Using Delta Air Lines SkyMiles can be complicated and frustrating due to frequent changes and lack of award charts. However, once you have accumulated enough miles and acquired the necessary knowledge to navigate the system, you can extract significant value from it.
Historically, Delta has offered flash sales, with round-trip tickets to Mexico and the Caribbean costing as little as 14,400 SkyMiles.
Although it takes effort to understand and use SkyMiles effectively, many consider Delta’s flight experience to be the best among domestic carriers — as does the data that powers TPG’s annual report of the best US airlines (Delta took first place for the sixth year in a row in 2024).
Here are five important things you need to know about Delta SkyMiles to maximize their value.
Delta does not have a published award chart
Delta released award charts on its website in 2015. To get an idea of the approximate number of miles required for a future flight, you should search for your preferred route on different dates or use Delta’s calendar search function. However, it’s important to note that the numbers can change daily as Delta prices its award flights flexibly.
For example, a domestic flight that costs 7,500 miles in one day can be nearly double the price a few days later. Here are the prices varying within one week for a short-haul flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
The difference can be even greater on international routes, especially in premium cabins. During the week, the best one-way flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Sydney Airport (SYD) range from 170,000 to 495,000 SkyMiles.
Related: Is Delta Air Lines premium economy worth it between New York and London?
Finding availability through rewards programs can be challenging. However, apart from fixed prices, this important difference forces you to plan your trip around availability rather than your desired schedule.
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Finally, without fixed prices, last-minute SkyMiles award tickets work like revenue tickets: They tend to be more expensive.
This is a great return on collecting SkyMiles compared to other legacy airline miles.
That said, it’s important to note that you can re-ticket most Delta award flights (except basic economy awards) if the price drops. Often times, this can be done right in the Delta app.
If you want to change a basic economy award ticket, you will be charged a cancellation fee per miles. This amount – 9,900 miles for domestic travel (in the United States and Canada) and 19,900 miles for international travel – is deducted from the price of your ticket, and the remaining miles will be credited back to your SkyMiles account.
Related: The complete guide to changing and canceling award tickets
Adding segments to Delta flights can lower the price of your award ticket
Surprisingly, long flights can sometimes result in lower award rates for a Delta award ticket. Delta tends to have limited competition on routes from its main hubs.
For example, flying from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in economy class will cost you 37,000 miles.
If you change your origin to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), which is served by many carriers, prices drop significantly — with many flights connecting to Detroit:
Related: How to use Delta SkyMiles for maximum value
Delta partner rewards can be a great value
Given the high redemption rates on Delta-operated flights for premium cabins, the best use of SkyMiles may be redeeming them on partner flights. Incidentally, this is true for redemptions using American Airlines AAdvantage miles and Air Canada Aeroplan points.
Redeeming SkyMiles for Upper Class flights operated by Virgin Atlantic to the United Kingdom and beyond is a smart use of SkyMiles. Although the redemption rates are significantly higher than Virgin’s Flying Club rates on similar flights, you won’t be hit with the additional fees imposed by the four-rate Flying Club carrier. So, if you have a large SkyMiles balance and are looking for minimal out-of-pocket expenses, this could be a good use.
Outside of the award chart, prices vary, but great deals can be found on partner flights that don’t touch the United States. This business-class trip flying a combination of China Airlines and Air France is only 80,000 miles and $28 in taxes and fees, an amazing deal for nearly 15 hours of flight time in premium cabins.
Delta offers SkyMiles promotions
Delta often offers SkyMiles sales where they will lower the price of certain award seats they serve.
For example, you can book flights to Europe for as low as 54,000 SkyMiles and less taxes and fees. We also saw round-trip offers from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) for just 44,000 miles plus $40 in taxes and fees, a terrible deal for long-haul flights to Asia.
Check out Delta’s SkyMiles sales page for these deals, and if you see a good value, book right away.
You can get Delta elite status without flying
Delta SkyMiles allows you to earn Medallion status without flying.
Here are the requirements for SkyMiles elite Medallion status in 2024 (to enjoy until 2025). Here are the Medallion Qualification Dollars you will need to earn them:
- Silver Medal: 5,000 MQDs
- Gold medal: 10,000 MQDs
- Platinum Medallion: 15,000 MQDs
- Diamond Medal: 28,000 MQDs
I Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card accrues 1 MQD for every $10 spent. Meanwhile, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card accrues 1 MQD for every $20 spent.
There’s no limit to how many MQDs you can earn by spending money on cards, so you can earn higher status by swiping your Delta Amex card.
Note that all four of these cards also include a 15% discount on Delta-operated award flights when you use your SkyMiles and pay taxes and fees with the card. This does not apply to partner tickets.
Check out our full guide on Delta elite status to learn the perks and benefits of Medallion status.
Related: The best Delta credit cards
How to earn Delta SkyMiles
One of the easiest ways to earn loads of Delta SkyMiles is by using cobranded credit cards – which include welcome offers and cash back on everyday spending. Currently, American Express issues four Delta cards and three business cards.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card: Earn 110,000 bonus miles after spending $12,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership.
You can transfer Membership Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio. However, in order to reduce the federal tax rate, you will pay a fee of $0.0006 per mile (up to $99), so the work will be more expensive.
Bottom line
Delta SkyMiles remains a solid choice for Delta travelers. We continue to find value in using SkyMiles on domestic flights as well as on potentially bookable flights with our SkyTeam partners.
However, SkyMiles isn’t the currency to grab if you’re looking for premium-cabin aspiration or long-haul awards, as you’ll find much lower redemption rates with other programs.
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