How to earn
Delta miles.
Fares, Medallion status, partner flights, everyday spending and the two programs that transfer in — every way Delta SkyMiles accrue, with the rates.
Delta SkyMiles members earn 5 miles per $1 on Delta fares, rising to 7, 8, 9 and 11 with Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion status; Basic Economy earns none. Partner-airline flights earn by distance and cabin, American Express points transfer in at 1:1 and Marriott points at 3:1, and dining, Uber and shopping add more.
- Members earn 5 SkyMiles per $1 on Delta fares; Basic Economy earns none.
- Medallion status raises it to 7, 8, 9 or 11 miles per $1.
- Partner-airline flights booked with the partner earn by distance and cabin.
- Amex points transfer in at 1:1; Marriott converts at 3:1.
- Dining, Uber, Starbucks, shopping and Delta's cards all earn miles too.
On this page
How many miles do Delta flights earn?
Delta pays SkyMiles on what you spend, not how far you fly. Members earn 5 miles for every dollar of the fare, and Medallion status adds to it: 7 for Silver, 8 for Gold, 9 for Platinum and 11 for Diamond. Basic Economy, which Delta calls Main Basic, earns no miles and no Medallion credit. Partner-airline flights booked with the partner earn by distance and cabin instead.
| Status | Miles per $1 | Bonus over member |
|---|---|---|
| Member | 5 | — |
| Silver Medallion | 7 | +2 |
| Gold Medallion | 8 | +3 |
| Platinum Medallion | 9 | +4 |
| Diamond Medallion | 11 | +6 |
Enter a fare and your status to see the SkyMiles it earns on a Delta flight.
$1,000 in Delta fares at Member status earns 5,000 miles — 5 miles per $1.
Which points transfer to Delta?
American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to Delta at 1:1, which makes Amex the main way to build SkyMiles without flying. Marriott Bonvoy points convert at 3 to 1 — 60,000 Marriott points become 20,000 miles — which is rarely good value but can finish off a booking.
| Points | Ratio |
|---|---|
| American Express Membership Rewards (US) | 1:1 |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 3 Marriott points to 1 mile |
How do you earn Delta miles without flying?
Delta also pays for everyday spending. SkyMiles Dining pays up to 5 miles per $1 at participating restaurants on a linked card, Uber rides earn 1 to 3 miles per $1 on a linked account, and the SkyMiles Shopping portal pays by retailer. Delta's co-brand American Express cards earn from 2 miles per $1 on Delta purchases, and a linked Starbucks account earns at Starbucks.
The full list of where Amex points can go is in Amex transfer partners, and the Delta expiry rule explains why a SkyMiles balance can safely wait.
Earning Delta miles — common questions
5 miles per $1 of fare as a SkyMiles member, 7 with Silver Medallion, 8 with Gold, 9 with Platinum and 11 with Diamond. Basic Economy fares earn none.
No. Main Basic fares earn no redeemable SkyMiles and no Medallion credit. If you pay with a Delta co-brand card, the card still earns its own miles on the purchase.
American Express Membership Rewards, at 1:1 — Delta is not a Chase transfer partner. Marriott Bonvoy points also convert, at 3 Marriott points to 1 mile.
No. Delta SkyMiles don't expire, however long an account sits unused.
Nanvero keeps your SkyMiles balance current automatically from the emails Delta already sends, with no password, alongside your Amex points and every other airline and hotel balance. It's free to track up to five programs.
The earn and transfer rates are the ongoing rates published by the sources below, each dated; the status earn rates, the Basic Economy rule and the Amex ratio each appear in more than one. Sign-up bonuses are left out on purpose.
Where these numbers come from: NerdWallet 5 miles per $1 for members, 7 Silver, 8 Gold, 9 Platinum and 11 Diamond Medallion; Basic Economy earns no miles; SkyMiles Dining up to 5 miles per $1; Delta Gold card 2 miles per $1 on Delta; miles never expire (24 August 2026); The Points Guy the same 5, 7, 8, 9 and 11 miles per $1 by status; Amex Membership Rewards transfer at 1:1 (June 2026); Thrifty Traveler partner flights booked with the partner earn by distance and cabin; Marriott transfers at 3:1; Uber 1 to 3 miles per $1; Basic Economy earns no miles or Medallion credit (14 July 2026); AwardWallet “Main Basic fares don't earn redeemable SkyMiles or credit towards Delta Medallion status” (26 July 2025). Earn rates and partners change; check Delta's current terms before relying on a rate.
What can my Virgin Points do?
Virgin Points book partner flights on fixed charts: Delta One between New York and London is 47,500 points one-way off-peak, Delta flights within the US start at 7,500, and ANA business from Los Angeles to Tokyo is 52,500. Amex, Chase, Bilt and Citi points transfer in at 1:1, and the tool sorts trips by what your balance reaches.
Avios calculator
The Avios calculator turns a year of card and everyday spending into the Avios it earns, values that total at the current typical rate, and shows how far it reaches on the reward chart. It needs no sign-up and no loyalty password, and answers in pounds, dollars and euros.
How to earn Avios
You earn Avios by flying and by spending. UK credit cards earn 1 to 1.5 Avios per £1 and Nectar converts at 400 to 250; in the US, Chase, American Express, Capital One, Bilt and Wells Fargo points transfer to Avios at 1:1. Hotels, car hire and other partners pay Avios too.
Earn the miles.
Track them automatically.
Nanvero keeps your SkyMiles and Amex balances current in one place. Free to track up to five programs.
Track Delta automatically with Nanvero →
No loyalty passwords, everFree for up to 5 programs, no cardCancel anytime