Delta is the one of the largest airlines in North America, and SkyMiles is its frequent flyer program. This program is often regarded as one of the best frequent flyer programs for earning & redeeming points/miles.
Update 9/13/23: Starting from January 1, 2024, Delta Airlines is making significant changes to its loyalty program. Members will now earn status solely through Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs), with no more Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) or Medallion Qualifying Segments (MQSs). While rollover benefits won’t disappear, they can be converted into MQDs or miles. Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta Reserve Business American Express Cardholders will enjoy 10 Club visits per Medallion Year starting from February 1, 2025, with unlimited access achievable upon spending $75,000 in a calendar year and the following year. Unfortunately, Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Delta Platinum Business American Express Cards will no longer grant Club Access. Furthermore, travelers with Basic Economy (E) fare tickets or similar “Light” or “basic” tickets will lose access to the Delta Sky Club starting January 1, 2024. While details on MQD changes and rollover conversions are pending, these adjustments aim to address overcrowding and place restrictions on lounge visits.
See our best credit card bonuses here.
Delta miles are easy to earn, even easier to redeem, and they have decent value. But is Delta SkyMiles worth your loyalty? Let’s find out below.
| Domestic Hubs | Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis – St. Paul, Salt Lake City, Seattle – Tacoma |
| Personal Credit Cards | Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card |
| Business Credit Cards | Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card |
| Redemption Options | Award flights, Delta Vacations, Delta Sky Club, Delta Reservations, Shop with Miles, gift/transfer/donate miles. |
| Average Mile Value | $0.012 |
SkyMiles Medallion Status
There are no requirements to join the Delta SkyMiles program, but you’ll have to move up from basic membership to Medallion status to get any real benefits.
Earning Medallion Status
To earn elite status, you’ll need to have a certain amount of Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) and either a certain amount of Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) or a certain amount of Medallion Qualifying Segments (MQSs) within a calendar year.
MQDs. Earn one MQD for every dollar you spend on Delta flights. The amount does not include taxes and government fees.
MQMs. How much you earn depends on how far you fly and your fare class. Regular economy class tickets earn a rate of one MQM per mile, while higher classes may earn up to two MQM per mile.
MQSs. How much you earn is based on how many takeoff-to-landing flights you take. For example, a nonstop flight from Los Angeles to New York would earn one MQS. But if you transferred in Atlanta, then you would earn two MQSs.
| Status | MQDs | MQMs/MQSs |
| Silver | $3,000 | 25,000/30 |
| Gold | $6,000 | 50,000/60 |
| Platinum | $9,000 | 75,000/100 |
| Diamond | $15,000 | 125,000/140 |
Keep in mind, MQMs roll over to the following year. Which means any “leftover” MQMs you didn’t use to qualify for status will get you a head start for the next year.
*For updated information, click here for our source.
Medallion Status Benefits
All Medallion members enjoy priority check-in, priority boarding and waived baggage fees. Those who are above Silver status will also get priority security lane access, priority baggage service and SkyTeam lounge access at participating airports.
| Benefits | Silver | Gold | Platinum | Diamond |
| Earning rate | 7x SkyMiles | 8x SkyMiles | 9x SkyMiles | 11x SkyMiles |
| Free upgrades to First Class | 24 hours before departure | 72 hours before departure | 120 hours before departure | 120 hours before departure |
| Free upgrades to Comfort+ seats | 24 hours before departure | 72 hours before departure | Soon after ticketing | Soon after ticketing |
| Same-day flight change fee | Yes | No | No | No |
| Ticket reissue fee | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Award ticket refund | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| SkyTeam partner status | Elite | Elite Plus | Elite Plus | Elite Plus |
Platinum and Diamond members are eligible for Delta Choice Benefits.
Platinum Choice Benefits (choose one):
- Package of 4 regional upgrade certificates
- Single voucher for Global Entry application fee
- 20,000 bonus miles
- $200 Delta travel voucher
- $200 Tiffany & Co. gift card
- Gift of Silver status to a friend
Diamond Choice Benefits (choose three):
- Individual membership to Delta Sky Clubs
- Executive membership to Delta Sky Clubs
- Package of as many as 8 upgrade certificates
- Two vouchers for Global Entry application fee
- 25,000 bonus miles
- $200 Delta travel voucher
- $200 Tiffany & Co. gift card
- Gift of Gold status to a friend
Status Matching
Delta will match your status with another airline frequent flyer program. You must:
- Have current elite status with a qualifying airline.
- Not matched in the last 3 years.
Once approved, you can enjoy complimentary Medallion status for three months. In order to keep your status, you’ll need:
| Status | MQDs | MQMs/MQSs |
| Silver | $750 (or waiver) | 6,250/8 |
| Gold | $1,500 (or waiver) | 12,500/15 |
| Platinum | $2,250 (or waiver) | 18,750/25 |
*For updated information, click here for our source.
