The Delta Air Traces’ SkyMiles program generally is a worthwhile program for home awards and companion redemptions.
Not solely does the airline have an enormous route community with vital hubs in giant U.S. cities, however there are numerous alternative ways to earn Delta miles you could redeem for SkyTeam flights. Generally, Delta even runs award gross sales that can help you snag low cost flights.
Delta miles are pretty straightforward to accrue, and so they by no means expire. We’ll present you methods so as to add to your SkyMiles stability, together with flying on Delta and its companions, spending on journey rewards bank cards and transferring miles from different packages.
Associated: 5 issues you want to learn about Delta SkyMiles
Earn Delta SkyMiles by flying
Incomes Delta SkyMiles by flying depends upon a number of elements. You may earn miles in another way on Delta and companion flights. This is every part you want to know.
Earn miles when flying with Delta
When flying on Delta-marketed and -operated flights, you earn miles primarily based in your ticket’s base worth (which does not embrace government-imposed taxes). Flyers with out elite standing earn 5 miles per greenback spent on Traditional or Refundable airfare, and seven miles per greenback spent on Further airfare, not together with taxes and costs.
These with Delta Medallion elite standing will earn at a sooner fee — the upper your standing, the extra miles you will earn per greenback spent:
- Silver Medallion: 7 miles
- Gold Medallion: 8 miles
- Platinum Medallion: 9 miles
- Diamond Medallion: 11 miles
Earn Delta SkyMiles when flying with companion airways
In the event you ebook a partner-operated flight by means of Delta, you will earn miles the identical as with a normal Delta flight. However what occurs should you ebook a companion flight on a companion airline’s web site and add your Delta SkyMiles quantity? On this case, you will earn miles primarily based on the gap flown. Nevertheless, the precise variety of SkyMiles you will earn varies primarily based on the companion, fare class and elite standing — so examine the related SkyMiles web page for the proper incomes charges.
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Earn Delta SkyMiles with bank cards
One of many best methods to earn a lot of Delta SkyMiles is thru cobranded bank cards, together with welcome bonuses and incomes on on a regular basis spending. At present, American Specific points 4 private Delta playing cards and three enterprise playing cards.
This is a take a look at the complete suite of Delta SkyMiles bank cards from American Specific and their present welcome gives (phrases apply):
Private Delta playing cards
Enterprise Delta playing cards
In the event you’re contemplating making use of for one among these playing cards, hold Amex’s once-per-lifetime rule in thoughts. This rule limits you to 1 welcome bonus per card per lifetime. In the event you’ve obtained a welcome bonus for the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Specific Card earlier than, you will not be eligible to obtain it once more should you reapply for the cardboard.
That is why holding out for a excessive welcome bonus is so essential — you will solely obtain it as soon as.
Switch factors to Delta SkyMiles
In the event you want SkyMiles rapidly or do not wish to add one other bank card to your pockets, you might be able to switch factors from one other rewards program. Delta companions with American Specific Membership Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy, making it straightforward to prime off your stability when wanted.
Switch Membership Rewards factors to SkyMiles
Delta SkyMiles has one bank card switch companion: American Specific Membership Rewards.
You may switch Membership Rewards factors to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio. Nevertheless, to offset the federal excise tax, you’ll pay a charge of $0.0006 per mile (as much as a most of $99) — so the transaction might be dearer.
Typically, placing purchases on a card that earns Membership Rewards factors will yield extra SkyMiles per greenback spent than utilizing one among Delta’s cobranded American Specific playing cards. For instance, The Platinum Card® from American Specific earns 5 Membership Rewards factors per greenback spent on flights booked instantly with any airline or by means of American Specific Journey® (as much as $500,000 on these purchases per calendar 12 months, then 1 level per greenback on different purchases); in the meantime, the American Specific® Gold Card earns 4 Membership Rewards factors per greenback spent at eating places worldwide on as much as $50,000 in purchases per calendar 12 months, and at U.S. supermarkets on as much as $25,000 in purchases per calendar 12 months, then 1 level per greenback on different purchases.
Switch Marriott Bonvoy factors to SkyMiles
You too can switch factors from numerous lodge loyalty packages to your Delta SkyMiles account, however most of those supply poor switch ratios. In our expertise, the one probably interesting switch is from Marriott Bonvoy, which transfers to Delta at a 3:1 ratio.
That stated, we typically suggest redeeming Marriott factors for lodge stays as a substitute, as you will usually get higher worth. Chase and American Specific problem a number of Marriott cobranded bank cards should you’re brief on Marriott factors.
Switch Delta SkyMiles between accounts
Whilst you can switch SkyMiles between accounts, we do not suggest it. Delta expenses $0.01 per mile transferred plus a $30 transaction charge. This is not an awesome deal, as you’d lose a lot of the worth of your miles after paying the relevant charges, and you’ll solely switch a most of 30,000 miles per transaction.
In the event you resolve to go this route, each accounts should have been open for not less than 10 days and earned not less than 1 mile. You may obtain a most of 300,000 SkyMiles per 12 months and switch as much as 150,000 SkyMiles per 12 months.
Associated: Your final information to household factors pooling
Earn Delta SkyMiles by purchasing and eating
You too can earn Delta SkyMiles by means of a number of on a regular basis Delta companions. These strategies make it simpler than ever to earn miles doing stuff you already do, like consuming out and purchasing on-line.
Earn with the SkyMiles Purchasing portal
Like most airways, Delta has an on-line purchasing portal: SkyMiles Purchasing. This website permits you to earn further SkyMiles if you store on-line, along with rewards earned along with your bank card.
