Delta SkyMiles, the frequent flier program of Delta Air Lines, offers travelers an array of opportunities to earn and redeem miles for an enriching travel experience.
Delta Air Lines, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, has a formidable presence among U.S. airlines, enjoying widespread popularity among American travelers.
For those who find themselves in the skies with Delta Air Lines regularly or occasionally, the Delta SkyMiles loyalty program is one of the best options out there! This airline rewards program offers enticing rewards for savvy travelers.
The extensive array of Delta-branded credit cards further facilitates the accumulation of miles, translating into opportunities for free travel. A notable feature that adds to its allure is the fact that SkyMiles has no expiration date.
Whether you’re on the quest to accumulate SkyMiles for future adventures or simply seeking a comprehensive understanding of the rewarding airline program, this guide covers all you need to know about earning and redeeming SkyMiles, along with insights into the diverse levels of elite status.
What are Delta Skymiles?
Delta SkyMiles are the loyalty points awarded to Delta Air Lines passengers and program members for their travel with Delta, its partner airlines, and a variety of other activities.
You can redeem your miles for flights, seat upgrades, lounge access, and more.
The program offers different tiers of elite status, known as Medallion levels, which grant members additional benefits, making it a versatile and rewarding loyalty program for frequent flyers.
How to sign up for Delta SkyMiles?
Joining the fruitful Delta SkyMiles program is a straightforward process. It allows you to embark on your journey to earning and redeeming miles. Follow these simple steps:
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Visit the official Delta Air Lines website.
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Click on the “SkyMiles” tab or section at the top.
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Select the “Join SkyMiles” option at the top of the dialog box to initiate the registration process.
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Add your personal details, contact information, and other required data to complete your sign-up form.
Once you’ve registered, you’ll be ready to accumulate miles and unlock a world of travel benefits.
How do Delta SkyMiles work?
Delta SkyMiles serves as a reward currency for members of the Delta SkyMiles program. Travelers earn miles based on the distance they fly with Delta and its partner airlines, with additional opportunities to accrue miles through Delta-branded credit cards, shopping portals, and more.
These miles are redeemable for a wide range of benefits, including flights, seat upgrades, and hotel stays, among others. The more you fly and engage with Delta and its partners, the more miles you can earn.
How much are Delta SkyMiles worth?
The value of Delta SkyMiles can vary depending on several factors, such as the route, class of service, and availability.
On average, Delta SkyMiles are typically valued at around 1.2 cents per mile when redeemed for flights.
However, the exact value can fluctuate based on your chosen redemption option and the demand for specific routes or cabins.
Delta Airline Partners
Delta has an extensive network of airline partners, including members of the SkyTeam alliance like Air France, KLM, and Korean Air.
This network allows Delta SkyMiles members to earn and redeem miles on a vast selection of routes, enhancing the flexibility and value of the program.
Additionally, Delta SkyMiles’ strategic partnerships with other carriers, such as Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia, offer even more opportunities for earning and redeeming miles.
Core Global Airline Members | Other Global Airline Members |
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Aeroméxico |
China Airlines |
Air France |
Garuda Indonesia |
China Western |
Vietnam Airlines |
Korean Air |
Air Europa |
Virgin Atlantic |
Saudia Airlines |
How to earn Delta SkyMiles
Accumulating Delta SkyMiles is a diverse and fulfilling experience. To kickstart your SkyMiles journey, simply join the program. The beauty lies in the simplicity, with the assurance that earned SkyMiles never expires. This way, even occasional flyers can enjoy valuable miles over time.
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Fly with Delta
The primary way of earning SkyMiles involves flying on Delta-operated flights.
The miles you receive depend on factors like the distance traveled and your fare class.
Base SkyMiles members earn 5 SkyMiles per dollar spent. The more you fly, the more you earn, with opportunities to boost your miles.
Delta has an extensive global network with partner airlines, providing numerous routes to accumulate miles.
Whether for business or leisure, each flight contributes to your SkyMiles balance, bringing you closer to exciting rewards, elite status benefits, and enhanced travel experiences.
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Delta Credit Cards
Co-branded Delta credit cards provide a straightforward way to accumulate SkyMiles. Delta extends a diverse range of co-branded personal and business credit cards, all issued by American Express.
Simply use your card for everyday expenses, and you’ll earn miles with every purchase. Many cards offer a generous sign-up bonus as well.
These cards have no foreign transaction fees, making them suitable for international use, and those with an annual fee provide additional benefits like priority boarding.
Explore your options with detailed reviews for a more in-depth understanding of each card’s offerings.
