The Complete Guide to Delta SkyMiles

Delta SkyMiles is the loyalty program for Delta Air Lines, one of the largest airlines in North America and globally. As a member, you can earn SkyMiles, which can be redeemed for flights on Delta, its SkyTeam alliance partners and other affiliated airlines worldwide.

Unlike some other airline loyalty programs, Delta SkyMiles never expire — a boon for infrequent flyers or those who don’t always fly Delta. It’s also easy to earn SkyMiles on everyday spending that you might already be doing through Delta’s partnerships with companies like Starbucks and, starting spring 2025, Uber.

You can also earn miles by flying, spending on Delta co-branded cards, traveling with partners, and dining and shopping through designated programs.

To start earning miles with Delta, sign up for a SkyMiles frequent flyer account. It’s free to join.

» Jump ahead to credit cards that earn SkyMiles or see our roundup of the best Delta credit cards

Based on the most recent analysis, NerdWallet values Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents apiece. To determine the value of reward miles, we compared cash prices and reward redemptions for economy round-trip routes across several destinations and dates.

We divided the cost of the cash ticket by the cost of the reward ticket to determine a “cent per mile” value for each flight, then averaged this value across several flights and dates. Read more about how we arrived at these figures. This 1.2-cent value is a baseline, meaning you should aim for redemptions that offer at least this much value or more.

Use our Delta SkyMiles calculator to determine the value of your miles.

How has this value changed over time?

Like many other airline miles, the value of Delta SkyMiles jumped in 2021 and 2022, up from a low of 0.9 cents per mile in 2020. As of 2024, the value is 1.2 cents.

Flying with Delta or its partner airlines is the easiest way to earn miles. But there are ways to rack up miles besides flying, such as using a Delta-branded credit card or spending money with Delta partner companies.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

How are SkyMiles calculated? That depends on how you earn them — whether you're flying or spending, plus your elite status level.

Flying on Delta or its partners

As a member of SkyTeam, Delta follows the alliance’s rules for earning miles. According to SkyTeam policies, you can only earn miles on tickets where the marketing and operating carriers are both SkyTeam airlines. You can identify the marketing airline by looking at the flight number on your itinerary (for example, Delta-marketed flight numbers start with “DL,” such as DL713). The operating carrier is the airline that flies the plane and is responsible for its operations.

Here’s a sample itinerary from Chicago-O’Hare to Mauritius that highlights the complexity of earning miles. (This is an extreme example. How much you’ll earn on most flight itineraries, fortunately, is much simpler than this.)

The first flight (DL1520) is marketed and operated by Delta, and the second flight (AF377) is marketed and operated by Air France, a SkyTeam member. You’ll earn miles on both. Sometimes a flight may be marketed by Delta, but operated by Air France; that will also earn miles. But this itinerary’s final flight (AF7964) is marketed by Air France and operated by Air Mauritius, which isn’t a Delta partner. You won’t earn miles for that flight.

Apart from SkyTeam, Delta has partnerships with other airlines. These arrangements allow you to earn miles even if a partner airline is not in SkyTeam.

Earn miles by flying on Delta

The number of SkyMiles you earn on Delta-marketed flights is based on how much you spend, not how far you fly. The base earning rate is 5 miles per $1 spent, but you earn higher rates depending on whether you have Delta’s Medallion elite status. (We'll have more on Medallion levels later — or you can jump ahead to that part now.)

You earn SkyMiles on only the base fare and fees imposed by the airline. You don't earn any rewards on taxes or government-imposed fees that are rolled into the cost of your ticket.

For example, a basic SkyMiles member who spends $150 on a flight, $50 of which is fees, will earn 500 SkyMiles (5 miles per dollar x $100). Note, you will not earn SkyMiles on any basic economy tickets.

Earn Delta miles by flying on partner airlines

If you’re flying on a partner-marketed flight (identified by the flight number on your booking, such as “AF” for Air France), you’ll need to refer to Delta’s SkyMiles earnings rules for that particular airline — even if the flight is operated by Delta.

In general, the rewards you earn on partner-marketed flights are based on the fare class and distance of the flight. You can even earn a Medallion bonus on select partners.

JUMP to learn more about Delta's partners.

Spend on Delta credit cards

Delta offers co-branded credit cards with American Express. See below for a more detailed look at Delta's co-branded card collection.

Our favorite Delta credit card is the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. The card gives you 2 SkyMiles per dollar spent with Delta. When you pay for tickets with the card, you get the first checked bag free for you and up to eight other people traveling on your reservation ( see rates and fees ). Terms apply.

There's a great welcome bonus for new cardholders, too: Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply. The annual fee is $0 intro for the first year, then $150 (see rates and fees).