Earning SkyMiles: Co-Branded Personal Credit Cards
There are many way to earn Delta SkyMiles but the easiest way is by signing up for a co-branded Delta SkyMiles card. These cards from American Express offer generous introductory bonuses that will give you a nice start to earning SkyMiles. Here are the 3 consumer credit cards.
DELTA SKYMILES® GOLD AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has an offer for 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Ongoing rewards are 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases, and purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. You’ll earn 1 mile per dollar for all other eligible purchases.
Spend $10,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year and receive a $100 Delta Flight Credit.
You’ll also get Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and your first bag checked for free on Delta flights.
Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $99. See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply.
DELTA SKYMILES PLATINUM AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card has an introductory offer for 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 MQMs after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
This card earns 3 miles per $1 on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. It also earns 2 miles per $1 at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. You’ll earn 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Upon renewal of your card each year, you will receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. The cost of government imposed taxes and fees will be no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
You and up to 8 travel companions get your first checked bag free on Delta flights. You’ll also receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights.
You’ll also get an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓. There are no foreign transaction fees and the annual fee is $250.
DELTA SKYMILES RESERVE AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card has an offer for 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
This card earns 3X Miles on Delta purchases and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
Upon the annual renewal of your Card, receive a Domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+® or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate. *Payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
You and up to 8 travel companions get your first checked bag free on Delta Flights. You’ll also receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights.
This card gets a Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
Another great benefit is the complimentary Delta Sky Club access. You’ll also get complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner when you book your Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
There are no foreign transaction fees and the annual fee is $550.
Earning SkyMiles: Co-Branded Business Credit Cards
Turn your everyday business expenditures into SkyMiles! This is a great option for business owners and their associates. Like their consumer card counterparts, these business credit cards offer generous signup bonuses and earning rates, giving you an easy path to racking up points.
DELTA SKYMILES GOLD BUSINESS AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card is offering 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 3 months.
This card earns 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta, on every dollar spent on eligible U.S. purchases for advertising in select media, on every dollar spent on eligible U.S. shipping purchases, on every eligible dollar spent at restaurants. Earn 1 Mile on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
Benefits include priority boarding and your first checked bag on Delta Flights for free. You’ll also earn a $100 Delta Flight Credit after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
Introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $99. See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply.
DELTA SKYMILES® PLATINUM BUSINESS AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card has an offer for 60,000 bonus miles and 5,000 MQMs after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 3 months.
Earn 3 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent on purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 1.5 miles per dollar on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (that’s an extra half point per dollar), up to 50,000 additional miles per year.
With Status Boost®, earn 10,000 MQMs after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your new Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status.
Travel benefits include your first bag on Delta Flights checked for free and Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding. You’ll also get a 20% savings on eligible in-flight purchases.
Spend $25,000 in purchases on the Card in a calendar year and earn 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs); spend a total of $50,000 in eligible purchases on the Card in a calendar year and earn an additional 10,000 MQMs.
There are no foreign transaction fees and this card has a $250 annual fee. See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply.
DELTA SKYMILES® RESERVE BUSINESS AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card has an offer for 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 3 months. Offer ends 11/9/22.
Our valuation puts the 100k miles at around $1120.
This card earns 3 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta. After you spend $150,000 on your Card in a calendar year, you earn 1.5 Miles per dollar (that’s an extra half mile per dollar) on eligible purchases the rest of the year. If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply (ex: you would earn 3X miles on purchases made directly with Delta instead of 1.5X).
Earn 15,000 MQMs with Status Boost® after you spend $30,000 in purchases in a calendar year on your new card. You can earn this up to four times per year to help you get closer to Medallion Status.
Your first bag on Delta Flights gets checked free and you get Main Cabin 1 priority boarding.
Access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner is free for you when you book your Delta flight with your card. You’ll get 2 free one-time use Delta Sky Club passes for your guests annually.
Also, receive a Domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+ or Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year after you renew your card.
There are no foreign transaction fees and the annual fee is $550. See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply.
Earning SkyMiles: Other Ways
The easiest way to earn miles, other than taking advantage of the bonus offers from co-branded credit cards, is to fly on Delta and its partner airlines. But there are other ways as well, including spending money with Delta’s many retail and travel partners.
