How To Spend Delta Air Lines SkyMiles

Redeeming miles for flights is the most common way to use SkyMiles – this requires some understanding and flexibility to get the best value.

Earning miles is the fun part of the program! Once you’ve earned enough SkyMiles, you can redeem them. Using them for flights is the obvious (and often cheapest) choice, but there are other uses as well. This article takes a look at the details of redeeming miles with Delta Air Lines, SkyTeam alliance airlines and other partners, as well as some other popular uses. For some ideas on how to make the most economical use of miles, check out our Delta SkyMiles Program Benefits Guide.

Using Miles for Delta Air Lines Flights

Like the other major US airline programs, Delta Air Lines has switched SkyMiles to dynamic award pricing. Instead of fixed price rewards for each route, pricing is now variable and based on availability and the underlying ticket price.

There is no set formula for these fares (although they generally refer to the ticket price); You need to search for the flights and check the prices. Be aware that some flexibility in departure times and routes can make a big difference in the mileage required. Redemption rates go up to 4,500 SkyMiles for short domestic flights. Since award prices are generally tied to the cash price of the tickets, you should check both to ensure you’re getting the value you want.

The following example shows how prices can differ between Delta Airl Lines flights for the same route on the same day:

Using miles on partner airline flights

SkyMiles can also be used on flights on all Delta Air Line partners – this includes all airlines in the SkyTeam alliance and a few more. Delta has also eliminated the fixed award rates for these flights. As with Delta flights, you’ll need to browse the variable fares for each flight.

This certainly makes reward redemption complex. However, Delta doesn’t have the same ability to open a seat on partner airlines, so mileage prices are more consistent. There will likely be many routes where partner flights are not available, while Delta flights may only charge a very high price.

Some important things to remember when redeeming miles (for both Delta and partners):

• The key to finding the best value without charts is to try multiple searches. Check out different routes and dates, and even look further into the future to see how prices may change.
• Delta runs regular mileage sales and promotions that can significantly reduce fares.
• Because dynamic pricing is now used throughout, there are no blackout dates or peak and off-peak times.
• Prices typically increase within 21 days of departure (known as close-in pricing).
• Check partner flights on the same route as they might be cheaper. Adding a partner flight to a Delta flight can also sometimes reduce mileage (if the pricing method changes).

Upgrade from Delta Air Lines and certain partner flights

Using miles for upgrades is another popular use of miles. Since moving to a revenue-based system, this is generally not very cheap at Delta. As with flight awards, there is no fixed upgrade amount, making it difficult to plan how these upgrades will be used.

There are two main ways to upgrade:

• At the time of booking online directly with Delta Air Lines. When booking flights within the US, the option to upgrade from Main Cabin to First Class on domestic flights may be offered. This is simply based on the cash price of the upgrade (usually offered in miles at a rate of one cent per mile).
• Using a Miles Upgrade Award. This is a separate method for updating existing reservations. This is possible for Delta Air Lines as well as some Virgin Atlantic, Air France or KLM routes. For one-way Delta Air Lines itineraries, the upgrade option can be viewed online when managing the booking. Otherwise you will need to call SkyMiles. Mileage required varies but is not always based on cash price so may be a better deal. The catch is that only higher Economy fare classes can be upgraded; Cheaper tickets cannot do that.

Other ways to redeem miles

Flight awards and upgrades are typically considered the cheapest use of miles. But there are other methods of spending miles that might make sense for you.

• Delta vacation. Delta does not offer general hotel or car rental bookings with miles (unlike other programs like American Airlines AAdvantage). Instead, there’s the Delta Vacations program, where miles can be used to purchase packages that include Delta flights, hotels, and activities. As always, check the value you get compared to other options. Delta Vacations options include complete packages to Disney World theme parks – not something offered by all airlines.
• Magazine Subscriptions. This is only a small use of miles, but with limited other options it can be useful. If there’s a publication you’re interested in, it can be surprisingly good value (many subscriptions are as little as 1,000 miles per year).
• give away miles. That’s not good value in general, but you can give away up to 150,000 each year. There’s a co-payment for this (amounting to one cent per mile plus a processing fee), but it can make sense if a friend or family member needs to top up to reach a certain award.

Redeeming miles for flights on Delta Air Lines or its partners remains the cheapest way to use miles – especially since Delta offers limited alternatives. The lack of tables or clearly defined redemption rates is sometimes a challenge. The key is to be flexible and take the time to search extensively. Feel free to share your miles redemption experience in the comments.