Wearing Delta Airlines SkyMiles It can be complex and frustrating due to frequent changes and lack of award charts. However, once you accumulate enough miles and gain the knowledge to navigate the program, you can extract significant value from them.
Historically, Delta has offered flash sales, with round-trip tickets to Mexico and the Caribbean costing only 14,400 SkyMiles.
While it takes effort to understand and use SkyMiles effectively, Delta’s flying experience is considered by many to be the best among domestic airlines, as does the data behind TPG’s annual Best U.S. Airlines report (Delta ranked #1). for the sixth consecutive year in 2024).
Here are five key things you need to know about Delta SkyMiles to maximize their value.
Delta does not have a published award chart
Delta removed award mileage charts from its website in 2015. To get an idea of the approximate number of miles needed for a future award flight, you should search for your desired route on different dates or use Delta’s calendar search feature. However, it’s important to note that the numbers can change daily, as Delta sets the price of its award flights dynamically.
For example, a domestic flight that costs 7,500 miles one day can cost almost double that a few days later. Below are the varying prices over the course of a week for a short flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
The difference can be even more significant on international routes, especially in premium cabins. In a week, one-way flights in premium economy from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Sydney Airport (SYD) cost between 170,000 and 495,000 SkyMiles.
Related: Is it worth flying Delta Air Lines premium economy between New York and London?
Finding availability with award programs can be a challenge. However, without fixed prices, these significant variations force you to plan your trip based on availability rather than your desired schedule.
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Finally, because they have no fixed prices, last-minute SkyMiles award tickets function like revenue tickets: they tend to be significantly more expensive.
This is a major disadvantage when it comes to accumulating SkyMiles compared to other traditional airline miles.
That said, it’s worth noting that you can change tickets for most Delta award flights (except for Basic Economy awards) when the price drops. Many times, this can be done directly in the Delta app.
If you wish to change a Basic Economy award ticket, you will be charged a mileage cancellation fee. This fee (9,900 miles for domestic travel (within the United States and Canada) and 19,900 miles for international travel) will be deducted from the value of your ticket and the remaining miles will be deposited back into your SkyMiles account.
Related: Complete guide to changing and cancelling award tickets
Adding segments to Delta flights can reduce the price of your award ticket
Surprisingly, longer flights can sometimes result in lower fares for Delta award tickets. Delta typically has limited competition on routes originating 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.
When you change your origin to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), which is served by more airlines, prices drop significantly (many routes connect in Detroit):
Related: How to redeem Delta SkyMiles for maximum value
Delta Partner Rewards Can Be a Good Investment
Given the high mileage redemption rates on Delta-operated flights in premium cabins, a good use of SkyMiles might be to redeem them on partner airlines. After all, this is true for redemptions with American Airlines AAdvantage Miles and Air Canada Aeroplan Points.
Redeeming SkyMiles for premium flights operated by Virgin Atlantic to the UK and other destinations is a reasonable use of SkyMiles. While redemption rates are much higher than Virgin Flying Club If you pay for the flights yourself, you won’t have to pay the four-figure surcharges that Flying Club airlines charge. So if you have a large SkyMiles balance and want to pay very little, this could be a good option.
Without an award chart, prices vary, but great deals can be found on partner airlines that don’t serve the U.S. This business-class itinerary with a mix of China Airlines and Air France flights costs just 80,000 miles plus about $28 in taxes and fees — an incredible deal for about 15 hours of flying time in premium cabins.
Delta offers SkyMiles promotions
Delta routinely offers SkyMiles sales where it will reduce the price of certain award seats that it operates itself.
For example, you can book round-trip flights to Europe for as little as 54,000 SkyMiles plus minimal taxes and fees. We’ve also seen 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 great deal for long-haul flights to Asia.
Watch Delta SkyMiles Sales Page to find these deals and if you see a great price, book immediately.
You can earn Delta Elite status without even flying
Delta SkyMiles allows you to Earn Medallion Status Without Flying.
Here are the requirements to earn SkyMiles Elite Medallion status in 2024 (for use through 2025). Here’s how many Medallion Qualification Dollars you’d need to earn:
- Silver medallion:5,000 MQD
- Gold medallion:10,000 MQD
- Platinum medallion:15,000 MQD
- Diamond medallion:28,000 MQD
He American Express Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Business Card earns 1 MQD for every $10 spent. Meanwhile, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Business Card Earn 1 MQD for every $20 spent.
There is no limit to the amount of MQDs you can earn by spending on the cards, so you could earn Elite status simply by swiping your Delta Amex card.
Please note that these four cards also include a 15% off award flights operated by Delta when you redeem your SkyMiles and pay taxes and fees with the card. This does not apply to partner tickets.
Check out our Complete Guide to Delta Elite Status to learn about the benefits and advantages of Medallion status.
Related: Best Delta Credit Cards
How to earn Delta SkyMiles
One of the easiest ways to earn plenty of Delta SkyMiles is through co-branded credit cards, which come with welcome offers and points for everyday spending. American Express currently issues four personal Delta cards and three commercial cards.
- American Express Delta SkyMiles® Gold Card: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- American Express Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Business Card:Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Business Card: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Business Card: Earn 110,000 bonus miles after you spend $12,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
Can transfer Membership Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio. However, to offset the federal excise tax, you will be charged a fee of $0.0006 per mile (up to a maximum of $99), making the transaction more expensive.
In summary
Delta SkyMiles remains a solid option for Delta travelers. We continue to see value in using SkyMiles for domestic flights and the ability to book award flights with SkyTeam partners.
However, SkyMiles is not the currency to have if you are looking for awards in aspirational premium cabins or for long-haul travel, as you will find much lower redemption rates. through other programs.
