Probably the most common frequent flyer applications is Delta SkyMiles, the loyalty program of Delta Air Strains with greater than 120 million members.
Becoming a member of this system is free, and your miles by no means expire. TPG values SkyMiles at 1.25 cents every in our most up-to-date valuations from February 2026.
You possibly can earn Delta SkyMiles by means of a wide range of strategies. Some common choices embrace flying with Delta and its companions, spending on Delta’s cobranded playing cards, transferring factors from American Categorical Membership Rewards, procuring by means of the Delta SkyMiles Purchasing portal, eating by means of the Delta SkyMiles Eating program and benefiting from numerous different promotions supplied by the airline.
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Categorical Card: Earn as much as 100,000 bonus miles: 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership, plus earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending an extra $2,000 on purchases (for a complete of $6,000) within the first six months of card membership.
You may as well earn Medallion Qualification {Dollars} that can assist you attain Delta’s 4 elite standing tiers, which offer perks like seat upgrades, precedence boarding and airport lounge entry.
Associated: Finest Delta bank cards
Delta SkyMiles program companions
Delta is a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance. You possibly can earn and redeem SkyMiles whenever you journey with any SkyTeam airline, together with:
Aerolineas ArgentinasAeromexicoAir EuropaAir FranceChina AirlinesChina Jap AirlinesDelta Air LinesGaruda IndonesiaKenya AirwaysKLMKorean AirMiddle East AirlinesSaudiaScandinavian AirlinesTAROMVietnam AirlinesVirgin AtlanticXiamen Airways
Different companions
Delta has a number of different partnerships past SkyTeam members, supplying you with quite a few choices for incomes miles even whenever you aren’t flying with Delta or a SkyTeam airline. Nonalliance companions embrace:
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Simply be aware that every partnership has particular restrictions and necessities.
Associated: The very best web sites for looking SkyTeam award availability
Delta SkyMiles elite standing
The SkyMiles program provides 4 elite standing tiers for frequent Delta flyers: Silver Medallion, Gold Medallion, Platinum Medallion and Diamond Medallion.
Incomes Delta Medallion standing
Delta solely makes use of Medallion Qualification {Dollars} for qualification. You possibly can earn MQDs within the following methods:
Listed here are some key advantages of every of Delta’s standing tiers.
SkyMiles Silver Medallion
The bottom elite tier in Delta’s SkyMiles program is Silver Medallion standing. As a Silver Medallion, you will obtain:
Complimentary first-class upgrades on home and short-haul worldwide flights from 24 hours earlier than departureUpgrades to Consolation+ inside 24 hours of departurePriority boarding (Zone 5) and check-inOne free checked bag on flights operated by Delta and choose associate airways, plus a free checked bag for as much as eight of your companions when touring on a Delta flight
SkyMiles Gold Medallion
Subsequent up is Gold Medallion standing, which will provide you with:
Complimentary first-class upgrades on home and short-haul worldwide flights from three days earlier than departureUpgrades to Consolation+ inside three days of departureSkyPriority statusNo further prices for same-day confirmed adjustments
SkyMiles Platinum Medallion
The third tier within the SkyMiles program is Platinum Medallion. Along with the beforehand talked about Silver Medallion and Gold Medallion perks, you will get the next:
Complimentary first-class upgrades on home flights and short-haul worldwide flights from 5 days earlier than departureUpgrades to Consolation+ at bookingYour choose of a Alternative Profit
SkyMiles Diamond Medallion
Lastly, the very best publicly obtainable tier within the SkyMiles program is Diamond Medallion. Diamond Medallion members get the whole lot detailed above, plus some even higher perks:
The right way to earn Delta SkyMiles
You possibly can earn Delta SkyMiles by flying Delta-operated flights, touring with a SkyTeam associate and opening a Delta cobranded bank card. You may as well earn miles by means of on a regular basis actions like procuring and eating.
Earn SkyMiles by flying
While you fly Delta on a Delta-issued ticket in the principle cabin or above (primary economic system fares do not earn miles), you will earn SkyMiles on the bottom worth of your ticket. The upper your standing tier, the quicker you will earn miles.
Normal member: 5 miles per dollarSilver Medallion: 7 miles per dollarGold Medallion: 8 miles per dollarPlatinum Medallion: 9 miles per dollarDiamond Medallion: 11 miles per greenback
In the meantime, for those who e book a associate flight on that provider’s web site (for instance, Air France) and add your Delta SkyMiles quantity, you will earn miles based mostly on a share of the gap flown. The precise variety of SkyMiles you will obtain varies based mostly on the associate, the reserving class and your elite standing.
