Delta SkyMiles get teased a lot. You’ll hear the nickname “SkyPesos” often. Delta uses dynamic pricing, which means there’s no fixed award chart to rely on.
But here’s the part people leave out: SkyMiles can be incredibly valuable if you’re flexible and a little strategic. Delta often have flash sales, off-peak awards and partner flights across the SkyTeam can unlock strong redemption value. When you catch the right opportunity, the return can be far better than the nickname suggests.
In this guide, we’ll walk through 15 practical ways to earn a lot of Delta SkyMiles. I have also included a few extra ways to earn points. You will find a calculator to see how many miles you will earn by flying.
Looking for more Delta-specific strategies, guides, and updates? Check out our complete Delta Article for everything from earning to redemption tactics.
Earn Delta SkyMiles When You Fly
When you buy a ticket with Delta Air Lines, your earning is driven by dollars spent, not miles flown. A short flight on an expensive last-minute fare can earn more miles than a long cheap flight across the country. You earn Redeemable Miles (RDMs) for award travel and Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) for elite status. Both are calculated from eligible ticket spend.
Eligible spend includes the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges (YQ/YR). Government taxes and airport fees do not earn miles or MQDs.
Redeemable Miles (RDMs)
RDMs are the miles you use to book award flights. The number of miles you earn depends on your Medallion status at the time of travel.
Formula:
Eligible ticket spend × status multiplier = Redeemable miles earned
Delta SkyMiles Earning Rates Calculator
Delta Earning Calculator
| Medallion Status | Miles Earned per $1 |
|---|---|
| General Member | 5x |
| Silver Medallion | 7x |
| Gold Medallion | 8x |
| Platinum Medallion | 9x |
| Diamond Medallion | 11x |
Example:
Base fare: $500, Carrier surcharge: $100, Taxes: $60. So your Eligible spend is $600 (fare+surcharge).
If you are Gold Medallion (8x), you get 600 × 8 = 4,800 SkyMiles
Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs)
MQDs determine elite status qualification. They are earned on the same eligible spend used for RDMs but without any multiplier.
Formula:
Eligible spend = MQDs earned
Using the same $600 example, You earn 600 MQDs.
Your status tier does not increase MQDs and there is no bonus multiplier.
Basic Economy Earning
Basic Economy tickets still earn miles under the same revenue-based formula. The fare type does not reduce your redeemable mileage rate (unlike AA, which doesn’t allow any mileage on Basic economy tickets). If your Medallion tier earns 8 miles per dollar, you earn 8 miles per dollar on eligible Basic Economy spend. General members continue to earn 5 miles per dollar.
- The same redeemable mile rate (5x–11x based on status)
- The same MQDs
There is no earning penalty compared to Main Cabin. Restrictions apply to benefits and flexibility, not mileage accrual.
When Distance-Based Earning Applies
Distance-based earning applies when the ticket is marketed by a partner airline and you choose to credit the flight to Delta Air Lines instead of that partner’s own program.
These are primarily Delta’s alliance and joint venture partners within SkyTeam, along with a few non-alliance partners.
- Air France
- KLM
- Korean Air
- Aeroméxico
- Virgin Atlantic
- ITA Airways
If the ticket is issued with one of these airlines’ flight numbers (not a DL flight number), mileage earning may follow a distance-based chart tied to fare class.
How Distance-Based Earning Works
Instead of spend × multiplier, the formula becomes:
Distance flown × fare class earning percentage = Redeemable miles
Example:
2,000 miles flown
Economy fare class earning at 50%
2,000 × 50% = 1,000 redeemable miles
MQD earning may also follow a partner-specific conversion formula, often tied to distance and cabin. You can see how much points you earn from each partner here.
Key Rule
- DL flight number → revenue-based earning
- Partner flight number → distance-based earning (fare class dependent)
So, the marketing carrier determines which formula applies. Keep in mind, if you book through Delta but the flight is operated by Air France, it is considered a Delta flight.
Earn with Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards
American Express issues several co-branded credit cards that offer high sign-up bonuses.
See our reviews here:
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Rates& Fees
(Terms Apply)
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Our Rating
Premium Delta Card
Rates& Fees
(Terms Apply)
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Our Rating
Entry-Level Travel Card
Rates& Fees
(Terms Apply)
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
Our Rating
Mid-Tier Status Card
Convert Credit Card Points to Miles
You can transfer Membership reward points into Delta Air Lines SkyMiles instead of earning through flying or co-branded cards. This is often the fastest way to build a large balance for a specific redemption.
Currently, the only transferable currency is American Express Membership Rewards.
