Since Delta Air Lines eliminated her awards lists a decade ago, the Delta Skymiles program It has become remarkably more unpredictable and sometimes scandalously expensive. With executive class flights on long distance routes often with more than 450,000 skymiles, it is understandable to feel that its Skymiles balance has little value.
But if you have a reserve of Delta miles, it is Far from nothing useless. There are still excellent reimbursements available, particularly during operator prizes sales.
Let’s explore some strategies to maximize the value of its Delta Skymiles.
Related: Delta medallion status: what is and how to win it
Skymiles exchange on Delta flights
You can use your Skymiles delta to reserve Delta flights, delta connection and delta ferry. Since Delta uses dynamic prices, award rates can vary significantly. For example, the awarding rates of the unidirectional basic economy of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) international airport range between 17,800 and 19,800 miles in October and November.
Taxes and rates are generally reasonable in Delta tickets. Wait to pay $ 6 per person in taxes and rates in most national and international tickets that leave the US.
Be attentive to Skymiles offers
A great option to exchange Delta Miles is to take advantage of Skymiles offers. These offers generally apply to specific cities, so it may be necessary to reserve positioning flights to completely maximize these promotions.
For example, Delta has previously offered Flash sales with round trip flights for only 5,000 skymiles. The airline too recently offered Flights from Atlanta to the Caribbean and Mexico that begin at 14,400 Skymiles round trip.
If you do not have an immediate use for your Skymiles, it may be better to keep them for the next great Skymiles agreement. Just be sure to watch Page.
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Save 15% with select delta credit cards
If you have an eligible Delta credit cardcan Save 15% on prizes flights operated by Delta When you use your miles and pay taxes and fees with the card. This can be an excellent option to reduce the price you pay in the Delta Prize tickets, and an important reason to open (and maintain) a Delta card.
Related: The best delta credit cards
Reserve again when prices fall
For flights reserved with Delta Skymiles, provided that your flight is eligible for cancellation, you can reproduce your flight. The difference in miles will be deposited in your account without rate.
You can cancel your adjudication flight for basic economic reserves, but you must pay an associated mileage rate. For those flights, Delta will deduce 9,900 miles for national trips within the United States and Canada and 19,900 miles for international trips. This rate is deduced from the value of your ticket, and any remaining mile will be deposited again in your Skymiles.
Related: Airlines that offer a loan if the price of the air rate falls
Card Delta Skymiles on associated flights
Delta is a member of the Skyteam Alliance And he also has several airline partners No Alliance. This gives you more flexibility to redeem your Skymiles in several airlines and routes worldwide. Here is the complete list of Delta’s airline partners:
Skyteam Partners
- Aerolineas Argentinas
- Aeromexico
- Air Europa
- Air France
- China airlines
- Eastern China airlines
- Garuda Indonesia
- Kenya Airways
- Klm
- Korean air
- Middle East Airlines
- Saudium
- Scandinavian airlines
- TAROM
- Vietnam Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Xiamen Airlines
No Alliance Partners
- Air Tahiti Nui
- Cape air
- China Southern Airlines
- Hawaiian airlines
- LATAM
- Mandarin airlines
- Shanghai Airlines
- Westjet
There are no online awards graphics, so you should search the route by prices, and you can obtain some quite large offers on flights operated by association that do not touch the US. UU. In particular.
For example, in September and October, flights from Narita International Airport (NRT) in Tokyo to the Changi Airport of Singapore (SIN) are available most days for only 40,000 skymiles in executive class. These are operated by Vietnam Airlines through the city of Ho Chi Minh, the International Airport so are Nhat (SGN) of Vietnam (SGN) or Hanoi, the NOI BAI International Airport (HAN) in Vietnam, and with only $ 27 in rates and taxes for paying, they are excellent exchange options for their Skymiles.
Alternatively, flying from the Dubai International Airport (DXB) to the Paris de Gaulle (CDG) airport in executive class on Air France generally costs about 42,500 miles around $ 34 in taxes and rates.
Delta can increase these rates at any time and has done it on multiple occasions. To obtain the current award price, you must communicate with Delta directly or search the website. You can also try to start your search in Seat..
While Delta has tried to improve its website to show partner awards, it can still have limitations, particularly when booking mixed cabin itineraries. The website often prioritizes flights operated by Delta, which may not be ideal if it has specific flight requirements. We recommend looking for the flight segment per segment and being prepared to call Delta if the website does not offer the desired travel options.
Related: The best websites to search for the availability of Skyteam awards
Delta Skymiles for updates
You can too Use your Skymiles to update to a higher class of service. If you have a confirmed flight from Delta Marketed and -Operated, you can pay in cash or use miles to update your flight directly on the Delta website.
If I redeem your miles for an update using this method, it will generally obtain a value of about 1 cent per mile, which is lower than our September 2025 valuation 1.15 cents per mile. This could be a viable option if you have a surplus of skymiles and there are no immediate plans to use them. However, we generally recommend prioritizing the reimbursements of the award flight to maximize its value.
Or, you can exchange Miles Delta to update specific flights operated by Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic or Aeromexico. This option is subject to rate class requirements and is only available on selected routes that each partner operates. See Delta website For more details.
You will also want to make sure there is an available update inventory.
Related: His best guide for Delta Choice’s benefits program
Skymiles for holidays Delta
In general, you will get a value of around 1.1 cents per mile when you use your miles to cover a Delta holidays package.
For example, I could reserve a five -day accommodation at the Ortigres Waikiki Beach Resort reef in Hawaii for $ 1.631.76 or redeem 148,342 Skymiles, a redemption value of exactly 1.1 cents per mile. This is a little less than our September 2025 assessment, but it is not a bad redemption.
Related: These are the best Honolulu hotels
How to win Delta Skymiles
Of course, you will need to have skymiles to take advantage of the refunds mentioned above. Fortunately, there are several ways to increase your balance.
One of the simplest ways to win Delta Miles is to use the Cobranded American Express of Delta cards. These are some of the current welcome offers available for these cards:
- Delta Skymiles ® Gold American Express card: GANO 80,000 miles of bonus after spending $ 3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.
- Delta Skymiles Platinum American Express card: GAN 90,000 miles bonus after spending $ 4,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta Skymiles Fester American Express card: 125,000 miles bonus after spending $ 6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta Skymiles® Gold Business American Express Card: GAN 90,000 miles bonus after spending $ 6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta Skymiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Win 100,000 miles of bonus after spending $ 8,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta Skymiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: 125,000 miles bonus after spending $ 15,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership.
Remember that all these cards include access to Takeoff benefit 15which will save 15% on prizes flights operated by Delta.
Another way to win Skymiles is to transfer American express membership rewards Delta points out in a 1: 1. relationship. You can obtain these transferable rewards in the American Express® Gold Card and American Express Platinum Card®. However, your transfer will be subject to a Special tax compensation rate.
Besides, Marriott Bonvoy Points Transfer to Delta Skymiles In a 3: 1 relationship.
End
Although the value of Delta Skymiles has decreased in recent years, excellent offers are left.
While the program has advanced towards a redemption value of 1 cent per mile, it can overcome that, especially with Skymiles agreements and flights operated by couple outside the United States.
