One of the fashionable frequent flyer applications is Delta SkyMiles, the loyalty program of Delta Air Traces. TPG at present values SkyMiles at 1.2 cents apiece, and you may redeem them for flights, upgrades, motels and extra.
After you earn sufficient SkyMiles, there are various methods to redeem them in your dream trip. And, you will usually get essentially the most worth out of your miles for those who snag one in all Delta’s frequent flash gross sales, which supply discounted award flights domestically and overseas.
Whether or not flying or utilizing a Delta cobranded bank card, incomes SkyMiles is straightforward. Plus, this system additionally allows you to earn elite standing on award tickets. Hold studying to seek out out extra concerning the Delta SkyMiles program.
What’s the Delta SkyMiles program?
Delta SkyMiles is the loyalty program of Delta Air Traces. Becoming a member of this system is free, and your miles by no means expire.
You’ll be able to earn Delta SkyMiles by means of quite a lot of strategies. Some fashionable ones embody flying, spending on Delta’s bank cards, transferring factors from American Specific Membership Rewards, buying by means of the Delta SkyMiles buying portal, eating out by means of the SkyMiles Eating program and partaking in numerous different promotions supplied by the airline.
Delta SkyMiles program companions
Delta is a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, which incorporates over a dozen airways worldwide. You’ll be able to earn and redeem miles whenever you journey with a SkyTeam airline. SkyTeam serves 1,000 locations and touches just about each a part of the globe, with flights touchdown on six continents.
The members are:
- Aerolinas Argentinas
- Aeromexico (the partnership with Delta will reportedly finish in October 2024)
- Air Europa
- Air France
- China Airways
- China Jap Airways
- Czech Airways
- Delta Air Traces
- Garuda Indonesia
- ITA Airways
- Kenya Airways
- KLM
- Korean Air
- Center East Airways
- Saudia
- TAROM
- Vietnam Airways
- Virgin Atlantic
- XiamenAir
Associated: Delta Air Traces unveils 4 new routes, expanded service to Latin America
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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 on Delta or a SkyTeam airline.
Non-alliance companions embody:
- Cape Air
- China Southern Airways
- LATAM
- WestJet
Simply notice that every partnership has particular restrictions and necessities.
Associated: One of the best web sites for looking out SkyTeam award availability
Delta SkyMiles elite standing
This system gives 4 elite standing tiers for frequent Delta flyers: Silver Medallion, Gold Medallion, Platinum Medallion and Diamond Medallion.
Incomes Delta Medallion standing
As of Jan. 1, 2024, Delta solely makes use of Medallion Qualification {Dollars} as standards for qualification — and the requirement thresholds are rising considerably for 2025 necessities. Bear in mind, standing is earned based mostly on exercise throughout the earlier calendar 12 months.
| Tier | MQDs for 2023 standing | MQDs for 2024 standing | MQDs for 2025 standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Medallion | 3,000 | 3,000 | 5,000 |
| Gold Medallion | 6,000 | 8,000 | 10,000 |
| Platinum Medallion | 9,000 | 12,000 | 15,000 |
| Diamond Medallion | 15,000 | 20,000 | 28,000 |
In accordance with Delta’s web site, “Starting February 2024, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum, Platinum Enterprise, Reserve and Reserve Enterprise American Specific Card members will obtain an MQD Headstart of $2,500 MQDs per card kind for the present Medallion Qualification Yr.”
Moreover, Delta launched an “MQD Enhance” profit, which permits cardmembers to earn further MQDs when spending a specific amount on their Delta playing cards. Sadly, you will not have entry to the MQD waiver in your Delta bank card, enacted on Jan. 1.
You’ll be able to earn MQDs within the following methods:
Associated: Is Delta Air Traces standing price it? What this disenchanted soon-to-be-Diamond thinks
Listed here are some key advantages of every of Delta’s standing tiers.
