Delta SkyMiles Value Calculator

With no award chart and no set value, it can be hard to figure out (without a tarot deck) how much Delta SkyMiles are actually worth.

But we did the digging and calculating for you.

Based on our analysis, the Delta miles value is about 1.2 cents each. This is a baseline value, drawn from real-world data on hundreds of economy routes, not a maximized value. In other words, you should aim for award redemptions that offer 1.2 cents or more in value from your Delta miles.

» Learn more: The complete guide to SkyMiles

Our data-driven value of 1.2 cents per Delta SkyMile is a baseline value. This is effectively the value you could expect to get from your Delta miles if you chose to book a random main cabin ticket with miles rather than cash.

To squeeze more value from Delta miles, check out our complete guide to redeeming them, as well as some easy tips for extracting the most value.

Keep in mind that the Delta SkyMiles program offers fewer "sweet spots" compared with other programs because of its dynamic awards. So, while researching can help boost the value of your miles, you’re unlikely to score redemptions worth multiple times our estimate, for example.

» Learn more: Credit cards that earn SkyMiles

With our SkyMiles-to-dollars calculator below, you can quickly figure out how much your Delta miles are worth based on our estimated value.

The calculator offers a handy way to let you know what your miles are actually worth. So, if you have a certain number of Delta miles, punch that number into the calculator to see what their value is.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards

Delta offers slightly above-average value for its SkyMiles compared with other programs. However, the range of values is generally much lower, as the cost in miles is tightly connected to the cash cost. So you’re less likely to get outsized value from a particular redemption, even if the baseline value is high.

In one sense, Delta SkyMiles are very flexible, as they can be used to book flights on both Delta and its 20-plus airline partners. They can also be used to upgrade existing bookings.

On the other hand, SkyMiles cannot be transferred to other programs or used in other more elaborate redemptions.

» Learn more: What you need to know about SkyTeam

You can supplement the Delta miles you earn in the air by using a Delta-branded credit card for purchases on the ground. Delta offers a range of cards, from a no-frills, no-annual-fee version to a $650-a-year premium card with airport lounge access and other VIP benefits. Each of them earns miles with every purchase, as well as bonus miles with United and (in most cases) in other common spending categories. For most travelers, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a decent option. For an annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $150, you get:

• 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases directly with Delta; 2 miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide and on takeout and delivery in the U.S.; 2 miles per dollar at U.S. supermarkets; and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases.

• First checked bag free for you and up to eight others traveling on your reservation.

• A $200 Delta flight credit when you spend $10,000 with the card in a calendar year.

• Priority boarding, discounts on in-flight purchases and more.

• Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

• Terms apply.

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® Gold 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® Reserve American Express Card, see this page.

Delta miles are down from 2022. The airline went from having the highest valued miles in 2022 to the fourth highest in 2023.

We collected hundreds of data points comparing the cash value to award (mile) value for the same routes and dates. That is, we compared the cost of a given ticket in either cash or miles, across many tickets.

» Learn more: Don't just redeem SkyMiles — redeem them wisely. Here's how

This method differs from many others in that it looks at real-world redemptions rather than hypothetical, maximized redemptions. The advantage of this approach is that it provides an actual, real-world indication of how much these miles are worth on average. That said, it doesn’t take into account the high-value redemptions that some points enthusiasts seek.

» Learn more: How much are your airline miles and hotel points worth?