Is it easier to get United or Delta status?

For those who prefer to earn status through credit card spend, AA is the best choice, and United is the worst choice… by a large margin. The amount of spend required to earn Delta elite status through Delta Platinum credit card spend for the first three elite tiers is exactly the same as with United.



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Things get a bit more interesting here because it's much easier to earn status with American and its Loyalty Points system than with Delta and its Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). Both airlines use different metrics, but the chart below outlines the different tier qualifications for 2025 elite status.

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Delta has four tiers of elite status: Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. You can earn status by flying and spending enough within a single calendar year, and once earned you'll keep it through the following calendar year. So if you earn Gold status in February 2023, you'll keep it through the end of 2024.

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Delta 360° is an annual, invitation-only membership for our most loyal SkyMiles Members. A Delta 360° Membership offers Delta's most premium suite of benefits and services exclusive to our top SkyMiles Members.

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To earn Diamond status, you'll need to bank 125,000 MQMs or 140 MQSs. You'll also need to spend $20,000 in MQDs or qualify for an MQD waiver by spending at least $250,000 on eligible purchases with your Delta co-branded American Express card.

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Beginning in early 2024, we will offer a one-time conversion of your Rollover MQMs or a Medallion Status extension for Members with a significant Rollover MQM balance.

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In the competition of Delta versus United, there isn't a clear winner. Delta charges less baggage fees and makes basic economy more tolerable for a frugal traveler. United, on other hand, has a stronger loyalty program, cheaper award prices and a stronger presence when it comes to global connections.

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You can earn status by flying and spending enough within a single calendar year, and once earned you'll keep it through the following calendar year. So if you earn Gold status in February 2023, you'll keep it through the end of 2024. If you're just short of reaching status before the end of the year, well, tough luck.

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Changes to United Premier 1K Status for 2023 To become a United Premier 1K status holder through Jan. 31, 2025, you have to fly 54 Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs) and earn 18,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs), in addition to flying at least four United/United Express flights in 2023.

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Premier qualifying flights To qualify for any status with United, you must fly at least four paid segments on United or United Express in a calendar year. Those four paid flights will also count as PQFs, assuming you don't book in basic economy. Here's how accruals on basic economy fares compare with standard fares.

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At airports which do not have a dedicated Silver Medallion check-in lane, Silver Medallion Members are permitted to use the Sky Priority check-in lane.

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Unlimited Complimentary Upgrades As a Diamond Medallion Member, you have top priority for Complimentary Upgrades for yourself and a companion to Delta Comfort+ shortly after ticketing, to First Class beginning 120 hours (5 days) prior to departure, and to the domestic Delta One® experience on the day of departure.

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Delta Diamond, Platinum, or Gold Medallion Status permits entry to the Club when flying in Delta Premium Select internationally or in Delta One (or the equivalent cabin on a Delta partner operated flight).

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Delta has four tiers of elite status: Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. You can earn status by flying and spending enough within a single calendar year, and once earned you'll keep it through the following calendar year. So if you earn Gold status in February 2023, you'll keep it through the end of 2024.

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Earning Delta MQMs with Credit Cards Outside of actually getting on a plane, there's only one other way to earn Delta MQMs: Delta co-branded credit cards. And even though Delta a full suite different co-branded credit cards, only two of them will help you attain status through earning MQMs.

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