Whether you’re hoping to book a free vacation or work toward Delta Medallion Status, the first step is earning more SkyMiles.
The good news is that flying isn’t the only way to build your balance. Delta has created dozens of opportunities to earn miles through everyday spending, travel partners, hotels, rental cars, dining, and more.
Some methods earn just a few extra miles here and there. Others can generate tens of thousands of SkyMiles every year with very little additional effort.
This guide covers every major way to earn Delta SkyMiles, along with which strategies are actually worth your time.
Quick Summary
- Anyone can join Delta SkyMiles for free.
- Flying Delta remains the primary way to earn miles.
- Delta American Express cards offer some of the fastest earning opportunities.
- Hotels, rental cars, shopping, dining, and vacations can all generate additional SkyMiles.
- Combining multiple earning methods can dramatically accelerate free travel.
At a Glance
| MethodEarning PotentialWorth It? | ||
| Flying Delta | ★★★★★ | Yes |
| Delta Amex Cards | ★★★★★ | Yes |
| Partner Airlines | ★★★★☆ | Yes |
| Delta Stays | ★★★★☆ | Yes |
| Delta Vacations | ★★★★☆ | Yes |
| SkyMiles Dining | ★★★☆☆ | Yes |
| SkyMiles Shopping | ★★★☆☆ | Yes |
| Lyft/Uber Promotions | ★★☆☆☆ | Occasionally |
| Rental Cars | ★★☆☆☆ | Sometimes |
| Buying Miles | ★☆☆☆☆ | Usually No |
✈️ Medallion Mafia Tip
The fastest way to build a meaningful SkyMiles balance is to combine multiple earning sources. Many experienced travelers earn more miles from everyday spending than from actually flying.
Table of Contents
- What Are Delta SkyMiles?
- How Flying Earns SkyMiles
- Delta Credit Cards
- Partner Airlines
- Hotels
- Rental Cars
- Delta Stays
- Delta Vacations
- SkyMiles Shopping
- SkyMiles Dining
- Buying Miles
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Delta SkyMiles?
Delta SkyMiles is Delta Air Lines’ free loyalty program.
Members earn miles through qualifying activities and can redeem those miles for flights, seat upgrades, Delta Vacations, partner airline awards, and other travel experiences.
Unlike many airline loyalty programs, Delta SkyMiles never expire.
That means even occasional travelers can slowly build a balance over time.
📊 At a Glance
| Good to Know | |
| Cost to Join | Free |
| Miles Expire? | No |
| Best Redemption | Flights |
| Can Be Earned Without Flying? | Yes |
1. Fly Delta
Flying Delta is still the most common way to earn SkyMiles.
The number of miles earned depends on several factors, including:
- Ticket price
- Medallion Status
- Eligible fare
- Taxes and fees excluded
Higher Medallion members earn more miles per dollar spent than general members.
✈️ Medallion Mafia Tip
Status doesn’t just increase your upgrade chances. It also increases how quickly you earn future award travel.
Related Reading: How to Reach Delta Silver Medallion Status Guide
2. Fly Delta Partner Airlines
You don’t have to fly Delta to earn Delta miles.
SkyMiles can be earned when flying many partner airlines, including:
- Air France
- KLM
- Virgin Atlantic
- Korean Air
- Aeromexico
- LATAM
- WestJet
- Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)
- Virgin Australia
Partner earning rates vary depending on the airline and fare purchased.
3. Use a Delta SkyMiles American Express Card
For most travelers, a Delta American Express card is the fastest way to earn SkyMiles outside of flying.
Benefits typically include:
- Welcome bonuses
- Miles on everyday purchases
- Bonus categories
- Flight discounts
- Additional travel benefits
🛫 Best For
People flying Delta at least a few times per year.
Related Reading
4. Book Through Delta Stays
Delta Stays frequently offers bonus SkyMiles when booking hotels.
Occasionally Delta runs promotions worth several thousand bonus miles on a single reservation.
If pricing is similar, booking through Delta Stays can be an easy way to increase your balance.
5. Book Delta Vacations
Delta Vacations packages often earn additional SkyMiles while bundling airfare and hotels together.
Watch for limited-time bonus promotions before booking.
6. Shop Through SkyMiles Shopping
The SkyMiles Shopping portal lets you earn miles at hundreds of online retailers.
Examples include:
- Apple
- Macy’s
- Best Buy
- Nike
- Home Depot
Simply begin your shopping session through the portal before purchasing.
💰 Money Saver
Never shop through the portal without checking current bonus offers. Some retailers periodically increase earning rates.
7. Join SkyMiles Dining
SkyMiles Dining rewards members for eating at participating restaurants.
Register a credit card once.
Whenever you dine at participating restaurants, you’ll automatically earn additional SkyMiles.
It’s one of the easiest passive earning opportunities.
8. Rent Cars Through Delta Partners
Major rental companies frequently award SkyMiles.
Participating partners often include:
- Hertz
- National
- Enterprise
- Alamo
Compare earning offers before booking.
9. Stay at Partner Hotels
Many hotel brands allow guests to earn Delta SkyMiles instead of hotel points.
Depending on your travel habits, this can occasionally make sense.
However, most frequent hotel guests are usually better off earning hotel points.
⚠️ Watch Out
Don’t automatically choose SkyMiles over hotel points. Hotel points are often worth more unless you’re chasing a specific Delta redemption.
10. Refer Friends to Delta Cards
American Express periodically offers referral bonuses.
If available, referring friends can generate substantial SkyMiles.
11. Take Advantage of Limited-Time Promotions
Delta regularly runs promotions throughout the year.
Examples include:
- Double miles
- Hotel bonuses
- Vacation bonuses
- Partner promotions
These promotions often provide the highest return with minimal extra effort.
12. Buy SkyMiles (Usually Not Recommended)
Delta allows members to purchase SkyMiles directly.
While convenient, the cost is generally much higher than the value received.
💰 Money Saver
Buying SkyMiles usually only makes sense if you’re just a few thousand miles short of an award ticket.
Which Methods Are Actually Worth It?
If you’re starting from scratch, here’s how I’d prioritize them.
| Rank | Method |
| 1 | Flying Delta |
| 2 | Delta Platinum or Reserve Card |
| 3 | Welcome Bonuses |
| 4 | SkyMiles Shopping |
| 5 | Delta Stays Promotions |
| 6 | SkyMiles Dining |
| 7 | Partner Airlines |
| 8 | Rental Cars |
| 9 | Buying Miles |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Delta SkyMiles expire?
No. Delta SkyMiles do not expire.
Is Delta SkyMiles free?
Yes. Anyone can join for free.
Can I earn SkyMiles without flying?
Absolutely. Credit cards, hotels, dining, shopping, vacations, and partner airlines all provide earning opportunities.
What is the fastest way to earn Delta SkyMiles?
For most people, the fastest combination is:
- Flying Delta
- Using a Delta SkyMiles American Express card
- Earning a welcome bonus
- Using SkyMiles Shopping
- Taking advantage of Delta promotions
Key Takeaways
- Flying Delta is only one of many ways to earn SkyMiles.
- Delta credit cards significantly accelerate earning.
- Shopping and dining portals provide effortless extra miles.
- Promotions can dramatically increase your earnings throughout the year.
- Combining several methods is the fastest path toward free travel.
Final Verdict
If you’re just getting started with Delta SkyMiles, don’t rely solely on flying. The travelers who earn the most miles are usually combining flights with credit cards, shopping portals, dining rewards, and periodic promotions.
Building those habits early can make free award travel arrive much faster than most people expect.