Get the Most Out of SkyMiles

SkyMiles is more than just a frequent flyer program, it’s a loyalty program. With so many easy ways to earn and use miles, you can go see the world and experience it like no one else. And the more you go see, the better your travel experience will be with elite Medallion Benefits – including benefits only Delta offers. With this helpful guide, make sure you’re getting the most out of SkyMiles every single day.

• Earning Miles
• Using Miles
• Medallion Benefits
• Speeding Through Security

It’s easy to turn your everyday into anywhere by earning miles with the brands you know and love. Watch your miles add up faster when you book accommodations, request rides, shop, dine and more.

All SkyMiles Members

• Get the latest offers: Be sure to opt-in to our SkyMiles Partner emails to stay up to date on the latest deals and opportunities to earn more miles.
• Partner airlines: In addition to earning on Delta flights – earn miles when you fly with any of our 20+ partner airlines.
• Delta SkyMiles Credit Card: Watch your miles add up quicker when you find the right Delta SkyMiles Credit Card for you. In addition to many rewarding benefits, each of the Cards offer 2 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
• Hotel & Airbnb: Get miles while you sleep. Earn miles for stays with our hotel partners and Airbnb. 
• Car partners: You're on the move – and your miles should be too. Drive away with more miles any time you use one of our car rental, limo or shuttle partners.
• Lyft: Ride rewarded by earning unlimited miles on every ride with our newest partner, Lyft.
• Dining: When you sign up for SkyMiles Dining, you can earn up to 5 miles for every dollar you spend dining at participating restaurants – including tax and tip.
• Shopping: With SkyMiles Shopping, you can earn miles for shopping at your favorite stores online.
  

Check Back for Bonus Miles: Keep in mind – partners often have limited time offers. Check our SkyMiles Offers page regularly for ways to earn bonus miles.

Medallion Members

• Hertz car rentals: Earn 1,300+ miles every time you rent a car from Hertz by simply booking your rental at delta.com

As a loyal Medallion Member, you get exclusive benefits — some of which only Delta offers. Learn how to get the most out of your Medallion Status and the benefits you enjoy.

Exclusive Medallion Member offers: Don’t miss out on offers that are only available to Medallion Members – be sure to opt-in to Delta emails in My Profile.

Complimentary Upgrades

• Upgrade availability:
  • Empty seats on the seat map do not always mean upgrades will be available at your window; they’re often held to accommodate last-minute bookings.
  • Less busy flights (late evenings and Saturdays) and day-of holiday flights (e.g. Thanksgiving day) usually offer the most opportunities for upgrades
• Managing your upgrades:
  • Enjoy more flexibility with two ways to manage your upgrades through the seat map:
    • Opt in and get your Complimentary Upgrades automatically with the ability to change your seat through the seat map afterward, or 
    • Opt out and select your upgrades yourself, giving you the ability to only upgrade if your exact desired seat is available (if you are getting Delta Comfort+ upgrades to seats that you don’t prefer, we recommend this option)
  • If you aren’t opted in for automatic Delta Comfort+ upgrades, you can now request a Delta Comfort+ upgrade to any available seat or just a window/aisle seat when checking in for a flight at delta.com or an airport kiosk
• Waiting for your upgrade to clear:
  • Checked-in and still on the upgrade list? You’ll automatically be transferred to the upgrade standby list, which is cleared at the gate. More Members may be added to this list as they check in for the flight.
  • Use the Fly Delta app to view your position on the upgrade list once you check in
  • Many factors can impact your place on the list — check out the clearance priority overview.
  • Next on the list? We’ll do our best to upgrade you when an upgrade becomes available – even if you have already boarded — but please understand our first priority is an on-time departure
• Traveling with companions:
  • Medallion Members traveling with one companion will clear for Complimentary Upgrades based on the Status of the higher-Tiered Member, as long as the companion is a SkyMiles Member traveling in the same reservation.
  • Companion Upgrades are available on paid tickets, Award Tickets, Miles + Cash tickets and Pay with Miles tickets but must be requested at delta.com during the booking process, afterwards in My Trips or during check-in.
    

Visit Medallion Upgrades for full details.

Choice Benefits – a Delta Exclusive

Are you a Diamond or Platinum Medallion Member? If so, you’re eligible for Choice Benefits, a Delta exclusive, that enable you to customize your benefits by what matters most to you – whether that is gaining access to the Delta Sky Club, upgrading to a premium cabin using Upgrade Certificates or donating miles to charity. Be sure to select your Choice Benefits by January 31st each year.

Upgrade Certificates – A Choice Benefit exclusively for Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members

Global Upgrade Certificates, available exclusively for Diamond Medallion Members, offer upgrades on both international and domestic flights with Delta and select partner airlines

Regional Upgrade Certificates, available for Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members, offer upgrades on the same routes as Medallion Complimentary Upgrades, including all flights with First Class and the domestic Delta One experience.

• Searching for a seat upgrade?: Upgrade availability isn’t always better in advance, and the seat map availability does not necessarily match upgrade availability. This means open seats in the seat map are not always eligible for upgrades although they might still be available for purchase.
• On the waitlist?: While it’s possible for upgrade requests on the waitlist to be cleared before you get to the gate, it is more likely that they will be cleared at the gate prior to departure. If your certificate doesn’t clear, it will be automatically reissued to your account. Learn more about Waitlisting.
• Wondering about a date or destination?: Due to extremely high demand, fewer upgrades are available during peak days and times, such as holiday travel, and in certain markets with very long flight times, including Sydney, Tel Aviv, and Johannesburg.
• Finding flights: Upgrade Certificates can be used on any Delta-operated flight and select partner-operated flights.
• Traveling together: You can use an additional Upgrade Certificate for one travel companion on the same flight—whether in the same reservation or a linked reservation—even if you don't need to use one for yourself.*
• Enjoying priority:
  • Upgrade Certificates will clear off the waitlist in order of Medallion Tier then the day and time your request was added to the list.
    
  • If you’re on the upgrade standby list, Upgrade Certificates receive higher priority than Medallion Complimentary Upgrade requests.
• Ticket eligibility: Upgrade Certificates can be used on paid tickets, Pay with Miles tickets, and Companion Certificates. They cannot be used on Award Travel or tickets booked in Basic Economy (E).
• Redemption period: Certificates expire a year after they are selected. Certificates must be used on flights flown within the 12-month period – otherwise, the Certificates will expire.
  
  *When upgrading on Companion Certificates, two Upgrade Certificates will be required to upgrade as the primary ticket holder and the companion must always travel in the same cabin.

Reclaim My Status

When life happens, we want to be there for our Medallion Members. Introducing Reclaim My Status – a new Medallion Benefit inspired by our Members, designed to empower you to return to Status if life slows down your travel. Current and former Medallion Members can apply to enroll in Reclaim My Status to fly with three months of complimentary Status in the Tier they previously had and earn back that Status through the following Medallion Year. Learn more about Reclaim My Status.