Devalued Delta-Starbucks Partnership Takes Effect Today

Updated: August 5, 2026, 7:58am CDT

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The Previous Delta-Starbucks Setup
Present Earning Rates as of August 5
Final Thoughts

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Delta and Starbucks have changing their partnership, and it’s a bummer for anyone who’s enjoyed the previous setup, offering bonus miles on balance reloads and double stars on days with a Delta flight.

As of August 5, 2026, the earning rates have changed — and not for the better. If you’re a Delta flyer who’s enjoyed earnings on your coffee purchases, here’s what you need to know.

The Previous Delta-Starbucks Setup

Until recently, members who link their Starbucks and Delta SkyMiles accounts could earn double Starbucks stars on Delta travel days (i.e., days when they are taking a Delta flight).

Members also earned miles when reloading their Starbucks balance:

Reloading $25 to $49.99 earns 25 miles
Reloading $50 to $74.99 earns 75 miles
Reloading $75 to $99.99 earns 125 miles
Reloading $100 earns 200 miles

Members can link their accounts here. That’s still possible.

Depending on the reload amount, members could earn 2 SkyMiles per $1 spent under the previous setup. However, the earning rates have now changed.

Present Earning Rates as of August 5

The way members earn SkyMiles on Starbucks purchases has changed, and it’s not as lucrative.

As of August 5, 2026, members continue to earn double stars and earn bonus miles. However, the miles earned looks different now.

Members now earn a flat 1 SkyMile per $1 spent at Starbucks — but only if they’ve taken a Delta flight in the past 12 months. That earning rate doesn’t include taxes, tips, gift cards, or alcohol purchases.

Delta email Starbucks changing 2026 — Screenshot: Communication from Delta

With these changes, members earn based on spending, so long as they took a Delta flight in the past year.

Hot Tip:

Interestingly, this change brings back some of what this partnership used to offer (earning 1x miles) before it changed in 2024, ushering in the “reloads and double stars” setup that will look different soon.

Final Thoughts

Delta and Starbucks formed their partnership back in 2022. Since then, the way members earn Skymiles and stars has changed multiple times.

As of August 5, 2026, it’s changed once again.

Members now need to take a Delta flight every 12 months to keep earning miles on Starbucks purchases, and bonuses on balance reloads have gone away. While the double stars element is nowhere to be found in the email sent to SkyMiles members announcing these changes, a spokesperson for Delta has confirmed that double stars aren’t going away.