If you live in a Delta-dominated city or you fly the airline regularly, you should check out the airline's frequent-flyer program, Delta SkyMiles. It costs nothing to join and lets you earn Delta miles, achieve elite status and more.
Delta's frequent-flyer program uses a currency called SkyMiles. Flying on Delta and its partner airlines is the easiest way to earn miles. But there are ways to rack up miles besides flying, including by using a Delta-branded credit card and spending money with Delta partner companies. Unlike with some frequent-flyer programs, the miles you earn never expire as long as your account is open. Flying on Delta: Although they have "miles" in their name, the number of SkyMiles you earn on Delta flights is based on how much you spend, not how far you fly.
We'll have more on Medallion levels later — or you can jump ahead to that part now. You earn SkyMiles only on the base fare and fees imposed by the airline. You don't earn any rewards on taxes or government-imposed fees that are rolled into the cost of your ticket. Flying on partner airlines: Each partner airline has its own rules for earning SkyMiles.
In general, the rewards you earn on partner airlines are based on the distance of the flight — so they really are "miles. Delta offers co-branded credit cards with American Express. The card gives you 2 SkyMiles per dollar spent with Delta. When you pay for tickets with the card, you get the first checked bag free for you and up to eight other people traveling on your reservation. Terms Apply. Terms apply. Delta's non-airline partners include:. Hotels and Airbnb: You can earn SkyMiles at thousands of properties in most major hotel chains.
In some cases, you earn a flat number of points per stay; in others, you earn points based on how much you spend. You can also earn miles at Airbnb. See hotel partners and earning rules here. Auto rentals and Lyft: Several major rental agencies have an option to earn SkyMiles. You can also earn miles using the Lyft ride-hailing service.
Details here. Dining: Register your credit card with SkyMiles Dining and earn up to 5 miles per dollar when you use that card at thousands of participating restaurants. You can use any credit card; it doesn't have to be a Delta-branded card.
Shopping: Earn miles at hundreds of online merchants through the airline's shopping portal, SkyMiles Shopping. You can buy additional SkyMiles through the Delta website, but this generally isn't a good value. SkyMiles cost 3. SkyMiles are redeemable for flights through Delta Air Lines and its partners. In most cases, you redeem by booking through Delta's website. Go to the booking tool and choose the option for seeing the price in miles.
Basic Economy: This is a no-frills fare. You sit in a standard seat and get free drinks and snacks, but you don't get to pick your seat, you're the last to board the plane, you can't get upgraded even with Medallion status, and there are sharp restrictions on ticket changes or refunds. Main Cabin: This is a standard economy seat.
Free nonalcoholic drinks and basic snacks. Seat-back entertainment when available. First Class: Bigger seat with more legroom; free alcoholic drinks, snacks and meals on longer flights; dedicated storage and flight attendant service; priority boarding. Delta Premium Select: First class with extra-comfortable seating and amenities on select international flights. Delta One: First class with lie-flat seating available only on select long-haul flights.
Unlike some other airlines, Delta doesn't publish an award chart showing you exactly how many miles you need for a given flight. You have to figure it out the hard way — by entering your flight information and seeing what it costs in terms of miles. Delta advertises that there are no blackout dates for award travel. You can also use miles to purchase seat upgrades; membership to Delta Sky Clubs airport lounges; vacation packages; exclusive experiences; for merchandise, gift cards, hotel stays and car rental in the SkyMiles Marketplace; or donate them to charity through Delta SkyWish.
See details about these and other options here. If you happen to have at least 2. Yes, the MQMs that rolled over from to will now roll over to While this could have some unforeseen consequences for Delta elites , it makes it easier than ever for Delta loyalists to upgrade their status tiers.
Related: How to earn Delta Medallion elite status without flying in In addition, the terms and conditions state that all MQMs — regardless of how they were earned — will roll over from to Now for the bad news. Further, you need to re-earn your MQD waiver in if you earned it with a credit card in This will help Delta drum up revenue next year as elites work to re-earn status for Delta has been the most generous airline when it comes to elite status extensions and promotions.
They were the first to extend status in both and and are now leading the charge with rolling over elite progress made this year into next. In short, all the Delta MQMs you earn in — including the MQMs rolled over from — will roll over to and give you a jump-start on reaching your Delta elite status goals next year. Terms Apply. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. If you received bonus miles include that amount as well.
For example: jfk-lax-jfk would specify a trip from New York to Los Angeles that you got a mile redeemable miles bonus for. Delta's guide to miles earning on its own tickets is here and with partners is here. I make my best guess, but remember that this website is not affiliated in any way with Delta Air Lines.
No guarantee of accuracy is made; Delta is the final authority on how many miles they actually award. Realistically, you could earn Silver Medallion status without flying any Delta flights this year. A maximum of 60, bonus MQM may be earned per Reserve card each calendar year. Sure does! So if you have a significant other, children, employees, etc. Please ask them in the below Comments section!
To see the rates and fees for the American Express cards featured above, please visit the following links:. Chris Carley is the owner, editor, and lead writer of Eye of the Flyer formerly known as Rene's Points. Do you know if Delta will renew my Platinum status for and roll over all my MQMs that exceed the 75, required for Platinum status? I called the Medallion Desk and received an encouraging but ambiguous answer to that question. Chris: Yes, that was my question.
My AmEx spending will easily meet the Platinum waiver requirement. So this does mean I will be Platnium for ? As I understand your question, you will be Platinum for Keep in mind Delta is giving MQD bonuses on its flights this year.
And you can take MQD runs to get you to Diamond this year. If you collect Hilton points, then the Aspire is certainly an option. One thing I learned the hard way: if you upgrade, say from the Platinum to the Reserve, your MQM total does not carry over to the new card.
0コメント