pointstopictures Delta SkyMiles is the loyalty program of Delta Air Lines, rewarding you with miles for travel, spending, and other activities. With over 130 million members and 25 million active members, it’s one of the largest frequent flyer programs in the world.
The program has proven to be a vital part of Delta’s success. Approximately 7.5 million members hold Delta cobranded credit cards. These cards offer lucrative welcome bonuses and rewards for everyday spending, making them a powerful way to boost your mileage balance.
Beyond flights, Delta offers numerous ways to earn SkyMiles. These can be non-flight activities, such as hotel stays, car rentals, and retail purchases. Delta SkyMiles also offers excellent value when it comes to award redemptions. Each mile is worth about 1.2-1.5 cents, with the best deals often found in Delta’s frequent award flash sales. These sales allow you to book flights—both domestic and international—for fewer miles, maximizing the return on your loyalty.
Whether you’re earning miles through flights, credit cards, or retail partnerships, the Delta SkyMiles program is designed to reward you at every step. It’s a program that aligns perfectly with Delta’s reputation as a well-managed airline.
How Delta SkyMiles Works
Delta SkyMiles is both the name of the loyalty program and the currency you earn. You can use SkyMiles to book flights, upgrade seats, or enjoy other rewards like hotel stays and car rentals.
Delta SkyMiles can be earned in several ways:
- Flying: Earn miles when you fly with Delta or partner airlines.
- Credit Cards: Delta offers credit cards that give you miles for spending. These cards also have big welcome bonuses to help boost your balance.
- Partners: Book hotels, rent cars, or shop with Delta’s partners to earn more miles.
- Dining and Shopping: Use dining and shopping to earn miles on everyday purchases.
You need at least 5,000 SkyMiles for a one-way economy flight on Delta. The program often runs award sales, where you can book flights for even fewer miles.
Your miles never expire. This is great if you don’t travel often or split your loyalty across airlines. With so many ways to earn and redeem, Delta SkyMiles is a simple and flexible program designed to reward your travel.
Value of Delta SkyMiles
Delta SkyMiles can be worth anywhere between 1 Cent per mile (CPM) and 1.5 CPM.
High-Value Uses of SkyMiles
- Award Flash Sales: Flash sales often provide flights for fewer miles. For example, round-trip flights to Europe or New Zealand have been booked for as low as 40,000 to 50,000 SkyMiles.
- Domestic Flights: Many travelers report excellent value for domestic flights, especially when cash fares are high.
- International Deals: Booking international routes during off-peak seasons can yield values of 1.5 to 2.5 cents per mile, particularly for premium cabin deals.
Low-Value Uses
- Upgrades: Using SkyMiles for seat upgrades often results in a fixed value of 1 cent per mile or less, which is not ideal.
- Non-Travel Redemptions: Options like gift cards or merchandise tend to offer significantly lower value, sometimes below 0.75 cents per mile.
Key Tips for Maximizing SkyMiles
- Don’t Hoard Miles: SkyMiles do not expire, but Delta has been known to devalue them over time. Use them when you find a good deal.
- Be Flexible: Flexibility with dates and destinations can help you snag award flights at lower costs.
- Monitor Flash Sales: Delta regularly offers discounted award flights, which are often the best way to stretch your miles.
- Compare Values: Always compare the cash price of a ticket with the miles required to ensure you’re getting at least 1.2 cents per mile.
Earning SkyMiles
Flying
When you fly Delta on a Delta-issued ticket in the main cabin or above, you earn SkyMiles based on the base price of your ticket. Basic economy fares do not earn miles. The earning rate increases with your Medallion Status:
- General Member: 5 miles per dollar spent.
- Silver Medallion: 7 miles per dollar spent.
- Gold Medallion: 8 miles per dollar spent.
- Platinum Medallion: 9 miles per dollar spent.
- Diamond Medallion: 11 miles per dollar spent.
For example, if you purchase a $250 base fare ticket (excluding taxes and fees) from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX):
- A general member earns 1,250 SkyMiles.
- A Silver Medallion earns 1,750 SkyMiles.
- A Diamond Medallion earns 2,750 SkyMiles.
You can also earn miles when flying with Delta’s partner airlines. If you book a partner airline flight on Delta’s website, you’ll earn miles like you would on a Delta flight. However, if you book directly on a partner airline’s website, the miles earned depend on the flight distance, fare class, and your Medallion Status.
Delta Credit Cards
Delta offers several cobranded American Express credit cards, catering to both casual travelers and frequent flyers. Each card provides opportunities to earn miles on everyday purchases and offers additional perks. The credit cards offer a 15% discount on award redemptions.
Here’s a table comparing the Delta SkyMiles credit cards for personal and business use.
