If you regularly fly with Delta Airlines, you should consider being a part of their loyalty program, Skymiles. Delta Skymiles, offers Medallion elite status where you’ll enjoy upgrades, waived change fees, a VIP customer service line and much more. Check out our in-depth analysis of Medallion elite status and learn how the tiers go above and beyond!
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One of the best parts about elite status is the ability to choose your own perks. In this guide, we’ll go over Delta’s Choice Benefits, lay out your options and discuss which ones will get you the most value.
Choice Benefits Overview
Delta’s award their most loyal flyers – Platinum and Diamond Medallion members – with the ability to pick their own exclusive Choice Benefits. The program allows you to customize your perks each Medallion Year by what matters most to you.
Platinum members get one Choice Benefit per Medallion Year, while Diamond members receive three Choice Benefits per Medallion Year. Diamond Medallions also get more options to choose from:
| Benefits | Platinum | Diamond |
| Upgrade Certificates | 4 Regional | 4 Global or 8 Regional or 2 Global + 4 Regional |
| Bonus Miles | 20,000 | 25,000 |
| Travel Voucher or Retail Gift Card | 1 | 1 |
| Gift Medallion Status | Silver | Gold |
| Sky Club Membership/Access | N/A | Individual Membership or Executive Membership or Guest Pass |
If you make it to Diamond Medallion, you’ll pass Platinum Medallion along the way. So Diamond members effectively receive a total of four Choice Benefits.
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Choice Benefits in Detail
Platinum Medallions can choose Regional Upgrade Certificates (RUCs), while Diamond Medallions have the added options of Global Upgrade Certificates (GUCs) and a mix of both regional and global.
Regional Upgrade Certificates can be used on paid published Main Cabin and Delta Comfort+ fares (except Basic Economy) on the same routes as Medallion Complimentary Upgrades, including all flights in First Class and Delta One.
Global Upgrade Certificates are like RUCs, but obviously apply to international flights. One noteworthy GUC feature is that you can use them on partner flights operated by Aeromexico, Air France (only to Premium Economy), KLM, Korean Air and Virgin Atlantic.
Platinum Medallions have the option of 20,000 bonus SkyMiles, while Diamond Medallions can choose to receive 25,000 bonus miles.
SkyMile are valued at $0.012. That means the Platinum option has a value of approximately $240, while the Diamond benefit is worth about $300. But if you take the time to maximize your SkyMiles, you could squeeze a lot more value out of this Choice Benefit. Read our upcoming article The Best Ways To Redeem Delta Air Lines SkyMiles For Award Flights, for more information on how to do that.
Both Platinum and Diamond Medallions can choose either a $200 travel voucher or a $200 Tiffany & Co. gift card.
Platinum Medallions can choose to gift Silver Medallion status while Diamond Medallions are able to gift Gold Medallion status.
On the other hand, Gold status holds a fairly high value. So it’s a solid option for a close friend or family member who doesn’t fly often with you.
For a Choice Benefit, Diamond Medallions can select the Sky Club Individual Membership which lets you access Delta lounges for free. That is, only if you’re flying with Delta on the same day. Note: With this membership, you can bring up to two guests per visit at $39 each.
Diamond members can also opt for the Sky Club Executive Membership which allows you to bring up to two travel companions with you to a Sky Club lounge for free. Delta will charge you two Choice Benefits for this perk.
Diamond Medallions who have an eligible credit card (The Platinum Card from American Express, Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, or Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card) already have complimentary Delta Sky Club access. Instead, you have the option to select a Delta Sky Club Guest Pass for unlimited lounge access. This perk allows up to two travel companions per visit, for free.
Click here for complete information on Membership & Access.
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When You Should Select Your Choice Benefit
All Choice Benefits must be selected by the time your Platinum or Diamond status expires. This happened at the end of January, two years after you earned status. For example, if you earned Platinum Medallion in 2020 for the 2021 Medallion Year, then you have Platinum status until January 31, 2022.
If you don’t select all your Choice Benefits by the time your status expires, you’ll lose them. No matter which option(s) you choose, you’ll want to strategize when you select your benefit(s).
| Choose ASAP These benefits are only valid until your Medallion Year is complete. |
Gift Medallion Status Sky Club Individual Membership Sky Club Executive Membership Sky Club Guest Pass |
| Wait to Choose These benefits expire a year from the time they’re selected. |
Upgrade Certificates Travel Voucher |
| Choose Anytime These benefits do not have any time constraints. |
Bonus Miles Retail Gift Card |
Bottom Line
Not only do you get rewarded more perks in the higher-tier Medallions, you get to choose your own perks! As you can see from thispost, Choice Benefits are not all worth the same. These benefits vary in cash value but it will ultimately come down to what you personally value more. Choose what you enjoy and remember to choose your time wisely.
While you’re here on HMB, you can check out out our Best Travel Credit cards! Plus learn how earn even more bonus points and miles that you can use towards your future travels!
