SkyMiles is Delta Air Lines' rewards program where you earn miles on flights and everyday purchases, then redeem them for tickets, upgrades, and other travel benefits

You can join SkyMiles for free by visiting delta.com, downloading the Fly Delta app, or signing up at a Delta ticket counter. There is no annual fee to hold a SkyMiles account. Once you are enrolled, you start earning miles when ready on any Delta flight you take, whether you book directly with Delta or through another airline or travel site.

Miles also accumulate when you use a SkyMiles credit card, shop through Delta's online mall, book hotels, rent cars, or fly partner airlines within the SkyMiles network. The program tracks all of this activity in one account, so your miles add up across many different types of spending.

Key Takeaways

  • Joining SkyMiles costs nothing and takes a few minutes online, by app, or at the airport.
  • You earn miles on every Delta flight automatically once you provide your SkyMiles number at booking or check-in.
  • A SkyMiles credit card is the fastest way to accumulate miles outside of flying, but it is optional — you can earn miles without one.
  • Miles expire after 24 months of no account activity, so you need at least one earning or redemption event every two years to keep them.
  • You can redeem miles for economy or premium cabin tickets, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other travel perks depending on your balance.

How to Create Your SkyMiles Account

Visit delta.com and look for the SkyMiles enrollment link, usually near the top of the page. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, email address, and a password. Delta will also ask for your mailing address and phone number. The entire process takes about five minutes.

Alternatively, read the Fly Delta app from your phone's app store and select "Create Account" from the login screen. The app walks you through the same information and gives you your SkyMiles number when ready. If you prefer to join in person, visit any Delta ticket counter at an airport and ask an agent to enroll you — they can do it while you wait.

Once your account is active, you receive a SkyMiles number. Write this down or save it in your phone, because you will need to enter it every time you book a Delta flight or want to earn miles on a partner airline or hotel stay.

Earning Miles on Flights and Partner Airlines

Every time you fly Delta, you earn miles based on the distance traveled and the cabin class of your ticket. Economy tickets earn fewer miles per mile flown than premium cabin tickets (business, first class, or Delta Comfort+). The exact earning rate depends on your SkyMiles membership tier, which advances as you fly more.

To earn miles on a Delta flight, provide your SkyMiles number when you book. If you forget at booking, you can add it later through your Manage My Booking page on delta.com, through the app, or by calling Delta's reservations line. You can also add your number at check-in, though this is riskier because the flight may have already departed.

Delta partners with other airlines including Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and others. When you fly these airlines, you can earn SkyMiles if you provide your SkyMiles number at booking. The earning rate varies by partner and ticket type, so check the partner airline's website or call Delta to confirm how many miles you will earn before you book.

Building Miles Faster With a SkyMiles Credit Card

A SkyMiles credit card is issued by American Express or Chase, depending on which card you choose. These cards earn miles on every purchase you make, not just flights. For example, you might earn 2 miles per dollar spent on groceries, gas, and restaurants, and 5 miles per dollar on Delta purchases.

New cardholders often receive a sign-up bonus — typically 50,000 to 75,000 miles after you spend a certain amount in the first few months. This bonus alone can cover a domestic round-trip ticket on Delta. However, most SkyMiles cards charge an annual fee ranging from $95 to $550, depending on the card tier. You decide whether the miles you earn and the travel perks included justify the fee.

A credit card is not required to earn miles in SkyMiles. You can accumulate miles through flights and partner activities alone, though it will take longer. A card straightforward speeds up the process if you spend regularly on everyday purchases.

Other Ways to Earn Miles Without Flying

Beyond credit cards, you can earn miles through the SkyMiles Shopping Mall, where you book hotels, rent cars, or shop at retail partners like Amazon, Best Buy, and Macy's. The number of miles you earn per dollar varies by merchant — some offer 2 miles per dollar, others offer 5 or more. You access the mall through delta.com or the Fly Delta app, click through to the retailer, and complete your purchase normally.

You also earn miles when you purchase airline tickets through Delta Vacations, book Delta flights for friends and family through the Refer a Friend program, or participate in SkyMiles promotions that Delta runs periodically. These promotions often offer bonus miles for specific activities, like booking a hotel during a certain month or flying a particular route.

Understanding SkyMiles Membership Tiers

SkyMiles has four membership levels: Silver (entry level), Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. You move up tiers by earning a certain number of miles or taking a certain number of Delta flights in a calendar year. Silver members earn the baseline miles per flight; higher tiers earn more miles per flight and unlock perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and complimentary upgrades.

You do not have to do anything to advance tiers — Delta tracks your activity automatically. If you fly frequently or spend heavily on a SkyMiles credit card, you may reach Gold or Platinum status within a year. Most casual travelers stay at Silver, which still earns miles and includes basic benefits like online check-in and access to SkyMiles redemptions.

How Miles Expire and How to Keep Your Account Active

SkyMiles miles expire after 24 months of no account activity. Activity includes earning miles on a flight, using a SkyMiles credit card, shopping through the SkyMiles mall, or redeeming miles. If your account sits untouched for two years, your miles disappear and cannot be recovered.

To keep your account active without flying, use a SkyMiles credit card for a purchase, book a hotel through the SkyMiles mall, or participate in a SkyMiles promotion. Even a small purchase counts as activity. If you know you will not fly for a while, set a calendar reminder to make one small purchase every 23 months to keep your miles alive.

Redeeming Your Miles for Travel and Other Rewards

Once you have accumulated miles, you can redeem them for Delta flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, or partner airline tickets. The cost in miles varies by route, season, and demand. A domestic round-trip ticket typically costs between 25,000 and 50,000 miles; international flights cost more. You can check the mile cost for any route on delta.com before you book.

You can also use miles to upgrade a paid ticket to a higher cabin class, pay for a checked bag, or purchase miles if you are short of the amount needed for a redemption. Some redemptions offer better value than others — a $300 flight might cost 30,000 miles, while a $600 flight might cost 50,000 miles, making the second option a better use of your miles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to provide my SkyMiles number every time I book a flight?

No. Once you provide your SkyMiles number at booking, it is attached to that reservation. If you book through delta.com while logged into your SkyMiles account, your number is added automatically. If you book through a travel site or call a travel agent, you must provide the number at that time or add it later through your Manage My Booking page.

Can I transfer my miles to someone else or combine accounts?

You cannot transfer miles between accounts or combine two SkyMiles accounts. Miles belong to the person whose name is on the account. You can gift miles to a family member or friend through the SkyMiles website, but there is a fee and a minimum purchase amount. Check delta.com for current gifting terms.

What happens if I close my SkyMiles account?

If you close your account, your miles are forfeited and cannot be recovered. Before closing, redeem any remaining miles or consider letting the account sit inactive — you can reactivate it later if you change your mind, as long as it has not been closed for more than a few years.

Can I earn miles on flights I book through a discount airline site or third-party booking app?

Yes, as long as you provide your SkyMiles number at booking. Some discount sites do not have a field for frequent flyer numbers, so you may need to call Delta's reservations line or add your number after booking through your Manage My Booking page. Always confirm your number was recorded before your flight departs.

How do I check my current mile balance?

Log into your SkyMiles account on delta.com or open the Fly Delta app. Your current balance appears on your account dashboard. You can also call Delta's SkyMiles customer service line, which is listed on your SkyMiles card or on delta.com.