Delta Air Lines is one of the largest airlines in both the United States and the world. Part of the SkyTeam Alliance of carriers, Delta operates in eight hubs: Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Salt Lake City, and Seattle-Tacoma. Because Delta flies to so many cities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and around the world, the SkyMiles program is an excellent option for these who prefer to fly with the airline. SkyMiles is free to join and offers an excellent selection of benefits.
What Are SkyMiles?
The Delta SkyMiles frequent flier program is a loyalty program offered by Delta Air Lines to its customers. Members earn miles for flights taken with Delta or its partner airlines, as well as through other partners such as hotels, car rental agencies, and credit card companies. These miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related perks. Members can also earn Medallion Status, which provides additional benefits such as priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, and access to airport lounges. The Delta SkyMiles program offers several tiers of membership, each with its own benefits and requirements. Members can track their miles, book flights, and manage their accounts through the Delta Air Lines website or mobile app.
Earning SkyMiles
The easiest way to earn SkyMiles miles is by booking flights with Delta Air Lines. The number of miles SkyMiles members earn when flying with Delta depends on their current SkyMiles membership tier.
The tiers below earn the following miles for their fares:
- Member: Earn 5X points per $1 spent with Delta
- Silver: Earn 7X points per $1 spent with Delta
- Gold: Earn 8X points per $1 spent with Delta
- Platinum: Earn 9X points per $1 spent with Delta
- Diamond: Earn 11X points per $1 spent with Delta
Earning with SkyTeam Partners
SkyMiles members can also earn miles when they spend money with Delta Air Lines partners, including SkyTeam partner airlines. Other SkyTeam airlines include:
| Aeromexico | China Airlines | Garuda Indonesia | Air France | Saudia |
| Air Europa | China Eastern Airlines | Kenya Airlines | China Southern Airlines | TAROM |
| Aeroflot | Czech Airlines | LATAM | Korean Air | Vietnam Airlines |
| Aerolineas Argentinas | Delta Air Lines | KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | Middle East Airlines | XiamenAir |
| Air Europa | ITA Airways | Virgin Atlantic | Shanghai Airlines | JinAir |
SkyMiles earned with SkyTeam airlines are generally earned through miles traveled, rather than a miles-per-dollar rate on Delta purchases, although additional miles are earned based on the class of travel (economy, business, first, etc.), as well as SkyMiles membership tier.
Delta also has a codeshare agreement with LATAM and Virgin Atlantic.
Earning with Other Delta Partners
- Hotels: Delta partner hotels include Delta Hotels, Marriott Bonvoy, IHG, Radisson, Hyatt, Accor, Langham, Millennium, Shangri-la, and Worldhotels. Members can also earn when they spend with AirBnB.
- Rental Cars: Delta rental car partners include Alamo, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty. Members also earn when making bookings through Lyft.
- Dining: Members also earn SkyMiles when making reservations or dining out with Delta dining partners. For a list of all Delta dining partners, and to register your Delta SkyMiles account, visit the SkyMiles Dining portal.
- Shopping: SkyMiles miles can also be earned when making purchases through the dedicated Delta SkyMiles shopping portal, where miles are earned for making purchases with hundreds of leading brands.
- Vacations and Cruises: Booking cruises or vacations through Delta’s Vacations or SkyMiles Cruises sites also earns bonus miles.
Earning with Co-Brand Credit Cards
An easy way to earn additional SkyMiles miles is through a Delta Air Lines airline rewards credit card. Delta offers numerous credit cards that provide a host of benefits – most notably the Delta Reserve Card and the Delta Reserve for Business Card, which offers complimentary access to Delta’s Sky Club lounges and complimentary upgrades.
Other cards of note include the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card, the Platinum SkyMiles for Business Card, and the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card – all of which provide medallion qualification miles (MQMs), priority boarding, statement credit, and other choice benefits.
Do SkyMiles Expire?
No – Delta Air Lines SkyMiles never expire as long as your account is open and active.
