Summary
- Book hotel stays and car rentals before June 24th for travel by September 8th to earn elite status with Delta.
- Delta SkyMiles members can accrue Medallion Qualifying Dollars and bonus miles with hotel, car, and vacation rental bookings.
- Maximize points with partner Hertz for up to 8 miles per $1 spent on car rentals; different earning rates apply for other rental companies.
SkyTeam Alliance carrier Delta Air Lines has brought back a promotion allowing frequent flyers to earn elite status through hotel stays and car rentals. The limited-time promotion allows SkyMiles members to earn both air miles and Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs), which are needed to advance to the next tier.
How does it work?
To earn the bonus points, Delta SkyMiles members must book a hotel or car stay before June 24th for travel by September 8th. The promotion runs alongside the existing Delta Vacations offer, which provides MQDs and up to 10,000 bonus miles for packages booked through the website.

Related
How To Earn MQDs On Delta Air Lines Without Flying
There are several ways to accrue Medallion Qualifying Dollars without stepping foot on an aircraft.
SkyMiles Members will earn $1 Medallion Qualification Dollar and 2 miles per $1 spent when they book hotels, vacation rentals, and car rentals with Delta through the designated portal. The rewards are calculated on the base cost of the hotel room, and points are not earned on taxes and fees, gratuities, room service, and other incidental charges.
The promotion provides an additional opportunity for travelers to acquire elite airline status without leaving the ground. Hotel and car bookings can be made without an associated flight, which allows members to earn for domestic and local trips. As a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, earning Delta Medallion Status comes with SkyTeam Elite Status. Perks of earning status with the airline include access to priority check-in, a checked baggage allowance, and airport lounge access.
Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock
According to the airline, it may take up to 8 weeks after the completion of your stay for the MQDs and miles to post to each member’s SkyMiles account.
How to earn with rental cars
SkyMiles Members can earn $1 MQD and up to 8 miles per $1 spent on car rentals booked through Delta, depending on the provider. The most lucrative partnership for travelers is with Hertz, which earns a minimum of 4 miles per qualifying dollar. The earning rates are outlined below, based on the rental car company:
Hertz Reservations:
- General SkyMiles Members earn 4 miles per Qualifying Dollar
- Silver Medallions earn 5 miles per Qualifying Dollar
- Gold Medallions earn 6 miles per Qualifying Dollar
- Platinum Medallions earn 7 miles per Qualifying Dollar
- Diamond Medallions earn 8 miles per Qualifying Dollar
Dollar and Thrifty Reservations:
- All SkyMiles Members earn 4 miles per Qualifying Dollar.
Alamo, Enterprise, National, Avis, Budget, and Payless Reservations:
- All SkyMiles Members earn 2 miles per Qualifying Dollar.

Related
How To Earn Delta SkyMiles Without Flying
Delta SkyMiles loyalty program offers various ways to earn miles, allowing users to use them for travel or redeem them for rewards.
Overall, it can be a quick opportunity to earn points towards Delta Medallion Status without flying. It would still take quite a while to reach even the lowest tier if used exclusively, but it can be a great way to boost one’s SkyMiles qualifying dollars balance to reach the next level. The MQD requirements for each tier are as follows:
- Silver Medallion: 5,000 MQDs
- Gold Medallion: 10,000 MQDs
- Platinum Medallion: 15,000 MQDs
- Diamond Medallion: 28,000 MQDs
Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock
Earning the bonus miles is restricted. Miles and MQDs will only be credited to the SkyMiles Member if the name on the booking matches the name of the SkyMiles account provided. They. They will not be awarded for canceled, no-show, or unpaid reservations. Additionally, the promotion does not apply to car rentals booked at corporate, group, or government rates.