The usual transfer ratio: 1:1, so
1,000 Membership Rewards points → 1,000 SkyMiles
Chase, Citi, and Capital One do not transfer directly to Delta. Amex doesn’t offer bonuses for Delta transfers, so don’t hold your breath.
Transfers from Membership Rewards are typically instant. Keep in mind that Amex charges a small excise tax offset fee when transferring to U.S. airlines. Currently this is $0.0006 per mile but capped at $99 per transaction
So if you’re transferring 50,000 points, you will incur a $30 fee.
Keep in mind the Membership reward points are flexible and transferring is useful only when:
- You found award availability
- The redemption value exceeds ~1.2–1.3 cents per mile
- You need to top off for a specific booking
Because transfers cannot be reversed, confirm award space before moving points.
Buy Delta SkyMiles
Short a few miles and ready to book? Delta Air Lines lets you purchase SkyMiles directly. It’s built for situations where you’re close to an award and don’t want to wait to earn the remaining balance.
But buying miles is expensive, so this should usually be a precision move — not a primary earning strategy.
What You Need to Know
- Purchased miles can be used for any SkyMiles award
- Purchases are non-refundable
- Transactions are processed in U.S. dollars
- Standard SkyMiles program terms apply
- Purchased miles do not count toward Medallion Status or Million Miler status
This increases your redeemable balance only. It does nothing for elite qualification.
Pricing & Limits
| Term | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum purchase | 2,000 miles |
| Maximum per transaction | 60,000 miles |
| Purchase increments | 2,000 miles |
| Standard price | $0.035 per mile |
| Annual cap | 60,000 miles (excluding bonuses) |
At the standard rate of 3.5 cents per mile:
- 10,000 miles cost $350
- 25,000 miles cost $875
- 60,000 miles cost $2,100
That’s far above the typical redemption value of a SkyMile.
When It Makes Sense
Buying miles rarely makes sense at the standard rate. SkyMiles often deliver around 1.2–1.3 cents per mile in value.
It can make sense when:
- You’re a few thousand miles short of a valuable redemption
- A flash sale or partner award is available
- A limited-time purchase bonus lowers the effective cost
Otherwise, earning through flights, credit cards, transfers, or promotions will usually provide better long-term value.
Transfer Delta SkyMiles Between Accounts
Don’t do it. Delta Air Lines allows member-to-member mileage transfers, but the cost structure makes this option expensive.
How It Works
- Transfer fee: $0.01 per mile
- Processing fee: $30 per transaction
- Minimum transfer: typically 1,000 miles
- Maximum per year: capped (subject to program limits)
Example:
Transfer 10,000 miles
Transfer fee: $100
Processing fee: $30
Total cost: $130
What’s the Value?
Delta miles are typically worth around 1.2–1.3 cents each in redemption value. Paying 1 cent per mile plus a $30 fee usually erodes most of that value.
Member-to-member transfers generally make sense only when:
- You need a small top-off for an immediate booking
- Award space would otherwise disappear
For routine consolidation or balance building, this method is inefficient.
Online Shopping Portal
You can earn miles through Delta’s online shopping portal, which awards SkyMiles for purchases made with participating retailers.
Portal link:
https://www.skymilesshopping.com/
How it works:
- Log in with your SkyMiles number
- Click through to a retailer from the portal
- Complete the purchase in the same browsing session
- Earn miles based on the listed rate (e.g., 2x, 5x, 10x per dollar)
Miles are typically awarded on the merchandise subtotal, excluding taxes, shipping, and gift cards unless stated otherwise.
Important: Tracking & Browser Settings
Portal rewards depend on tracking cookies. Be careful with:
- Ad blockers
- Script blockers
- VPNs
- Privacy browsers
- Opening new tabs after clicking through
If tracking breaks, miles may not post. To reduce risk:
- Disable ad blockers temporarily
- Start with a clean browser session
- Avoid coupon extensions unless the portal explicitly allows them
- Complete checkout without leaving the retailer site
Stacking Strategy
You can stack:
- Portal miles
- Credit card rewards
- Limited-time retailer bonuses
Example:
$200 purchase at 5 miles per dollar
→ 1,000 SkyMiles from the portal
If your credit card earns 2x points on online purchases, you earn those points separately.
Portal miles post separately and may take several weeks depending on the merchant.
Dining Rewards Program
You can earn miles at participating restaurants through the Delta dining program. After enrolling and linking a credit or debit card, you earn SkyMiles automatically when you dine at eligible locations and pay with that linked card.
Miles are awarded based on the spending rate shown in your account, typically expressed as miles per dollar spent before tax and tip. Bonus offers may apply for new members or during promotional periods.
