There is a new targeted promotion for Delta Extra fares that offers up to 20% more MQDs for purchasing the add-on, but will this change your behavior?

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Delta Extra fares get an MQD bonus

Through the end of the year, Delta customers can earn an extra 10% or 20% towards their MQD balance for the following travel:

• Flights purchased between September 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025
• Flights departing between October 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025

If you received the offer in email, you could follow the link to log into your account to register. Alternatively, log into your account and proceed to your Promotions tab, where you can find the offer if you are targeted. Not everyone will see the offer in their account, but if it’s in your account, you might as well register just in case.

What are Delta Extra fares?

You might recall that Delta is introducing a new add-on to its fares that they’ve called Delta Extra. This add-on starts on October 1, 2025. Inclusions for this add-on include the following:

• Fully refundable fare basis
• Board in Zone 5
• Earn an extra 2 miles/dollar (a total of 7 base miles/dollar)
• Higher upgrade priority

Along with the roll out of Delta Extra fares is the new upgrade priority order for Delta Medallions:

1. Medallion status
2. Cabin purchased
3. Million Miler status
4. **NEW** Travel Experience tier (Extra will have priority over Classic)
5. Delta Reserve cardholders
6. Delta Corporate Travelers
7. MQDs earned in the current year
8. Date and time of upgrade request

It’s surprising they’re trying to make these fares more attractive already

Perhaps Delta is specifically targeting those who might be tempted to purchase them, but I find it most intriguing that they’re incentivizing the fares right at the start time. Could it be that not many people are purchasing the fare type leading to a need to incentivize? The alternative hypothesis could be that they planned for this promotion all along, but I would have thought the timing would be closer to the announcement of the fares back in May.

It can’t be a coincidence that the fares start October 1 and this promotion starts that same day. I’m assuming that means customers aren’t buying them and this promotion is needed to juice the numbers for it.

As it stands, Delta Extra fares don’t add all that much for the average customer flying Delta if they’re not looking for a fully refundable fare.

• Those without elite status and without their credit cards can get Zone 5 boarding and 2 extra miles per dollar.
• Those with their credit card and without elite status just get 2 extra miles per dollar.
• And those with elite status get 2 extra miles per dollar and higher upgrade priority.

How much does that upgrade priority change? Not much. If you’re a Silver or Gold Medallion, you’re probably not getting upgraded anyways regardless of purchasing this add-on. If you’re a Platinum or Diamond Medallion, then it might help, but Million Miler status still matters more. It’s probably not worth your money to pay to upgrade when there isn’t a promise of getting much in return. Elite members know more than anyone else just how devalued their currency is that 2 miles won’t change the calculus.

But does this promotion actually change anything?

That’s the real question to ask: does having an extra 10% or 20% MQD bonus change anything for members purchasing Delta Extra fares? MQD serves no purpose for anyone uninterested in Delta elite status.

But for those with elite status, should it change your decision making process? I’d posit that if you’re close to qualifying for the next tier and purchasing Delta Extra fares would help you cross that threshold, then it can be worthwhile. If you’re still far from the next elite level, this bonus isn’t going to help you.

But before purchasing, you’d want to determine this is the best option available to you to earn your missing MQDs:

• Could you open a Delta credit card ($2,500 MQDs per card, up to $10,000 MQD)? Note that it takes about two months for the MQD to appear on your account after opening in my experience.
• Could you spend more on a Delta credit card ($10 = $1 MQD on Reserve cards, $20 = $1 MQD on Platinum cards)?
• Does mattress running make sense when Delta allows for MQDs on hotels and car rentals?

It’s fine to pursue elite status, but it’s best to make sure your cost in doing so isn’t egregiously high.

For us, I can safely say that I will register for the promotion, but don’t intend to change my behavior after signing up. If I happen to buy Delta Extra fares, I’ll get a sweetener on top, but I am not going into this assuming I will buy one.

Suggested reading:

• Delta 12Status Again Available for Washington Residents
• Delta AI Drama: Is It Still Happening?
• Will Delta Bring Back Upgrades for Elites?