Are you sitting comfortably? Excellent! Because we're about to embark on a journey through the often-misunderstood world of airline miles. Specifically, we're going to tackle a question that many savvy travelers ponder: how to transfer Delta SkyMiles to American Airlines AAdvantage.
Before we dive deep, let's address the elephant in the room: Directly transferring Delta SkyMiles to American Airlines AAdvantage miles is generally NOT possible. These are two distinct loyalty programs belonging to competing airline alliances (Delta is part of SkyTeam, and American Airlines is a founding member of Oneworld). Think of it like trying to use an Apple gift card at a Google Play store – they simply don't interoperate.
However, don't despair! While a direct transfer isn't an option, there are indirect strategies and alternative ways to leverage your miles for flights on American Airlines or its partners. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Navigating the Loyalty Landscape: Why Direct Transfers Are Rare
Airline loyalty programs are designed to keep you flying with their airline and their partners. Allowing direct, free transfers between rival programs would undermine this core business model. Imagine if every loyalty program's points were interchangeable – there would be no incentive to choose one airline over another for your everyday spending and travel.
Therefore, the key to maximizing your miles across different airlines lies in understanding:
-
Airline Alliances: Delta is a major player in the SkyTeam Alliance, while American Airlines is a cornerstone of the Oneworld Alliance. Each alliance has its own set of member airlines, and miles earned with one airline within an alliance can typically be redeemed on other member airlines within that same alliance.
-
Transferable Credit Card Points: This is often your best bet for flexibility. Certain credit card rewards programs allow you to transfer points to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs, effectively acting as a "bridge" between otherwise incompatible systems.
Let's explore the practical steps!
 |
| How To Transfer Delta Skymiles To American Airlines |
Step 1: Understanding the Fundamental Barrier – No Direct Transfer!
Alright, before we even think about "transferring," let's truly grasp this foundational truth: you cannot log into your Delta SkyMiles account and send your miles directly to your American Airlines AAdvantage account. It's crucial to acknowledge this upfront to avoid frustration and wasted effort.
So, if direct transfer is out, what are my options? This is where we get creative and strategic!
Step 2: Leveraging Airline Alliances and Partner Bookings (The Indirect Route)
While you can't transfer miles between Delta and American, you can often use miles from one airline's program to book flights on its partner airlines. This is the most common and often most valuable workaround.
Sub-heading 2.1: Delta's SkyTeam Partners
Delta is a proud member of the SkyTeam Alliance. This means your SkyMiles can be used to book flights on any of the following airlines (and vice versa for earning miles):
QuickTip: Look for contrasts — they reveal insights.
-
Aeroflot (currently suspended)
-
Aerolíneas Argentinas
-
Aeromexico
-
Air Europa
-
Air France
-
China Airlines
-
China Eastern
-
Czech Airlines
-
Garuda Indonesia
-
Kenya Airways
-
KLM
-
Korean Air
-
Middle East Airlines
-
Saudia
-
TAROM
-
Vietnam Airlines
-
Virgin Atlantic
-
XiamenAir
What does this mean for you? If you have Delta SkyMiles and want to fly to a destination that American Airlines serves, but also has a SkyTeam partner serving it, you might be able to use your SkyMiles to book a flight on that SkyTeam partner.
Sub-heading 2.2: American Airlines' Oneworld Partners
American Airlines is a key member of the Oneworld Alliance. This means AAdvantage miles can be used to book flights on:
-
Alaska Airlines
-
British Airways
-
Cathay Pacific
-
Finnair
-
Iberia
-
Japan Airlines
-
Malaysia Airlines
-
Oman Air
-
Qantas
-
Qatar Airways
-
Royal Air Maroc
-
Royal Jordanian
-
SriLankan Airlines
The takeaway: If you're looking to fly on American Airlines, and you have AAdvantage miles, you can easily use them. If you don't have AAdvantage miles but want to fly on a Oneworld airline, you'll need to explore other avenues, which we'll discuss next.
Sub-heading 2.3: The "Booking on Partners" Strategy Explained
This isn't a "transfer," but a redemption. You use your Delta SkyMiles to book a flight operated by a SkyTeam partner airline. Or, if you happen to acquire AAdvantage miles through other means, you use AAdvantage miles to book on a Oneworld partner.
How to do it:
-
Identify your desired route: Which cities do you want to fly between?
-
Check both airline alliances: See if any SkyTeam airline flies that route (if you have SkyMiles) or if any Oneworld airline flies that route (if you're aiming for AAdvantage).
