medallion?

As per advice, always apply for a Delta status match right before going on a vacation. By following this strategy, you will get a 90-day trial medallion status.

• It is very important to check and match your status with Delta status match because any mistake can disqualify you.

• If you do not follow the procedure step by step and do not provide the documents as per the rules, you will be disqualified instantly.

Let's look at the steps below.

• Step 1: Select an airline that is accepting Delta Medallion

Decide and recheck your travel plans clearly. Select the airline you want to travel in for the next few months. It is very important to understand their policies and rules before flying with them. Lastly, make sure that your flight route has a layover in it because it is one of the criteria for a Delta status match, which has to be followed.

• Step 2: Check the eligibility criteria

Make sure to check facts written on the competitor airlines regarding the Delta Silver Medallion benefits. Check whether your country has the permission to use the status, and the Delta fast track is available for free.

• Step 3: Set up a loyalty account

In order to set up a loyalty account, you need to have a frequent flyer number from the new airline. Go to their website and sign up using your first and last name. The name should match the one added on your DeltaSkyMiles account and the one that is on your government ID.

• Step 4: Collect documents

While submitting the documents, submit your picture, which is in good quality, or a screenshot of your current Elite card. It can be physical or digital. Also submit a screenshot of your elite status, your name, and the travel journey that got you the status

• Step 5: Submit application

To complete the process, make sure to compare the email address given by the airline. Submit the documents and you will get a new loyalty number. While submitting any documents, check the size of the images (pg, .png, or .pdf)) without any editing or cropping of the image.

• Step 6: Wait for the approval
  Processing times differ for each airline, especially when verifying a traveler’s Delta Medallion Status authenticity before granting approval. Paid matches can be cleared up in days, while legacy carriers require manual challenge reviews, which can take several weeks. Please do not book travel on the new airline until you receive official e-mail confirmation that your match is fully operational.

• Step 7: (if necessary) Finish any status challenge

If you get approved, make sure to save the deadline, do not forget this point. It will take 90-120 days for the flight to complete the procedure. Make sure that the airline is following every rule properly.

What documents are required to apply for a status match?

Here are the documents you will need to match the Delta Medallion status: 

• Make sure to submit a digital screenshot or physical picture of your elite loyalty card.

• The screenshot will show your Delta status, your name, your current tier, and the expiration date of the status.

• Your statement of the past 12 months of Delta flights. 

• If you have a flight history, you will need to provide evidence of booked travel with them in the near future to demonstrate a commitment to travel and maximize your Delta Platinum medallion benefits value. 

• This is a valid passport or driver's license to prove your residency and identity.

What are the eligibility requirements?

If the passengers want to get approved, they need to follow the rules correctly and fulfill the criteria as given below.

• Your current Delta status should be active. You will not be accepted if your stats are expired, no matter what the circumstances are.

• Make sure that your status is not gifted or used previously, it is earned by real spending or real flying.

• Most of the international airlines are very strict with location-related services. They allow only those passengers who live in their country or continent.

• The new frequent flyer account should not have any fake information or flaws so that the status math can be very smooth and simple.

Best Airlines to Match Delta Medallion 

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Tips to Increase Approval Chances

• Book your flight before applying for the Delta Medallion Status. First receive the confirmation email and then look for the travel offer. Make sure not to pay an extra amount.

• Make sure that the screenshots are very clear and not blurry. The name with which you have applied, the account number, the tier level, and the expiration date should clearly be visible in one screenshot.

• Add all the recent flight activities you have done. Make sure to show that you are an active passenger who constantly travels and the Delta status is bridging in revenue.

• Make sure to read the airline's terms and conditions of both the airlines.

• Do not confuse yourself by matching more than one airline at a time unless you are an active member who flies constantly and can handle challenges. In case you are challenged, you might lose the opportunity to fly with that airline forever.

• Make sure to complete the challenges in the given time limit and plan the trips beforehand.

Conclusion

By understanding the Delta Medallion status and using it appropriately, you can make your travel very easy. The passengers get all the perks by being a Delta medallion member, it starts from silver and reaches till platinum. In this guide we have mentioned all the important aspects of Delta Medallion, what the eligibility is, and what the required documents are, with some helpful tips. Make use of all the Delta Medallion statuses by using this guide.