SkyMiles Silver Medallion
The entry tier in Delta’s 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 and check-in
- One complimentary checked bag
- 7 miles per greenback spent
SkyMiles Gold Medallion
Subsequent up is Gold Medallion. Here is what you will get as a Gold elite:
- 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
- Waived same-day confirmed adjustments
- Two complimentary checked luggage (throughout the U.S. and Canada)
- 8 miles per greenback spent
SkyMiles Platinum Medallion
The third tier within the SkyMiles program is Platinum Medallion standing. 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+ on the time of reserving
- Three complimentary checked luggage (throughout the U.S. and Canada)
- Your decide of a Alternative Profit
- 9 miles per greenback spent
SkyMiles Diamond Medallion
Lastly, the very best public elite tier within the SkyMiles program is Diamond Medallion. You will get the whole lot detailed above, plus some even higher perks:
- Further Alternative Profit choices
- Complimentary Clear Plus membership
- Larger improve precedence
- 11 miles per greenback spent
Word that Delta does have an invitation-only tier of standing: Delta 360. Nonetheless, there aren’t any revealed qualification standards to earn it.
Associated: The within scoop on invite-only Delta 360 standing
Learn how to earn SkyMiles
There are a number of methods to earn Delta SkyMiles. The best methods are flying Delta-operated flights, touring with a SkyTeam accomplice and opening a Delta cobranded bank card. You may as well earn miles by means of on a regular basis actions like buying and eating.
Earn SkyMiles by flying
If you fly Delta on a Delta-issued ticket, you earn SkyMiles based mostly on the bottom worth of your ticket. Since Delta miles by no means expire, there is no cause to keep away from turning into a member.
These with Delta Medallion elite standing earn extra miles on paid tickets.
- Basic member: 5 miles
- Silver Medallion: 7 miles
- Gold Medallion: 8 miles
- Platinum Medallion: 9 miles
- Diamond Medallion: 11 miles
In apply, which means that for those who purchase a one-way flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) to Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX) for $253 earlier than taxes on delta.com, you’ll earn 1,265 SkyMiles as a normal member. Nonetheless, you will earn 2,783 miles for those who’re a Diamond Medallion.
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. All of them — besides the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Specific Card — provide the next perks:
Nonetheless, every one gives some further perks for vacationers.
Here is a take a look at a few of the finest Delta SkyMiles bank cards from American Specific. (Phrases apply.)
| CREDIT CARD | ANNUAL FEE | WELCOME BONUS | TPG’s valuation | NOTABLE PERKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Specific Card | $0 introductory annual price for the primary 12 months, then $150 (see charges and charges) | Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases in your new card in your first six months of account opening. | $840 | A $200 Delta flight credit score after you spend $10,000 in eligible purchases in your card in a calendar 12 months; a brand new $100 Delta Stays credit score |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Specific Card | $350 (see charges and charges) | Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases in your new card in your first six months of account opening. | $1,080 | An annual companion certificates every renewal for essential cabin, round-trip journey; a press release credit score to cowl the membership price for International Entry (as much as $100, each 4 years) or TSA PreCheck (as much as $85, each 4.5 years); a brand new as much as $120 Resy credit score and as much as a $120 ride-hailing credit score; a brand new $150 Delta Stays credit score; Hertz 5 Star standing; 2,500 bonus MQDs; 1 MQD for each $20 spent |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Specific Card | $650 (see charges and charges) | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases in your new card in your first six months of account opening. | $1,200 | Obtain 15 visits per 12 months to the Delta Sky Membership (efficient Feb. 1, 2025). To earn limitless visits annually, beginning Feb. 1, 2025, the full eligible purchases on the cardboard should equal $75,000 or extra between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024, and every calendar 12 months thereafter.