Earn a base rate of 5x SkyMiles on Delta flights. If you have Medallion status, you’ll earn bonus SkyMiles:
| Status | Rewards Earned |
| Silver | 7x SkyMiles |
| Gold | 8x SkyMiles |
| Platinum | 9x SkyMiles |
| Diamond | 11x SkyMiles |
Earn SkyMiles when you use your Delta number on partner airlines. How many you’ll earn depends on airline, fare type and fare class. Airline partners include:
- Aerolineas
- Aeromexico
- Air France/KLM
- AirEuropa
- Alitalia
- China Airlines
- China Eastern
- China Southern
- Czech Airlines
- Garuda Indonesia
- GOL
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Kenya Airways
- Korean Air
- Middle Eastern Airlines
- SAUDIA
- TAROM
- Xiamen Air
- Vietnam Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Virgin Australia
- WestJet
Earn up to 5x miles when you link any credit card to SkyMiles Dining and use it at thousands of participating restaurants, bars and clubs. Plus, earn up to 3,000 bonus SkyMiles in your first 30 days as a dining program member:
- 500 bonus miles by spending at least $30 at any participating restaurant.
- 1,000 bonus miles by spending at least $30 on your second participating restaurant visit.
- 1,500 bonus miles by spending at least $30 on your third participating restaurant visit.
To qualify, you must complete an online review of each restaurant within 30 days of your visit.
To maximize your earning potential, read our complete guide to dining programs.
Earn SkyMiles at hundreds of online merchants when you shop through SkyMiles Shopping. Participating brands include: Brooks Brothers, Cost Plus World Market, Kohl’s, Microsoft, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Samsung and Staples.
To maximize your earning potential, read our complete guide to online shopping portals.
Earn SkyMiles when you spend with Delta’s many travel partners all over the world, including:
| PARTNER | DETAILS |
| Accor | Earn 12.5 miles for every 10€ |
| Alamo | 500 miles per qualifying rental |
| Carmel | 100 miles + 2x miles for spending over $100 1x miles when you spend less than $100 |
| Delta AirBNB | 1x miles on qualifying stays |
| Delta Hotels | At least 1x miles |
| Delta Vacations | Up to 7,500 miles per person (for a flight + hotel getaway) |
| Dollar Car Rental | 500 miles per qualifying rental |
| Enterprise | 500 miles per qualifying rental |
| Europcar | 60 miles per day on qualifying rentals |
| ExecuCar | 150 miles per direction |
| Hertz | At least 500 miles per rental |
| Hyatt | 500 miles per eligible stay |
| IHG | 2x miles on eligible charges |
| Langham | Up to 500 miles per night (maximum 1,500 miles per stay) |
| Lyft | 1x miles on every ride |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 2x miles on eligible charges |
| National Car Rental | 500 miles per qualifying rental |
| Radisson Rewards | 10,000 points = 1,000 SkyMiles |
| Shangri-La | 500 miles per eligible stay |
| Sixt Rent-A-Car | 500 miles per car rental 1,000 per chauffeur service |
| SkyMiles Cruises | At least 1,500 on any booking Up to 30,000 miles (for a balcony or suite stateroom) |
| SuperShuttle | 50 miles per direction |
| Thrifty Car Rental | 500 miles per qualifying rental |
| Worldhotels | 500 miles per qualifying stay |
*The above information has been independently collected by MoneysMyLife and subject to change. For updated information, click here for our source on hotel and airbnb and here for car partners.
Earn SkyMiles when you spend with Delta’s many merchant partners, including:
| PARTNER | DETAILS |
| Biscoff | 1x miles spent at the Biscoff Store |
| FTD Flowers | At least 20x miles on flowers and gifts |
| Delta Ticketmaster | 1x miles on eligible ticket purchases |
| Vinesse Wines | 5,000 miles with enrollment 5x miles on all wine club shipments and orders |
For updated information, click here for our source.
Transfer points from partner loyalty programs and convert them into SkyMiles.
Credit card partners include:
- American Express
- Banco de Chile
Hotel and car rental partners include:
Other program partners include:
- Flyertea (China)
*Click here for a full updated list.
Delta lets you purchase SkyMiles at $0.035 apiece. We value each mile at an average of $0.012, so you’d be paying more than twice their worth.
Redeeming SkyMiles
We value SkyMiles at around $0.012 each. But depending on how you use them, they can be worth as little as $0.004 apiece to as high as $0.032 each.
Unlike most frequent flyer programs, the SkyMiles you earn will never expire as long as your account is open. So you can earn and burn as slowly as you want.
Use your SkyMiles for flights with Delta and its partners to over 1,000 destinations worldwide. This is the best redemption option for your Delta miles.
Delta Flights. Like most frequent flyer programs nowadays, Delta does not publish an award chart. You’ll need to enter your flight information to see what the award trip would cost in miles. Award pricing depends on route, demand and cash price of the ticket. There are no blackout dates.
