6 Best Benefits of the Delta SkyMiles Program

As one of the big three airlines in the U.S., Delta Air Lines more than likely services your city or one near you. Being loyal to Delta and their SkyMiles program has some amazing benefits, especially if you’re looking to redeem those hard-earned miles for free flights.

There is much more to a loyalty program than earning miles, however. Let’s review some of the benefits of the Delta SkyMiles program that you might not be aware of.

» Learn more: NerdWallet's complete guide to the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles program

The best Delta SkyMiles benefits

1. Miles never expire

As long as you’re a member of the SkyMiles program, your miles never expire. Many airlines make you have some sort of activity every year to keep your balance intact, and if you’re not a frequent flyer (or earning/redeeming miles another way), you might lose out on those miles. With Delta, you keep whatever miles you earn until you’re ready to use them.

This gives you the opportunity to save up miles for larger awards instead of feeling like you have to spend them before they expire.

2. Earn and redeem with partners

Delta has over 26 partners that you can redeem your miles with. Of those 26 partners, 21 can be booked directly on Delta’s website.

Apart from the SkyTeam member airlines, Delta has forged relationships with Air Tahiti Nui, WestJet, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, Mandarin Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, GOL and Hawaiian Airlines.

Combined, all these partners offer over 1,000 destinations to explore.

3. Free changes on most domestic tickets

Delta does not impose change fees on domestic tickets, except basic economy fares. You still have to pay the difference if the new itinerary is more expensive than the original, but this policy nevertheless offers terrific flexibility for travelers who like or need to change plans.

4. Frequent sales for Delta flights

Delta frequently offers discounted award tickets for their own flights starting as low as 2,500 miles. Web specials and flash sales are common, and finding a cross-country flight for only 6,500 miles each way is not unusual.

5. It's easy to earn SkyMiles with credit cards

Delta offers both business and personal credit cards with varying bonus offers. You’ll earn at least double miles on all Delta purchases and at least 1 mile on all other eligible purchases.

• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.

With the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, you'll earn earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta, on every dollar spent on eligible U.S. purchases for advertising in select media, on every dollar spent on eligible U.S. shipping purchases and on every eligible dollar spent at restaurants. Earn 1 Mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases.

6. Elite loyalty benefits

Delta has four elite “Medallion” levels: Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. Each level offers increasing benefits. For the casual traveler, three of our favorite elite benefits are:

Unlimited upgrades

No confusing vouchers to use or miles to apply. If there is a seat in first class available and you are an elite member, you can be on the waitlist for an upgrade. All paid tickets except for E fares are eligible for upgrades.

Bonus miles at each tier

Non-elite members earn 5 miles per $1 spent on Delta flights. Once you become elite, the benefits increase. Silver Medallion members earn 7 miles per $1, Gold members earn 8, Platinum members earn 9 and Diamond members earn 11 miles for every $1 spent on Delta flights.

Baggage fee waivers

As an elite member, you won’t pay baggage fees and will get a nice bump in your baggage allowance. All elite members are allowed 70 pounds per bag instead of the usual 50. While Silver members get their first 70-pound bag for free, Gold members get two bags, and Platinum and Diamond members get three bags each.

This benefit extends to up to eight passengers on the same reservation. If you’re traveling as a family, this means you can save hundreds of dollars compared to those without elite status.

» Learn more: Delta Air Lines bag fees: How they work, how to avoid them

Clear Membership Discounts

Clear is a helpful time-saver that has rolled out to a large number of major airports in the United States. They use advanced biometric data to allow you to keep your ID in your wallet and breeze through security. The lines are almost nonexistent, and you can bypass any security verification lines to expedite your TSA screening.

For a general SkyMiles member with no elite status, Delta offers a discounted membership of $189 per year. Have a Delta credit card? The cost is reduced to $159 per year. The same pricing applies to Silver, Gold and Platinum Medallion Members. If you’re lucky enough to be a Diamond Medallion member, the usual $199 fee is waived entirely.

But Clear membership gets you more than just an easy trip through the airport. As an added perk, Clear membership will also get you complimentary Avis Preferred Plus status with Avis's loyalty program. Avis Preferred Plus status includes perks like:

• A free, single-car class upgrade upon availability.

• The ability to earn additional bonus points on each rental.

• Access to exclusive offers and promotional discounts.

You would typically need to spend $4,000 on qualifying Avis purchases or complete 10 rentals in a calendar year to qualify for Avis Preferred Plus.

» Learn more: Is Clear worth the cost?

Final thoughts on Delta Air Lines membership benefits

Delta has consistently proven itself to be the best airline to fly during the COVID-19 pandemic. When compared to the Big 3, it consistently offers a superior in-flight experience and transparent fees. If you live near a Delta hub, joining SkyMiles could make your next flight experience a more enjoyable experience.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, see this page.