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As a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, Delta Air Lines has a well-connected route network with other airlines around the globe, allowing Delta loyalists to earn and redeem Delta miles even when flying with other airlines that aren't actually Delta. And over the years, Delta has also expanded beyond just the SkyTeam alliance to invest in airlines in strategic parts of the world where it wants to have greater presence, creating an even longer list of Delta airline partners.
Learn more about these Delta alliance partners, including how to earn and redeem Delta SkyMiles at every level of status.
» Learn more: The guide to Delta SkyMiles
Delta's partner airlines
When it comes to SkyMiles earning, Delta’s partner list is expansive. You can earn Delta miles when flying with its airline partners, or use Delta SkyMiles to redeem for flights on most partners.
So, what airlines partner with Delta? Delta's partner airlines include:
- Aerolineas Argentinas.
- Aeromexico.
- Air Europa.
- China Airlines.
- China Eastern.
- Czech Airlines.
- Garuda Indonesia.
- ITA Airways.
- Kenya Airways.
- KLM.
- Korean Air.
- LATAM.
- MEA.
- Saudia.
- Tarom.
- Vietnam Airlines.
- Westjet.
- Xiamen Air.
» Learn more: Delta Air Lines SkyMiles program: The complete guide
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Earning miles with Delta partners
For partners airline flights, redeemable miles and Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) are determined by a combination of distance flown and fare class. This is different from how miles are earned when flying on Delta itself, which is based on the cost of the ticket (as opposed to the distance flown).
For most discounted economy fares on most Delta partners, you will earn 25% of miles flown as redeemable SkyMiles, and 5% of flown miles as MQDs. So, for example, a 1,000-mile flight in the lowest fare class on partner KLM would earn 250 SkyMiles and 50 MQMs. The earning table for each partner and fare class can be found on Delta’s partner page.
Note: When flying with partners, always make sure that your SkyMiles number is in the reservation and also printed on your boarding pass. Save boarding passes and ticket receipts from partner flights so that if miles don’t post to your account, you can request missing SkyMiles credit retroactively.
Credit cards for earning Delta Skymiles
Earning rates
• 2 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
Annual fee: $0.
• 2 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta and at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.).
• 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $150.
• 3 miles per $1 on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on hotel purchases.
• 2 miles per $1 at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.).
• 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
Annual fee: $350.
• 3 miles per $1 on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.
• 1 mile per $1 on other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
Annual fee: $650.
Welcome offer
Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply.
Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases with your new Card, and an additional 20,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card, both within your first 6 months. Ends 04/01/2026. Terms Apply.
Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases with your new Card, and an additional 20,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card, both within your first 6 months. Ends 04/01/2026. Terms Apply.
Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases with your new Card, and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card, both within your first 6 months. Ends 04/01/2026. Terms Apply.
Still not sure?
Redeeming SkyMiles with partners
When it comes to redeeming SkyMiles, things become more complicated if you plan to use partner airlines. Delta infamously removed award charts from its website. These were helpful to travelers so that they could plan ahead and earn a certain number of miles for their desired destination.
With dynamic pricing, Delta made SkyMiles more difficult to use because awards are more closely tied to demand and the monetary cost of a ticket. This means you have no guide to help you save up enough miles for a trip until you lock in the dates. Then, you are forced to pay whatever Delta is charging, unless you can change your destination or dates.
In some extreme examples, such as this one-way between the U.S. and Australia, that can translate to absurdly high redemption rates.
In general, you should use the same logic when determining whether to book partner flights using SkyMiles as you do booking Delta flights. Compare the value of the SkyMiles used for the award booking against a comparable cash ticket. If the value of the award booking is in line with or lower than the cash price, go ahead and book it. (NerdWallet values Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents each).
» Learn more: How much are points and miles worth this year?
Understand how to use Delta.com
Delta.com is not the most reliable resource for searching for award tickets. Since Delta’s website does not provide every possible route, a phone reservation agent might be able to search for more options — believe it or not.
For the best results when searching online, check the “My dates are flexible” box so that you can conduct a calendar search. Another trick: search for award space segment by segment.
Let’s say you are flying between Atlanta and Athens, Greece. Try searching Atlanta to Paris first. If you find space, then search for flights from Paris to Athens. Once you find both, try to see if you can price the entire itinerary together as one award. Sometimes, longer connections that don’t appear in the initial search might prove fruitful.
Delta runs frequent mileage flash sales that offer discounted redemptions on certain routes.
Note: Delta now prices its lowest awards in basic economy, which do not permit advance seat assignments, flight changes or cancellation. However, basic economy awards are cheaper.
» Learn more: Basic economy vs. main cabin
Delta status match across airlines
One of the perks of achieving Delta Medallion status is enjoying elite benefits when flying partner airlines. SkyTeam Elite Plus status (awarded to Gold Medallion members and above) comes with complimentary lounge access when flying SkyTeam partners internationally, SkyPriority access (priority check-in and boarding lines) and higher checked baggage limits.
These perks can make international travel much more pleasant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you earn Delta SkyMiles when flying with partner airlines?
Yes, you can earn both redeemable SkyMiles and Medallion Qualification Dollars when flying with Delta’s partners. The number of miles earned will depend on the partner and the fare class of your ticket and the number of miles flown. Make sure your Delta SkyMiles number is on the reservation.
How many miles will I earn when flying with Delta partners?
It depends. You’ll earn SkyMiles based on how far you fly, but the earning rate will depend on the fare class and partner. For example, business and first class tickets will earn more SkyMiles per miles flown than economy tickets.
Can you use Delta SkyMiles to book flights with partner airlines?
Yes, you can use Delta SkyMiles to book flights with its partners. The number of miles needed is not based on an award chart, and will vary from route to route and airline to airline.
Does Delta elite status give you benefits with partner airlines?
Yes, flyers with Gold Delta Medallion status or higher receive elite benefits on SkyTeam partners when flying internationally. This includes lounge access and priority baggage handling.
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.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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