This Airline Just Made It Easier to Earn Status—and It's Already Rated the No. 1 Domestic Airline Loyalty Program

The Airline Leading the Pack

According to recent rankings by J.D. Power and other travel industry analysts, Delta Air Lines once again takes the crown as the number one domestic airline loyalty program. And now, with major updates to its SkyMiles program, Delta has made it faster and simpler for members to earn Medallion Status—which comes with priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, waived fees, and more.

What’s New?

Delta is introducing several customer-friendly changes to how you earn status in 2025 and beyond:

• Lower Qualification Thresholds: Delta has significantly reduced the number of Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) needed to reach each tier of elite status.
• Everyday Spending Counts More: SkyMiles American Express Cardholders will now earn MQDs from more everyday purchases, not just flights.
• No More Segment Requirements: Delta has eliminated the need to track flight segments altogether, simplifying the path to elite status.

These changes are part of Delta's broader effort to make the SkyMiles program more accessible and aligned with how modern travelers live and spend.

Why It Matters

With airlines competing fiercely for loyalty in a post-pandemic world, Delta’s move stands out. Making elite status easier to achieve rewards not just frequent business travelers, but also leisure flyers, digital nomads, and anyone who’s strategic with their spending. That’s a smart shift—and one that’s likely to grow Delta’s already loyal customer base.

Travelers who’ve been on the fence about choosing a primary carrier now have one more compelling reason to pick Delta. The airline’s commitment to rewarding customers faster, combined with its already top-tier service, positions it as the go-to option for savvy U.S. travelers.

If you've ever thought about maximizing your travel perks or switching to a more lucrative loyalty program, now is the time to act. With Delta SkyMiles leading the industry and offering a more straightforward path to elite benefits, there's never been a better moment to start collecting those miles—and reaping the rewards.