Your complete guide to Delta Choice Benefits

How do you earn Delta Choice Benefits?

You earn Choice Benefits when you qualify for Platinum Medallion and Diamond Medallion. Specifically, you earn one Choice Benefit at the Platinum Medallion level and three more Choice Benefits when you qualify for Diamond Medallion.

Choice Benefits vary at both levels, with Diamond Medallion getting more premium perks. You must select your Choice Benefits by the end of the Medallion status year (January 31st). So if you earn 2026 Medallion status this year, you must choose your Choice Benefits by January 31, 2027.

You can select Choice Benefits in the Fly Delta mobile app.

Delta Platinum Medallion Choice Benefits

Again, when you qualify for Platinum Medallion status, you can choose one Choice Benefit. Here’s a look at your options.

Four Regional Upgrade Certificates

On domestic and select short-haul international flights, you can use Regional Upgrade Certificates to move from Main Cabin to First Class. Availability is limited, and you can see which flights are eligible for an upgrade when searching for flights on Delta’s website.

This is often the best Platinum Medallion Choice Benefit for frequent domestic flyers who purchase Main Cabin tickets. You’ll have the best luck using them on off-peak travel dates, as this is when it’s easiest to find confirmable upgrades. If you can’t confirm at booking, applying an upgrade certificate will prioritize you over other elites.

30,000 Delta SkyMiles

This one is pretty straightforward—you’ll get 30,000 SkyMiles when you choose it. It is one of the best choices if you don’t think you can use four Regional Upgrade Certificates.

1,000 bonus MQD’s

This is helpful when you think you’ll be short of qualifying for status next year, as it applies to the 2027 status year.

Gift Silver Medallion to two friends

If you have friends who fly Delta, this can be a good holiday gift.

$400 Delta Vacations credit

This is a discount on Delta Vacations packages. Only select it if you plan on booking one. This benefit can only be selected once per Medallion year.

$300 Delta flight voucher

Take $300 off any Delta flight you book. It’s not the worst choice, but you’ll likely get more value from SkyMiles, which are often worth 1.2 to 1.3 cents apiece.

$400 Amex statement credit

Get a $400 statement credit to your Delta SkyMiles Platinum, Platinum Business, Reserve or Reserve Business card. If you have one of these cards, this is a great choice to offset their high annual fees.

$1,500 Wheels Up flight credit

Wheels Up is a private jet charter service. Only select this if you plan to book a charter with them. This benefit can only be selected once per calendar year.

$250 Sustainable Aviation Fuel contribution

Contribute $250 to Delta’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) fund. We recommend avoiding this and instead donating to a charity of your choice. Delta’s SAF fund is not a nonprofit.

6,000 Starbucks stars

Another one to avoid. Basic free drinks cost 100 Stars, meaning you’d get 60 cups of coffee with this choice. At $5 per drink, you’d get $300 in value. Consider another option for more value.

Delta Diamond Medallion Choice Benefits

You can pick three Choice Benefits when you earn Diamond Medallion in addition to the Choice Benefit selected at the Platinum Medallion level. However, some Choice Benefits can only be chosen once.

More upgrade certificates

You have three options for selecting upgrade certificates at the Diamond Medallion level. You can choose from four Global Upgrade Certificates, eight Regional Upgrade Certificates, or two Global and four Regional. You can only select this benefit once.

Global Upgrade Certificates let you move from Main Cabin to Premium Select or Premium Select to Delta One. If you choose to move from Main Cabin to Premium Select, you’ll also be waitlisted for Delta One 24 hours prior to departure. Moving from Premium Select to Delta One requires available award space.

The only exception to this is two cabin flights without Premium Select. On these flights, you can move from Main Cabin to Delta One if upgrade space is available. Like Regional Upgrade Certificates, you can view availability on Delta’s website.

You can also use Global Upgrade Certificates to upgrade any domestic Delta flight without an upgrade space requirement. This can be a good option for longer domestic flights, like transcontinental flights from New York to California or flights to Hawaii.

Look at your upcoming travel plans and see which upgrades make the most sense for your future travel. Global Upgrade Certificates can easily be worth hundreds of dollars if you use them on flights to Europe or Asia.

35,000 Delta SkyMiles

Another great option. This adds 35,000 SkyMiles to your account immediately.

$2,000 MQDs toward status

Like the $1,000 MQD offered at the Platinum Medallion level, this can be a good choice if you think you’ll be short on MQD next status year.

Gift Gold Medallion status to two friends

Gold Medallion includes Comfort+ at booking, higher upgrade priority than Silver and SkyTeam Elite Plus benefits. This can be a nice gift for two friends or family members who fly Delta and don’t have status.

Delta Sky Club membership

At this level, you have two options: an Individual or Executive membership. The individual membership requires using two Choice Benefits and gives you access to Delta Sky Clubs before and after your flight and during any connections on your itinerary.

Meanwhile, the Executive membership requires three choices and allows you to bring two guests with you every time you enter the Sky Club.

This option is only worth considering if you don’t have a credit card that includes Sky Club access. You can only select this benefit once per Medallion year.

$350 Delta flight voucher

This can be a good option, but choose SkyMiles for more value.

$500 Delta Vacations credit

Again, only select this if you’re sure you’ll book a Delta Vacations package.

$700 Amex statement credit

Like the Platinum Medallion benefit, this is a solid option for offsetting your Delta card’s annual fee.

$2,000 Wheels Up flight credit

This Choice Benefit is only worthwhile if used on Wheels Up charter flights.

$250 Sustainable Aviation Fuel contribution

This is the same benefit offered at the Platinum Medallion level. We highly recommend skipping it.

6,000 Starbucks Stars

Again, avoid this option.

Bottom line

The best Choice Benefits for you largely depend on your travel patterns. If you plan to travel abroad and want an upgrade to Premium Select or Delta One, Global Upgrades are your best bet at the Diamond Medallion level. Meanwhile, you might select bonus SkyMiles or a travel voucher if you prefer cheaper airfare.

FAQs about Delta Choice Benefits

What are Delta Choice Benefits?

Delta Choice Benefits are exclusive perks available to Platinum and Diamond Medallion members in the Delta SkyMiles program. These benefits range from upgrade certificates and bonus miles to flight credits and lounge access, and they must be selected annually after qualifying for status.

When do I choose my Delta Choice Benefits?

You must select your Choice Benefits by January 31 of the following year after earning Platinum or Diamond Medallion status. For example, if you earn 2026 status in 2025, your deadline to choose benefits is January 31, 2027.

How many Choice Benefits can I select?

Platinum Medallion members can choose one Choice Benefit. Diamond Medallion members can choose three additional benefits. Some benefits can only be selected once per year.

What’s the best Platinum Medallion Choice Benefit?

The best option often depends on your travel habits. For frequent domestic flyers, the four Regional Upgrade Certificates usually provide the best value. If you’re not planning to use those, 30,000 SkyMiles or the $400 Amex statement credit are solid alternatives.

Are Global Upgrade Certificates worth it for Diamond Medallion members?

Yes, especially if you fly long-haul international routes. Global Upgrade Certificates can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by allowing you to move into Premium Select or Delta One, depending on availability and fare class.

Can I use Delta Choice Benefits for friends or family?

Yes. Platinum Medallion members can gift Silver Medallion status to two people, while Diamond Medallion members can gift Gold Medallion status. This can be a valuable perk for frequent Delta travelers in your circle.

Is the Delta Sky Club membership worth selecting?

It can be worth it if you don’t already have lounge access via a credit card. The individual Sky Club membership costs two Choice Benefits, while the Executive membership, which allows guest access, costs three.