Below, I outline the main ways in which to earn and accumulate Delta SkyMiles.
1. Fly Delta or Delta Partner
You can earn SkyMiles with flights you take based on ticket price (base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges, but excluding government-imposed taxes and fees) for Delta-marketed or Delta-ticketed flights, instead of distance flown. So when you pay a higher price, you will be rewarded with more miles. Note, you do not earn SkyMiles when you fly on an award flight. Note, as of December 9, 2021 for flights departing on or after January 1, 2022, Basic Economy tickets are not eligible to earn miles or earn credit towards Medallion Status.
The miles you earn per $1 spent, depends on what level member you are within the Delta SkyMiles program. General members earn 5 miles per $1 spent, while Medallion members earn more. Specifically, Silver members earn 7 miles, Gold members 8 miles, Platinum 9 miles and Diamond members 11 miles per $1 spent. Note, you can earn up to 75,000 miles per ticket. (I want to meet the person that can earn 75,000 miles per ticket!)
You can also earn Delta SkyMiles when you fly on one of Delta’s partner airlines. You can learn more about that here.
2. Use your American Express Delta cards
When you use your American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold card, American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold BUSINESS card, American Express Delta SkyMiles Platinum card, American Express Delta SkyMiles Platinum BUSINESS card, American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve Credit Card or the American Express Delta SkyMiles Blue Card you earn bonusDelta SkyMiles for each $1 spent on Delta tickets purchased directly from the airlines as well as on Delta purchases like Sky Club membership or passes, Delta Vacations packages, seat upgrades, or in-flight purchases like food, beverages, and audio headsets and 1 SkyMile per $1 on all other purchases. You can also earn bonus points at hotels, restaurants and supermarkets. Check out the Delta cards to see where you earn the most.
3. Transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards
If you are a member of American Express Membership Rewards you can transfer your Membership Rewards points, in 1,000-point increments, to your Delta SkyMiles account. At the time of this post, your points transfer at 1:1 value. That means one Membership Rewards point equals one Delta SkyMiles mile. Note, you may transfer a maximum of 999,000 points to a single SkyMiles account on any given day.
4. Shop through the Delta SkyMiles Shopping online site
Shopping portals are a great place to rack up extra miles, you earn miles while you shop.
5. Earn Delta SkyMiles Using Lyft
Lyft riders earn 2 SkyMiles per $1 on airport rides or 1 SkyMile per $1 on other rides.
6. Earn Delta SkyMiles When You Drink Starbucks
You can link your Delta SkyMiles account to your Starbucks loyalty account here to earn 1 mile per $1 spent at Starbucks.
7. Earn Delta SkyMiles Using Instacart
You can earn 1 Mile Per Dollar Spent and if you are an Instacart Express Member, you can earn 1.5 miles per $1 spent.
8. Earn Delta SkyMiles by spending $ with Delta SkyMiles partners
Spend $ at more than 100 SkyMiles partners and earn Delta SkyMiles.
9. Learn More About Earning Delta SkyMiles
Read about using Delta SkyMiles here
