For travel and the moments in between: your 2026 Medallion Year starts now
Delta kicked off the 2026 Medallion Year on Feb. 1, celebrating Members who earned Status, inviting others to begin their Medallion journey and giving all Members the confidence to plan for 2027. Rooted in personalization, flexibility and everyday value, Medallion® Status elevates your travel and the moments in between.
Delta SkyMiles® Members bring loyalty to life in countless ways – from bleisure trips and long-awaited adventures to everyday moments like riding with Uber or ordering from Starbucks. As the 2026 Medallion Year kicks off, Delta is rewarding all these moments – making it easy to earn, enjoy and love being a SkyMiles Member wherever life moves you.
Plus, with app-first tools that help you stay connected to your progress towards Status, access to elevated experiences both in the air and on the ground, and thoughtful touches that recognize your loyalty throughout the year, Delta continues to invest in ways that make your loyalty tangible.
“Loyalty is about the feeling you take with you after an experience with Delta,” said Dwight James, S.V.P – Customer Engagement & Loyalty for Delta Air Lines, and CEO – Delta Vacations. “As we begin the new Medallion Year, our focus is on creating more of those moments of care and connection – no matter where you are in your Medallion journey – while continuing to invest in the program our Members love.”
What’s waiting in 2026 for SkyMiles and Medallion® Members
Whether you earned Diamond, Platinum, Gold or Silver, Delta SkyMiles recognizes and appreciates the dedication it takes to get there -- and in 2026, you’ll see that appreciation reflected with a Medallion Year full of reasons to love your Status. If you’re just getting started on your Medallion journey, this year also brings plenty of ways to start earning toward Status while enjoying SkyMiles benefits along the way. Visit delta.com/medallion to explore the full suite of benefits and opportunities, and below are just a few highlights Members can enjoy this Medallion Year.
But first, current Medallion Members: don’t forget to visit www.deltamedalliontags.com and log in with your SkyMiles account to personalize your metal bag tag (a Member favorite!).
ICYMI: Did you know about these additional SkyMiles and Medallion Member perks you can take advantage of?
1. Car partner elite benefits: As a Medallion Member or an eligible Delta SkyMiles® American Express Card Member, you're eligible to enjoy elite status in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® program. Medallion Members also earn more miles when renting with Hertz. Eligible elite status includes:
- Diamond Medallion Members will receive Hertz President's Circle® status
- Platinum Medallion Members will receive Hertz President's Circle status
- Gold Medallion Members will receive Hertz Five Star® status
- Silver Medallion Members will receive Hertz Five Star status
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business American Express Card Members can receive complimentary Hertz President's Circle status*
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Platinum Business American Express Card Members can receive complimentary Hertz Five Star status*
* Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program is required. To receive the benefit, the Basic Card Member must add their Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Account number to their SkyMiles Account associated with their Eligible Card and “Enroll in Promotion” at https://marketingcontent.aexp.com/block/30249/delta.com/hertz.
2. Free Wi-Fi and exclusive offers: SkyMiles Members enjoy fast, free Delta Sync Wi-Fi presented by T-Mobile on more than 1,100 aircraft and access to exclusive partner experiences from brands Members love like YouTube, Paramount+, Crunchyroll and more.
Coming soon: an easier way to shop with Upgrade Certificates
Building on last year’s introduction of Upgrade Certificate redemption through the app, Delta is continuing to enhance how Members shop and plan with their benefits.
This year, Delta plans to provide Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members with greater visibility into Upgrade Certificate availability right in the Delta app. This update reflects Delta’s continued focus on making the app the primary home for simple, seamless trip planning. More details will be shared soon.
Did you know? Global and Regional Upgrades Certificates are among the more than 10 exclusive Choice Benefits available to Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members. These Members will see updated benefits with the new Medallion Year, including enhancements to Gifting Status, Bonus Miles and Delta Travel Vouchers. Plus, Delta’s Beyond Diamond benefits are back, making Diamond Medallion Members eligible to earn up to three additional Choice Benefits. Learn more.
New to SkyMiles? Make 2026 the year you fly, earn and redeem
It’s never too early to get more from your SkyMiles Membership. For those just starting out, Delta makes loyalty both aspirational and achievable. After joining SkyMiles for free, here are three ways you can kick start your Member journey this year:
- Discover more ways to earn miles the way that works best for you: Whether it’s flying with Delta or our 20+ partner airlines, dining out with SkyMiles Dining, shopping sprees with SkyMiles Shopping, enjoying products for all your travel needs like cars, hotels and Delta Vacations and even more with the brands you love, your next trip is closer than you think.
- Earn more miles with a Delta SkyMiles® American Express Card: With a Delta SkyMiles American Express Card, you can earn miles on every eligible purchase on the Card. With miles, you can go see the people and places you love. Each Card has everyday benefits you can enjoy.
- Start redeeming miles in ways that fit your travel style: Whether you’re building your balance or ready to put your miles to work, there are plenty of ways to redeem – from checked bags and seat upgrades to some of the industry’s steepest Award Travel deals.
Wherever the 2026 Medallion Year takes you, your SkyMiles Membership is moving with you.
Delta SkyMiles: Membership that Moves with You
© 2026 Delta Air Lines, Inc.
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