Here’s a comprehensive table summarizing the Delta SkyMiles credit card options, including both personal and business cards:
| Card Name | Annual Fee | Welcome Offer | Earning Rates | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | $0 intro for the first year, then $150 | Up to 80,000 Bonus Miles after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months | – 2X Miles on Delta purchases, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets- 1X Miles on all other purchases | – Save 15% on Delta Award Travel (excluding taxes/fees)- $200 Flight Credit after $10,000 annual spend- First checked bag free |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | $350 | Up to 90,000 Bonus Miles after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months | – 3X Miles on Delta and hotel purchases- 2X Miles at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants- 1X Miles on all other purchases | – Save 15% on Delta Award Travel- MQD Headstart and MQD Boost toward Medallion Status- Companion Certificate for Main Cabin flights |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | $650 | Up to 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months | – 3X Miles on Delta purchases- 1X Miles on all other purchases | – Complimentary Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access- $240 Resy Credit- MQD Headstart and MQD Boost |
| Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card | $0 Annual Fee | 10,000 Bonus Miles after spending $1,000 in the first 6 months | – 2X Miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants- 1X Miles on all other purchases | – 20% back on inflight purchases- No foreign transaction fees |
| Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business Card | $0 intro for the first year, then $150 | Up to 60,000 Bonus Miles after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months | – 2X Miles on Delta purchases, U.S. shipping, and advertising- 1X Miles on all other purchases | – $200 Flight Credit after $10,000 annual spend- Save 15% on Delta Award Travel- First checked bag free |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business Card | $350 | Up to 70,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months | – 3X Miles on Delta and hotel purchases- 1X Miles on other purchases- 1.5X on $5,000+ purchases (up to $100,000 annually) | – MQD Headstart- Up to $120 Resy Credit- Companion Certificate for Main Cabin flights |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card | $650 | Up to 80,000 Bonus Miles after spending $10,000 in the first 6 months | – 3X Miles on Delta purchases- 1.5X Miles on transit, U.S. shipping, and office supplies | – Complimentary Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access- Up to $240 Resy Credit- MQD Headstart and MQD Boost |
All Delta credit cards offer perks like a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and 20% savings on inflight purchases.
Shopping Portal
The SkyMiles Shopping portal is a convenient way to earn Delta SkyMiles when you shop online at hundreds of participating retailers. By simply starting your shopping journey through the portal, you can accumulate miles for purchases you already plan to make.
You can also find promotions for higher earning rates. For example, meal subscription services often offer 3,000-4,000 miles for signing up.
Transfer Amex Membership points
We do not recommend this unless you have a particular redemption in mind. Amex points are often more valuable than Delta SkyMiles.
You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio, with a minimum of 1,000 points per transfer. A small excise tax recovery fee applies for U.S.-based transfers. Transfers are typically instant but can take up to 48 hours.
Before transferring, confirm award availability on Delta to ensure you get the best value, especially during flash sales. Remember, transfers are non-reversible, so plan carefully!
How to Redeem Delta SkyMiles
Delta SkyMiles offers several redemption options, but the most valuable use is often booking flights. Delta does not have a fixed award chart but uses dynamic pricing for their awards. This means award ticket costs may vary for every flight based on date, time, route, and demand.
Flight Redemptions
- Award Flights
Redeem SkyMiles for award tickets on Delta-operated flights or partner airlines. Domestic award flights start at 5,000 SkyMiles for one-way economy tickets during flash sales. For international flights, redemptions vary based on the destination, travel dates, and demand, but flash sales can significantly reduce the cost in miles. If you have a Delta Credit Card, you can take 15% off the award price.
- Main Cabin: Typically the most affordable in terms of miles, great for domestic and short-haul international flights.
- Delta One and Premium Cabins: Redeem for luxury experiences on international routes. While these redemptions require more miles, they can sometime offer excellent value if cash fares are high.
- Upgrade Seats
Use SkyMiles to upgrade from economy to premium cabins like Comfort+, First Class, or Delta One. Upgrades usually cost a fixed number of miles and often offer less value compared to booking award tickets outright. - Partner Airlines
Delta’s partnership with airlines like Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic allows you to book award flights using SkyMiles. Partner award redemptions can sometimes provide better value, especially on international routes. Delta has aligned these redemption to Delta’s own chart so they may no longer have very high value. - One-Way, Round-Trip, or Multi-City Flights
Delta’s flexible booking options let you redeem miles for one-way, round-trip, or multi-city itineraries, giving you more freedom to customize your travel plans.
Other Redemption Options
- Delta Vacations: Combine flights, hotels, and car rentals into a vacation package. While convenient, this typically offers less value per mile.
- SkyMiles Experiences: Bid on exclusive access to events like concerts, dining experiences, and sports games.
- Gift Cards & Merchandise: Redeem miles for gift cards or items via Delta’s online store, though these options offer the least value (often less than 1 cent per mile).
Tips for Maximizing Flight Redemptions
- Look for Flash Sales: Delta frequently offers limited-time discounts on award tickets, especially for domestic and international routes. These sales often feature one-way flights starting at 5,000 miles.
- Check the Cash Price: Compare the cash price of a flight with the miles required to ensure you’re getting at least 1.2 cents per mile in value.
- Be Flexible: Travel dates and destination flexibility can help you find lower-mileage options.