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Transfer Partners
Delta has a network of transfer partners where you can convert points from partner loyalty programs into Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio in increments of 1,000 points.
Popular programs include American Express Membership Rewards, ALL-Accor Live Limitless, Radisson Rewards, IHG One Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.
American Express cards that earn Membership Rewards become powerful tools for Delta enthusiasts, offering a range of options to accumulate and utilize SkyMiles for your travel adventures.
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Delta SkyMiles Shopping Portal
The SkyMiles Shopping Portal offers an opportunity to earn extra miles. Shop online through the portal, and your purchases will accrue additional SkyMiles. It’s a fantastic way to boost your mileage balance.
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While paying Energy Bills
Residents of Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania can earn 2 miles per dollar spent on their energy bills through EnergyPlus.
Taking it a step further, EnergyPlus is sweetening the deal by offering 5,000 bonus miles after two months of service.
When selecting an energy provider, considering one that provides SkyMiles on your bill could prove advantageous.
However, it’s crucial to weigh the rates offered and ensure that the cost doesn’t outweigh the mileage benefits.
Best Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards
Delta offers a selection of credit cards with unique features and benefits, each catering to different traveler preferences.
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Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card is an excellent choice for those looking for a no-annual-fee credit card in the AmEx-Delta Air Lines lineup.
Cardholders can earn 10,000 bonus miles, 2X miles at restaurants, 2X miles on Delta purchases, and 1X miles on other eligible purchases.
Furthermore, the ability to “Pay with Miles” and receive a 20% statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases adds extra value.
With no foreign transaction fees, this card is an excellent choice for cost-conscious travelers who still want to enjoy Delta’s perks.
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Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is the ultimate travel companion for frequent Delta Flyers.
Cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus miles, 3X miles on Delta purchases, and numerous travel perks, like complimentary first checked bag and no foreign transaction fees.
While its $550 annual fee may seem steep, it offers an impressive array of benefits that more than make up for the cost.
The card provides access to the luxurious Delta Sky Club, 20% back on in-flight purchases, priority boarding, cell phone coverage, and trip cancellation insurance.
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Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card is a fantastic option for avid Delta travelers who want to elevate their journey without breaking the bank.
With an annual fee of $250, you can enjoy 50,000 bonus miles, 3X miles on Delta purchases & hotels, 2X miles on dining & groceries, and an array of premium benefits.
Additionally, the card offers various travel perks, including 15% off when booking Award Travel with miles, access to the Delta Sky Club, the first checked bag free, and a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
The Status Boost feature also helps cardholders get closer to Medallion Status.
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Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is a valuable option for travelers who want to enjoy the perks of Delta SkyMiles with a budget.
With a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then $99), cardholders get 40,000 bonus miles, 2X miles on dining, groceries, and Delta purchases.
Additional advantages include your first checked bag free, a $100 Delta Flight Credit, 15% off when booking Award Travel, 20% back on in-flight purchases, priority boarding, and protection features like purchase protection and extended warranty.
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Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card
The Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Credit Card is a rewarding choice for business travelers.
With a $99 annual fee (waived for the first year), it provides 50,000 bonus miles, 2x miles on purchases made directly with Delta, at U.S. providers for advertising in select media, U.S. shipping providers, and dining.
You will also receive a $100 Delta Flight Credit toward future travel, first checked bag free, priority boarding, no foreign transaction fees, baggage insurance, various expense management tools, and protection features like extended warranty and purchase protection.
Other Credit Cards that earn Delta SkyMiles
Discover a world of travel possibilities with credit cards that earn Delta SkyMiles. American Express offers diverse cards, each unlocking unique benefits and accelerated SkyMiles accumulation.