Redeeming SkyMiles
There are several redemption options for SkyMiles miles:
Flights with Delta Air Lines
The easiest way to use miles is through flight bookings with Delta Air Lines. To use miles for flights, members need to book their flight at Delta.com. Bookings with Delta also have the added bonus of featuring no blackout dates, meaning you don’t need to worry about compromising your ideal dates. Miles are also applicable towards seat upgrades, membership access to Delta Sky Club Lounges, and more.
Flights with SkyTeam Partners
One of the great perks of the SkyMiles program is its close association with the SkyTeam alliance. Through SkyTeam, SkyMiles provides access to well over 1,000 global destinations.
Delta Experiences
Delta SkyMiles are redeemable for unique experiences through Delta. These experiences offer the chance to use miles to bid for once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, such as red carpet walks and stepping on the field of your favorite NFL team’s stadium.
Other Ways to Redeem Miles
Delta miles are also redeemable for gift cards or purchases made through the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal.
What Are SkyMiles Worth?
Here are the latest valuations for leading frequent flyer loyalty programs:
| Program | Value (cents/point) |
|---|---|
| Air Canada (Aeroplan) | 1.5 |
| American Airlines (AAdvantage) | 1.5 |
| Alaska Airlines (Mileage Plan) | 1.4 |
| Avianca (LifeMiles) | 1.5 |
| British Airways (Avios) | 1.3 |
| Delta Air Lines (SkyMiles) | 1.2 |
| Frontier (Frontier Miles) | 1.2 |
| Hawaiian Airlines (HawaiianMiles) | 0.9 |
| JetBlue (TrueBlue) | 1.4 |
| KLM/ Air France (Flying Blue) | 1.2 |
| Korean Air (SkyPass) | 1.6 |
| Lufthansa (Miles & More) | 1.5 |
| Southwest (Rapid Rewards) | 1.5 |
| Spirit Airlines (Free Spirit) | 0.8 |
| United Airlines (MileagePlus) | 1.2 |
| Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club) | 1.5 |
SkyMiles Status Levels
Delta’s SkyMiles program has several tiers, all of which offer unique benefits and perks.
| Silver | Gold | Platinum | Diamond | |
| Miles per $ on flights | 7X | 8X | 9X | 11X |
| Preferred Seating | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Waived bag fees | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Waived standby fees | – | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Priority boarding | – | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Expedited bag check | – | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| SkyTeam lounge access (int.) | – | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Hertz elite status | – | 5-Star | President’s Circle | President’s Circle |
| Choice benefits* | * | * | 1 | 3 |
| * note: Choice Benefits include: bonus miles, Delta experiences, travel vouchers, gift cards, upgrades, status gifts, and more | ||||
SkyMiles membership tiers are determined based on the following qualifications:
- Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs): One MQD is earned for every dollar spent on Delta flights, excluding taxes and government fees.
- Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs): MQMs are earned based on the distance flown and the ticket fare class. With regular economy class tickets, 1 MQM per mile flown is earned. For higher classes, travelers earn between 1.5 to 2 MQMs per mile flown.
- Medallion Qualifying Segments (MCSs): MCSs are earned based on the number of takeoff-to-landing flights a member makes.