Earn SkyMiles by means of bank cards
There is a Delta bank card for everybody — the loyalist, the enterprise traveler and even the rare flyer. The next playing cards provide these perks:
Here is a take a look at a few of the finest Delta SkyMiles bank cards from American Categorical. (Phrases apply.)
Earn as much as 90,000 bonus miles: 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership, plus earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending an extra $2,000 on purchases (for a complete of $5,000) within the first six months of card membership.
As much as $1,125
$200 Delta flight credit score after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases in your card in a calendar yr
As much as a $100 annual assertion credit score towards resorts and trip leases by means of Delta Stays
Earn as much as 100,000 bonus miles: 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership, plus earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending an extra $2,000 on purchases (for a complete of $6,000) within the first six months of card membership.
As much as $1,250
An annual companion certificates for a most important cabin round-trip flight inside the U.S. or to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America annually after renewing your card
A press release credit score to cowl the entry payment for International Entry ($120 each 4 years) or TSA PreCheck (as much as $85 each 4 1/2 years)
As much as $10 per thirty days in assertion credit for eligible U.S. Resy restaurant purchases and as much as $10 per thirty days in ride-hailing assertion credit with choose U.S. suppliers
As much as a $150 annual Delta Stays assertion credit score
Hertz 5 Star standing (enrollment in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is required)
Enrollment is required for some advantages.
Earn as much as 125,000 bonus miles: 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership, plus earn 25,000 bonus miles after spending an extra $3,000 on purchases (for a complete of $9,000) within the first six months of card membership.
As much as $1,563
15 Delta Sky Membership lounge visits per yr (plus limitless Sky Membership visits by means of the top of the next Medallion yr for those who spend $75,000 or extra throughout a calendar yr) and entry to American Categorical Centurion Lounges whenever you e book your Delta flight with the cardboard
An annual companion certificates for a round-trip flight inside the U.S. or to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America in most important cabin, Consolation+ or first-class annually after renewing your card
Complimentary upgrades for non-Medallion members
As much as $20 per thirty days in assertion credit for eligible U.S. Resy restaurant purchases and as much as $10 per thirty days in ride-hailing assertion credit with choose U.S. suppliers
As much as a $200 annual Delta Stays assertion credit score
Hertz President’s Circle standing (enrollment in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is required)
Enrollment is required for some advantages.
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
$1,125
Earn 2 miles per greenback spent on U.S. delivery and choose media promoting within the U.S. (as much as $50,000 per yr, then 1 mile per greenback)
A $200 Delta flight credit score after you spend $10,000 on purchases along with your card in a calendar yr
As much as a $150 annual Delta Stays assertion credit score
Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
$1,250
Earn 1.5 miles per greenback spent on transit, at U.S. delivery suppliers and on single purchases of $5,000 or extra (on as much as $100,000 in whole eligible purchases, then 1 mile per greenback)
An annual companion certificates for a round-trip most important cabin flight inside the U.S. or to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America annually after renewing your card
A press release credit score to cowl the membership payment for International Entry ($120 each 4 years) or TSA PreCheck (as much as $85 each 4 1/2 years)
As much as $10 per thirty days in assertion credit for eligible U.S. Resy restaurant purchases and as much as $10 per thirty days in ride-hailing assertion credit with choose U.S. suppliers
As much as a $200 annual Delta Stays assertion credit score
Enrollment is required for some advantages.
Earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $15,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
$1,563
15 visits per yr to Delta Sky Membership lounges (plus limitless Sky Membership visits by means of the top of the next Medallion yr for those who spend $75,000 or extra throughout a calendar yr) and entry to American Categorical Centurion Lounges whenever you e book your Delta flight with the cardboard
Earn 1.5 miles per greenback spent on eligible transit, U.S. delivery and U.S. workplace provide retailer purchases, plus all eligible purchases after you spend $150,000 per yr on the cardboard
An annual companion certificates for a round-trip flight inside the U.S. or to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America in most important cabin, Consolation+ or first-class annually after renewing your card
Complimentary upgrades for non-Medallion members
As much as $20 per thirty days in assertion credit for eligible U.S. Resy restaurant purchases and as much as $10 per thirty days in ride-hailing assertion credit with choose U.S. suppliers
As much as a $250 annual Delta Stays assertion credit score
Hertz President’s Circle standing (enrollment in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is required)
Enrollment is required for some advantages.
Associated: 5 issues it is advisable find out about Delta SkyMiles
Earn SkyMiles by means of procuring portals
One of many best methods to earn SkyMiles is thru Delta’s on-line procuring portal, Delta SkyMiles Purchasing. You possibly can earn miles on purchases you’d ordinarily make with over a thousand retailers on-line.
