{"id":20508,"date":"2026-02-07T00:38:42","date_gmt":"2026-02-07T00:38:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/delta-skymiles-complete-guide-to-earning-redeeming-and-elite-status-2\/"},"modified":"2026-02-07T00:38:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T00:38:42","slug":"delta-skymiles-complete-guide-to-earning-redeeming-and-elite-status-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/delta-skymiles-complete-guide-to-earning-redeeming-and-elite-status-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Delta SkyMiles: Complete guide to earning, redeeming and elite status"},"content":{"rendered":"


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One of the most popular frequent flyer programs is Delta SkyMiles, the loyalty program of Delta Air Lines with more than 120 million members.<\/p>\n

Joining the program is free, and your miles never expire. TPG values SkyMiles at 1.25 cents each in our most recent valuations from February 2026.<\/p>\n

You can earn Delta SkyMiles through a variety of methods. Some popular options include flying with Delta and its partners, spending on Delta’s cobranded cards, transferring points from American Express Membership Rewards, shopping through the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal, dining through the Delta SkyMiles Dining program and taking advantage of various other promotions offered by the airline.<\/p>\n

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Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card<\/span>: Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles: 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $2,000 on purchases (for a total of $6,000) in the first six months of card membership.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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You can also earn Medallion Qualification Dollars to help you reach Delta’s four elite status tiers, which provide perks like seat upgrades, priority boarding and airport lounge access.<\/p>\n

Related: Best Delta credit cards<\/strong><\/p>\n

Delta SkyMiles program partners<\/h2>\n
\n
\"virgin<\/div>
VIRGIN ATLANTIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Delta is a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance. You can earn and redeem SkyMiles when you travel with any SkyTeam airline, including:<\/p>\n

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  • Aerolineas Argentinas<\/li>\n
  • Aeromexico<\/li>\n
  • Air Europa<\/li>\n
  • Air France<\/li>\n
  • China Airlines<\/li>\n
  • China Eastern Airlines<\/li>\n
  • Delta Air Lines<\/li>\n
  • Garuda Indonesia<\/li>\n
  • Kenya Airways<\/li>\n
  • KLM<\/li>\n
  • Korean Air<\/li>\n
  • Middle East Airlines<\/li>\n
  • Saudia<\/li>\n
  • Scandinavian Airlines<\/li>\n
  • TAROM<\/li>\n
  • Vietnam Airlines<\/li>\n
  • Virgin Atlantic<\/li>\n
  • Xiamen Airlines<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Other partners<\/h3>\n

    Delta has several other partnerships beyond SkyTeam members, giving you numerous options for earning miles even when you aren’t flying with Delta or a SkyTeam airline. Nonalliance partners include:<\/p>\n

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    • AirBaltic<\/li>\n
    • Cape Air<\/li>\n
    • El Al<\/li>\n
    • LATAM<\/li>\n
    • WestJet<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Just note that each partnership has specific restrictions and requirements.<\/p>\n

      Related: The best websites for searching SkyTeam award availability<\/b><\/p>\n

      Delta SkyMiles elite status<\/h2>\n
      \n
      \"Delta<\/div>
      ZACH GRIFF\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      The SkyMiles program offers four elite status tiers for frequent Delta flyers: Silver Medallion, Gold Medallion, Platinum Medallion and Diamond Medallion.<\/p>\n

      Earning Delta Medallion status<\/h3>\n

      Delta only uses Medallion Qualification Dollars for qualification. You can earn MQDs in the following ways:<\/p>\n

      Here are some key benefits of each of Delta’s status tiers.<\/p>\n

      SkyMiles Silver Medallion<\/h3>\n

      The lowest elite tier in Delta’s SkyMiles program is Silver Medallion status. As a Silver Medallion, you’ll receive:<\/p>\n

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      • Complimentary first-class upgrades on domestic and short-haul international flights from 24 hours before departure<\/li>\n
      • Upgrades to Comfort+ within 24 hours of departure<\/li>\n
      • Priority boarding (Zone 5) and check-in<\/li>\n
      • One free checked bag on flights operated by Delta and select partner airlines, plus a free checked bag for up to eight of your companions when traveling on a Delta flight<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        SkyMiles Gold Medallion<\/h3>\n

        Next up is Gold Medallion status, which will give you:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • Complimentary first-class upgrades on domestic and short-haul international flights from three days before departure<\/li>\n
        • Upgrades to Comfort+ within three days of departure<\/li>\n
        • SkyPriority status<\/li>\n
        • No additional costs for same-day confirmed changes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          SkyMiles Platinum Medallion<\/h3>\n

          The third tier in the SkyMiles program is Platinum Medallion. In addition to the previously mentioned Silver Medallion and Gold Medallion perks, you’ll get the following:<\/p>\n

            \n
          • Complimentary first-class upgrades on domestic flights and short-haul international flights from five days before departure<\/li>\n
          • Upgrades to Comfort+ at booking<\/li>\n
          • Your pick of a Choice Benefit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            SkyMiles Diamond Medallion<\/h3>\n

            Finally, the highest publicly available tier in the SkyMiles program is Diamond Medallion. Diamond Medallion members get everything detailed above, plus some even better perks:<\/p>\n

            How to earn Delta SkyMiles<\/h2>\n
            \n
            \"Delta<\/div>
            ZACH GRIFF\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

