If you regularly fly with Delta Airlines, you should consider being a part of their loyalty program, Skymiles. With Delta SkyMiles, you can earn miles faster with every trip and purchases! Redeem your earned mile on travel with any Delta Airline flight or towards vacation packages that Delta offers.
The value of Delta SkyMiles has gone down in recent years, and with the elimination of its award chart in 2015, flyers have been less interested in the carrier’s loyalty program. Nonetheless, the vast number of airline partners and easy-to-use booking tool keeps this program relevant to travelers nationwide.
You can also check out the latest Delta Airlines Promotions and our Delta SkyMiles Guide for more information and ways to save money!
Delta SkyMiles Redemption Quick Facts
| Best Redemption Options | Delta flights Partner flights |
| Mile Valuation | $0.012/SkyMile |
Delta SkyMiles Important Rules & Fees
Before going over how to earn and redeem miles, it’s important to note SkyMile redemption rules and fees. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- You can’t book First Class awards, on Delta or its partners.
- Stopovers and open jaws are not allowed.
- There are no surcharges when the flight takes off within the United States. But if you fly Delta or its partners from outside the U.S., you’ll have to pay surcharges.
- There are no last-minute booking fees.
- Delta does not charge a fee for booking flights by phone.
Click here for their Membership Guide & Program Rules.
Delta Flights
One of the best ways to utilize your SkyMiles is by redeeming award flights with Delta. As previously mentioned, Delta’s award chart is cost-based. This means that there are no set mileage for routes and travel between regions. Pricing is instead dependent on factors such as the cost of fare, date, and number of people booking.
In order to get an accurate mileage cost, you’ll need to search for your own award on the Delta website or contact customer service.
Best Ways To Redeem With Delta
SkyMiles Deals offer great discounts on Economy Class and Delta One tickets. These limited-time offers cover destinations all across the globe, making them perfect for both a quick weekend getaway or an adventure abroad.
In recent months, there have been amazing destinations available worldwide. Including:
- 5,000 miles for a roundtrip domestic flight
- 10,000 miles for a roundtrip flight to the Caribbean
- 20,000 miles for a roundtrip flight to Europe
- 30,000 miles for a roundtrip flight to Japan
- 86,000 miles for a roundtrip Delta One flight to Europe
If you’re vigilant enough, you can grab an award flight for half the SkyMiles you’d normally pay.
Delta offers short flights within the continental United States for as little as 4,500 SkyMiles, plus just $5.60 in taxes and fees each way. If you often fly between two nearby destinations, you’ll want to always keep a few thousand Delta miles handy.
We recommend booking far ahead of your flight so you can snag the lowest-priced SkyMiles award space. Also, keep in mind, flights in and out of major Delta hubs (ATL, MSP and SLC) are harder to get at low prices due to Delta’s hub penalty.
One of our favorite ways to use SkyMiles is for flights between the lower 48 states and Alaska. You can easily find nonstop, roundtrip flights from cities like Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS) and Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) to Anchorage (ANC) for just 35,000 miles. Sometimes, for even less. Considering a one-way flight to Alaska takes at least six hours, that’s a pretty good deal.
Book a roundtrip ticket to Mexico or the Caribbean in Economy for just 30,000 SkyMiles. With flights during peak season priced at $500 or more, this is a solid deal for a winter escape.
Delta’s new Premium Select is a great deal when you’re flying to Asia. For just 90,000 SkyMiles roundtrip, you’ll enjoy more legroom, better food and improved service compared to Economy Class. This includes everything that one would want for a long trip across the Pacific Ocean.
Partner Flights
There are various SkyTeam and non-alliance partners, meaning that your SkyMiles will be useful on a variety of carriers and routes all over the world.
SkyTeam partners include:
- Aeroflot
- Aerolineas Argentinas
- Aeromexico
- Air Europa
- Air France
- Alitalia
- China Airlines
- China Eastern
- Czech Airlines
- Garuda Indonesia
- Kenya Airways
- KLM
- Korean Air
- MEA
- Saudia
- TAROM
- Vietnam Airlines
- Xiamen Air
Other airline partners include:
Despite not publishing official award charts for partner flights, tickets are still priced the same for travel with the same origin and destination – regardless of date. For example, a flight from New York to Shanghai will cost 85,000 miles, whether you’re looking to travel on March 10th or Dec 24th.
With that said, the lack of published charts, means that Delta can raise their rates at any time. To get exact pricing on an award ticket, you’ll need to do the search on Delta’s website or call them directly.
Delta displays their partner awards and most can be booked from the site. However, they’re not great at putting together mixed cabin itineraries and will often direct you to book Delta-operated flights. In order to find this, you’ll need to search one segment at a time.
