Delta SkyMiles

What are SkyMiles?

SkyMiles is the loyalty program of Delta Airlines – the largest airline in the world in terms of revenue.

Delta is a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, comprising over 20 global carriers – including Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, and more – and offering seamless travel to over 1,000 destinations across the globe.

Earning SkyMiles

Earning Miles with Flights

The easiest way to earn SkyMiles miles is by booking flights with Delta Airlines. The number of miles a SkyMiles members earns when flying with Delta depends on their current SkyMiles membership tier.

Earning Based on SkyMiles Status Tier

SkyMiles miles are also gained based on a traveler’s status within the SkyMiles program. The following tiers earn the following miles for their fares:

Earning with SkyTeam Partners

SkyMiles members can also earn miles when they spend money with Delta Airlines partners, including SkyTeam partner airlines. Other SkyTeam airlines include:

SkyMiles earned with SkyTeam airlines are generally earned through miles traveled, rather than a miles per dollar rate, although additional miles are earned based on the class of travel (economy, business, first, etc.), as well as SkyMiles membership tier.

Delta also has a codeshare agreement with LATAM.

Earning with Other Delta Partners

Credit Cards

An easy way to earn additional SkyMiles miles is through a Delta Airlines credit card. Delta offers numerous credit cards which provide a host of benefits – most notably the Delta Reserve Card and the Delta Reserve for Business Card, which offers complimentary access to Delta’s Sky Club lounges.

For a complete selection of Delta credit cards, please check out our United States Carriers page.

SkyMiles Expiration

Unlike miles earned through other SkyTeam alliance members, Delta SkyMiles never expire, meaning you never have to worry when you can book your dream reward.

Redeeming SkyMiles

There are several redemption options for SkyMiles miles:

Flights with Delta Airlines

The easiest way to use miles is through flight bookings with Delta Airlines. To use miles for flights, members need to book their flight at Delta.com. Bookings with Delta also have the bonus of featuring no blackout dates, meaning you don’t need to worry when you can book your reward travel. Miles are also applicable towards seat upgrades, access of membership to Delta Sky Club Lounges, and more.

Flights with SkyTeam Partners

One of the great perks of the SkyMiles program is its close association with the SkyTeam alliance. Through the SkyTeam, SkyMiles provides access to well over 1,000 global destinations.

Delta Experiences

Delta SkyMiles are redeemable for unique experiences through Delta. These ecxperiences offers the chance to sue miles to bid for once-n-a-lifetime opportunities, such as red-carpet walks and steeping on the field of your favorite NFL team.

Other Ways to Redeem Miles

Delta miles are also redeemable for gift cards or purchases made through the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal.

SkyMiles Status Levels

Delta’s SkyMiles program has several tiers, all of which offer unique benefits and perks.

SkyMiles membership tiers are determined based on the following qualifications:

Silver Medallion

Achieving Silver Medallion Status

To reach Silver Medallion status, a SkyMiles member must have earned at least 3,000 MQDs plus either 25,000 MQMs or 30 MQSs.

Silver Medallion Perks

Gold Medallion

Gold Medallion is the enxt level of SkyMiles membership.

Achieving Gold Medallion Status

To reach Gold Medallion status, a SkyMiles member must have earned at least 6,000 MQDs plus either 50,000 MQMs or 60 MQSs.

Gold Medallion Perks

Platinum Medallion

Achieving Platinum Medallion Status

To reach Platinum Medallion status, a SkyMiles member must have earned at least 9,000 MQDs plus either 75,000 MQMs or 100 MQSs.

Platinum Medallion Perks

Additional Benefits for Platinum Medallion Members

Platinum Medallion members also get their choice of one of the following perks:

Diamond Medallion

Achieving Diamond Medallion Status

To reach Diamond Medallion status, a SkyMiles member must have earned at least 15,000 MQDs plus either 125,000 MQMs or 140 MQSs.

Diamond Medallion Perks

Additional Benefits for Diamond Medallion Members

Diamond Medallion members also get their choice of three of the following perks:

SkyTeam Frequent Flyer Status

As noted previously, different levels of SkyMiles membership also entail membership in the SkyTeam frequent flyer program.

SkyTeam Elite Status

Achieving SkyTeam Elite status equates to the basic level of a SkyTeam partner’s frequent flyer membership. SkyMiles Silver Medallion status also includes SkyTeam Elite status, which offers the following global perks:

SkyTeam Elite Plus

SkyTeam Elite Plus status is the highest tier of SkyTeam frequent flyer membership. Earning SkyTeam Elite Plus status is reserved for those travelers who hold the highest levels of membership with a SkyTeam partner airline. SkyTeam Elite Plus members receive all the benefits of SkyTeam Elite members, as well as the following additional perks:

Sky Club and SkyTeam Lounges

Sky Club

Delta’s network of over 50 airport lounges is Sky Club. Membership in the Sky Club is reserved for those paying for either an Executive Membership, and Individual Membership, or for those who apply for – and are approved for – the Delta Reserve Credit Card.

Executive membership costs either 4845 for a yearly pass, or 84,500 miles. Individual membership costs either $545 per year – plus $29 per lounge visit – or 54,500 miles.

In Sky Club lounges visitors can expect sumptuous furnishings, a wide selection of snacks and meal options, complimentary Wi-Fi, and entertainment.

SkyTeam Lounges

Delta Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Medallion members also have access to SkyTeam lounges, lounges in the following international destinations:

For a more detailed look at the SkyTeam alliance and membership perks, visit our dedicated SkyTeam alliance page.

Delta 360

Delta 360 is an inv-te-only tier of the SkyMiles program that is open only to the highest spenders with the airline.  While there is no written rule as to who is invited to this exclusive tier, it is believed that SkyMiles members must spend more than $100,000 with Delta each year, making it attainable only for the top 1% of business travelers and an even smaller percentage of personal travelers.

The perks with Delta 360 are comparable with other invitation-only tiers from American carriers (notably American Airlines’ Concierge Key), meaning members can expect ultra-personalized and dedicated customer services, the highest level of priority for check-in, boarding, and upgrades, as well as help reaching flights during tricky connections. In the last instance, Delta 360 members get an increased priority of Porsche-aided transfers, something that is available to Diamond Medallion flyers, but not with the prevalence of 360-tiered flyers.