Entry to the American Specific Centurion Lounge whenever you ebook your Delta flight with the cardboard; an annual companion certificates annually upon card renewal for round-trip journey in first-class, Consolation+, Premium Choose or the principle cabin; complimentary upgrades for non-Medallions; a brand new as much as $240 Resy credit score and as much as a $120 ride-hailing credit score; a brand new $200 Delta Stays credit score; Hertz President’s Circle standing; 2,500 bonus MQDs; 1 MQD for each $10 spent |
| Delta SkyMiles® Gold Enterprise American Specific Card | $0 introductory annual price for the primary 12 months, then $150 (see charges and charges) |
Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases in your new card in your first three months of card membership. |
$960 | Earn double miles on buying and promoting (as much as $50,000 per 12 months); a $200 Delta flight credit score after you spend $10,000 in eligible purchases in your card in a calendar 12 months; a brand new $150 Delta Stays credit score |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Enterprise American Specific Card | $350 (see charges and charges) | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $8,000 in purchases in your new card in your first six months of card membership. | $1,200 | Earn 1.5 extra miles (as much as $100,000 on eligible purchases) on transit (together with ride-hailing providers and taxis) at U.S. delivery suppliers and on single purchases of $5,000 or extra; an annual companion certificates every renewal 12 months for Principal Cabin, round-trip journey; a press release credit score to cowl the membership price for International Entry (as much as $100, each 4 years) or TSA PreCheck (as much as $85, each 4.5 years); a brand new as much as $120 Resy credit score and as much as a $120 ride-hailing credit score; a brand new $200 Delta Stays credit score; 2,500 bonus MQDs every qualification 12 months; 1 MQD for each $20 spent. |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Enterprise American Specific Card | $650 (see charges and charges) |
Earn 110,000 bonus miles after spending $12,000 in purchases in your new card in your first six months of card membership. |
$1,320 | Obtain 15 visits per 12 months to the Delta Sky Membership (efficient Feb. 1, 2025). To earn limitless visits annually beginning Feb. 1, 2025, the full eligible purchases on the cardboard should equal $75,000 or extra between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024, and every calendar 12 months thereafter.
Earn 1.5 extra miles on eligible transit, delivery and workplace provides, plus all eligible purchases after you spend $150,000 per 12 months on the cardboard; entry to the American Specific Centurion Lounge whenever you ebook your Delta flight with the cardboard; an annual companion certificates annually upon card renewal for round-trip journey in first-class, Delta Consolation+ or Principal Cabin; complimentary upgrades for non-Medallions; a brand new as much as $240 Resy credit score and as much as a $120 ride-hailing credit score; a brand new $250 Delta Stays credit score; Hertz President’s Circle standing; 2,500 bonus MQDs; 1 MQD for each $10 spent. |
Earn SkyMiles by means of companions
One other solution to earn miles is by flying Delta’s accomplice airways, however the way you earn these miles relies upon completely on the way you booked the ticket. For instance, whenever you ebook accomplice airline tickets — like KLM — on delta.com, you will earn miles the identical manner as an everyday Delta flight, even when one other airline operates the flight.
In the meantime, for those who ebook a accomplice flight on the service’s web site (for instance, Air France) and add your Delta SkyMiles quantity, you will earn miles based mostly on a proportion of the gap flown. Nonetheless, the precise quantity of SkyMiles you will obtain varies based mostly on the accomplice, reserving class and whether or not you’ve gotten elite standing. Moreover, Delta slashed accomplice incomes charges when it introduced elite standing adjustments in Sept. 2023.
Associated: When you’ll (and will not) earn miles in your flight
Earn SkyMiles by means of buying portals
One of many best methods to earn Delta miles is thru its on-line buying portal. You’ll be able to earn miles for purchases you ordinarily make with 1000’s of retailers on-line.
If you happen to do not have already got an account, you could register utilizing your SkyMiles quantity so the bonus miles shall be credited to your frequent flyer account. Then, you need to use the search field to seek out your favourite shops or a product. You may as well evaluate costs and mileage charges. Bear in mind to search for shops providing bonus miles (extra on that later), featured offers and particular bonus gives.
