This Trick Will Get You Priority Boarding On Delta Air Lines

Different airlines employ different methods for boarding passengers on the plane. United Airlines, for example, uses the WILMA method, which lets passengers with window seats board ahead of everyone else. Southwest Airlines has a first-come, first-served boarding system, although there exists a sneaky trick to getting priority boarding for their flights, too. Delta Air Lines, on the other hand, implements a notably intricate system, organizing passengers into 10 distinct boarding groups. While it initially allowed travelers to purchase priority boarding, the airline has since scrapped that option. As of this writing, the only surefire way to breeze past the rest of the passengers and get those coveted overhead bin spaces in peace is by purchasing a higher-tier ticket.

Unless you're on active U.S. military duty or need additional time or assistance to board, forget about priority boarding without opening your wallet. Delta's priority boarding list starts with Delta One or first-class ticket holders, followed by the esteemed few who achieved Delta Diamond Medallion elite status (more on this later). Delta Premium Select passengers and those carrying car seats and strollers get to board next, succeeded by Delta Comfort+ passengers. This ticket level is by far the most budget-friendly tier, costing an extra $20 to $150, depending on how far you're jetting off to.

Boarding groups six through 10 are allocated to Sky Priority members, Main Cabin 1-3 passengers, and ultimately, Basic Economy ticket holders. Not keen on paying for a premium ticket but still want some boarding advantage? You can either work your way through Sky Priority, or own the right credit card.

Sky Priority is a service that practically gives you VIP treatment on Delta-operated flights. It offers more than just easy access to priority boarding; it also lets you enjoy priority check-in lanes, special baggage handling, and occasionally, priority security. Plus, if you find yourself on a waitlist for a flight, Sky Priority means you're at the front of the line. "You have a dedicated customer service line when checking in," travel expert Jen Ruiz explained to Fortune. "Your luggage gets a special tag, so it's treated as a priority and comes out first. Even if the plane is small and you have to gate check a bag, your bag comes out into the jetway first."

Delta One and Delta Premium Select ticket holders automatically get Sky Priority, but luckily, buying the priciest tickets isn't the only way to experience the Sky Priority difference. The number one secret? Staying loyal to Delta, of course. It's all about earning Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) — the more you rack up, the closer you get to clinching Sky Priority. Attaining Gold Medallion status or above guarantees Sky Priority access. The kicker, though, is the hefty financial commitment involved. Nerdwallet's analysis found that you have to cough up roughly $12,346 for Gold alone.

But it pays to be loyal to other airlines, too. Elite members within Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, LATAM Pass, West Jet Rewards, and Flying Blue programs also receive Sky Priority benefits when they fly Delta, as do travelers holding Elite Plus status within the SkyTeam network.

Now, if you don't fly often enough to clock the required MQD through travel alone, the Sky Priority experience is still within reach through spending using specific credit cards. By signing up for the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card or its Business equivalent, as well as the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card or its Business counterpart, you can earn MQDs each time you swipe. Every $20 spent on the Platinum cards earns you 1 MQD, while every $10 spent on the Reserve cards nets you the same. If you're not a big spender, fret not; owning the cards alone kickstarts your year with an automatic boost of 2,500 MQDs, so racking up the 10,000 MQDs needed for Gold becomes much more attainable.

And if you don't mind waiting just a tiny bit, the Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, and Reserve American Express cardholders get priority boarding in the Main Cabin 1 group, positioned just a step behind Sky Priority. Sure, it's technically the seventh group in the boarding sequence, but it sure beats being in the back of the line.