The Silver Medallion card gives you a path to Delta elite status without flying
The Delta SkyMiles American Express Silver Medallion Card is a co-branded credit card that grants you Silver Medallion status with Delta Air Lines. You do not earn this status through flight miles or flight segments—you get it by holding the card. This matters because Silver Medallion unlocks perks like priority boarding, checked baggage allowances, and seat upgrades that would otherwise require you to fly a certain number of miles or segments each year.
The card itself carries an annual fee, and you will earn miles on purchases you make with it. The status lasts as long as you hold the card and pay the annual fee. If you cancel the card, your Silver Medallion status ends.
Key Takeaways
- Holding the card automatically grants you Silver Medallion elite status, which includes priority boarding, one free checked bag, and seat upgrade certificates.
- You earn Delta miles on every purchase, with bonus categories for dining, gas, and other spending, plus a one-time mile bonus after you open the account.
- The annual fee is a fixed cost you pay each year to keep both the card and the status it provides.
- Silver Medallion status does not roll over to airline partners or give you access to Delta Sky Club lounges—those require higher elite tiers.
- The card is worth comparing to other Delta cards and to earning status through actual flights, depending on how often you fly and how much you value the perks.
What Silver Medallion status includes
Silver Medallion gives you several concrete benefits on Delta flights. You board in a priority group ahead of general passengers, which means you can stow your carry-on bag without hunting for overhead bin space. You get one free checked bag on every Delta flight, and your first checked bag is checked for free (a second checked bag costs the standard fee). You receive a certain number of Medallion Upgrade Certificates each year, which you can use to upgrade from economy to first or business class on specific flights.
You also get priority customer service phone lines, a dedicated customer service number printed on your card, and a small discount on Delta purchases like seat selections and baggage fees. Companion tickets and other premium perks are reserved for higher elite tiers like Gold and Platinum Medallion.
These benefits explore only to Delta flights. If you fly on a partner airline like Virgin Atlantic or Air France, you will not automatically receive Silver Medallion perks on those carriers, though some reciprocal benefits may explore depending on the partnership.
How you earn miles with the card
Every purchase you make with the card earns you Delta miles. The earning rate varies by category: you earn a higher rate on Delta purchases, dining, gas stations, and some other categories, and a lower base rate on everything else. When you first open the account, you receive a one-time bonus of miles after you meet a minimum spending threshold within a set timeframe.
These miles can be used to book Delta flights, upgrade existing reservations, or transfer to Delta partners in some cases. Miles do not expire as long as you have some account activity with Delta at least once every 24 months—this can be a flight, a credit card purchase, or even a mile transfer.
The card also earns you Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) on certain purchases, which count toward status thresholds if you were trying to earn elite status through flying. However, since you already have Silver Medallion through the card, these MQMs are a bonus rather than a requirement.
Annual fee and whether the card pays for itself
The card charges an annual fee, which you pay once per year to keep the card active and maintain your Silver Medallion status. This is a fixed cost—it does not change based on how much you spend or how many flights you take.
Whether the card "pays for itself" depends on what you value. If you fly Delta regularly and would otherwise pay for checked bags or priority boarding, the card can offset its cost quickly. If you rarely fly or fly other airlines most of the time, the annual fee may not be worth it. Some cardholders factor in the miles they earn on everyday spending—if you put a lot of purchases on the card, the miles accumulate and can reduce the cost of future flights.
Delta occasionally offers limited-time promotions on this card, such as a waived first-year fee or a higher sign-up bonus. These promotions change, so check the current offer before you open an account.
How the card compares to other Delta credit cards
Delta offers several co-branded American Express cards at different tiers. The Gold Medallion card carries a higher annual fee but includes additional perks like a higher mile earning rate, more upgrade certificates, and a $100 annual incidental credit. The Platinum Medallion card is the premium option, with the highest annual fee and the most generous benefits, including Sky Club lounge access and companion ticket certificates.
There is also a Delta SkyMiles card without Medallion status, which has no annual fee but does not grant you elite status. This card is for people who want to earn miles without paying for status.
The choice between these cards depends on your flying frequency, how much you value elite perks, and your total spending. A frequent Delta flyer might find the Gold or Platinum card worth the higher fee. A casual flyer might prefer the no-fee SkyMiles card or the Silver Medallion card if they want status without committing to higher spending.
What Silver Medallion does not include
Silver Medallion status does not give you access to Delta Sky Club lounges. You would need Gold Medallion or higher for that benefit. The status also does not include a companion ticket certificate, which is a benefit at higher tiers that lets you bring someone on a flight for a reduced price.
Your status does not extend to airline partners automatically. If you fly on Virgin Atlantic or another partner airline, you will not receive Silver Medallion perks unless that airline has a separate reciprocal agreement with Delta.
The card does not waive foreign transaction fees, so if you use it for purchases outside the United States, you will pay a fee on those transactions. It also does not include travel insurance, purchase protection, or other benefits that some premium travel cards offer.
How to use the card and keep your status active
Once your account is open and approved, you will receive the physical card in the mail. You can use it when ready for purchases and start earning miles. Your Silver Medallion status becomes active on the same day your account opens, so you can use it on flights you book right away.
To keep your status active, you need to keep the card open and pay the annual fee each year. You do not have to use the card for any minimum amount of spending—the status is tied to the card itself, not to how much you charge. However, if you close the card or let it become inactive, your Silver Medallion status ends when ready.
If you want to downgrade to a no-fee Delta card instead of closing the account entirely, you can do that with American Express. Your Medallion status will end, but you will keep your account history and miles balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to fly Delta to get value from this card?
No. You earn miles on every purchase you make with the card, regardless of whether you fly. If you use the card for groceries, gas, and dining, you accumulate miles that you can eventually use for Delta flights. The Silver Medallion status is a bonus on top of the miles you earn.
Can I use my Silver Medallion status on flights I book with miles?
Yes. Your elite status perks—priority boarding, checked bag, upgrade certificates—work on any Delta flight you book, whether you pay with cash, miles, or a combination of both.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your Delta account. You will lose the Silver Medallion status, but your miles balance does not disappear. You can use those miles to book flights anytime, or you can keep earning miles if you open a different Delta card later.
Is there a way to get Silver Medallion status without a credit card?
Yes. You can earn Silver Medallion status by flying a certain number of miles or segments with Delta in a calendar year. The credit card is one path to status, but flying is another. The card is useful if you do not fly enough to reach that threshold on your own.
Does the card come with travel insurance or other protections?
The card includes some standard American Express protections, such as purchase protection and fraud liability limits. It does not include trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay insurance, or emergency medical coverage. Check the full terms and conditions for a complete list of what is covered.