Time is running out: convert your Delta Rollover MQM!

This time last year, I set a reminder on my calendar to convert my final Delta Air Lines Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM). Well, that date is just around the corner. (I didn’t want to risk forgetting it – especially with the holiday rush.)

And before that You Forget, I wanted to remind you too!

The conversion period ends on December 31, 2024. After that, MQM will automatically be retroactively converted into Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD).

(Terms and conditions apply to American Express benefits and offers. Select American Express benefits and offers may require registration. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.)

Where can you convert your Delta MQM?

I would go to the Fly Delta app. Select “Account” at the bottom of the screen, then tap “SKYMILES.” Scroll until you see “You have rollover MQMs that can be converted until December 31, 2024.” Then tap “Convert Now”.

Convert Delta MQM to MQD and/or SkyMiles

You have at least two options to convert your rollover MQM:

• Convert them into redeemable SkyMiles at a 2:1 ratio
• Convert them to MQD at a ratio of 10:1

Additionally, Medallion members with at least 100,000 MQM can extend their status by 100,000 MQM per year until 2024. For example, if you have 300,000 MQM, you can enjoy any status you had from the beginning of 2024 to January 2028. These extensions will begin on February 1, 2025, regardless of what status you achieve in 2024. There is a possibility of a “status overlap”. ” No status extensions are possible for the start in 2026.

There are predetermined repayment amounts you can choose from:

• 100% MQD
• 75% MQD + 25% redeemable SkyMiles
• 50% MQD + 50% redeemable SkyMiles
• 25% MQD + 75% redeemable SkyMiles
• 100% redeemable SkyMiles

What should you do?

Of course, this depends on how many MQMs you have, what Delta travel plans you have, and how much you want at which status level.

Million Milers receive lifetime Medallion status. 1 million milers will receive Gold, 2 million milers will enjoy Platinum, and 3 million milers will receive Diamond. 5 million miles members and above receive annual invitations to Delta 360. So for those with 3 million miles members and above, it doesn’t make much sense to convert their MQM to MQD. Redeemable SkyMiles are the way to go.

Maybe you’re happy with your current status level (or are no longer chasing status) and are excited about converting your MQM to SkyMiles.

What happens if you still don’t reach the desired level after the MQM to MQD transition?

You have several options that you should take advantage of at the moment.

The first, easiest and cheapest option is to purchase at least one of the four Delta SkyMiles® American Express cards, which give cardholders $2,500 per card:

These cards also come with companion certificates in the second year of card membership.

Let’s say you have between $2,501 and $5,000 MQD less than your desired Medallion status level. You could get the residential/consumer Delta Platinum and the business Delta Platinum. That’s a $700 annual fee and you get $5,000 MQD. That alone gets you Silver Medallion status.

• Prices and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card can be found at this link.)
• Prices and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card can be found at this link.

SkyMiles members can earn up to 10,000 MQD each year for holding these Delta Amexes. In other words, a $2,000 annual fee for owning one of the above cards will net you $10,000 MQD. You essentially “buy” Gold Medallion status for two grand.

(If you’re like me and downgraded some of your Delta Amexes during the worse times of the COVID-19 pandemic, you can upgrade these cards.)

Your other option is to book an MQD run with a Delta partner – and do it quickly. Contact the point.me Mileage Run department. They can help you find something.

I have enough for a year of platinum. My wife has enough for gold. We have several trips booked or planned for next year where the status could be useful.

Final approach

The deadline to convert your rollover MQM is quickly approaching. What did you do with yours?