After deciding on 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 earned shall be added to your SkyMiles account. You will obtain an e-mail to verify when your miles have been posted, usually inside three to 5 days. Nonetheless, relying on the shop, the miles can take as much as 15 days to submit to SkyMiles Purchasing.
Nearly each main airline has a buying portal, so use a buying portal aggregator to make sure you get the very best deal whenever you store on-line.
Switch Amex factors to Delta
Lastly, you possibly can switch American Specific Membership Rewards factors on to Delta at a 1:1 ratio. We do not normally suggest this as a result of we worth Membership Rewards factors increased than SkyMiles. At the moment, we worth SkyMiles at 1.2 cents apiece — 0.8 cents per level decrease than Amex’s valuation. It is usually tough to get a better worth from Delta, due to dynamic pricing. You will additionally should pay an excise tax offset price when transferring Amex factors to Delta (and different home frequent flyer applications).
Associated: 5 issues you’ll want to find out about Delta SkyMiles
Learn how to redeem SkyMiles
Delta eliminated revealed award charts in 2015, turning into the primary main U.S. airline to shift to dynamic pricing for award tickets. In consequence, you will have to look on delta.com (or within the Fly Delta app) to find out what number of SkyMiles you want for an award ticket. Delta’s website is fairly simple to navigate, and you may see what number of miles you want for a redemption by means of a helpful calendar function.
Usually, we have discovered the very best redemptions on home flights. Paired with a Delta cobranded bank card (which gives a 15% low cost on Delta-operated award tickets), you possibly can typically ebook short-haul flights for beneath 4,000 SkyMiles one-way. That stated, costs will range by day, route and cabin class.
Word that Delta award tickets are absolutely refundable (excluding primary financial system fares), so in case your plans change, you possibly can redeposit the miles (and get a refund of the taxes and charges). This additionally permits you to rebook an award ticket when the mileage worth drops, securing a partial refund of the distinction in miles.
Moreover, you need to use your miles to ebook accomplice tickets on most of Delta’s SkyTeam and non-alliance companions. Sadly, these have now largely been aligned with costs on Delta’s personal flights, minimizing the chance to get most worth out of your SkyMiles, particularly in premium cabins.
Candy spots
With Delta utilizing full 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 steadily runs SkyMiles flash gross sales to short- and long-haul U.S. locations and cities in Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. We have seen some terrific offers for Principal Cabin, Consolation+ and first-class. Previous offers embody round-trip flights to Europe for simply 33,000 miles and round-trip flights for New Yorkers for as little as 5,000 SkyMiles.
After all, these low cost tickets aren’t at all times revealed. Delta usually costs short- and mid-haul award tickets for properly beneath what different airways would cost for related flights. You will usually discover the very best offers when reserving upfront and touring on off-peak dates.
Delta and LATAM financial 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 ebook LATAM award tickets at cheap costs, and it is one of many higher methods to make use of miles.
If you seek for flights to South America, you may discover cheap award charges. For instance, 66,000 SkyMiles can typically get you a round-trip itinerary from JFK to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos Worldwide Airport (GRU), and plenty of of those flights are nonstop.
Backside line
With its operational efficiency, quite a few flight choices and some ways to qualify for standing, some say Delta is the very best home airline. The truth is, the service has taken the highest spot in TPG’s personal evaluation of the finest airways within the U.S. for the final 5 years. Regardless of its lack of award charts and unannounced program devaluations, there’s nonetheless lots to love concerning the Delta SkyMiles program.
Nonetheless, this might not be the case for some vacationers over the subsequent 12 months or two, as large adjustments now influence the way you earn Medallion standing and the way you entry the Delta Sky Membership.
Nonetheless, for those who’re a frequent Delta flyer (or perhaps a extra informal buyer), a mixture of flying, buying portals and bank cards can enhance your SkyMiles steadiness in your subsequent redemption.
For charges and charges of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Enterprise Card, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Enterprise Card, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise Card, click on right here.