Best Ways To Redeem With Delta Partners
Below are some of our favorite Delta partner routes in Economy:
| Destination | Partner | SkyMiles |
| Europe (Roundtrip) | Air France / KLM / Virgin Atlantic | 50,000 |
| South America (Roundtrip) | Aerolineas Argentinas / GOL | 60,000 |
| Seoul (Roundtrip) | Korean Air | 80,000 |
| Australia (Roundtrip) | Virgin Australia | 90,000 |
| Short-Haul in Asia (One Way) | Any Partner Based In Asia | 15,000 |
| Within Europe (One Way) | Any Partner Based In Europe | 25,000 |
However, if you want to get more value out of your SkyMiles then you’ll want to rack them up for a partner award flight in Business Class. Some notable partner awards include:
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class offers Upper Class Wing and Clubhouse access, top-notch amenities (including super HD screens, WiFi and even pajamas), an extensive variety of food options that you can order using your inflight entertainment, and Virgin Atlantic’s infamous quick and friendly service.
Route: U.S. to Europe
SkyMiles: 86,000 for a one-way ticket
The KLM Business Class experience includes lounge access, comfortable and spacious seats, great inflight entertainment and an exceptionally warm and friendly crew.
Route: U.S. to Europe
SkyMiles: 75,000 for a one-way ticket
Fly Air France Business Class and enjoy delicious meals and snacks, a huge entertainment selection and a free Message Pass to communicate with others via WhatsApp, iMessage, Facebook Messenger and WeChat.
Route: U.S. to Europe
SkyMiles: 75,000 for a one-way ticket
China Airlines Business Class provides lounge access, fantastic, reverse herringbone seats, plenty of entertainment, a walk-up bar, efficient and delicious meal service, and a polished and refined crew.
Route: U.S. to Taipei (TPE)
SkyMiles: 85,000 for a one-way ticket
Earning SkyMiles: Co-Branded Personal Credit Cards
Delta SkyMiles can be earned in a handful of ways, the easiest way is by using a co-branded Delta SkyMiles card. American Express offers cards that have generous welcome bonuses that will give you a nice start to earning SkyMiles. Here are the 3 consumer credit cards to consider:
Read our full review on this card here.
 The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Earn now. Travel when you're ready. After you spend $10,000 in purchases in a calendar year, you will receive a $100 Delta Flight Credit on your Card to inspire your next travel. You'll earn: • 2X Miles on Delta purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets • 1X mile for every eligible dollar you spend on purchases. There is a $99 annual fee, however, there is a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (See Rates & Fees). Now, you'll get get more savings with your first checked bag for free on Delta flights. Terms Apply. |
Read our full review on this card here.
 The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Earn up to 20,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights. You can earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels; 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets; 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. This card comes with a $250 Annual Fee, but for each round trip Delta flight, you can check your first bag for free and save up to $240. In addition, there is no foreign transaction fee. You'll also get fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®. (See Rates & Fees). Terms Apply. |
Read our full review on this card here.
 The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Earn up to 60,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) With Status Boost per year. You can earn 15,000 MQMs after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to four times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. You can earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases & 1X mile for every eligible dollar spent on purchases. This card does come with a $550 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Seems hefty but perks like being able to check your first bag free on Delta flights. In addition, you can enjoy complimentary access into the Delta SkyClubs for you when travelling on a Delta flight, complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card., fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. (See Rates & Fees) Terms Apply. |
Earning SkyMiles: Co-Branded Business Credit Cards
You can easily turn your everyday business purchases into SkyMiles! If you’re a business owner or an associate then these cards offer amazing earning rates, alongside a generous welcome bonus!
Read our full review on this card here.
 The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card offers 75,000 Bonus Miles after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 3/29/23. NEW: Save 15% On Award Travel With TakeOff 15. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. You'll earn 2X 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. This card carries a $99 annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99) (See Rates & Fees). However, there are no foreign transaction fees and you can take $100 off your next Delta flight - after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you will earn a $100 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel. Terms and limitations apply. |
Read our full review on this card here.
 The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card offers 95,000 Bonus Miles after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 3/29/23. You'll earn 3X miles on every dollar spend on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent on purchases made directly with hotels; 1.5X miles per dollar on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (that's an extra half mile per dollar), up to 50,000 additional miles per year; & 1X mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases. With Status Boost, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year, up to 2x per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. This card does carry a $250 annual fee. (See Rates & Fees). Terms and limitations apply. |
Read our full review on this card here.
 The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card offers 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer ends 3/29/23. NEW: Save 15% On Award Travel With TakeOff 15. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. You'll earn 3X miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.; 1X mile on every eligible dollar spent on purchases. This card does carry an annual fee of $550 (See Rates & Fees). However, there are no foreign transaction fees. Terms and limitations apply. |
Bottom Line
The SkyMiles program is a good option for loyal flyers to Delta Airlines! Even though the value of SkyMiles has gone down over the years, the program still offers great deals and opportunities to save money. Join today and start taking advantage of exclusive perks! You can get closer to your next adventure by earning miles with the everyday products and services you enjoy!
While you’re here on HMB, you can check out out our Best Travel Credit cards! Plus learn how earn even more bonus points and miles that you can use towards your future travels!
