How To Use Delta SkyMiles Dining to Earn More Miles [2023]

Today you’ll learn how to easily earn extra miles for many of your dining purchases for no additional cost or work. It’s called SkyMiles Dining, a program put on by Delta and managed through the Rewards Network.

Delta’s SkyMiles Dining program rewards you for eating out by giving you bonus miles. This article will walk you through exactly how the dining program works and how many miles you can earn.

Table of contents

How To Join/Log in & Basics of Using the Program

Delta Skymiles Dining Registration — Basic information is required to enroll in Delta’s dining rewards.

Delta Air Lines‘ dining rewards program requires a separate account from your regular frequent flyer account, but you’ll need a lot of the same information. This includes your SkyMiles number, name, email, and address; you’ll also need to select a username and password.

Delta Skymiles Dining Registration Step 2 — You will need to create a login and password to use the Delta dining reward program.

When you register your account, you need to link a credit card to your profile. Don’t worry, you won’t be charged for anything!

The credit card is required to earn bonus miles. Each time you dine at a participating restaurant using that credit card, you will earn bonus points based on the cost of your meal, including tax and tip!

You don’t need to register your meal afterwards; the miles will be credited automatically. Depending on your membership level, you can earn up to 5 bonus miles per dollar spent.

As a “Member” you’ll earn 1 SkyMile per dollar spent. Become an “Online Member” by opting into emails, and you will earn 3 miles per dollar.

Complete 11 transactions in a year to become a “VIP Member,” where you’ll start to earn 5x SkyMiles from your 12th meal.

Intro Bonuses

There is usually an introductory welcome bonus so you can earn even more miles the first time (or first few times) you dine at a participating restaurant, as long as you complete the requirement in a specific time period.

Delta SkyMiles Dining Program Bonus Offer — At the time of writing, the intro bonus for SkyMiles Dining allows you to earn up to 3,000 bonus miles!

The current bonus available allows you to earn up to 3,000 miles over the course of your first 3 meals within the first 30 days of signing up.

All meals must be over $30 in order to earn the bonus. The first meal earns 500 bonus SkyMiles, the second earns 1,000, and the third earns 1,500. Completing an online review is required within 30 days of visiting each restaurant in order to earn the bonus.

SkyMiles Medallion Members can earn an extra 500 bonus miles of top of this as they get 1,000 miles for their first visit, making a total of up to 3,500!

This is one of the higher bonuses we have seen from Delta’s dining rewards program, so now would be a great time to join!

Example Restaurants

As mentioned above, the number of SkyMiles earned doesn’t vary by restaurant. However, you should make sure that the restaurants you dine at are participating in the program.

I searched for participating restaurants near Ann Arbor, MI and the results came back showing 97 restaurants within 30 miles. Most restaurants are small, local establishments rather than chain restaurants.

Delta SkyMiles Dining Program Restaurant Search — A few of the restaurant options near Ann Arbor, MI where you can earn bonus SkyMiles.

In addition to local restaurants, there were just a few chain options. Note that not all locations of a chain may be participating, but here are some examples:

Buca di Beppo
Edible Arrangements
Hungry Howie’s Pizza

Using Credit Cards To Earn Extra Points

The points earned through SkyMiles Dining are in addition to any regular credit card points you will earn paying for your meal.

If you are mainly interested in earning Delta SkyMiles, you should consider using a co-branded Delta credit card. You could also use a card that earns American Express Membership Rewards points, which can be transferred to Delta at a 1:1 ratio.

American Express is the sole credit card issuer for Delta Air Lines’ branded products. Below you’ll find a list of cards that earn both Membership Rewards and Delta SkyMiles.

It may also be worth considering credit cards that offer dining as one of their bonus categories so you can earn even more points. Look for cards that have a good welcome bonus if you’ll be getting a new one!

Amex Recommended Cards (Personal)

If you’re a business owner, see our list of the best Amex business credit cards.

Delta SkyMiles Cards

Final Thoughts

Joining SkyMiles Dining and linking a credit card is an easy way to start earning more rewards. You’ll earn miles on dining purchases at participating restaurants with no extra work required.

You may want to also consider checking out their shopping portal to earn even more rewards and get closer to your next SkyMiles redemption!

For rates and fees of the Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, click here.

Frequently asked questions

Do the miles earned through SkyMiles Dining count toward status?

No, the miles earned through the dining program do not count toward status. They are redeemable miles that can be used toward flights.

Is there a limit to the number of miles I can earn through Delta's dining program?

No, there is no limit to the number of SkyMiles you can earn. You will earn 1, 3, or 5 SkyMiles per dollar spent (depending on your member level) at participating restaurants anytime you use your linked credit card.

Do I need to save and submit my receipt in order to earn points?

No, your points will be credited to your account automatically.

Does it cost money to join SkyMiles Dining?

No, joining is free.

When will my miles be added to my account?

You’ll be able to see your eligible meal on your dining profile usually within 5 days of dining at the restaurant. Miles take 6-8 weeks to post to your Delta account and become available for redemption.

5 comments

ab February 9, 2018

The sky dining service is very poor. The miles don’t get credited automatically; one must report them separately each time. When there is a dispute, such as when using a third-party online ordering site, American Express requires unreasonable “proof” which is a waste of time.

Alex Miller February 14, 2018
I’ve never heard of (or experienced) the miles not being posting automatically.
Reply

Ed Parigian January 12, 2020

Does anyone know if Dining Skymiles can be combined with Frequent Flyer miles toward a free flight? For instance, can I use 5,000 Dining miles and 20,000 Frequent Flyer miles for a 25,000 miles free flight?

Jarrod West January 13, 2020
Hi Ed,
Yes, the Skymiles you earn through the dining program can be used for flights! In fact, they should pool together in your standard Skymiles account.
Reply

Tad April 21, 2021

I have had regular problems with miles and bonus miles not posting on their own.

Earn Points

Use Points

Business Credit Card Reviews

Business Guides

Air Travel Guides

Airline Points

Earn & Use Hotel Points

Hotel Loyalty Program Reviews

How To Use The Delta SkyMiles Dining Portal to Earn More Miles

How To Join/Log in & Basics of Using the Program

Intro Bonuses

Example Restaurants

Using Credit Cards To Earn Extra Points

Amex Recommended Cards (Personal)

Delta SkyMiles Cards

Final Thoughts

Frequently asked questions

Do the miles earned through SkyMiles Dining count toward status?

Is there a limit to the number of miles I can earn through Delta's dining program?

Do I need to save and submit my receipt in order to earn points?

Does it cost money to join SkyMiles Dining?

When will my miles be added to my account?

About Caroline Lupini

5 comments

Any thoughts or questions? Comment below! Cancel reply

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How To Join/Log in & Basics of Using the Program

Intro Bonuses

Example Restaurants

Using Credit Cards To Earn Extra Points

Amex Recommended Cards (Personal)

Delta SkyMiles Cards

Final Thoughts

Frequently asked questions

Do the miles earned through SkyMiles Dining count toward status?

Is there a limit to the number of miles I can earn through Delta's dining program?

Do I need to save and submit my receipt in order to earn points?

Does it cost money to join SkyMiles Dining?

When will my miles be added to my account?

About Caroline Lupini

5 comments

Any thoughts or questions? Comment below! Cancel reply

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