How It Works
- Register your SkyMiles number at the dining site
- Link one or more payment cards
- Dine at a participating restaurant
- Pay with the linked card
- Miles post automatically after the transaction settles
No coupon or special checkout process is required.
What to Watch
- You must pay with a linked card
- Some restaurants require opting in to email communications for full earning
- Rewards may take several days to post
Dining rewards stack with your credit card rewards. You earn SkyMiles from the dining program and points or miles from your card separately.
Earn with Travel Products
Delta offers airline-branded travel products that can generate SkyMiles when purchased directly. These may include travel protection products, onboard Wi-Fi plans, subscription services, and other specialty add-ons tied to your SkyMiles account.
Miles earned from these purchases are typically based on the amount charged, provided the transaction codes as eligible Delta spend.
How to Maximize Earning
Paying with a Delta co-branded card issued by American Express can increase your return. Most Delta cards earn elevated miles on purchases made directly with Delta Air Lines.
That means you can earn:
- Base SkyMiles from the product purchase (if eligible)
- Bonus miles from the co-branded card’s Delta spending multiplier
Before purchasing, confirm the charge will process as Delta airfare or Delta merchant spend. Third-party processors may not qualify for bonus category earning.
Delta Vacations
Vacation packages booked through Delta Vacations can earn SkyMiles in addition to the miles you earn on the flight portion. Packages typically bundle airfare with hotels, rental cars, or activities.
How You Earn
You earn:
- Redeemable miles on the flight portion (based on eligible airfare spend)
- Bonus miles on the total vacation package price (excluding taxes and fees, when eligible)
Promotions frequently offer elevated bonuses such as a fixed number of miles per booking or tiered bonuses based on total package cost.
Maximizing Value
Paying with a Delta co-branded card issued by American Express can increase earnings if the charge codes as Delta spend.
Vacation packages can generate a meaningful mileage return during promotional periods. However, pricing should be compared against booking components separately, as mileage bonuses do not always offset higher package pricing.
Delta Cruises
Cruises booked through Delta Cruises can earn SkyMiles based on the total cruise fare. The program operates as a booking portal that partners with major cruise lines and awards miles after travel is completed.
How You Earn
You typically earn:
- A fixed number of miles per booking, or
- Miles per dollar spent on the cruise fare
The exact earning rate varies by promotion, cruise line, and cabin category. Taxes, port fees, and onboard spending usually do not qualify.
Miles post after the cruise is completed, not at the time of booking.
Maximizing Value
Paying with a Delta co-branded card issued by American Express may increase earnings if the transaction codes as Delta spend.
Promotional bonuses can significantly increase mileage return, but cruise pricing should still be compared against booking directly with the cruise line. The mileage bonus alone does not guarantee better value.
Hotel Partners
You can earn SkyMiles from hotel stays by choosing to credit the stay to Delta Air Lines instead of earning hotel points. This is separate from transferring hotel points into SkyMiles.
Note that this is different than Delta Vacations.
You also get annual credits to book hotels through Delta Credit cards. For example, the Amex Delta gold card gets $150 annual credit for hotel bookings.
How You Earn
At participating hotel chains and booking platforms, you can select SkyMiles as your earning preference. Earning is typically structured as:
- A fixed number of miles per stay, or
- Miles per dollar spent on the room rate
Taxes, resort fees, and incidentals usually do not qualify. In many cases, choosing airline miles means you forgo hotel loyalty points for that stay.
What’s the Trade-Off?
Hotel points are often worth more than the airline miles offered for the same stay. For example, a stay that earns 1,000 SkyMiles might otherwise earn hotel points worth more in redemption value.
Crediting stays to SkyMiles can make sense when:
- You rarely stay with that hotel chain
- You do not value hotel elite status
- You need a small mileage boost for an award
Otherwise, earning hotel points is typically the stronger long-term strategy.
Car Rental Partners
You can earn SkyMiles from qualifying rentals with participating car rental agencies when you include your SkyMiles number in the reservation and choose miles as your earning preference.
How You Earn
Earning is typically structured as:
- A fixed number of miles per rental (e.g., 500–2,000 miles), or
- Miles per dollar spent on the base rental rate
Taxes, fuel charges, insurance, and add-ons generally do not earn miles. Some agencies require you to select airline miles instead of rental company loyalty points.
You must book through eligible channels and attach your SkyMiles number before completing the rental.
Value Consideration
Rental agency loyalty points are often more flexible than airline miles. Choosing SkyMiles may mean forfeiting rental elite credits or free-day rewards.
Earning miles from rentals makes sense when:
- You do not actively use the rental company’s loyalty program
- A promotion offers elevated mileage bonuses
- You need a small balance boost for an award booking
Otherwise, rental program points often provide better long-term value.