Credit Card | Card Details |
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– Annual Fee: $695 – Rewards Rate: 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com and1x on all other purchases – Sign-up Bonus: 80,000 Membership Rewards points once you spend $8,000 in the first 6 months |
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– Annual Fee: $250 – Rewards Rate: 4x points at restaurants, 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year), 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1x on other purchases – Sign-up Bonus: 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months |
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– Annual Fee: $695 – Rewards Rate: 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com, 1.5x on various key business categories, and 1x on other purchases – Sign-up Bonus: 120,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend $15,000 in the first 3 months |
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– Annual Fee: $295 – Rewards Rate: 4x points on two select categories, 3x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked via amextravel.com, and 1x on other purchases – Sign-up Bonus: 70,000 Membership Rewards points on spending $10,000 in the first 3 months |
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– Annual Fee: $0 – Rewards Rate: 2x points on eligible business purchases and 1x on all other purchases – Sign-up Bonus: 15,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months |
Best SkyMiles Delta credit cards
Credit card |
Uthrive rating
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Intro offer | Rewards rate | Annual fee | Learn more |
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Terms Apply |
Rating
4.2/5
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Intro Offer bonus_miles |
Reward Rates 1x - 2x Miles per dollar |
Annual Fees annual_fees |
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Terms Apply |
Rating
4.1/5
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Intro Offer bonus_miles |
Reward Rates 1x - 3x Miles |
Annual Fees annual_fees |
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Terms Apply |
Rating
4.1/5
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Intro Offer bonus_miles |
Reward Rates 1x - 3x Miles |
Annual Fees annual_fees |
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Terms Apply |
Rating
4.1/5
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Intro Offer bonus_miles |
Reward Rates 1x - 2x Miles |
Annual Fees annual_fees |
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Terms Apply |
Rating
4.2/5
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Intro Offer bonus_miles |
Reward Rates 1x - 2x Miles |
Annual Fees annual_fees |
Delta SkyMiles Medallion Program
It is an elite status program that rewards frequent Delta flyers with exclusive benefits, including priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, and access to Delta Sky Clubs.
The Delta SkyMiles Medallion Program consists of four tiers: Silver Medallion, Gold Medallion, Platinum Medallion, and Diamond Medallion.
Achieving these tiers involves meeting specific criteria like Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs), Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs), or Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs).
Enhancing your miles and enjoying added perks often involves attaining elite status.
With elite status, members enjoy an enhanced travel experience, making the Medallion Program a sought-after loyalty offering for those who frequently choose Delta for their trips.
How to earn Delta Medallion Elite Status
Attaining elite status with Delta SkyMiles involves reaching specific flying thresholds, measured by Medallion Qualifying Miles or Medallion Qualifying Segments while meeting a minimum annual spending requirement.
Earning Delta Medallion Elite Status opens a world of privileges for you!
Elite Status | MQMs | MQSs | MQDs |
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Silver |
25,000 |
30 |
$3,000 |
Gold |
50,000 |
60 |
$8,000 |
Diamond |
75,000 |
100 |
$12,000 |
Platinum |
125,000 |
140 |
$20,000 |
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Silver Medallion
Earning Silver Medallion status with Delta involves a combination of Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) and Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs).
To attain this entry-level tier, you need either 25,000 MQMs or 30 MQSs and $3,000 MQDs.
Silver Medallion status comes with perks such as complimentary first-class upgrades, priority boarding, and a waived baggage fee. Silver Medallion members also earn 7 miles for every dollar spent, making it a rewarding tier in Delta’s program.
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Gold Medallion
Climbing to the Gold Medallion status in Delta’s SkyMiles program comes with an array of premium perks. Achieving this elite tier requires either 50,000 MQMs or 60 MQSs and $8,000 MQDs.
Delta Gold Medallion status grants access to Delta Sky Clubs.
Gold Medallion members enjoy complimentary first-class upgrades on domestic and short-haul international flights three days before departure, upgrades to Comfort+, and two complimentary checked bags.
They can also earn 8 miles for every dollar spent.
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Platinum Medallion
Attaining Platinum Medallion status in the Delta SkyMiles program requires accumulating 75,000 MQMs or 100 MQSs and $12,000 MQDs.
This elevated tier offers a host of additional privileges beyond those of Silver and Gold.
Platinum Medallion members relish complimentary first-class upgrades on domestic and short-haul international flights five days before departure, 9 miles for every dollar spent, three complimentary checked bags, and the option to choose a Choice Benefit.
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Diamond Medallion
The pinnacle of elite status in the SkyMiles program is the Diamond Medallion. To reach this, you need 25,000 MQMs or 140 MQSs and $20,000 MQDs.
Diamond Medallion members earn an impressive 11 miles for every dollar spent, enjoying a suite of elevated perks.
In addition to the perks outlined for Silver, Gold, and Platinum, Diamond status brings three additional Choice Benefit options, complimentary Clear membership, and higher upgrade priority.
Delta 360 is an invitation-only tier and its qualification criteria remain publicly disclosed.
Benefits of Delta Air Lines Elite Status
As you go up the Delta Medallion tiers, the spectrum of benefits keeps increasing, reaching its zenith with Delta Diamond Medallion members reaping the most lavish rewards.
Delta sets itself apart by introducing a distinctive feature: the rollover of Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs).
