In addition to being one of the largest airlines in the United States, Delta Air Lines operates its largest hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) — the busiest airport in the world.
SkyMiles, the Delta Air Lines loyalty program, is a dollar-based program. Unlike mileage-based redemption programs where miles are earned based on distance or segments traveled, under this program bonus miles are earned based on the dollar amount spent.
In this post, you’ll learn which credit cards earn Delta SkyMiles, as well as specific strategies you can implement to maximize the number of miles you earn for each purchase (whether or not you use a Delta SkyMiles credit card).
Enroll in Delta SkyMiles
You don’t need an affiliated credit card to begin earning miles; just sign up online for a Delta SkyMiles account. There are actually two types of miles in the Delta SkyMiles loyalty program: miles and Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs).
Miles are earned by making purchases and can be redeemed for awards. As a member, you’ll begin earning 5 bonus miles for every $1 you spend on flights (you will earn more if you use a Delta SkyMiles credit card).
MQMs are based on distance traveled, and they help you achieve elite status (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond) and extra benefits.
When you sign up for a membership, you will be assigned a unique Delta SkyMiles account number that you’ll use to earn miles in a variety of ways.
Image Credit: Delta.com1. Delta Air Lines Credit Cards
American Express offers various personal and business Delta credit cards. Most of the cards offer a welcome bonus once you meet a spending requirement. Because there are several options, you should choose the card that works best for your situation.
It’s important to evaluate your spending habits before making a decision.
Hot Tip: This article is focused on earning bonus frequent flyer miles, but some of these credit cards also offer benefits like complimentary or discounted access to Delta Sky Club.
2. Earn 2x Bonus Miles on Delta Purchases
When you make a purchase with select Delta SkyMiles credit cards, you’ll receive bonus miles on Delta purchases. The best part is your purchases don’t have to be for flights in order to qualify!
For instance, pay for baggage fees with your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and you will still earn 2 miles per $1.
3. Everyday Purchases for 1x Bonus Miles
Every purchase you make outside of Delta will earn you 1x miles. That means it pays to use your card for as many purchases as possible!
Look for opportunities to use your Delta card in categories that don’t typically earn more than 1x miles. For example, use your card for medical expenses, gym memberships, random online purchases, and drugstores.
Built-In Miles Boosts kick in starting at $25,000 (Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card) and $30,000 (Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card).
You’ll earn 10,000-15,000 bonus miles and MQMs depending on the card — a great spending motivator!
4. Earn Medallion Status
The 4 elite status tiers in Delta SkyMiles (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond) earn miles at a rate of 7x, 8x, 9x, and 11x per $1 respectively.
Once you reach 25,000 MQMs (or 30 Medallion Qualification Segments), plus $3,000 Medallion Qualifying Dollars, you’ll achieve Silver Medallion Status.
From that point on, you will earn an additional 2x miles for Delta purchases… on top of the 5x miles you earn as a SkyMiles member and 2x miles for using your SkyMiles credit card. That’s a total of 9x miles for purchases you make through Delta!
Interested in how you can fast track your way to elite status with Delta? The chart below shows how many MQM’s you will earn based on your fare class purchased!
Image Credit: Delta.comFlexible Points Credit Cards (Recommended)
5. American Express Membership Rewards Credit Cards
Delta Air Lines is an American Express Membership Rewards partner. This means that you can also rack up Delta miles by making purchases with American Express cards that earn Membership Rewards.
You won’t lose any value by transferring your points because it’s done at a 1:1 ratio. Go ahead and purchase flights for 3x miles (instead of 2x) with a card such as the American Express® Gold Card and transfer them over later.
In fact, you can earn points at U.S. gas stations, restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and other places between the Amex Gold Card, The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, and The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card.
Then, transfer these points to your Delta SkyMiles account to accrue more miles than you thought possible.
Recommended American Express Cards (Personal)
If you’re a business owner, see our list of the best Amex business credit cards.
6. Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
You can earn Marriott points and transfer those to Delta at a transfer rate of 3:1. Plus, for every 60,000 Marriott points that you transfer, you’ll receive an extra 5,000 Delta miles bonus.