» Jump ahead to other credit cards that earn SkyMiles

Other ways to earn Delta SkyMiles

Delta's non-airline partners include:

• Hotels and Airbnb: You can earn SkyMiles at thousands of properties in most major hotel chains. In some cases, you earn a flat number of points per stay; in others, you earn points based on how much you spend. You can also earn miles at Airbnb.

• Auto rentals and Lyft: Several major rental agencies have an option to earn SkyMiles. And if you prefer rental car alternatives, here's a deal from Turo: Delta SkyMiles Members who link their SkyMiles number to their Turo profile will be able to earn 2,000 miles on their first Turo trip and 500 miles on every trip thereafter. You can also earn miles using the Lyft ride-hailing service. Details here. In spring 2025, Delta will end its partnership with Lyft and offer earning opportunities with Uber and Uber Eats.

• Dining: Register your credit card with SkyMiles Dining and earn up to 5 miles per dollar when you use that card at thousands of participating restaurants. (You can use any credit card; it doesn't have to be a Delta-branded card.)

• Shopping: Earn miles at hundreds of online merchants through the airline's shopping portal, SkyMiles Shopping.

• Transfer from other programs: Delta SkyMiles is a transfer partner for both American Express Membership Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy.

Buy Delta miles

You can buy additional SkyMiles through the Delta website, but this generally isn't a good value.

SkyMiles cost 3.5 cents apiece when purchased like this, which means you're paying about three times what the miles are worth on average.

» Learn more: Your guide to earning Delta Air Lines SkyMiles

Delta's cards are issued by American Express, and all of the cards offer different spending rewards.

» Learn more: Which Delta Air Lines card should you get?

Not all SkyMiles redemptions are created equal. Use these tips to maximize Delta SkyMiles redemption value. Remember: NerdWallet’s baseline value of Delta SkyMiles is 1.2 cents apiece, so the best redemptions should aim for at least that value.

Good redemption options

Flights with Delta and partners

SkyMiles are redeemable for flights through Delta Air Lines and its partners, and members can redeem as few as 5,000 SkyMiles for a domestic short-haul flight. However, the cheapest redemptions are often for Delta’s more restrictive basic economy tickets, so make sure you understand the rules before booking.

Award redemptions can offer great value when the points cost is low but the cash price is high. Plus, if you have an eligible Delta card issued by American Express, you can get 15% off Delta-operated flights booked with SkyMiles.

Flights on flash sales

Delta also offers flash sales to international destinations, one of the best ways to use Delta SkyMiles.

» Learn more: Plan your next Delta SkyMiles redemption with our airline points tool

Bad redemption options

Other travel services

You can use miles to purchase seat upgrades, membership to Delta Sky Clubs for Medallion elite members, vacation packages, car rentals, hotel stays, exclusive experiences or donations to charity through Delta SkyWish.

For the most part, using SkyMiles for anything other than flights will result in below-average redemption values. Delta and its partners might push promotions for these unorthodox redemption options, but don’t take the bait — unless the offer is really extraordinary.

» Learn more: Complete guide to redeeming Delta SkyMiles

Anyone can join the Delta SkyMiles program for free, but to move up from basic membership to elite status (where the real perks are), you need to fly the airline regularly. In 2024, Delta revamped how its members earn elite status in an effort to reward high-spending flyers.

Delta SkyMiles program levels and benefits

The SkyMiles Medallion program has four levels. In order from lowest to highest, they are:

• Silver Medallion.

• Gold Medallion.

• Platinum Medallion.

• Diamond Medallion.

All Medallion members get unlimited complimentary upgrades, complimentary preferred seats, priority check-in, priority boarding and waived baggage fees.

Gold and higher get priority security lane access and priority baggage service at select airports, waived same-day confirmed fees and are eligible for upgrades as early as right after ticketing (depending on status tier) to 72 hours before departure.

Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion benefits also include:

For Platinum and Diamond status only: Choice benefits

Medallion members at the Platinum and Diamond levels are eligible for Delta Choice Benefits, in which they choose the premium benefits they want from a list. Members can select their benefits immediately when they earn status.

» Learn more: How Delta Choice Benefits work

How is SkyMiles Medallion status earned?

To become a Delta Medallion elite, you'll need to earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). MQDs are the sole metric used by Delta for earning elite status.

To earn elite status with Delta, you will need to earn the following amount of MQDs for the 2025 qualification year:

You can earn MQDs in the Delta frequent flyer program in a variety of ways, including:

• 1 MQD per $1 spent on Delta-marketed flights operated by Delta or one of its airline partners. This includes the fare and airline fees, but not taxes, fees (including government fees), basic economy and similar fares, and insurance purchases.