            You can earn Delta SkyMiles by flying Delta-operated flights, traveling with a SkyTeam partner and opening a Delta cobranded credit card. You can also earn miles through everyday activities like shopping and dining.<\/p>\n

            Earn SkyMiles by flying<\/h3>\n

            When you fly Delta on a Delta-issued ticket in the main cabin or above (basic economy fares don’t earn miles), you’ll earn SkyMiles on the base price of your ticket. The higher your status tier, the faster you’ll earn miles.<\/p>\n

              \n
            • General member<\/strong>: 5 miles per dollar<\/li>\n
            • Silver Medallion<\/strong>: 7 miles per dollar<\/li>\n
            • Gold Medallion<\/strong>: 8 miles per dollar<\/li>\n
            • Platinum Medallion<\/strong>: 9 miles per dollar<\/li>\n
            • Diamond Medallion<\/strong>: 11 miles per dollar<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Meanwhile, if you book a partner flight on that carrier’s website (for example, Air France) and add your Delta SkyMiles number, you’ll earn miles based on a percentage of the distance flown. The exact number of SkyMiles you’ll receive varies based on the partner, the booking class and your elite status.<\/p>\n

              Earn SkyMiles through credit cards<\/h3>\n

              There’s a Delta credit card for everyone \u2014 the loyalist, the business traveler and even the infrequent flyer. The following cards offer these perks:<\/p>\n

              Here’s a look at some of the best Delta SkyMiles credit cards from American Express. (Terms apply.)<\/p>\n

              \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
              Credit card<\/strong><\/th>\nAnnual fee<\/strong><\/th>\nWelcome bonus<\/strong><\/th>\nTPG’s valuation (as of February 2026)<\/strong><\/th>\nNotable perks<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
              \n\n
              $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (see rates and fees)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
              		\n

              Earn up to 90,000 bonus miles: 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $2,000 on purchases (for a total of $5,000) in the first six months of card membership.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

              		\n

              Up to $1,125<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

              		\n
              <\/p>\n
                \n
              • $200 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases on your card in a calendar year<\/li>\n
              • Up to a $100 annual statement credit toward hotels and vacation rentals through Delta Stays<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

              \n\n\n

              Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles: 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $2,000 on purchases (for a total of $6,000) in the first six months of card membership.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

              		\n

              Up to $1,250<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

              		\n
              <\/p>\n
                \n
              • An annual companion certificate for a main cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. or to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America each year after renewing your card<\/li>\n
              • A statement credit to cover the entry fee for Global Entry ($120 every four years) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85 every 4 1\/2 years)<\/li>\n
              • Up to $10 per month in statement credits for eligible U.S. Resy restaurant purchases and up to $10 per month in ride-hailing statement credits with select U.S. providers<\/li>\n
              • Up to a $150 annual Delta Stays statement credit<\/li>\n
              • Hertz Five Star status (enrollment in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is required)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Enrollment is required for some benefits.<\/em><\/p>\n

                <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

              \n\n\n

              Earn up to 125,000 bonus miles: 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus earn 25,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $3,000 on purchases (for a total of $9,000) in the first six months of card membership.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

              		\n

              Up to $1,563<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

              		\n
              <\/p>\n
                \n
              • 15 Delta Sky Club lounge visits per year (plus unlimited Sky Club visits through the end of the following Medallion year if you spend $75,000 or more during a calendar year) and access to American Express Centurion Lounges when you book your Delta flight with the card<\/li>\n
              • An annual companion certificate for a round-trip flight within the U.S. or to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America in main cabin, Comfort+ or first class each year after renewing your card<\/li>\n
              • Complimentary upgrades for non-Medallion members<\/li>\n
              • Up to $20 per month in statement credits for eligible U.S. Resy restaurant purchases and up to $10 per month in ride-hailing statement credits with select U.S. providers<\/li>\n
              • Up to a $200 annual Delta Stays statement credit<\/li>\n
              • Hertz President’s Circle status (enrollment in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is required)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Enrollment is required for some benefits.<\/em><\/p>\n

                <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

              \n\n
              $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (see rates and fees)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
              		\n
              <\/p>\n

              Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.<\/p>\n

              <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n

              		\n

              $1,125<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

              		\n
              <\/p>\n
                \n
              • Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on U.S. shipping and select media advertising in the U.S. (up to $50,000 per year, then 1 mile per dollar)<\/li>\n
              • A $200 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 on purchases with your card in a calendar year<\/li>\n
              • Up to a $150 annual Delta Stays statement credit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

              \n\n\n

              Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

              		\n

              $1,250<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

              		\n
              <\/p>\n
                \n
              • Earn 1.5 miles per dollar spent on transit, at U.S. shipping providers and on single purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $100,000 in total eligible purchases, then 1 mile per dollar)<\/li>\n
              • An annual companion certificate for a round-trip main cabin flight within the U.S. or to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America each year after renewing your card<\/li>\n
              • A statement credit to cover the membership fee for Global Entry ($120 every four years) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85 every 4 1\/2 years)<\/li>\n
              • Up to $10 per month in statement credits for eligible U.S. Resy restaurant purchases and up to $10 per month in ride-hailing statement credits with select U.S. providers<\/li>\n
              • Up to a $200 annual Delta Stays statement credit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Enrollment is required for some benefits.<\/em><\/p>\n

                <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

              \n\n\n
              <\/p>\n

              Earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.<\/p>\n

              <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n

              		\n

              $1,563<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

              		\n
              <\/p>\n