Do you dream of jet-setting to exotic destinations, flying in comfort, and experiencing the world without breaking the bank? If so, then earning Delta SkyMiles through American Express credit cards might be your golden ticket! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, helping you accumulate miles faster than you ever thought possible.
Are you ready to unlock a world of travel possibilities? Let's dive in!
How to Earn Delta SkyMiles with American Express: Your Ultimate Guide
Earning Delta SkyMiles through American Express is a fantastic strategy for frequent travelers and even those who just want to make their occasional trips more rewarding. American Express offers a suite of co-branded Delta SkyMiles credit cards, each with unique benefits and earning structures. Beyond the cards, there are various other avenues to rack up those valuable miles.
Step 1: Discover the Right Delta SkyMiles American Express Card for You
The cornerstone of earning Delta SkyMiles with American Express is, naturally, the credit card. American Express offers a range of Delta SkyMiles credit cards, each tailored to different spending habits and travel preferences. Choosing the right card is crucial for maximizing your earning potential.
Understanding the Different Delta SkyMiles Cards
American Express currently offers several personal and business Delta SkyMiles credit cards. Here's a brief overview of the popular consumer options, keeping in mind that welcome offers and benefits can change:
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: This card is ideal for those who want to dip their toes into the SkyMiles program without an annual fee. It offers a modest earning rate on Delta purchases and at restaurants.
Key Features: No annual fee, 2X miles on Delta purchases, 2X miles at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.), 1X mile on other eligible purchases, 20% back on in-flight purchases as a statement credit.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: A popular choice for more frequent Delta flyers, this card comes with a moderate annual fee (often waived for the first year) and enhanced earning categories.
Key Features: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (as of current data), 2X miles on Delta purchases, 2X miles at restaurants worldwide (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.), 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets, 1X mile on other eligible purchases, first checked bag free for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation, priority boarding, $200 Delta Flight Credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year, $100 Delta Stays credit.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Stepping up to this card brings more premium travel benefits and higher earning rates, making it suitable for those who fly Delta regularly and can utilize its perks.
Key Features: $350 annual fee (as of current data), 3X miles on Delta purchases, 3X miles on eligible hotel purchases, 2X miles at restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets, 1X mile on other eligible purchases, first checked bag free, priority boarding, companion certificate (for Main Cabin travel), fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, $150 Delta Stays credit, Resy credit, rideshare credit.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: The top-tier consumer Delta card, designed for the most loyal Delta flyers who value premium travel experiences and lounge access.
Key Features: $650 annual fee (as of current data), 3X miles on Delta purchases, 1X mile on other eligible purchases, first checked bag free, priority boarding, complimentary Delta Sky Club® access (with limitations), Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta, companion certificate (for First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin travel), fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, $200 Delta Stays credit, Resy credit, rideshare credit.
Crucial Tip: Always review the most current rates, fees, and benefits on the official American Express website before applying, as these can change.
Maximizing Your Welcome Offer
The fastest way to earn a substantial amount of SkyMiles is by taking advantage of the generous welcome offers. These bonuses typically require you to spend a certain amount within a specified timeframe (e.g., $3,000 in the first 6 months).
Strategy: When you first get your card, identify essential purchases you'll be making anyway (groceries, bills, etc.) and direct them to your new Delta SkyMiles Amex card to meet the spending requirement swiftly. Avoid unnecessary spending just to hit the bonus.
Step 2: Leverage Everyday Spending Categories
Once you've secured your card and earned the welcome bonus, the continuous earning of SkyMiles comes from your everyday spending. Each Delta SkyMiles American Express card offers bonus categories where you earn more than the standard 1 mile per dollar.
Strategic Spending for Maximum Miles
Delta Purchases: All Delta SkyMiles Amex cards offer accelerated earning on purchases made directly with Delta. This includes flights, upgrades, baggage fees, and even Delta Sky Club memberships. If you frequently fly Delta, this is a prime earning category.
Example: A $500 Delta flight on a Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card would earn you 1,500 SkyMiles ($500 x 3X miles).
Dining and Supermarkets: The Delta SkyMiles® Gold and Platinum American Express Cards offer bonus miles at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets. These are common spending categories for most households, making them excellent opportunities to rack up miles.
Example: If you spend $500 a month on groceries at U.S. supermarkets with your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, you'll earn 1,000 SkyMiles ($500 x 2X miles). Over a year, that's 12,000 SkyMiles just from groceries!
Hotel Stays: The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card also offers bonus miles on eligible hotel purchases. If you frequently book hotels, this can significantly boost your SkyMiles balance.
Tips for Smart Spending:
Automate Bills: Set up recurring bill payments (utilities, subscriptions, etc.) on your Delta SkyMiles Amex card to ensure consistent earning.
Everyday Purchases: Use your card for virtually all your daily spending – coffee, gas, online shopping, etc. Even at 1X mile per dollar, these add up over time.
Authorized Users: Consider adding authorized users to your account. Their eligible spending will also contribute to your SkyMiles balance, helping you reach your goals faster. Just ensure responsible spending habits.
Step 3: Explore Delta's Partner Programs and Shopping Portals
Beyond your credit card, Delta has a vast network of partners and dedicated shopping portals that allow you to earn SkyMiles on activities you already do. This is where your earning strategy gets even more diverse.
SkyMiles Shopping Portal
How it Works: The SkyMiles Shopping portal allows you to earn bonus miles by shopping online at hundreds of participating retailers. You simply log in with your SkyMiles account, click through to your desired store, and make a purchase. The miles are earned in addition to what you'd earn on your American Express card.
Strategy: Before making any online purchase, always check SkyMiles Shopping. You might find offers like "4 miles per dollar at Macy's" or "8 miles per dollar at Expedia."