Recommended Marriott Cards
Delta Shopping & Dining
An easy way to earn miles is through airline shopping and dining programs. Check out how below:
7. SkyMiles Shopping Portal
There are plenty of partners you can shop with online to earn extra Delta miles! Image Credit: SkyMiles ShoppingEarn Delta miles while you shop hundreds of online stores with SkyMall Shopping. You get access to millions of products in one spot! Look for seasonal sales as well as coupon code discounts and free shipping deals.
The SkyMall Shopping site is easy to navigate. Follow these steps to get started:
- Visit SkyMilesShopping.com
- Enter your SkyMiles membership number
- Click on an offer, product, or store
- Shop and earn Delta miles for your purchases
Hot Tip: You don’t need to pay with your Delta SkyMiles credit card to make purchases through SkyMiles Shopping. If you do, however, you’ll earn 1 mile per $1 on top of your bonus miles for shopping at the store!
8. Delta SkyMiles Dining Program
Sign up to the Delta SkyMiles Dining Program and you can earn bonus miles simply by using a linked credit card at a restaurant! Note, the sign-up bonus may change periodically. Image Credit: Delta SkyMiles DiningEarn miles for eating at restaurants when you sign up for the Delta SkyMiles Dining Program. It really is one of the most passive ways to accumulate miles for an activity you’re probably already doing!
Hot Tip: Link your card to SkyMiles Dining and you will earn 3-5 miles per $1 whenever you dine at a participating restaurant. You don’t need to utilize your Delta credit card, but if you do you’ll earn an additional 1x miles on that meal.
Special Ways to Earn Miles
9. Shopping at Retailers
Some simple ways to earn frequent flyer program miles with Delta include purchasing cookies, flowers, and other gifts:
10. Paying Utility Bills
Check out this table of all the ways you can earn miles through your electric and gas services:
| Company | Product/Service | Miles |
| Energy Plus | Monthly electric and gas service (where available) | 5,000 miles after 2nd month 2 miles/$1 on supply portion of bill |
| Georgia Natural Gas | Monthly gas service | Sign up and earn 2,500 miles 2 miles/$1 |
| Ohio Natural Gas | After 30 days of continuous service | 3 miles/$1 |
Unfortunately, there are times when the miles offered aren’t as valuable as you would think once you consider all the terms. It’s always advisable to research an offer before signing up.
Figure out which deals make the most sense for your financial situation before you take an offer just to earn bonus points.
11. Refer a Friend to a Credit Card
Refer a friend who gets approved for a Delta credit card and receive 5,000 miles. Do keep in mind that there is an annual cap of 55,000 miles through the program.
For more information, check out our guide to the American Express refer a friend program.
12. Earn Delta SkyMiles from Instacart
Delta members who link their Instcart accounts can earn miles for every dollar they spend. Those with Instacart Express membership will earn 1.5 miles per $1 spent, while those without will earn 1 mile per $1 spent on purchases.
Earning Miles for Traveling
13. Book Delta Flights
Use any of the Delta SkyMiles credit cards and earn 2 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases. Plus, SkyMiles members earn MQM miles and miles toward future award travel when flying to nearly 330 destinations worldwide.
Miles are earned based on the price of each ticket for a Delta-marketed or Delta-ticketed flight (minus government-imposed taxes and fees). A round-trip flight and a one-way will both earn.
How do you know if a flight is Delta-marketed? It will have the letters “DL” in the flight number. Delta-ticketed flights begin with “006.”
You’ll also earn miles when you travel on flights marketed or operated by a Delta partner.
Virgin Atlantic and Delta are located together at London-Heathrow’s Terminal 3. In addition to earning miles, members can enjoy a host of benefits through the partnership.
Hot Tip: Did you know that you could earn Delta miles by flying on one of their partner airlines? For more information, check out this in-depth guide to help you know where to credit your airline miles.
14. Book Delta Vacations
Take a Delta Vacation (including flight and hotel reservations) and earn up to 7,500 miles toward award travel. All you have to do is provide your SkyMiles number during the booking process.
The number of miles you can earn varies depending on the package, but you get extra miles for including qualified car rentals, choosing a Preferred Pick hotel, and using your Delta SkyMiles credit card from American Express.
Enjoy luxury travel? Earn 1 mile per $1 spent with SkyMiles Villas. Call 1-866-6230 to plan a trip.