We’ve seen domestic coach award travel
for 25,000 SkyMiles roundtrip.
Airline Partners
- Aeromexico
- Aerolineas Argentinas
- Alitalia
- Air France/KLM
- China Eastern
- China Airlines
- China Southern
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Korean Air
- Mandarin Airlines
- Middle East Airlines
- Saudia Airlines
- Shanghai Airlines
- Tarom Airlines
- Vietnam Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Virgin Australia
- WestJet
- Xiamen Airlines
You can also book award travel with Air Europa, Air Tahiti Nui, Czech Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Kenya Airways, but you’ll need to contact Delta Reservations to do so.
Miles + Cash. If you don’t have enough SkyMiles for an award flight, you can pay with a combination of miles and cash (select flights only).
Pay With Miles. Exclusively for select Delta SkyMiles credit card members, Pay with Miles lets you use your miles at a rate of $0.01 each to book paid Delta and Delta Connection flights. Redeem in increments of 5,000 miles.
Seat Upgrades. Use Delta miles to upgrade to a higher class of travel. Both paid and award travel qualify.
Delta Private Jets. Redemption starts at 2.5 million miles for a $25,000 Jet Card. There’s enough room to take four passengers on a seamless, effortless and luxurious trip.
*Click here for more information.
Use your SkyMiles for vacation packages inspired by hundreds of destinations, thousands of accommodations and endless activities. With the Miles to Go program, you can redeem Delta miles when you book flights, hotel stays, rental cars and activities as part of your vacation package.
Use your SkyMiles for a Delta Sky Club membership:
| Membership | Executive | Individual |
| Annual cost | 84,500 miles | 54,500 miles |
| Access | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Guests | 2 per visit | 2 per visit |
| Per guest rate | Free | $29 or 2,500 miles |
As you enjoy your time in a Delta Sky Club, you can use your miles to treat yourself to a premium beverage, like an Old Fashioned or a Gin Fizz.
*For updated information, click here for our source.
Use your SkyMiles for various products and services through Delta Reservations, including:
- Selecting Preferred Seats
- Ticket change fees
- Award Ticket redeposit fees
- Same-Day Confirmed fees
- External ticket charge
Bid on exclusive events and access, like going backstage, walking the red carpet and stepping on the field of your favorite team. Check out the SkyMiles Experiences page to see what’s up for auction.
SkyMiles Marketplace. Exclusively for Medallion members and Delta SkyMiles credit cardholders, redeem your miles for a wide variety of merchandise, hotel stays, car rentals, gift cards and more.
SkyMiles JTB Japan Package Tour Voucher. Select members living in Japan can use up to 30,000 SkyMiles each calendar year for this program.
Magazines. Use your SkyMiles to subscribe to your favorite magazines, including Entertainment Weekly, Sports Illustrated, Vogue and more.
*Click here for more information.
Gift Miles. You can send the gift of miles in increments of 2,000 to up to four recipients at a time. Transaction fees do apply.
Transfer Miles. You can transfer miles in increments of 1,000 to up to four recipients at at time. Transaction fees do apply.
Donate Miles. Use your SkyMiles to change lives. Choose from a variety of charitable organizations around the world.
*Click here for more information.
SkyMiles Tips & Tricks
Domestic Travel. You can get $0.012 for each of your SkyMiles when you redeem for domestic economy fare. That value goes up to $0.013 per mile when you book domestic business class tickets.
Business Class on International Flights. You’ll get an average of $0.024 each SkyMile for business class tickets on international flights. That number drops to $0.08 each if you book economy fare.
Seems counterintuitive, but adding segments to your trip can lower your award ticket price. That’s because flying in and out of Delta’s hubs will cost you a lot more, the result of the airline taking advantage of little or no competition at its prime airports.
If you live somewhere with multiple airports, be sure to compare all your options. Consider using your SkyMiles on routes that are also operated by Delta’s competition.
Use Delta’s five-week search function to look at prices for five weeks worth of flights. By scrolling though, you’ll get a better sense of what the “normal” price is for your itinerary and avoid overpaying for a flight.
Delta offers frequent award sales and promotions. Past deals include:
- 10,000 SkyMiles for domestic flights, one way.
- 32,000 SkyMiles for flights to Europe, roundtrip.
- Promotions to China and Japan.
These sales are updated every Thursday. Check out the SkyMiles Deals page for more details.
Bottom Line
Delta SkyMiles has a lot going for it. It’s free to join, miles never expire, and SkyMiles Deals are downright steals. But keep in mind, Delta doesn’t publish an award chart, so you’ll have to put in some legwork to find best award pricing.
Now that you know the ins and outs of the Delta SkyMiles program, you can make an informed decision about whether or not it’s worth your loyalty.
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