If you use Delta Air Lines for your regular trips, Delta SkyMiles may give you an opportunity to earn miles, which can later be exchanged for flights, upgrades, and other travel perks. It is completely free to become a member of the program, and according to Delta, miles never expire. Members can earn miles by flying eligible Delta flights, airline partners, hotels, car rentals, select everyday partners, and eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards. However, the SkyMiles program can seem rather complicated, as SkyMiles miles and Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) have different goals. Miles are mostly used to reward members, whereas MQDs are used to define elite Medallion status.
How Do You Get Delta SkyMiles?
Here are some of the different ways you may accumulate your SkyMiles.
1. Travel on Eligible Delta Airline Flights
The following is the current earning rate for SkyMiles members for eligible Delta-marketed flights:
- 5 miles per $1 for Delta Main Classic or Refundable Fares
- 7 miles per $1 for Delta Extra Fares
- 2 miles per $1 for eligible Delta Basic Fares
Delta Main Basic Fares are not eligible for earning SkyMiles. The eligible amount of spend includes the base fare and carrier surcharges but not government taxes or fees.
The SkyMiles number will have to be linked to the reservation to enable the mileage to be allocated to the actual traveler. It is the passenger whose name and SkyMiles account number are listed on the ticket, even though someone else might have paid for the ticket.
2. Earn Additional Miles as a Medallion Member
Medallion members get mileage bonuses on eligible Delta-marketed flights.
| Status | Miles per eligible $1 |
|---|---|
| General Member | 5 miles |
| Silver Medallion | 7 miles |
| Gold Medallion | 8 miles |
| Platinum Medallion | 9 miles |
| Diamond Medallion | 11 miles |
These miles will be earned from eligible ticket costs, excluding taxes and charges imposed by the government.
3. Use Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards
Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards may be another option for earning miles. The company offers Blue, Gold, Platinum and Reserve Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards; however, these products are offered to citizens of the USA only.
It depends on the particular card what additional miles may be earned from, for example, Delta, restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, hotels, and so on.
For international customers, this fact becomes relevant – SkyMiles membership can be obtained by foreign residents as well; however, the products of Delta SkyMiles American Express Card are available in the U.S. only.
4. Earn Through Airline Partners
Additionally, SkyMiles members can earn miles with flights on partner airlines. But earning through partners depends on the airline, ticket type, fare class, and whether the flight is marketed by Delta or the partner.
It is important to know about earning rules regarding the partners, as it is possible that all flights from a partner airline may not earn an equal number of miles as Delta flights do.
5. Hotels, Cars, and Other Partners
Miles can also be earned through selected hotels, car rentals, and other partners.
Currently, for instance, Delta offers a program of making qualified bookings of hotels and car rentals in order to earn miles through it. The rate of earning depends on the partner and the booking made.
Furthermore, Delta offers to transfer some of the partner loyalty rewards to a SkyMiles account. For example, qualified American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to Delta.
What Are Medallion Qualification Dollars?
First and foremost, it is important to note the difference between SkyMiles and MQDs. SkyMiles are those miles that can be redeemed for eligible rewards. MQDs or Medallion Qualification Dollars, are the way to measure qualifying expenditures in order to obtain membership in one of Delta’s elite Medallion tiers.
As of Medallion Year 2027, the following requirements apply to MQDs on Delta’s website:
| Medallion Tier | MQDs Needed |
|---|---|
| Silver | $5,000 |
| Gold | $10,000 |
| Platinum | $15,000 |
| Diamond | $28,000 |
The qualifying period extends until the end of the calendar year 2026. MQDs reset every calendar year.
Delta reports that eligible Delta-marketed flights that were flown by Delta or its qualified partners provide $1 MQD per $1 of the qualifying ticket price, according to the terms and conditions of the program.
In addition to this, Delta SkyMiles American Express Platinum and Reserve cardmembers are able to obtain MQD Headstart and earn MQDs by using their credit card. For instance, at the moment, there is a $2,500 MQD Headstart per eligible card type and MQD Boost rates of $1 MQD per $20 of qualifying spending on Platinum cards and $1 per $10 on Reserve cards.
What Are the Benefits of Medallion Status?
Medallion Status is intended for people who fly a lot with Delta Airlines and wish to have extra perks.
Benefits may include, depending on the tier:
- Free upgrades on eligible flights
- Priority perks
- Extra earning
- Checked bags benefits
- Choice Benefits at eligible tiers
- Dedicated customer service
- Additional travel perks
Delta says that Medallion Status is the airline’s elite loyalty program, which offers four tiers – Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.
Diamond Medallion Status is the highest standard Medallion Status. Diamond members can choose up to three Choice Benefits out of a list of possible benefits, including some upgrade certificates under applicable terms.
How Can You Cash In on Your Delta SkyMiles?
One of the easiest ways to redeem your miles is using the miles through the Award Travel program. With Delta Airlines, you are free to redeem your SkyMiles for flights to over 1,000 locations all over the world. You can search for such flights at Delta Airlines, and you have the option of paying using miles.
Some other possible ways to spend your miles include:
- Award flights
- Eligible seat upgrades
- Delta Vacations
- Some eligible checked bag fees from eligible U.S. locations
- Some other eligible travel choices
It is best to look at the conditions of redemptions before burning the miles.
Conclusion
Delta SkyMiles is more than just your ordinary frequent flyer mile account. It includes redeemable miles, partner earning options, and an elite-status system based on MQDs. You can earn through eligible Delta flights, partners, hotels, car rentals and many other participating channels, and can redeem your miles for Award Travel and many other eligible benefits. As for 2026 efforts towards 2027 status, the Medallion levels at Delta continue to be the same at $5,000 for Silver, $10,000 for Gold, $15,000 for Platinum, and $28,000 for Diamond. The best strategy would be to know how much you’re earning, to evaluate the options for redemptions, and to check the rules of Delta whenever you travel with a partner, book a special fare, or earn elite status.
Frequently Asked Questions about Delta SkyMiles
Delta SkyMiles is the loyalty program of Delta Air Lines. You can earn miles via eligible flights, partners, and other qualifying transactions and then redeem them for Award Travel and other eligible benefits. Becoming a member is free.
No. According to Delta, SkyMiles never expire. However, in some situations, Delta may close an account.
SkyMiles members generally earn 5 SkyMiles per dollar spent on the Delta marketed flight in Classic/MR fares; 7 SkyMiles per dollar spent on Extra fares; and 2 SkyMiles per dollar spent on Delta Basic experience fares.
The four Medallion tiers are Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. To achieve 2027 Medallion Status, one requires 5,000, 10,000, 15,000, and 28,000 MQDs, respectively.
Yes, you can use your SkyMiles for Award Travel, and Delta assures its members that miles can be redeemed for travel to over 1,000 destinations around the world.