Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool
If you like to travel and are a fan of Delta Air Lines, you may be looking for ways to maximize the number of miles that you earn. Luckily, there are plentiful ways to earn miles through the Delta SkyMiles loyalty program -- including using airline credit cards and taking Delta flights.
It's a good idea to ensure you're not missing out on opportunities to earn miles, especially if you're trying to accumulate enough miles to book an award flight. I'll outline several ways you can earn Delta miles below.
1. Flying with Delta
You can earn miles when you fly on Delta-operated flights. If you're a frequent flyer, this is an easy way to accumulate miles. SkyMiles members earn 5 miles per $1 spent when flying on a Main Cabin ticket.
However, you won't earn miles when flying on a Basic Economy ticket. If you're an elite member, you can earn even more miles when you fly with Delta.
Here's a breakdown of how many miles you can earn:
| Delta SkyMiles Membership Level | Miles Earned |
|---|
| SkyMiles Member | 5 miles per $1 |
| Silver Medallion | 7 miles per $1 |
| Gold Medallion | 8 miles per $1 |
| Platinum Medallion | 9 miles per $1 |
| Diamond Medallion | 11 miles per $1 |
Data source: Delta.com.
2. Make purchases with Delta cards
You can earn miles when you use Delta cards to make purchases. The number of miles you earn depends on the card you have in your wallet and the purchases you make with your card. But if you're a Delta loyalist, consider applying for one of the best Delta cards to maximize the Delta SkyMiles you earn.
3. Use Lyft ride-hailing services
Another way you can earn Delta miles is by linking your SkyMiles and Lyft accounts and taking rides with Lyft. Once you link your accounts, you can earn 1 mile per $1 spent on U.S. Lyft rides. You can earn 2 miles per $1 on all U.S. airport rides booked through Lyft. If you use ride-hailing services often, this is a great way to boost your Delta SkyMiles accumulation.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to earn rewards when you shop from the comfort of your home. When you activate offers from your favorite retailers and shop as usual, you'll be rewarded with bonus SkyMiles.
Participating retailers will display how many miles you can earn for eligible purchases. Some participating retailers include Best Buy, Chewy, Macy's, Nike, Sephora, and The Home Depot. Here's how to earn miles when you shop online:
- Sign up for the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal program at skymilesshopping.com.
- Click "Shop Now" to activate offers that interest you.
- Shop like you usually do and pay with any credit card .
- After making a purchase, miles will be added to your SkyMiles account.
5. Savor Starbucks drinks and treats
You can also earn Delta miles when you make eligible Starbucks purchases. You must be a Starbucks rewards member and link your Delta SkyMiles and Delta Rewards accounts to earn bonus miles this way. If you regularly make Starbucks purchases, don't miss out.
Here's how to earn miles this way:
- Visit deltastarbucks.com and link your rewards accounts.
- Earn a bonus of Delta miles when you reload $25 or more to your Starbucks Rewards account.
Here's an overview of how many miles you can earn per reload:
| Reload Amount | Bonus Miles Earned |
|---|
| $25 to $49.99 | 25 miles |
| $50 to $74.99 | 75 miles |
| $75 to $99.99 | 100 miles |
| $100 | 200 miles |
Data source: Deltastarbucks.com
Use your miles to fly nearly free
While not an exhaustive list, these are a few ways to earn bonus Delta miles. Unsure what to do with the miles you've earned? Many travelers redeem their Delta SkyMiles for award flights.
When you book award flights, you're responsible for paying the taxes and fees on the airline ticket. But this is an excellent way to fly nearly free, making your next vacation more affordable.
If you're not a Delta loyalist or prefer a non-airline credit card, consider exploring earning travel rewards another way. You can earn rewards when you book travel purchases using a travel credit card. Check out our list of the best travel rewards credit cards to learn more.
Alert: highest cash back card we've seen now has 0% intro APR until nearly 2026
This credit card is not just good – it's so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team. Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Best Buy and Starbucks. The Motley Fool recommends Delta Air Lines. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .
Local News
Comments / 0