To give you a jump start on earning Status again, the Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) you earn above your Medallion Tier will roll over to the next qualification year. Plus, at each Tier, you earn more miles from your flights to help you get to your next vacation faster.

As of early 2026, Delta MQMs (Medallion Qualification Miles) no longer exist, so they do not roll over to the next year. Delta fundamentally overhauled its SkyMiles program in 2024, shifting to a single metric called MQDs (Medallion Qualification Dollars) to determine elite status. Under the 2026 rules, your MQD balance resets to zero every January 1st. However, if you were a long-term flyer who had a massive "bank" of old MQMs, Delta offered a final "one-time" conversion option in early 2024 to turn those miles into MQDs, redeemable miles, or multi-year status extensions. For current 2026 flyers, the only way to "get ahead" for the next year is through "MQD Headstart," a benefit provided by certain Delta SkyMiles American Express cards (like the Reserve or Platinum), which gives you a $2,500 MQD "boost" at the start of every calendar year to help you reach Silver, Gold, or Platinum status faster.