15. Book With Hotel Partners
Stay with one of the many Delta SkyMiles hotel partners and earn extra miles for each night.
| Hotel | Miles/Stay | Hotel | Miles/Stay | Hotel | Miles/Stay |
| Accor Live Limitless Hotels | Up to 12.5 miles/€ | Langham Hospitality Group | Up to 1,500 | Radisson Rewards Americas | Earn Delta miles for stays instead of Radisson points |
| Hyatt Hotels & Resorts | 500 | Marriott Hotels | Up to 2 miles/$1 | Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts | 500 |
| Intercontinental Hotel Group | Up to 2 miles/$1 | Millennium Hotels and Resorts | 500 | World Hotels | 500 |
Note that some of these hotels have their own credit cards as well, such as The Hilton Honors American Express Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card and The World of Hyatt Credit Card.
16. Book With Airbnb
Recently, Delta formed a partnership with the lodging giant, Airbnb, that allows you to earn 1x miles for all dollars spent with the company.
You can also earn up to 25,000 miles (at the time of writing) for becoming a host and renting rooms out! Earn 2,500 bonus miles after reaching your first $250 in host earnings, earn an additional 7,500 additional bonus miles after reaching $1,000 in host earnings, and earn another 15,000 bonus miles after reaching $2,500 in host earnings.
To check out current details, visit deltaairbnb.com.
17. Book With Car Rental, Limo, and Shuttle Partners
You can also earn miles for car rentals and other transportation services. The table below shows the participating companies and the miles offered.
| Rental Company | Miles | Rental Company | Miles | Rental Company | Miles |
| Alamo | 500 per rental | Europcar | 60 per day | Sixt | 500 per rental |
| Carmel | Up to 2 miles/$1 | ExecuCar | 150 each way | SuperShuttle | 50 each way |
| Dollar | 500 per rental | Hertz | 500 per rental | Thrifty | 500 per rental |
| Enterprise | 500 per rental | National | 500 per rental | | |
Hot Tip: Make sure you’re covered without paying extra! See our guide on the best credit cards for car rental insurance coverage.
18. Book Cruises Through Partners
Book cruises through Delta partners and you can earn extra miles for your vacation. Image Credit: CruisesOnlyDelta partners with CruisesOnly to offer bonus miles on popular destinations like Europe, Alaska, and the Caribbean. Sail with one of the big cruise lines and earn miles based on the number of nights in your package:
| # of Nights | Miles |
| 1-5 | 1,500 |
| 6-8 | 3,000 |
| 9-12 | 5,000 |
| 13+ | 10,000 |
SkyMiles members enjoy big discounts and access to exclusive offers. One recent deal offered triple miles (up to 30,000!) on select bookings.
Check out the latest itineraries at skymilescruises.com!
Hot Tip: Interested in booking that exciting adventure but not sure what to pack? Check out our ultimate packing list for cruises!
19. Utilize Points.com to Transfer Points
Add your Delta SkyMiles account to Points.com. This program allows you to exchange and transfer points and miles between over 100 loyalty programs.
Unfortunately, the transfer rates are a little steep. However, if you have unused miles that you can’t redeem for travel, it can be a decent option.
Every so often you can find a Points.com promotion that pays off. In this case, you may be able to exchange points from another loyalty program for Delta miles without paying a hefty fee.
You can sign up to Points.com in order to earn and trade your point currencies, which could be a way to earn some more Delta miles! Image Credit: Points.com20. Use Lyft to Earn Miles
You can earn Delta miles with Lyft! Image Credit: LyftYou’re also eligible to earn miles by linking your Lyft account and taking rides!
You will earn according to the following scheme:
- 1 mile per $1 spent on every U.S. ride
- 2 miles per $1 spent on airport rides
If you’re a frequent rideshare user and value miles, this is another way to boost your SkyMiles balance!
Hot Tip: If you’re a seasoned Lyft rider, don’t miss our article on the perks and benefits for Lyft passengers!
Final Thoughts
It really is incredible how many ways there are to earn miles with Delta SkyMiles!
In addition to the welcome bonuses offered with the Delta credit cards, remember that you have numerous shopping, dining, travel, and other special ways to earn tons of miles.
Get started on implementing the strategies we discussed, and before you know it you will have seemingly endless miles at your disposal. These will be useful when you are looking to redeem an award for a vacation!
The information regarding The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, click here.
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 The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, click here.
