OMAAT offers a referral bonus to anyone who has been approved by using the links below. This is in the interests of full disclosure. These are the best public offers we found (terms apply). These opinions are solely the author's and not the views of any bank, credit card issuer or airline. They have not been approved or endorsed by any entity. For more information about our partners, please see our advertiser policy. Thank you for your support!Many airlines offer a challenge or status match, which allows someone who is loyal with one program to switch to another without the need to start over.These offers may only be available once in a while, so make sure you carefully choose your offer. You will also find that the terms vary from program to program. Some programs offer a match with no strings attached while others require that you fly a certain number of hours per month to keep your status.This is the best time to request a status match if you are interested in earning Delta SkyMiles status and have planned travel. This is due to July being an ideal month to challenge yourself for status, and the increased opportunities to earn status in the current year.Delta status challengesDelta SkyMiles does not offer a direct status match but it does offer a status challenge. These challenges will give you a status for a period up to 90 days. After that, you can requalify for the status based upon your activity during that period.Delta 757-200Who can challenge the Delta status?Delta offers status challenges for Silver, Gold and Platinum Medallion status. Delta does not offer status challenges for Diamond Medallion status, although we have seen targeted promotions in the past.Depending on your status in another program, here are the challenges you might be eligible for:Status challenges with Delta are not available once in a life time, but you won't be eligible if youre requesting one within the last three years.What is the minimum amount of money you need to fly to requalify for your flight?Delta will grant you the status for 90 days. However, you must earn the following within the 90-day period to retain the status:Silver: 6,250 MQMs, 8 MQSs and 750 MQDs. MQD waiver available.Gold: 12,500 MQMs, 15 MQSs OR 1,500 MQDs (or MQD waiver).Platinum: 18,750 MQMs, 25 MQSs and 2,250 MQDs. MQD waiver or MQM waiverDelta SkyMiles made it easier for you to attain Medallion status in 2021 in light of all the happenings. This also means that you can get a status challenge quicker than ever before. Delta SkyMiles' current promotion:SkyMiles members will receive a minimum of 50% higher MQMs and MQSs for all flights (even award flight flights are eligible towards status).SkyMiles members receive 75% more MQMs and MQSs when they purchase a premium fare product. This is 25% more than what economy passengers get.The 75% bonus is applicable to all service bonuses. In other words, if your first-class fare includes 150% MQMs and you book it at a discount, you would earn 262.5% MQMsThe accelerated earning rate is also applicable towards a status challenge but only when you travel with Delta and not partner airlines. To put it another way, the Platinum status challenge requires 18,750 and 2,250 MQMs. If you book a first-class ticket at a discount, you can earn this with only 7.140 miles flying. You would also earn MQMs at 262.5% of the distance traveled and $1,286 pre-tax spending.Delta A330-900neo Business ClassIt is now the right time to take on a status challengeYou can start a challenge on July 1st or later, and it will be valid through January the following year.This means that status will be valid until January 2023 if you have completed the challenge successfully. If you completed a status challenge during June, your status would only have been valid until January 2022.If you start a challenge now you would get the status for 19 month.First class Delta A220-100Be aware of the status challenge termsYou should be familiar with the following terms that are associated with Deltas status challenges:This requirement is not met by MQMs you earn through credit cards. However, miles earned on Delta or its partners are eligible.Members who have been matched to Platinum Medallion status will not be eligible to choose benefits until they meet the flight requirement to keep Platinum Medallion Status.This offer allows you to maintain the same or lower Medallion status as your matched status. In other words, if a Platinum challenge is completed and you maintain Silver status, you would be able to keep Silver status.After you have completed the challenge, you won't receive a physical elite card.Delta credit cards allow you to earn Delta statusAlthough a status challenge can be a great way to earn Delta status it might not be as easy as you think.American Express and Delta offer a co-brand portfolio of credit cards. These credit cards can be very helpful in achieving status. To earn status, you could use a status contest. You can then use credit cards in the future to maintain your status.Let's look at some ways you can earn Delta status by using your credit card. Please note:Spending with Delta Platinum Amex MQMsFor ongoing spending, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card are both available:Spend $25,000 to earn 10,000 bonus MQMs (in 2021, 12,500 bonus MQMs).Spend $50,000 to earn an additional 10,000 bonus MQMs (in 2021, 12,500 bonus MQMs).Spend $50,000 on any of these cards and you'd get 20,000 bonus MQMs. (25,000 bonus MQMs by 2021).Spending with Delta Reserve Amex MQMsFor ongoing spending, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card are available.Spend $30,000 to earn 15,000 bonus MQMs (18,750 bonus MQMs for 2021).Spend $60,000 to earn an additional 15,000 bonus MQMs (eight,750 bonus MQMs for 2021).Spend $90,000. Earn additional 15,000 bonus MQMs (eight,750 bonus MQMs for 2021).Spend $120,000 to earn 15,000 additional bonus MQMs (18,750 bonus MQMs for 2021).Spend $120,000 on any of these cards to earn 60,000 bonus MQMs (75k bonus MQMs for 2021).Delta A350-900 Business ClassBottom lineThis is the perfect time to begin a status challenge if you want to achieve Delta status. You'd be able to get 19 months of status if the challenge is completed. This year, Delta flights are 50-75% quicker than usual to qualify for status, and the higher earnings rates count towards a status challenge.Requalifying for Delta status should not be difficult in the future, especially if you have a credit card.Are you interested in a Delta status challenge so that you can maintain your status for 19 months?
