What is Delta Sky Priority — and how do you get it?

19.02.2024 - 21:05 / thepointsguy.com / Delta

Life's most important commodity is time. Delta Air Lines' Sky Priority is designed to give you more of it.

Delta Sky Priority is a service that's only available on Delta-operated flights. It eliminates common bottlenecks associated with air travel (think check-in, airport security, baggage claim, etc.). If you manage to qualify for Sky Priority, you can practically walk into the airport and onto your plane.

Delta Sky Priority can't be purchased outright, but there are two ways to qualify for it. Notably, holding the right combination of rewards credit cards can score you automatic Sky Priority for every single Delta flight.

Here's what you need to know about this helpful service.

Delta Sky Priority upgrades your travel experience in four ways:

Some of these benefits don't seem like a big deal — being the first to grab your stuff at baggage claim might save 20 minutes tops — but it's a noticeable touch. The expedited security and check-in lane, in particular, could save you an incredible amount of time. This is especially beneficial if you're someone who doesn't like to arrive at the airport super early.

Delta Sky Priority is for a select few. There are only two ways to get it: one is expensive, and the other is a bit difficult to achieve. And while its prohibitive nature is a bummer for most, it ensures that those who do qualify for it will get top-notch treatment.

Believe it or not, it's possible to secure Delta Sky Priority for no money. But there's still a price: Your undying loyalty to Delta. Those with Delta Gold Medallion status or higher will automatically receive Sky Priority when booking a Delta flight.

To earn Gold Medallion status, you must earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Dollars in a calendar year. There are two ways to earn MQDs in a hurry.

The first is by flying. You'll earn 1 MQD per dollar you spend on the ticket price for a flight operated by Delta or one of its partners. The second (and objectively better) method to earning MDQs is by using Delta cobranded cards. The recent Delta card changes have made it a lot easier to earn elite status. Both the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card earn 1 MQD for every $20 spent on purchases. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent on purchases.

Even better, all four of the above cards now offer 2,500 MQDs at the beginning of each year — just for being a cardmember. If you were to hold all four of the above cards, you'd receive 10,000 MQDs each year, automatically qualifying you for Gold status. Amex lets you hold up to five cards, including a mix of personal and business.