There are many ways to earn SkyMiles — not just by flying Delta.
Earning enough Delta SkyMiles to get award flights can seem daunting. Fortunately, you’ll find many ways to earn those miles beyond spending on Delta flights.
Fly with Delta and Delta partners to earn miles
Just join Delta SkyMiles — it’s free. As a basic member, you’ll earn 5 miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta and Delta partner flights.
You can earn status in Delta’s elite system by becoming a Medallion Member. As a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond Member, you’ll earn more miles per eligible flight.
| Silver | Gold | Platinum | Diamond |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7x miles | 8x miles | 9x miles | 11x miles |
The beginner’s guide to Delta Airlines SkyMiles
Back to topEarn miles with credit cards
With Delta SkyMiles credit cards, you can earn SkyMiles in a few ways:
How to earn miles with SkyMiles credit cards
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Welcome offer.
If you reach the spending requirement on your Delta credit card within the specified time period, you’ll qualify for a large number of miles depending on which card you own. -
Spending with your card.
Most Delta credit cards offer elevated rewards for eligible Delta purchases. Some cards may not offer elevated rewards at all.
No matter which Delta card you choose, you’ll earn at least 1x miles on all eligible purchases. -
Qualifying for Miles Boost.
Qualify for Miles Boost with the Platinum and Reserve versions of the Delta credit cards — both personal and business.
Earn bonus miles after reaching a certain spend requirement and then earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs). This helps you reach a higher status in Delta’s frequent-flyer program.
You can also convert points earned using general travel credit cards into SkyMiles.
Limited-time Delta offers
Our pick for earning SkyMiles on everyday purchases
Compare Delta credit cards
The Blue Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express has no annual fee and offers 2x miles at US restaurants and on eligible Delta purchases, though it comes with fewer Delta perks.
The Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express, Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express and Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express cards have lower reward rates, but more Delta perks such as your first checked bag free and priority boarding.
Other cards that can earn Delta miles
General travel cards can be great options to earn Delta miles. Look for American Express cards that offer Membership Rewards points. You can convert these points to SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio.
Using cobranded hotel cards, you can also convert points from certain hotel programs into SkyMiles.
SkyMiles Dining
You can register your credit or debit card account number to SkyMiles Dining for free to earn bonus miles at participating restaurants, clubs and bars.
New Member Bonus: Earn up to 3,000 bonus miles
You can earn 3,000 bonus miles for your first three restaurant visits within the first 30 days of signing up for SkyMiles Dining.
Earning miles through SkyMiles Dining
You’ll earn SkyMiles when you visit a participating restaurant and use your registered credit or debit card.
You’ll earn different reward rates depending on your membership level.
| Membership type | Rewards rate | How to join |
|---|---|---|
| Basic member | 1 SkyMiles per $2 spent | Register for a SkyMiles Dining account |
| Select member | 3 SkyMiles per $1 spent | Register for a SkyMiles Dining account and opt in for marketing emails |
| VIP member | 5 SkyMiles per $1 spent | Opt in for marketing emails and dine 11 times at participating restaurants by the end of the calendar year |
SkyMiles Shopping
Register for SkyMiles Shopping with your SkyMiles account number to earn SkyMiles when you spend at certain retailers.
There are hundreds of eligible partners in categories such as apparel, jewelry, beauty and health, home, magazines, sports and travel.
Earning miles through SkyMiles Shopping
You’ll find many one-time mile bonuses while shopping. For example, you can earn up to a few thousand miles for joining a partner program.
Most retail partners offer 2x or 1x miles when you spend with them. However, you’ll find partners who offer up to 20x miles.
How to earn miles through SkyMiles Shopping
- Log in to your SkyMiles Shopping account.
- Look for a participating retailer through the SkyMiles Shopping portal. You can search in the Stores tab or redeem an offer through the Offers tab.
- 1,500 miles after you spend at least $30 on your third participating restaurant visit.
Use the SkyMiles Shopping button
Download the SkyMiles Shopping button for Google Chrome to earn miles without going through the SkyMiles Shopping portal.
The plugin notifies you when you’re on a participating retailer’s website. Then just activate your rewards and shop as normal.
Book through hotel partners and Airbnb
Here are the rewards rates for qualifying charges with eligible Airbnb properties and hotels.
| Airbnb | 1x miles |
|---|---|
| Delta.com Hotels | At least 1x miles |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1x–2x miles |
| IHG | 1x–2x miles |
| Radisson | 250–500 miles per eligible stay |
| Accor Hotels | 2.5x–12.5 miles |
| Hyatt | 500 miles per eligible stay |
| Langham Hospitality Group | 250–500 miles a night |
| Millennium Hotels and Resorts | 250–500 miles per eligible stays |
| Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts | 1500 miles per eligible stay |
| Worldhotels | 500 miles per eligible stay |
Delta Vacations
Earn up to 7,500 miles per person on your itinerary when you book a Delta flight and hotel package through Delta using your SkyMiles number.
| Bonus miles per person for vacations in US 48, Alaska and Canada | Bonus miles per person for international destinations and Hawaii | |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury Vacations | 3,000 | 7,500 |
| Gold Preferred Pick hotels | 750 | 3,000 |
| Silver Preferred Pick hotels | 500 | 2,000 |
| Bronze Preferred Pick hotels | 375 | 1,500 |
| All other hotels | 250 | 1,000 |
You’ll earn more miles when you add an eligible car rental through National or Alamo. As the primary driver, you’ll earn an extra 500 bonus miles.
Earn double miles per eligible dollar spent with an eligible Delta SkyMiles credit card.
Back to topSkyMiles Cruises
If you’re setting out on the seas, consider booking your trip through SkyMiles Cruises. Here are the miles you can earn:
| Trip length | Miles earned for interior/oceanview | Miles earned for balcony/suite |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 nights | 1,500 miles | 4,500 miles |
| 6-8 nights | 3,000 miles | 9,000 miles |
| 9-12 nights | 5,000 miles | 15,000 miles |
| 13+ nights | 10,000 miles | 30,000 miles |
You’ll find around 30 SkyMiles Cruises partners, including Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Viking River Cruises.
Back to topCar partners
Lyft is Delta’s ridesharing partner. You’ll also find a bevy of car-rental partners.
| Lyft | 1x miles |
|---|---|
| Hertz | 500–1,250 base miles per eligible rental |
| Dollar Car Rental | 500 miles per qualifying rental |
| Thrifty Car Rental | 500 miles per qualifying rental |
| Alamo | 500 miles per qualifying rental |
| Enterprise | 500 miles per qualifying rental |
| National Car Rental | 500 miles per qualifying rental |
| Europcar | 60 miles per day |
| ExecuCar | 150 miles per direction |
| Carmel | Up to 2x miles |
| Sixt | 500 miles per car rental; 1,000 miles per chauffeur service |
| SuperShuttle | 50 miles per direction |
Buy SkyMiles
Buying SkyMiles is an option at a cost of 0.035 cents each. This is a poor rate considering SkyMiles are worth 1.4 cents each according to our January 2019 valuation.
That said, buying miles could be a good option if you only need a few more for an award flight.
| Minimum miles per transaction | 2,000 |
|---|---|
| Maximum miles per transaction | 60,000 |
| Cost per mile | $0.035 |
You can deposit a maximum of 60,000 miles to your account each year.
Back to topBottom line
You can earn SkyMiles faster than you think by spending through Delta and Delta partners. Use a combination of credit cards and spending through Delta portals.
Compare Delta cards to find the right one for you, or consider general travel cards that may offer valuable perks and rewards.
How to redeem Delta SkyMiles
