Delta SkyMiles: Complete guide to earning, redeeming and elite status

One of the vital standard frequent flyer packages is Delta SkyMiles, the loyalty program of Delta Air Traces 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 recent valuations from February 2026.

You may earn Delta SkyMiles by way of quite a lot of strategies. Some standard choices embody flying with Delta and its companions, spending on Delta’s cobranded playing cards, transferring factors from American Express Membership Rewards, purchasing by way of the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal, eating by way of the Delta SkyMiles Dining program and making the most of various other promotions supplied by the airline.

Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express 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 a further $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 access.

Associated: Best Delta credit cards

Delta SkyMiles program companions

Delta is a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance. You may earn and redeem SkyMiles if you journey with any SkyTeam airline, together with:

Aerolineas Argentinas
Aeromexico
Air Europa
Air France
China Airways
China Japanese Airways
Delta Air Traces
Garuda Indonesia
Kenya Airways
KLM
Korean Air
Center East Airways
Saudia
Scandinavian Airways
TAROM
Vietnam Airways
Virgin Atlantic
Xiamen Airways

Different companions

Delta has a number of different partnerships past SkyTeam members, providing you with quite a few choices for incomes miles even if you aren’t flying with Delta or a SkyTeam airline. Nonalliance companions embody:

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AirBaltic
Cape Air
El Al
LATAM
WestJet

Simply observe that every partnership has specific restrictions and requirements.

Associated: The best websites for searching SkyTeam award availability

Delta SkyMiles elite standing

Delta Sky Club Salt Lake City SLC B Concourse — ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

The SkyMiles program gives four elite status 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 may earn MQDs within the following methods:

Listed below 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 departure
Upgrades to Consolation+ inside 24 hours of departure
Precedence boarding (Zone 5) and check-in
One 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 provides you with:

Complimentary first-class upgrades on home and short-haul worldwide flights from three days earlier than departure
Upgrades to Consolation+ inside three days of departure
SkyPriority standing
No 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 departure
Upgrades to Consolation+ at reserving
Your decide of a Choice Benefit

SkyMiles Diamond Medallion

Lastly, the very best publicly obtainable tier within the SkyMiles program is Diamond Medallion. Diamond Medallion members get all the pieces detailed above, plus some even higher perks:

Learn how to earn Delta SkyMiles

Delta 717 PIT — ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

You may 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 way of on a regular basis actions like purchasing and eating.

Earn SkyMiles by flying

While you fly Delta on a Delta-issued ticket in the primary cabin or above (basic economy fares don’t earn miles), you will earn SkyMiles on the bottom value of your ticket. The upper your standing tier, the quicker you will earn miles.

Common member: 5 miles per greenback
Silver Medallion: 7 miles per greenback
Gold Medallion: 8 miles per greenback
Platinum Medallion: 9 miles per greenback
Diamond Medallion: 11 miles per greenback

In the meantime, when you guide a associate flight on that service’s web site (for instance, Air France) and add your Delta SkyMiles quantity, you will earn miles primarily based on a share of the space flown. The precise variety of SkyMiles you will obtain varies based on the partner, the reserving class and your elite standing.

Earn SkyMiles by way 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 have a look at among the greatest Delta SkyMiles bank cards from American Categorical. (Phrases apply.)