-
Search on the airline's website:
-
For SkyMiles: Go to delta.com, select "Shop with Miles," and search for your desired route. Delta's search engine should show you available award flights on its SkyTeam partners.
-
For AAdvantage (if you acquire them): Go to aa.com, select "Redeem miles," and search. It will display flights on American and its Oneworld partners.
-
-
Compare availability and value: Sometimes, using miles on a partner airline can offer better value than on the operating airline itself.
Step 3: The "Bridge" - Transferable Credit Card Points (Your Best Indirect Option)
This is often the most effective way to gain flexibility and indirectly "transfer" value from one loyalty ecosystem to another.
Sub-heading 3.1: Understanding Transferable Points Programs
Certain credit card rewards programs allow you to earn points that can then be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs. The most prominent ones are:
-
American Express Membership Rewards: This is your key player if you have Delta SkyMiles but want to access American Airlines flights (indirectly). American Express is a transfer partner for both Delta SkyMiles and many other airlines. While you can transfer Membership Rewards to Delta SkyMiles, you cannot transfer Membership Rewards directly to American Airlines AAdvantage. However, you can transfer Membership Rewards to other Oneworld alliance airlines, like British Airways Avios or Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, which can then be used to book American Airlines flights.
-
Chase Ultimate Rewards: Transfers to United, Southwest, etc. (Star Alliance & independent). Not directly relevant for Delta/AA transfers.
-
Citi ThankYou Points: Transfers to American Airlines AAdvantage and many other airlines. This is relevant if you want to get points INTO AAdvantage.
-
Capital One Miles: Transfers to a broad range of airlines, including some SkyTeam and Oneworld partners.
Sub-heading 3.2: The American Express Membership Rewards Strategy (for Delta SkyMiles holders eyeing AA)
QuickTip: Pay close attention to transitions.
This is a multi-step process, but it's the closest you'll get to bridging the gap.
-
Earn American Express Membership Rewards: This requires having an eligible American Express credit card (e.g., American Express Platinum Card, American Express Gold Card).
-
Do NOT transfer to Delta SkyMiles (yet): If your goal is to fly American Airlines, you don't want to convert your Membership Rewards to SkyMiles.
-
Transfer to a Oneworld Partner: Identify a Oneworld airline that is a transfer partner with American Express Membership Rewards. British Airways Avios and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles are common choices. The transfer ratio is typically 1:1.
-
Book American Airlines flights using the Oneworld Partner's miles: Once your Membership Rewards points are converted to, say, British Airways Avios, you can then go to the British Airways website and search for award flights on American Airlines. Since American Airlines is a Oneworld partner, British Airways will display American Airlines flights available for Avios redemption.
-
Pros: Offers significant flexibility, allows you to potentially access American Airlines flights.
-
Cons: Involves an extra step, award availability can be limited, and the value of your points can vary. There might be taxes and fees associated with partner award bookings.
Sub-heading 3.3: The Citi ThankYou Points Strategy (for getting miles into AAdvantage)
If your goal is to build up American Airlines AAdvantage miles and you have Citi ThankYou Points:
-
Earn Citi ThankYou Points: This requires having an eligible Citi credit card (e.g., Citi Premier Card).
-
Transfer to American Airlines AAdvantage: Citi ThankYou Points are a direct transfer partner for American Airlines AAdvantage. The transfer ratio is typically 1:1.
-
Book American Airlines flights: Once transferred, these are directly AAdvantage miles, and you can book American Airlines or Oneworld partner flights directly through aa.com.
-
Pros: Direct transfer to AAdvantage, straightforward.
-
Cons: Requires a Citi ThankYou Points earning card, not a way to "transfer" from Delta SkyMiles.
Step 4: Alternative Strategies and Considerations
Beyond alliance partners and transferable points, here are a few other nuanced approaches and important things to keep in mind.
Sub-heading 4.1: Booking for Others
Did you know? You can almost always use your Delta SkyMiles to book a flight for someone else, even if you're not traveling with them. The same applies to American Airlines AAdvantage miles. So, if your goal is simply to get a friend or family member on an American Airlines flight, and you have SkyMiles, this doesn't directly help them fly American. However, if they have AAdvantage miles, they can book for you, and vice-versa. This avoids any costly and often unfavorable mileage transfer fees between individuals.
