When Delta Air Lines announced the overhaul (and significant downgrade) of the SkyMiles program in 2023, this was more of a side note: Starting in 2024, it would be possible to earn status points through hotel bookings. Shortly after, Delta slightly lowered the status thresholds. However, at the same time, they removed the option to earn a frequent flyer status through hotel bookings.
Now, as part of a limited-time offer, it is once again possible. If you book a hotel through Delta TravelExtras with a stay until September 13, 2026, you will receive one MQD (Medallion Qualifying Dollar = status point) for every USD on hotels. The same applies to car rental bookings.
In addition to the MQD, you earn two award miles per dollar spent.
In theory, one could e.g. book hotels for the price of US$10,000 (~€8,595) (excluding taxes) and achieve SkyMiles Gold status. However, it’s unlikely that anyone will do this. But if you’re expecting to be short of a few MQDs by the end of the year to reach the next status level, you can at least top up your balance this way.
Editor’s Note: I’ve been a loyal Delta Platinum member for many years, but last year I decided to switch to Flying Blue because Delta’s new system simply makes it too hard to earn a status. If, however, you’ve decided to stick around, you might as well make your life a bit easier by earning quite a few MQD through hotel bookings. It’s far easier than doing it by flying. Crazy world we live in.
Conditions
Below is an overview of the most important restrictions:
- Booking period: Until February 16, 2026
- Travel period: Until September 13, 2026
- This applies to hotel & car rental bookings through travelextras-delta.com
- The name of the hotel guest must match the name on the SkyMiles account
- Miles and status points are only awarded on the base room price, excluding taxes, fees, resort fees, etc.
- No miles or status points will be awarded if the reservation is not honoured
- Credit may take up to 8 weeks after the stay
- In addition to status miles (MQD), you will also earn 2 award miles per USD of the booking value.
You can find the full terms & conditions of the promotion here.
Price Check
Delta’s booking portal is powered by Expedia. Naturally, we wondered whether bookings made through this portal are more expensive than on other booking platforms.
It appears that the hotels cost exactly the same as on the American site Expedia.com. Of course, this site primarily caters to the American market, and prices may differ from e.g. Expedia.co.uk — both upwards and downwards. Additionally, you cannot collect stamps on Hotels.com, so the comparison is somewhat skewed.
Overall, it’s always worth checking twice if it’s worth booking through Delta. For instance the Continent Hotel Sukhumvit – Asok BTS Bangkok costs US$121 (~€104) per night via Delta, which is even cheaper than what the hotel charges. Trip.com, however, has that hotel for only €91 per night. Thus, paying a 35% surcharge to get those MQD is probably not the best choice, unless you desperately need them.
If, however, we now look at a different hotel in the city – the Salil Hotel Riverside – we have the hotel charging €117 per night, and Delta charging US$139 (~€119). In this case, the price is roughly the same. Definitely worth booking through Delta and getting those MQD.
Past Promotions
This marks the fifth time within 12 months that Delta has offered a promotion like this:
| Promotion Period | Travel Period | Value |
|---|---|---|
| January 5 until February 16, 2026 | January until September 2026 | 1 MQD per $1 |
| August 29 until October 24, 2025 | September until October 2025 | 1 MQD per $1 |
| May 19 until July 14, 2025 | May until September 2025 | 1 MQD per $1 |
| February 4 until March 31, 2025 | February until April 2025 | 1 MQD per $1 |
| August 19 until September 30, 2024 | August until October 2024 | 1 MQD per $1 |
Cover Picture: Ditmar Lange