This means that any earned MQMs surpassing your current Medallion level will carry forward into the next year, ensuring a continuous accumulation of benefits for dedicated Delta enthusiasts.
Types of Benefits | Silver Medallion | Gold Medallion | Platinum Medallion | Diamond Medallion |
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SkyMiles earned per Dollar spent |
7 (40% bonus) |
8 (60% bonus) |
9 (80% bonus) |
11 (120% bonus) |
Unlimited Upgrades to First Class and Comfort+ |
24-hour window |
72-hour window |
120-hour window |
120-hour window with priority |
Free Checked Bag (8 companions) |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Priority Boarding & Check-In |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Complimentary Preferred Seat Selection |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Hertz Elite Status |
Five Star status |
Five Star status |
President’s Circle status |
President’s Circle status |
Choice Benefit Options |
– |
– |
1 Choice Benefit |
3 Choice Benefits |
Complimentary CLEAR Membership |
– |
– |
– |
✔ |
How to redeem Delta SkyMiles
Discover the versatility of Delta SkyMiles and how to use them to get most value of your rewards:
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Award Flights with Delta
Your SkyMiles can help you unlock flights with Delta. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a cross-country adventure, use your miles to cover part or all of your fare.
Delta’s award flights operate on a dynamic pricing model based on factors like- cash prices, demand, and travel locations.
The number of miles you need for a trip can be a bit tricky to figure out, but that’s where Delta’s flexible dates calendar proves valuable. It helps you see how many SkyMiles your trip might need.
There are no blackout dates, offering flexibility in booking as long as seats are available on operating flights.
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For Flying on Delta Partners
SkyMiles are pretty flexible as they’re not just for Delta flights. You can extend the reach of your SkyMiles by booking flights with Delta’s extensive network of partner airlines- both Alliance member and non-alliance partner airlines.
Just use Delta’s website like you would for a regular Delta flight to book a partner flight. You can usually make bookings online, but for some, you might need to call Delta.
When you check the results for a specific day, it shows which airline offers award space for that route.
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Using Miles for Delta Reservation Services
Your Delta SkyMiles might come in handy for covering certain fees and services, helping you use your miles for more than just flights!
When you need to make changes or additions to your booking, use your miles instead of cash by contacting Delta Reservations at 1-800-323-2323.
It includes services like picking preferred seats, covering ticket change fees, etc.
You can enhance your travel experience by utilizing miles for priority boarding, in-flight amenities, and premium seating. Just keep in mind that these mile-based redemptions are nonrefundable.
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Delta Gift Cards
Flexibility is key when it comes to using your Delta SkyMiles. Consider redeeming miles for Delta gift cards, with the redemption starting at 5,600 miles for a $50 gift card.
These versatile cards can be applied toward Delta flights or various other expenses, offering a practical way to maximize your miles.
Is Delta SkyMiles worth it?
Delta SkyMiles can be worth it for frequent travelers who value flexibility and convenience. Also, enrolling in the Delta SkyMiles program is free, making it a worthwhile pursuit for everyone!
While the exact value of SkyMiles can vary, the ability to redeem them for flights, upgrades, and travel experiences provides a great opportunity for saving and enhancing your journey.
Elite status benefits further enhance the program’s value, making it an appealing choice for loyal Delta flyers.
Pros and Cons
Explore the world of Delta SkyMiles as we delve into its advantages and drawbacks.
Pros
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Delta boasts an expansive network of airline partners and destinations, providing flexibility to travelers.
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Delta SkyMiles offers a wide range of options for earning and using miles.
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Achieving a Delta elite status opens doors to exclusive perks and privileges.
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Delta is a member of SkyTeam, the second-largest worldwide airline alliance.
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Delta is a member of SkyTeam, the second-largest worldwide airline alliance.
Cons
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The value of SkyMiles can fluctuate based on factors like route and availability.
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Award seats on certain routes may have limited availability.
Why Maximize your Delta Skymiles with Uthrive?
Maximizing your Delta SkyMiles with Uthrive ensures efficient management of your credit cards by seamlessly aligning your purchases with the most rewarding options.
Uthrive’s user-friendly app eliminates the need for manual tracking, providing real-time insights into savings and cash back.
It recommends the best credit card for all your transactions. Uthrive optimizes your SkyMiles earning potential without extra effort.
The app’s alert system prevents missed opportunities with coverage for all major credit cards and airlines.
For elevating your rewards game, it becomes an invaluable tool in unlocking additional savings, potentially ranging from $200 to $800 on average.
Thus, if you wish to boost your Delta SkyMiles, Uthrive is the way to go!