Annual price	Welcome bonus	TPG’s valuation (as of February 2026)	Notable perks
$0 introductory annual price for the primary 12 months, then $150 (see rates and fees)	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 a further $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 12 months As much as a $100 annual assertion credit score towards resorts and trip leases by way 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 a further $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 certificate for a important cabin round-trip flight throughout 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 price for World Entry ($120 each 4 years) or TSA PreCheck (as much as $85 each 4 1/2 years) As much as $10 monthly in assertion credit for eligible U.S. Resy restaurant purchases and as much as $10 monthly in ride-hailing assertion credit with choose U.S. suppliers As much as a $150 annual Delta Stays assertion credit score Hertz Five Star status (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 a further $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 Club lounge visits per 12 months (plus limitless Sky Membership visits by way of the tip of the next Medallion 12 months when you spend $75,000 or extra throughout a calendar 12 months) and entry to American Express Centurion Lounges if you guide your Delta flight with the cardboard An annual companion certificates for a round-trip flight throughout the U.S. or to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America in important cabin, Consolation+ or first-class annually after renewing your card Complimentary upgrades for non-Medallion members As much as $20 monthly in assertion credit for eligible U.S. Resy restaurant purchases and as much as $10 monthly 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.
$0 introductory annual price for the primary 12 months, then $150 (see rates and fees)	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. transport and choose media promoting within the U.S. (as much as $50,000 per 12 months, 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 12 months 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. transport 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 important cabin flight throughout 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 price for World Entry ($120 each 4 years) or TSA PreCheck (as much as $85 each 4 1/2 years) As much as $10 monthly in assertion credit for eligible U.S. Resy restaurant purchases and as much as $10 monthly 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 12 months to Delta Sky Membership lounges (plus limitless Sky Membership visits by way of the tip of the next Medallion 12 months when you spend $75,000 or extra throughout a calendar 12 months) and entry to American Categorical Centurion Lounges if you guide your Delta flight with the cardboard Earn 1.5 miles per greenback spent on eligible transit, U.S. transport and U.S. workplace provide retailer purchases, plus all eligible purchases after you spend $150,000 per 12 months on the cardboard An annual companion certificates for a round-trip flight throughout the U.S. or to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America in important cabin, Consolation+ or first-class annually after renewing your card Complimentary upgrades for non-Medallion members As much as $20 monthly in assertion credit for eligible U.S. Resy restaurant purchases and as much as $10 monthly 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 things you need to know about Delta SkyMiles

Earn SkyMiles by way of purchasing portals

One of many best methods to earn SkyMiles is thru Delta’s on-line purchasing portal, Delta SkyMiles Shopping. You may earn miles on purchases you’d ordinarily make with over a thousand retailers on-line.

In the event you do not have already got an account, you will need to register utilizing your SkyMiles quantity. Then, you should utilize the search field to seek out the shop or product you are searching for and evaluate costs and mileage charges at totally 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 if you’ve made a purchase order, and the miles you earn shall be added to your SkyMiles account. You will 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 points, miles or cash back: How to maximize online shopping portals for your purchases

Switch Amex factors to Delta

Lastly, you may 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 increased than SkyMiles.

It is typically tough to get the next fare from Delta as a result of dynamic pricing. You will additionally should pay an excise tax offset fee when transferring Amex factors to Delta (and different home frequent flyer packages).

Associated: Amex Membership Rewards transfer partners: Redeem your points with airlines and hotels

Learn how 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 website is fairly straightforward to navigate, and its helpful calendar characteristic might help you discover the bottom costs in your subsequent redemption.

We have usually discovered the most effective redemptions on home flights. With one of many Delta cobranded playing cards that provides a 15% low cost on Delta-operated award tickets, you may generally guide short-haul flights for below 4,000 SkyMiles one-way. That mentioned, costs will fluctuate by day, route and cabin class.

Observe 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 may 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 value drops, securing a refund of the distinction in miles.

Moreover, you should utilize your SkyMiles to book partner 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: How to redeem your Delta SkyMiles for maximum value

Candy spots

delta airlines economy — BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY

With Delta utilizing dynamic pricing throughout its route community, there aren’t many candy spots to maximise the worth of your SkyMiles. Nonetheless, there are a couple of good choices on the market.

Delta flash gross sales

Delta regularly 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 primary cabin, Consolation+ and first-class. Previous offers embody round-trip flights to Europe for just 34,000 miles and fares to Tahiti starting at 60,000 miles.

In fact, these low-cost tickets aren’t at all times nicely marketed, so it pays to verify availability typically. Delta typically costs short- and mid-haul award tickets nicely below what different airways would cost for comparable flights. You will typically discover the most effective 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 guide 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: How to get value from 5,000 or fewer Delta SkyMiles

Backside line

With its stable operational efficiency, huge route community and quite a few associate airways, Delta is touted by some as the most effective home airline. The truth is, the service has taken the highest spot in TPG’s evaluation of the best airlines in the U.S. for the final seven years. Though award pricing and elite standing necessities have disenchanted many Delta loyalists, there’s nonetheless a lot 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 purchasing portals and making purchases with Delta bank cards can enhance your SkyMiles stability in your subsequent redemption.

For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Gold card, click on here.
For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card, click on here.
For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card, click on here.
For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Enterprise card, click on here.
For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Enterprise card, click on here.
For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise card, click on here.