Sub-heading 4.2: Selling Miles (Generally Not Recommended)
There are third-party brokers who offer to buy your miles. This is almost universally against the terms and conditions of airline loyalty programs and can lead to your account being shut down and miles forfeited. Proceed with extreme caution, if at all.
Sub-heading 4.3: Buying Miles (Usually Poor Value)
Both Delta and American Airlines allow you to buy miles. However, the cost per mile is typically very high, making it a poor value unless you need just a few more miles to top off an award redemption. This is not a "transfer" mechanism.
QuickTip: Go back if you lost the thread.
Sub-heading 4.4: Hotel Loyalty Program Transfers (Limited Use)
Some hotel loyalty programs, like Marriott Bonvoy, allow you to transfer points to a wide array of airline partners, including both Delta SkyMiles and American Airlines AAdvantage.
-
Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points: Through hotel stays or Marriott co-branded credit cards.
-
Transfer to Delta SkyMiles OR American Airlines AAdvantage: Marriott Bonvoy typically transfers at a 3:1 ratio (3 Marriott points = 1 airline mile), with a 5,000 bonus mile for every 60,000 points transferred.
-
Pros: Provides another avenue for flexibility.
-
Cons: The transfer ratio is generally not great, so you'll usually get less value than using the points for hotel stays or direct credit card transfers. Only consider this if you have a large stash of Marriott points and a specific redemption in mind.
Conclusion: Plan Your Miles Strategy Wisely!
While the direct transfer of Delta SkyMiles to American Airlines AAdvantage is a myth, the world of points and miles offers numerous indirect pathways and strategic redemptions. The key is to understand the alliances, leverage transferable credit card points, and always compare the value of your redemptions. Always prioritize earning miles in the program you'll use most, but keep these flexible options in your back pocket for those times when your travel plans don't align with your existing mileage balances.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to Transfer Delta SkyMiles to Another Person?
You can transfer Delta SkyMiles to another SkyMiles member's account, but be aware of the fees. Delta charges a fee per 1,000 miles transferred, plus a processing fee. It's often cheaper to simply book an award ticket for that person directly from your account.
How to Use Delta SkyMiles on Partner Airlines?
You can use your Delta SkyMiles to book flights on any of Delta's SkyTeam alliance partners and other non-alliance partners. To do this, search for award flights on delta.com and the search results should display available flights on partner airlines.
How to Use American Airlines AAdvantage Miles on Partner Airlines?
American Airlines AAdvantage miles can be redeemed for flights on any Oneworld alliance member airline. You can search and book these award flights directly on aa.com by selecting the "Redeem miles" option.
Tip: Don’t rush — enjoy the read.
How to Convert Credit Card Points to Delta SkyMiles?
American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to Delta SkyMiles, usually at a 1:1 ratio. Many co-branded Delta credit cards also directly earn SkyMiles. Marriott Bonvoy points can also be converted to SkyMiles, but at a less favorable ratio.
How to Convert Credit Card Points to American Airlines AAdvantage Miles?
Citi ThankYou Points are a direct transfer partner for American Airlines AAdvantage, typically at a 1:1 ratio. Marriott Bonvoy points can also be converted, though the redemption value is generally lower.
How to Earn American Airlines Miles If I Primarily Fly Delta?
If you primarily fly Delta, but want to earn American Airlines miles, consider opening a co-branded American Airlines credit card (e.g., from Citi or Barclays) or earning transferable credit card points (like Citi ThankYou Points) that can be converted to AAdvantage.
How to Book a Flight on a Different Airline Using My Miles?
To book a flight on a different airline using your miles, you generally need to book with a partner airline within the same alliance as your miles. For example, use Delta SkyMiles to book on Air France (SkyTeam), or use British Airways Avios (Oneworld) to book on American Airlines.
How to Avoid Fees When Transferring Miles?
The best way to avoid fees when "transferring" miles between different airline programs is to not transfer them directly. Instead, use flexible credit card points that allow transfers to various airlines, or directly book flights for others from your own mileage account.
How to Determine the Value of My Airline Miles?
The value of airline miles varies greatly depending on how you redeem them. A common valuation is between 1 to 2 cents per mile, but this can be higher for premium cabin international travel and lower for basic economy domestic flights. Always compare the cash price of a ticket to the miles required for an award redemption.
How to Consolidate Miles from Different Airline Programs?
You generally cannot consolidate miles from different airline programs into a single account. Each program is separate. The closest you can get is to earn flexible credit card points that can be transferred to multiple airline programs as needed.
 |
