If you look at Delta Air Lines’ elite status levels, you’ll see that the Diamond Medallion is its top tier — but it’s not the actual top of the heap.
In addition to their published top tiers like American Airlines’ AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Delta’s Diamond Medallion and United Airlines’ Premier 1K, all three major US carriers offer higher levels of status reserved specifically for their biggest spenders.
The Delta 360 is Delta’s version of an invitation-only, hyper-exclusive tier for its most loyal flyers. It compares to American Airlines’ Concierge Key and United’s global services.
Hate? Let’s dive in and see what Delta 360 is all about.
What is Delta 360 status?
According to Delta, “Delta 360° is an annual, invitation-only membership for our most loyal SkyMiles members. Delta 360° membership offers Delta’s most premium suite of benefits and services exclusive to our top SkyMiles members. For 2024, access to Delta 360° will be extended to a very small percentage of Diamond Medallion members including, but not limited to: aggregate Delta flight activity, premium product purchases (Delta One®, Delta Premium Select, First Class) and spending on Delta SkyMiles® American Express cards.”
Delta 360 status benefits
You can expect that in an invitation-only, high-level setting The Delta SkyMiles program includes all the benefits of Diamond Medallion status plus additional benefits.
Delta 360 is unique in that it offers exclusive benefits, no regular medallion status benefits included. This may seem strangely restrictive, but remember that those invited to enjoy this exclusive membership level typically spend so much with the airline annually that they have Diamond Medallion status anyway.
That said, some benefits are only available to members with Delta 360 status.
Delta Sky Club Executive Membership
A Delta Sky Club Executive Membership is a significant benefit if you frequently travel with family, friends or colleagues, or want to spontaneously invite someone to the Delta Sky Club after striking up an in-flight conversation. This membership includes unlimited lounge access for the member and two guests per visit.
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A Delta Sky Club Executive Membership normally costs $1,495 if purchased in full.
The only other way to get this membership for free is to redeem two select benefits available to Diamond Medallion members. Diamond Medallion members can only choose three Choice Benefits, so it’s a great value.
Dedicated phone line with best-in-class agents
While Delta’s published elite levels (Silver Medallion, Gold Medallion, Platinum Medallion, and Diamond Medallion) receive priority phone treatment, increasingly skilled agents are assigned to higher levels, Delta 360 members can dial a personal assistant amount. Based on feedback from current and former Delta 360 members, a dedicated VIP phone line gives them 24-hour access to the best agents available.
These agents are given additional autonomy to cut through red tape and do whatever it takes to get Delta 360 members out of jams related to irregular operations, such as weather-related delays. Members are also more likely to bend the published rules when they need to change schedules or add legs to itineraries.
Related: Don’t wait on hold: Here’s how to reach airline customer service fast
A great opportunity for a Porsche gate-to-gate airport transfer
Delta carefully monitors the travel of its Diamond Medallion members. If it detects that a member may miss an important connection, agents will work hard to place the Porsche at their arrival gate to expedite their transfer to the connecting gate. This service is primarily found at Delta’s major hubs, such as:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
- Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
However, when it comes to Delta 360 members, this supervision is taken to a whole new height. They are prioritized by Porsche when the fleet is at maximum use, and are more likely to receive a courtesy Porsche transfer even when tight coupling is unnecessary.
A fancy annual gift
Delta is known for sending a variety of high-end gifts to its Delta 360 members. In the past, these have included Louis Roederer champagne, Tiffany & Co. flutes, and Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses.
It’s not a travel perk, but who wouldn’t be happy to receive a surprise gift in the mail?
High upgrade priority on Delta flights
Delta 360 offers no significant advantage over the carrier’s highest published status (Diamond Medallion) in terms of upgrades, but members receive the same priority. That said, reports indicate that when members receive complimentary upgrades, they clear on the same day of the flight — sometimes five days out.
Of course, chances are very good that these travelers are booked in paid first class, so any upgrade benefits may not apply.
Related: Secure a Better Seat: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Upgraded on Delta Flights
How to get Delta 360 status
Although Delta 360 offers (arguably) the weakest set of benefits of the three major invite-only programs, it typically requires the most dedication and expense. Invitations are usually sent out in late January or early February.
There is no set formula for how much you should spend or fly. A melee of Delta loyalists at Flyertalk A New York City-based flyer said he had previously spent about $90,000 but still lacked a Delta 360 invitation. Another, located near Huntsville, Alabama, spent about $50,000 and is still on the outside looking in. Meanwhile, frequent flyers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) previously received an invitation with 250,000 Medallion qualification miles, 75,000 Medallion qualification dollars and zero cobranded card spend.
A North Carolina-based member living outside a Delta hub received Delta 360 status in 2024. They flew 343,000 MQM and collected 133,000 MQD in 2023 to earn their invitation.
A few added data points show that in saturated Delta markets like New York City and Atlanta, you’ll need six figures in annual spending to stay in the mix for an invite.
A separate poster explains that Delta looks at more than just overall costs, including how much control you have over corporate contracts, which could theoretically put a large sum into Delta’s coffers.
How to get Delta status with the right credit card
Delta now uses only MQD as the criteria for qualification each calendar year. Here are the requirements in 2024 to obtain 2025 Medallion status:
- Silver Medallion: SkyMiles members who have earned 5,000 MQD
- Gold Medallion: SkyMiles members who have earned 10,000 MQD
- Platinum Medallion: SkyMiles members who have earned 15,000 MQD
- Diamond medallion: SkyMiles members who have earned 28,000 MQD
To make it easier to earn elite status in 2024, Delta gave eligible frequent flyers who also hold the following cobranded cards a head start on the 2024 MQD matrix, with an increase of 2,500 MQD toward status qualification earlier in the year:
MQD head start was given per card, so if you have multiple eligible cards you should get more than one 2,500 MQD boost.
Additionally, throughout the year, you’ll earn bonus MQDs based on daily spend on these cards.
Specifically, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card will earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent. Meanwhile, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card will earn 1 MQD for every $20 spent.
There is no limit to how many MQDs you can earn from spending on cards.
Bottom line
One can expect that the dedicated individuals employed to assist Delta 360 members will also go above and beyond when flight plans are thwarted due to schedule changes, weather delays and erratic operations. On paper, you’ll see a stronger set of exclusive benefits when earning American Airlines Concierge Keys and United Global Services.
One Delta 360 member told TPG that he didn’t notice much of a difference after being upgraded from a Diamond Medallion to a Delta 360, which could be viewed one of two ways: either Delta isn’t doing enough to celebrate its Delta 360 members, or its top tier is being released. The level (Diamond Medallion) provides truly exceptional service, making the distinction between the two even more difficult.
In some ways, this is good news for other Delta Medallion elite members who feel like they’re missing out because, in reality, top-tier Diamond Medallion members often get similar customer service and a comparable overall experience flying Delta.