The major airlines offer several status tiers within their frequent flier systems. Reaching one of these status levels allows their customers to enjoy a host of perks. These benefits include priority check in, boarding and easier access to upgrades.

When it comes to earning SkyMiles program status on Delta customers have to earn a specific type of elite qualifying miles (EQMs). While most customers reach their desired status level through purchasing tickets and actually flying with the airline or its partners, there is another way to work towards achieving airline status that does not require a large travel budget.

Via American Express, Delta offers several credit cards to their customers that provide them with the opportunity to earn EQMs without even leaving the ground. In extreme cases, a cardholder can enjoy elite status without ever paying for a flight.

Delta Branded Credit Cards That Offer Elite Status

Delta Airlines offers many different versions of its SkyMiles credit card, co-branded with American Express. Their Platinum SkyMiles card and their Delta Reserve card both offer cardholders the opportunity to earn Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) in Delta’s program. The SkyMiles Platinum card offers 5,000 MQMs as a sign up bonus, along with the chance to earn another 20,000 MQMs; 10,000 for spending $25,000 in a calendar year, and another 10,000 upon spending $50,000.

The higher end Delta Reserve credit card offers 10,000 MQMs as a sign up bonus, and another 30,000 as an annual spending bonus. 15,000 MQMs are award for spending $30,000 in a calendar year, and another 15,000 are earned for spending $60,000.

How Delta MQMs Add Up

The entry level tier of the Delta Skymiles system is Silver Medallion Status, which can be reached with 25,000 MQMs. Therefore, a Platinum card holder who receives the sign up bonus, and reaches $50,000 a year in spending will enjoy this status before ever purchasing a ticket. A Reserve card holder can earn as much as 40,000 MQMs in his or her first year, which includes the sign up bonus and the additional spending bonuses.  This will put the customer very close to Gold Medallion status, which is reached by earning 50,000 MQMs.

Since Delta offers both consumer and business versions of both cards, travelers can easily double these mileage totals. For example, it would be possible for a person to earn 80,000 MQMs and achieve Platinum status by receiving both the consumer and business versions of their Reserve card. Such a person would have to spend over $120,000 with the two cards, but it is possible.

While it is unlikely that one would go to such lengths as to achieve Platinum Medallion status through credit card spending alone, it is more plausible that by using their Delta SkyMiles credit cards, frequent travelers will earn the next highest level of status than they might have otherwise. That can be a very valuable benefit for those who want all the benefits afforded Delta’s best customers.

For additional information and to compare offers, please see the airline credit card section. You can also learn more about the Gold Delta Skymiles card below.

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