Pro Tip: Look out for limited-time promotions on the portal, which often offer significantly higher mileage rates.
SkyMiles Dining Program
How it Works: Enroll your Delta SkyMiles American Express card (or any eligible card) with SkyMiles Dining. When you dine at participating restaurants and pay with your linked card, you'll earn bonus miles.
Strategy: Link your card and check the SkyMiles Dining website or app for participating restaurants in your area before you go out to eat. This is an easy win for earning miles on something you'd do anyway.
VIP Status: You can earn even more miles per dollar (e.g., 5 miles per dollar) by opting to receive emails and reaching VIP status through a certain number of dining transactions.
Travel Partners
Delta partners with various airlines, hotels, and car rental companies where you can earn SkyMiles.
Flying with Partners: While flying Delta-operated flights is the primary way to earn miles, you can also earn SkyMiles when flying with Delta's SkyTeam alliance partners (e.g., Air France, KLM, Korean Air) and other airline partners (e.g., Virgin Atlantic, LATAM). Ensure your SkyMiles number is linked to your booking.
Hotel Stays: Many major hotel chains (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, Hyatt, etc.) allow you to earn SkyMiles instead of their own loyalty points, or in addition to them. You often need to set Delta SkyMiles as your preferred earning preference in your hotel loyalty account. You can also earn miles by booking through Delta's own hotel booking portal, Delta Stays.
Car Rentals: Earn SkyMiles when renting cars through Delta Car Rentals or directly with partner agencies like Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, and Budget.
Other Travel Partners: Look for opportunities to earn miles with cruise lines (Delta Cruises), vacation packages (Delta Vacations), and even rideshare services like Uber and Lyft by linking your accounts.
Step 4: Explore Additional Earning Opportunities
The world of Delta SkyMiles earning extends beyond credit card spending and traditional travel. Keep an eye out for these less common, but equally valuable, opportunities.
Promotions and Special Offers
Keep an Eye Out: Delta and American Express frequently run special promotions for SkyMiles members and cardholders. These could include bonus miles for specific spending categories, for booking certain flights, or for engaging with new partners.
Action: Sign up for email alerts from Delta and American Express to stay informed about these limited-time offers.
Surveys and Other Activities: Occasionally, you might find opportunities to earn a small number of SkyMiles by completing surveys or participating in other non-spending activities. While not a major earner, every mile counts!
Linking Accounts: Starbucks and Uber
Starbucks: Link your Delta SkyMiles and Starbucks Rewards accounts to earn miles on Starbucks purchases and even earn Double Stars on days you fly with Delta.
Uber: Connect your SkyMiles and Uber accounts to earn miles on eligible Uber rides and Uber Eats orders.
Step 5: Understand Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) and Medallion Status
While not directly "earning SkyMiles," understanding Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) is crucial if you aspire to achieve Delta Medallion Status, which comes with significant benefits like upgrades, complimentary checked bags, and priority services. MQDs are now primarily earned through eligible spending on Delta flights and, importantly, through spending on your Delta SkyMiles American Express credit card.
Earning MQDs through American Express Cards:
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn 1 MQD for every $20 in eligible purchases on the card.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn 1 MQD for every $10 in eligible purchases on the card.
This MQD earning through card spending can significantly help you reach higher Medallion tiers, even if you don't fly Delta as frequently on high-fare tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common "How to" questions about earning Delta SkyMiles with American Express, with quick answers:
How to choose the best Delta SkyMiles American Express card?
Consider your annual spending habits, how often you fly Delta, and what travel benefits (e.g., free checked bags, lounge access) are most important to you. The Gold card is great for everyday spending, Platinum for frequent flyers seeking valuable travel perks, and Reserve for top-tier Delta loyalists who value lounge access and upgrades.
How to earn the welcome bonus quickly on a Delta SkyMiles Amex card?
Focus your regular, essential spending (groceries, utilities, bills) on your new card to meet the spending requirement within the specified timeframe. Avoid unnecessary purchases.
How to earn SkyMiles without flying Delta?
You can earn SkyMiles through spending on your Delta SkyMiles American Express credit card, using the SkyMiles Shopping portal, dining with SkyMiles Dining, linking your Starbucks and Uber accounts, and through various hotel and car rental partners.
How to maximize miles earned on Delta flights?
Use your Delta SkyMiles American Express card for direct Delta purchases, as these categories typically offer the highest mileage multipliers (e.g., 3X miles per dollar on Platinum and Reserve cards).
How to use SkyMiles Shopping to earn more miles?
Always check the SkyMiles Shopping portal before making any online purchases. Log in, click through to your retailer, and complete your purchase to earn bonus miles in addition to your card rewards.
How to get free checked bags with Delta SkyMiles Amex?
The Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, and Reserve American Express Cards offer the first checked bag free for the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation, which can save a significant amount on travel.
How to get Delta Sky Club access with an American Express card?
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta-operated flights (with a visit limit per year), and also grants access to Centurion Lounges when flying Delta.
How to earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) with an Amex card?
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve American Express Cards allow you to earn MQDs based on your eligible spending on the card (e.g., 1 MQD per $20 spent on Platinum, 1 MQD per $10 spent on Reserve).
How to transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles?
You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio. This is a great way to boost your SkyMiles balance if you also hold other American Express cards that earn Membership Rewards. (Note: A small fee may apply for transfers to U.S. airlines).
How to redeem Delta SkyMiles for flights?
Log in to delta.com, search for flights, and select the "Shop with Miles" option. You can use miles to cover the full cost of a ticket or use the "Pay with Miles" option (for eligible Delta Amex cardmembers) to reduce the ticket price in 5,000-mile increments.