- Plan Partner Flights: Partner airlines sometimes have more availability or lower mileage requirements for international travel.
Redeeming SkyMiles for flights offers the most value, especially during award flash sales. By planning ahead and exploring partner options, you can stretch your miles and unlock memorable travel experiences. Always calculate the cost per mile to ensure you’re getting the best deal!
Medallion Status
What is Medallion Status?
Delta’s Medallion Status program rewards frequent flyers with premium benefits like complimentary upgrades, priority services, and waived fees. With four tiers—Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond—each offers increasing rewards and privileges, including earning bonus SkyMiles and access to exclusive perks. Status is achieved by meeting Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) thresholds based on spending with Delta or its partners. Credit cards and travel packages can also help you achieve status faster.
Medallion Status Tiers
Here are the requirements for status tiers.
| Tier | MQD Requirement | SkyMiles Earned per $1 | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Medallion | $5,000 | 7 | – Priority boarding- Waived baggage fees (2 bags)- Complimentary upgrades |
| Gold Medallion | $10,000 | 8 | – Sky Priority services- Access to preferred seating- Complimentary upgrades |
| Platinum Medallion | $15,000 | 9 | – One Choice Benefit (e.g., bonus miles, Sky Club access)- Higher upgrade priority |
| Diamond Medallion | $35,000 | 11 | – Two Choice Benefits (e.g., global upgrades, Sky Club access)- Complimentary CLEAR® Plus membership |
Ways to Earn MQDs
This is how you earn MQDs.
| Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Delta Flights | $1 MQD per $1 spent on base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges for Delta-marketed flights. |
| Partner Flights | Earn MQDs on partner airline flights, calculated based on fare class and distance flown. |
| Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards | – $1 MQD per $10 spent (Reserve Card) – $1 MQD per $20 spent (Platinum Card) – MQD Headstart of $2,500 for eligible cards. |
| Delta Vacations® | $1 MQD per $1 spent on vacation package price (flights, hotels, car rentals). |
Delta’s Airline Partners: SkyTeam Alliance Members
Delta SkyMiles members can earn and redeem miles across a broad global network of airlines, thanks to Delta’s partnerships. The most notable of these are the SkyTeam alliance members auch as Air France/KLM and other key partners like Virgin Atlantic.
| Airline | Region |
|---|---|
| Aerolíneas Argentinas | South America |
| Aeromexico | North and Central America |
| Air Europa | Europe |
| Air France | Europe |
| China Airlines | Asia |
| China Eastern | Asia |
| Delta Air Lines | North America |
| Garuda Indonesia | Asia |
| ITA Airways | Europe |
| Kenya Airways | Africa |
| KLM | Europe |
| Korean Air | Asia |
| Middle East Airlines | Middle East |
| SAS | Europe |
| Saudia | Middle East |
| TAROM | Europe |
| Vietnam Airlines | Asia |
| Virgin Atlantic | Europe and North America |
| XiamenAir | Asia |
Benefits of Partner Airlines
- Earning Miles: Earn SkyMiles on flights operated by partner airlines. Miles are typically awarded based on ticket class and distance flown, with higher earnings for premium cabin tickets.
- Redeeming Miles: Use SkyMiles to book flights on partner airlines, unlocking access to destinations that Delta does not directly serve.
- Global Connectivity: SkyTeam’s extensive network ensures seamless travel to more than 160 countries with convenient flight connections.
How to Maximize Partner Benefits
- Book Through Delta: When booking partner airline flights through Delta, you often earn SkyMiles at the same rate as Delta-operated flights.
- Check Mileage Charts: For flights booked directly with partner airlines, mileage earnings may vary. Refer to Delta’s partner-specific earning charts for details.
- Combine Miles and Cash: If you’re short on SkyMiles, use the “Miles + Cash” feature to book flights on Delta or its partners.
- Leverage Virgin Atlantic: Virgin Atlantic, a key Delta partner, offers excellent opportunities for earning and redeeming SkyMiles, especially for transatlantic routes.
Delta’s partnerships with SkyTeam and other airlines ensure that your SkyMiles go further, offering incredible flexibility and value for both earning and redemption. Always check mileage requirements and available routes to maximize your travel rewards.
Refunds, Changes, and Cancellations
Delta provides flexibility for canceling award tickets booked with SkyMiles, especially for flights originating in North America. Award tickets canceled before departure are eligible for redeposit of miles into your account at no additional cost. Taxes and fees paid during booking are refunded to the original payment method. While North America-originating flights incur no cancellation or redeposit fees, tickets from other regions may have associated fees. If there is a drop in award price, you can cancel and rebook without any penalty.
Summary
Delta SkyMiles can be valuable for award travel. With dynamic pricing, the number of miles required for a flight varies based on demand, so you will need to find deals that fit your plans. Flash sales frequently provide discounted award flights, such as domestic one-way tickets for as low as 12,500 miles or international round trips for 50,000 miles. Additionally, Delta imposes no change or cancellation penalties for award tickets originating in North America, letting you adjust or cancel plans with no added cost and have your SkyMiles redeposited into your account.
