Delta Card Hertz MQDs Through 2026
Delta Amex cardholders can earn Medallion Qualifying Dollars on Hertz rentals booked via Delta's site through Sept. 20, 2026, for travel by Dec. 15, 2026.
Delta SkyMiles American Express cardholders have a limited-time path to earn Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) through Hertz car rentals. According to the report from LoyaltyLobby, eligible cardholders can earn $1 MQD for every $1 spent on the base rental rate if booked through Delta's carsandstays.delta.com portal between August 24 and September 20, 2026, for rentals completed by December 15, 2026.
This promotion is specifically for Delta's cobranded American Express cardholders. The terms state that only the base car rental rate qualifies for MQD earnings. Taxes, fees, and any bookings paid with miles or discount codes are excluded. If miles are used for any portion of the payment, the entire booking becomes ineligible for MQDs.
Earning Rates and Status Benefits
In addition to MQDs, SkyMiles members earn bonus miles on Hertz rentals booked through Delta. The mileage earning rate varies significantly based on the member's Medallion status tier.
| Medallion Status | Miles Earned per Qualifying Dollar |
|---|---|
| General Member | 4 miles |
| Silver | 5 miles |
| Gold | 6 miles |
| Platinum | 7 miles |
| Diamond | 8 miles |
Cardholders also receive complimentary elite status with Hertz. Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Platinum Business Amex cardholders get Hertz Five Star Status. Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business Amex cardholders receive Hertz President's Circle Status. Enrollment in the Hertz Gold+ Rewards program is required, and members must link their accounts and enroll in the promotion at delta.com/hertz.
Important Terms and Exclusions
The offer has several critical restrictions. It only applies to Hertz brand car rentals booked on the specified Delta portal. The report clarifies that the offer does not include stays booked with Delta Stays, non-Hertz car rentals, Delta Vacations packages, or Delta Cruises.
Furthermore, numerous rental rate types are excluded from earning MQDs or miles. These include travel industry rates, wholesale or tour package rates, insurance replacement rates, corporate and government rates, group travel discounts, and rentals tied to frequent flyer car awards.
Miles and MQDs will only be credited if the name on the booking matches the SkyMiles account. The SkyMiles number must be provided at the time of booking. Credits may take up to eight weeks to appear in accounts after rental completion, and requests for missing credit are accepted for up to nine months after the rental return date.
A Note on Pricing and Channels
The source report includes a caution for members considering this offer. It notes that Delta uses an Expedia white-label solution for its car and hotel bookings. The report states that prices on this portal "may not be competitive" and warns that members could end up "paying significantly more to get some MQDs" compared to booking through other channels. This is a consideration for those weighing the value of the MQD earnings against the potential for higher rental costs.
The promotional reference code for this offer is 267008.
