On Delta Air Lines in 2026, Basic Economy tickets (officially rebranded as "Delta Main Basic") do not earn SkyMiles or any credit toward Medallion Status. This policy, which was reinforced in recent years, means that the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges for these tickets do not contribute to your mileage balance or your Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). However, there is a technical exception: if you use a co-branded Delta SkyMiles American Express Card to purchase the ticket, you will still earn miles based on the dollar amount spent on the card (typically 1x or 2x miles per dollar), as this is a credit card benefit rather than a flight benefit. It is crucial for travelers to understand that the flight itself provides zero "accrual" in the SkyMiles program. Furthermore, Basic Economy fares remain ineligible for paid or complimentary upgrades, priority boarding, and same-day changes, making them strictly a "no-frills" option for budget-conscious travelers.