Silver Medallion
Silver Medallion is the first tier for SkyMiles members. To reach Silver Medallion status, a SkyMiles member must have earned at least 3,000 MQDs plus either 25,000 MQMs or 30 MCSs. Here’s a list of Silver Medallion benefits:
- Free upgrades to first-class or Comfort+ within 24 hours of departure
- Waived baggage fees
- SkyTeam Elite Status
Gold Medallion
Gold Medallion is the next level of SkyMiles membership. To reach Gold Medallion status, a SkyMiles member must have earned at least 6,000 MQDs plus either 50,000 MQMs or 60 MQSs. The tier offers the following:
- Free upgrades to first-class or Comfort+ within 72 hours of departure
- Waived baggage fees
- No fees for same-day flight changes
- SkyTeam Elite Plus Status
Platinum Medallion
Platinum Medallion is on the upper half of the membership tiers for the SkyMiles program. To reach Platinum Medallion status, a SkyMiles member must have earned at least 9,000 MQDs plus either 75,000 MQMs or 100 MQSs. Medallion members at the Platinum tier enjoy:
- Free upgrades to first class within 120 hours of departure and Comfort+ as soon as tickets go on sale
- Waived baggage fees
- No fees for same-day flight changes
- No ticket reissue fees
- SkyTeam Elite Plus Status
- 4 regional upgrade certificates
- Global Entry application fee voucher
- 20,000 bonus SkyMiles
- $200 Delta voucherSilver Medallion status for a friend or family member
Diamond Medallion
Diamond Medallion is the top tier for SkyMiles membership and offers the largest amount of perks and benefits. To reach Diamond Medallion status, a SkyMiles member must have earned at least 15,000 MQDs plus either 125,000 MQMs or 140 MQSs. Here’s what Diamond offers:
- Free upgrades to first class within 120 hours of departure and Comfort+ as soon as tickets go on sale
- Waived baggage fees
- No fees for same-day flight changes
- No ticket reissue fees
- SkyTeam Elite Plus Status
Diamond Medallion members also get their choice of three of the following perks:
- Individual membership in Delta Sky Club
- Executive membership in Delta Sky Club (unlimited club access for two guests – counts as two choices)
- Eight regional upgrade certificates
- 25,000 bonus SkyMiles
- $200 Tiffany & Co. gift card
- $200 Delta voucher
- Gold Medallion status for a friend or family member
SkyTeam Lounges
Delta’s network of over 50 airport lounges makes up Sky Club. Membership in the Sky Club is reserved for those paying for either an Executive Membership and Individual Membership or for those who apply for – and are approved for – the Delta Reserve Credit Card. Executive membership costs either $845 for a yearly pass or 84,500 miles. Individual membership costs either $545 per year – plus $29 per lounge visit – or 54,500 miles. In Sky Club lounges, visitors can expect sumptuous furnishings, a wide selection of snacks and meal options, complimentary Wi-Fi, and digital entertainment.
Delta Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Medallion members also have access to SkyTeam lounges, which are located in the following international destinations:
| Lounge locations: | ||
| Beijing | Dubai | Hong Kong |
| London | Syndey | Vancouver |
| Lounge access rules and restrictions: | ||
| 1st & business class | All first class and business class passengers have complimentary access to SkyTeam lounges when traveling on or connecting to/from an international flight operated by a SkyTeam partner on the same day as their travel. Lounge access is only available at departure and connecting airports, and not at the destination of arrival. For those passengers connecting (regardless of whether the travel is domestic or international), all travel segments must be booked as either first or business class fares, and the entire journey operated by a SkyTeam member airline. | |
| SkyTeam Elite Plus | ll SkyTeam Elite Plus passengers have complimentary access to SkyTeam lounges when traveling on or connecting to/from an international flight operated by a SkyTeam partner on the same day as their travel. Lounge access is only available at departure and connecting airports, and not at the destination of arrival. For those passengers connecting (regardless of whether the travel is domestic or international), all travel segments must be booked through a SkyTeam member airline. | |
| Guests | SkyTeam Elite Plus passengers are entitled to invite one guest that is also traveling on a SkyTeam member airline flight with evidence of the guest’s boarding pass. | |
| Buying lounge access | Some SkyTeam member airlines, such as Alitalia, allow travelers to purchase access to lounges at an additional cost. For more information about the availability of purchasing lounge access on any segment of your trip, contact your airline before travel or speak to a member of staff at the check-in counter. | |
Delta 360
Delta 360 is an invite-only tier of the SkyMiles program that is open to the highest spenders with the airline. While there is no written rule as to who is invited to this exclusive tier, it is believed that SkyMiles members must spend more than $100,000 with Delta each year, making it attainable only for the top 1% of business travelers and an even smaller percentage of personal travelers.
The perks with Delta 360 are comparable with other invitation-only tiers from American carriers (notably American Airlines’ Concierge Key), meaning members can expect ultra-personalized and dedicated customer service, the highest level of priority for check-in, boarding, and upgrades, as well as help reaching flights during tricky connections. In the last instance, Delta 360 members get an increased priority of Porsche-aided transfers, something that is available to Diamond Medallion flyers but not with the prevalence of 360-tiered flyers.
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