Convert Hotel & Car Rental Points to Miles
You can transfer hotel loyalty points into Delta Air Lines SkyMiles. Transfers are initiated through the hotel program, not Delta. Ratios vary and are generally not 1:1.
Hotel → SkyMiles Transfer Ratios
| Hotel Program | Transfer Ratio to SkyMiles |
|---|---|
| Accor Live Limitless (ALL) | 2,000 miles per 4,000 ALL points |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Varies (typically 3:1 standard airline ratio) |
| Hilton Honors | 1,000 miles per 10,000 points |
| IHG One Rewards | 2,000 miles per 10,000 points |
| Shangri-La Circle | 1,000 miles per 1,000 points |
| World of Hyatt | 2,000 miles per 5,000 points |
Transfers are typically irreversible and may take several days to process.
How It Works
You initiate the transfer from the hotel or rental program’s website by selecting SkyMiles as the transfer partner. The conversion ratio is set by the partner program and is often not 1:1.
Typical characteristics:
- Fixed transfer ratios (e.g., 3:1, 5:1, or worse)
- Minimum transfer thresholds
- Irreversible once submitted
- Processing times ranging from a few days to several weeks
You are converting loyalty currency into airline miles, not earning new miles from spend.
Value Consideration
Transfer ratios are usually unfavorable. In many cases, hotel points converted to SkyMiles lose significant value compared to using them for free nights.
Conversions may make sense when:
- You have a small, stranded balance
- The program is devaluing
- You do not plan to use that loyalty program again
For active hotel or rental users, redeeming within the original program typically provides better value than converting to SkyMiles.
Convert Other Program Points to Miles
Beyond hotels and car rentals, a few non-travel or region-specific programs allow transfers into Delta Air Lines SkyMiles.
These options are primarily available outside the United States and depend on local partnerships. Examples include reward programs linked to JCB card issuers in Japan, Diners Club International in select international markets, and certain regional bank reward programs in Latin America and Asia that maintain local transfer agreements with Delta. In China, Flyertea also offers a pathway to convert points into SkyMiles, typically at a low fixed ratio.
Transfer ratios vary by program and are often not 1:1. Minimum thresholds apply, processing times can extend several days, and transfers are generally irreversible. These conversions are most useful for consolidating small or otherwise unused balances rather than as a primary mileage-building strategy.
How They Work
Transfers are initiated from the partner program’s platform. Each partner sets:
- A fixed conversion ratio
- Minimum transfer thresholds
- Processing timelines
Ratios outside the U.S. market are often not 1:1. Transfers are generally irreversible.
Practical Takeaway
In the U.S., the only major flexible currency that transfers directly to SkyMiles is American Express Membership Rewards. Other conversions tend to be regional and limited.
If you are not using Amex points, most “other program” transfers will either not apply or will deliver weaker value.
SkyMiles Partners & Offers
Delta Air Lines regularly runs limited-time promotions through its SkyMiles partners and offers hub. These campaigns provide bonus miles for completing specific activities within a defined window.
Promotions may include:
- Bonus miles for hotel stays
- Extra miles for car rentals
- Spending thresholds with partners
- Seasonal or targeted earning boosts
Offers are typically time-bound and require registration before activity.
How It Works
You enroll in the offer through your SkyMiles account. After registration, eligible activity during the promotional period earns bonus miles in addition to base earning.
Key details vary by campaign:
- Minimum spend requirements
- Eligible booking channels
- Stay or rental completion deadlines
- Bonus posting timelines
Miles from promotions often post separately from base earnings.
Value Consideration
Promotions can materially increase effective earning rates. A hotel stay offering 3x bonus miles, for example, may temporarily improve the value of crediting to SkyMiles instead of earning hotel points.
However, booking decisions should still compare total price and loyalty trade-offs. Bonus miles enhance return, but they do not automatically make a higher-priced option better.
Our Take
Delta offers more ways to earn SkyMiles than most people realize. Beyond flying, there are credit cards, bank transfers, shopping portals, dining programs, vacation packages, cruises, hotel stays, car rentals, regional financial partners, and occasional targeted promotions. Some methods scale quickly. Others are situational.
The biggest mileage drivers are:
- Delta co-branded credit card welcome bonuses
- Ongoing spend multipliers
- American Express Membership Rewards transfers
- Paid Delta flights, especially with Medallion status
The fastest ways to earn large amounts of Delta SkyMiles are credit card welcome bonuses, ongoing spend multipliers on Delta co-branded cards, and 1:1 transfers from American Express. You can also use bonuses and stacking to create meaningful jumps in your balance.