If you happen to do not have already got an account, you have to register utilizing your SkyMiles quantity. Then, you need to use the search field to seek out the shop or product you are searching for and evaluate costs and mileage charges at completely different retailers. You may as well favourite shops, so you will be notified when these shops provide bonus miles.
After choosing your service provider, click on on the shop, product or provide, and you will be taken to the shop’s web site to buy and take a look at. The shop will alert the portal whenever you’ve made a purchase order, and the miles you earn shall be added to your SkyMiles account. You may obtain a affirmation e-mail when your miles have been posted — that is usually inside three to 5 days, however it might take as much as 15 days.
Associated: Earn factors, miles or money again: The right way to maximize on-line procuring portals to your purchases
Switch Amex factors to Delta
Lastly, you’ll be able to switch American Categorical Membership Rewards factors to your Delta SkyMiles account at a 1:1 ratio. We do not normally suggest this as a result of we worth Amex factors greater than SkyMiles.
It is usually tough to get the next fare from Delta attributable to dynamic pricing. You may additionally should pay an excise tax offset payment when transferring Amex factors to Delta (and different home frequent flyer applications).
Associated: Amex Membership Rewards switch companions: Redeem your factors with airways and resorts
The right way to redeem SkyMiles
Delta makes use of dynamic pricing for award tickets, so you’ll need to look on the Delta web site or app to find out what number of SkyMiles you want for an award ticket. Delta’s web site is fairly simple to navigate, and its helpful calendar function may help you discover the bottom costs to your subsequent redemption.
We have usually discovered one of the best redemptions on home flights. With one of many Delta cobranded playing cards that provides a 15% low cost on Delta-operated award tickets, you’ll be able to typically e book short-haul flights for underneath 4,000 SkyMiles one-way. That stated, costs will range by day, route and cabin class.
Word that Delta award tickets are totally refundable (on flights originating within the U.S. and Canada, excluding primary economic system fares), so in case your plans change, you’ll be able to redeposit the miles and get a refund for the taxes and costs you paid. This additionally means that you can rebook award tickets when the mileage worth drops, securing a refund of the distinction in miles.
Moreover, you need to use your SkyMiles to e book associate tickets on most of Delta’s SkyTeam and nonalliance companions. Sadly, these have now largely aligned with Delta’s personal flight costs, minimizing the chance to get higher worth from associate awards, particularly in premium cabins.
Associated: The right way to redeem your Delta SkyMiles for optimum worth
Candy spots
With Delta utilizing dynamic pricing throughout its route community, there aren’t many candy spots to maximise the worth of your SkyMiles. However, there are just a few good choices on the market.
Delta flash gross sales
Delta ceaselessly runs SkyMiles flash gross sales for short- and long-haul routes to U.S. locations and cities in Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. We have seen some terrific offers for the principle cabin, Consolation+ and first-class. Previous offers embrace round-trip flights to Europe for simply 34,000 miles and fares to Tahiti beginning at 60,000 miles.
After all, these low cost tickets aren’t all the time effectively marketed, so it pays to test availability usually. Delta usually costs short- and mid-haul award tickets effectively underneath what different airways would cost for related flights. You may usually discover one of the best offers when reserving prematurely and touring on off-peak dates.
Delta and LATAM economic system flights to South America
Whatever the class of service, money flights to South America are not often low cost, particularly to Brazil. Delta SkyMiles members can e book LATAM award tickets at cheap costs, and it is one of many higher methods to make use of SkyMiles.
For instance, 66,000 SkyMiles can usually get you a round-trip itinerary from New York’s John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) to Sao Paulo/Guarulhos Worldwide Airport (GRU), and plenty of of those flights are nonstop.
Associated: The right way to get worth from 5,000 or fewer Delta SkyMiles
Backside line
With its strong operational efficiency, broad route community and quite a few associate airways, Delta is touted by some as one of the best home airline. The truth is, the provider has taken the highest spot in TPG’s evaluation of one of the best airways within the U.S. for the final seven years. Though award pricing and elite standing necessities have dissatisfied many Delta loyalists, there’s nonetheless lots to love in regards to the Delta SkyMiles program.
Whether or not you are a frequent Delta flyer or extra informal buyer, specializing in a mixture of flying, utilizing procuring portals and making purchases with Delta bank cards can enhance your SkyMiles stability to your subsequent redemption.
For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Gold card, click on right here.For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card, click on right here.For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card, click on right here.For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Enterprise card, click on right here.For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Enterprise card, click on right here.For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise card, click on right here.