To make use of the portal, join a SkyMiles Purchasing account, discover your service provider on the positioning and click on by means of the hyperlink. Every service provider gives a special variety of SkyMiles per greenback spent, and these charges fluctuate, particularly across the holidays. Plus, the portal typically gives bonuses should you spend a specific amount. If you are going to make a purchase order anyway, purchasing by means of Delta’s portal can imply critical bonus miles.
Earn when you eat with SkyMiles Eating
The Delta SkyMiles Eating program permits you to earn further miles when eating out. Merely join an account, hyperlink a bank card and dine at a taking part restaurant, cafe or bar. Once you swipe your registered card at these institutions, you will earn further SkyMiles, along with the miles you already earn along with your bank card. Be certain that to hyperlink a card that earns bonus factors at eating places, and watch the rewards add up.
The variety of miles you earn by means of SkyMiles Eating depends upon your standing in this system, which is solely separate out of your Medallion standing. There are three tiers: member, choose member and VIP. You may grow to be a choose member by signing up for e-mail alerts, and you will get VIP standing after making 11 transactions inside 12 months.
In the event you do not give this system a legitimate e-mail handle and join e-mail alerts, you will keep a normal member and solely earn 1 mile for each $2 spent. Choose members will earn 3 miles per greenback spent, whereas VIP members will take dwelling 5 miles per greenback.
Earn Delta SkyMiles for your enterprise
Delta’s enterprise program, SkyMiles for Enterprise, is open to all firms, no matter measurement and annual income. Nevertheless, incomes miles remains to be restricted to firms that spend not less than $5,000 in eligible flight income each calendar 12 months and have not less than 5 worker vacationers. This is a more in-depth take a look at the SkyMiles for Enterprise tiers:
- Member: Open to any enterprise, with no minimal traveler or spending necessities
- Plus: Accounts with not less than 5 worker vacationers and $5,000 in annual journey spending
- Elite: Accounts with not less than 5 worker vacationers and $300,000 in annual journey spending
Plus members earn 1 to 10 miles per greenback spent on Delta flights, relying on the cabin. Elite members earn 15% bonus miles.
Associated: Airline loyalty packages for small companies
Earn Delta SkyMiles with journey companions
You too can earn bonus miles if you ebook different kinds of journey, like rental automobiles, Lyft rides and lodge stays. This is a take a look at all of your journey incomes choices.
E book a experience with Lyft
You may earn Delta miles on U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats orders if you hyperlink your Delta and Uber accounts. You may earn as much as 3 miles per $1 spent (1 mile on UberX rides to the airport, 2 miles on premium rides and three miles on Uber Reserve rides. You too can earn 1 mile per $1 spent on qualifying Uber Eats order over $40.
Earn with Delta Holidays
This is what you’ll be able to earn on journey packages with Delta Holidays:
- 1,000 SkyMiles per individual on bookings of as much as $4,999
- 5,000 SkyMiles per individual on bookings of $5,000 to $9,999
- 10,000 SkyMiles per individual on bookings of $10,000 or extra
You may additionally earn extra miles from the flight portion of your trip packages.
Earn SkyMiles on cruises
Via Delta Cruises, you’ll be able to earn 2 miles for each greenback spent in your subsequent crusing. The platform additionally gives limited-time bonuses throughout sure instances of the 12 months, permitting you to take dwelling much more miles.
To earn SkyMiles in your subsequent cruise, ebook on cruises.delta.com or name 800-820-3244 along with your SkyMiles quantity.
Earn SkyMiles on Airbnb stays
Like Delta’s partnership with Uber, you’ll be able to earn SkyMiles on eligible Airbnb stays. Simply head to this web page, enter your SkyMiles quantity and click on by means of the hyperlink earlier than you make a reserving. You may earn 1 mile per greenback spent on Airbnb purchases (excluding taxes and costs) with no restrict — so dearer journeys can rack up a pleasant haul of SkyMiles.
Earn SkyMiles if you ebook inns
Along with Airbnb, you’ll be able to earn SkyMiles with Delta’s lodge reserving portal, Delta Stays. Accomplished stays earn a minimal of two miles per greenback spent on inns, excluding taxes, gratuities and different charges. The costs on this portal ought to match reserving instantly, however it’s in your greatest curiosity to double-check.
One phrase of warning: Reserving by means of this portal doesn’t earn lodge factors or can help you use elite standing advantages.
You too can earn SkyMiles if you ebook instantly with Delta’s lodge companions: World of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, Shangri-La Circle and Accor Dwell Limitless. The variety of miles you will earn depends upon the lodge group you ebook with.
Earn SkyMiles if you hire a automotive
You too can earn SkyMiles if you hire a automotive by means of Delta Automobile Leases or with one among Delta’s companions, together with (incomes rated differ from companion to companion):
- Alamo
- Avis
- Price range
- Greenback
- Enterprise
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Nationwide
- Payless
- Sixt
- Thrifty
- Turo
Purchase Delta SkyMiles
In the event you want SkyMiles in a pinch, you should purchase them instantly from Delta. The airline expenses a whopping 3.5 cents per mile, considerably greater than TPG’s June 2025 valuation of 1.25 cents per mile. You need to purchase miles in increments of two,000, and you should purchase a most of 60,000 SkyMiles per account per 12 months.
Delta continuously reductions SkyMiles by providing bonus miles or a bonus on the variety of miles bought. Shopping for SkyMiles is just value doing if in case you have an instantaneous use for them. In any other case, buying miles speculatively is normally a foul concept, as they are often devalued at any time.
Associated: Purchase bonus factors and miles with these promotions
Backside line
There are many methods to earn Delta SkyMiles, whether or not by means of flights, bank cards, transferring factors or utilizing one among Delta’s many companions.
Even higher? SkyMiles is likely one of the few loyalty currencies that by no means expire. And with the myriad incomes alternatives outlined above, you will hopefully haven’t any scarcity of SkyMiles the subsequent time you propose a visit.
