Delta SkyMiles is the free loyalty program of Delta Air Lines, and you can earn and redeem miles through flying, credit cards, shopping, dining and point transfers. With more than 120 million members and miles that never expire, it remains one of the most popular frequent-flyer programs, valued by The Points Guy at 1.2 cents per mile as of June 2026.
How to earn Delta SkyMiles
There are several reliable ways to build a balance, and most members combine more than one:
- Flying Delta: general members earn 5 miles per dollar on the base fare, rising to 7 (Silver), 8 (Gold), 9 (Platinum) and 11 (Diamond) by status tier. Basic economy fares earn nothing.
- SkyTeam and partner flights: earn on carriers such as Air France, KLM, Korean Air and Virgin Atlantic, based on a percentage of the distance flown.
- Shopping and dining: the SkyMiles Shopping portal and the SkyMiles Dining program add miles on everyday spending.
- Amex transfers: American Express Membership Rewards points move to Delta at a 1:1 ratio, though an excise-tax offset fee applies.
Because the base-fare earning rate scales with status, frequent flyers compound their miles faster, while occasional travelers can still build a useful balance through cards and portal shopping. For more frequent-flyer and rewards explainers, see our business coverage.
Medallion elite status and MQDs
Delta now qualifies elite members using Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) alone. You earn 1 MQD per dollar on Delta and partner flights and on Delta Vacations, while cobranded Amex cards earn MQDs on spending and include an MQD Headstart to give cardholders a running start each year. The four published tiers are:
- Silver Medallion (5,000 MQDs): complimentary upgrades from 24 hours out, priority boarding and a free checked bag.
- Gold Medallion (10,000 MQDs): upgrades from three days out, SkyPriority and free same-day confirmed changes.
- Platinum Medallion (15,000 MQDs): upgrades from five days out, Delta Comfort upgrades at booking and a Choice Benefit.
- Diamond Medallion (28,000 MQDs): additional Choice Benefits, complimentary Clear+ membership and higher upgrade priority.
Why the MQD-only model matters
Shifting to a spend-based requirement rewards how much you pay rather than how far you fly, which favors travelers buying premium cabins or pricier fares and those who put significant spend on a cobranded Amex. Understanding the MQD thresholds early in the year helps you decide whether chasing the next tier is worth the cost.
How to redeem SkyMiles and find value
Delta uses dynamic award pricing, so there is no fixed award chart; you search the Delta site or app to see live prices. The best value tends to appear on domestic routes, where cobranded cardholders get a 15% discount and can sometimes book one-way flights for under 4,000 SkyMiles.
Award tickets originating in the US and Canada are fully refundable outside basic economy, letting you redeposit miles or rebook when prices drop, a useful hedge against dynamic pricing. Delta also runs frequent flash sales, with past deals including round-trip Europe fares around 34,000 miles. The bottom line: mix flying, portal shopping and card spend to keep your balance growing for the next redemption.
Frequently asked questions
Do Delta SkyMiles expire?
No. Delta SkyMiles do not expire, so you can accumulate them over time without losing your balance to inactivity, one reason the program remains so popular.
How much is a Delta SkyMile worth?
The Points Guy values Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents each as of June 2026. Actual value varies with dynamic pricing, with the strongest redemptions often found on discounted domestic routes and flash sales. For more rewards strategy, see our business coverage.