• 1 MQD per $10 spent when using the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.

• 1 MQD per $20 spent when using the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card.

• 1 MQD per $1 spent when booking travel through Delta Vacations. The calculation excludes taxes, fees (including government fees), basic economy and similar fares, tips, room service, other booking charges, and insurance purchases.

You’ll also receive a 2,500 MQD Headstart every calendar year with each of the four Delta cards listed above. Terms apply.

Medallion status for a given year is earned based on activity in the previous calendar year. Your status is generally good until Jan. 31 of the following year. For example, your Medallion status for 2025 is based on your activity in 2024 and will last until Jan. 31, 2026.

Delta status match options

If you currently have elite status with a qualifying airline, you may be able to receive a status match from Delta. To be eligible, you cannot have used Delta’s match in the previous three years. Once you’re accepted in the match program, you get complimentary Medallion status for three months. To keep it for the rest of the year, you need to earn the following during those three months:

• Silver: $1,250 MQDs.

• Gold: $2,500 MQDs.

• Platinum: $3,750 MQDs.

Delta is part of the international SkyTeam alliance, which allows you to earn and use SkyMiles on flights with other airlines.

Skyteam member airlines include:

Delta also had partnerships with non-SkyTeam airlines, including:

• Air Baltic.

• Cape Air.

• China Southern.

• EL AL.

• Hawaiian Airlines.

• LATAM.

• WestJet.

» Learn more: The complete guide to Delta partners

Delta seats and cabin classes

Delta offers one of the best in-flight experiences you’ll find across any U.S. airline, with perks like free movies, seatback screens and free Wi-Fi for SkyMiles members on most domestic flights.

You’ll get to pick your seat — unless you’re flying on a basic economy ticket. Physically, basic economy seats and standard economy seats are the same, but because basic economy flyers don't get to choose, they'll likely end up in a middle seat. If you can pick your seat, choose wisely with this Delta seat selection guide.

The Delta fare classes are (in order from swankiest to stingiest) are:

• Delta One.

• Premium Select.

• First Class.

• Delta Comfort Plus.

• Main Cabin.

• Basic Economy.

Delta checked bag fees

Delta does not charge for carry-on bags, even for basic economy fares.

For checked bags, expect to pay bag fees with most Delta fares ($35 for your first bag on Main Cabin and Comfort+ fares throughout North America and the Caribbean), unless you have a Delta card that lets you bring checked bags.

Delta upgrades

If you're lucky (and have elite status or hold the right Delta card), you might even be able to snag a nicer seat for free. Here’s the ultimate guide to getting on Delta’s upgrade list.

If you need to change or cancel a Delta flight

If you need to cancel a Delta flight, terms vary by the type of airfare you bought:

Some Delta fares are refundable, though not all. Whether Delta gives you a refund depends on how quickly after booking you change your mind, whether you paid in cash versus points and the type of fare you booked.

If Delta cancels your flight (or just delays it)

If the canceled flight was Delta’s choice — not yours — then you have more options.

Delta offers full refunds on flights it cancels, regardless of fare class, if you choose to not take another flight. Opt in to text, email or app alerts from Delta for the quickest notifications related to your flight status.

If your flight is canceled, you can rebook yourself on Delta’s website or app by choosing an alternate flight or sometimes another departure or arrival airport other than your original one.

If your Delta flight is delayed, you also don’t necessarily need to take the same one you booked. Flyers are eligible to rebook tickets to their final destination in the event of a flight cancellation.

For flight delays or schedule changes, check the Delta app or website for potential rebooking options. You can also speak with an agent at the airport or by calling 800-221-1212.

Delta’s flight delay compensation policy means you might get additional travel assistance depending on the circumstances. Delta sometimes reimburses for expenses like extra hotel room nights, but it depends on your situation. If you do have additional expenses, save those receipts.

Delta eCredits and refunds

Delta's refund policy varies depending on the situation. Read our full guide on Delta's refund policy, or scan this summary shortlist to get the gist:

• Free 24-hour cancellation: You can cancel any Delta flight (refundable or not) within 24 hours of booking and get a full refund to your original payment method.

• Basic economy tickets: These are generally nonrefundable, but if Delta cancels your flight, you'll get a full refund.

• Award tickets: If you used miles to book a flight that gets canceled by Delta, you'll get the miles and any taxes refunded.

• Pay With Miles tickets: If you used a Delta SkyMiles-affiliated American Express card's benefit to partially pay with miles, you'll get a travel credit instead of a cash refund or miles redeposit when you cancel outside the 24-hour cancellation window.

If a refund isn’t possible under Delta's refund policy, an eCredit toward your next flight might be an alternative.

Learn more about how to use a Delta eCredit.