Understanding Delta SkyMiles

Repost of my guest article on the travel blog Ready to Check In.

     When a traveler decides to become a Delta Airlines rewards program member, an entire world of possibilities opens up to them. Anyone who has previously purchased an airline ticket has most likely seen the option to buy using miles instead of money. Thanks to the SkyMiles with Delta program, savvy travelers can earn those miles for flights simply by making everyday, ordinary purchases. Signing up for the program is free, and miles can be earned in two main ways: using the Delta SkyMiles card or taking Delta flights. As a traveler utilizes the program, they can rise up the ranks from General Member to the higher levels of Medallion Status.

Earn Miles When You Fly

     In order to earn miles when booking a Delta flight, all a traveler needs to do is enter their SkyMiles membership number and Delta takes care of the rest. According to their website, “On Delta-marketed flights, earn 5 miles for each $1 spent on your ticket”. A traveler can “Earn even more when you achieve Medallion Status – up to 11 miles per $1 spent”. There are even more perks that come with Medallion Status, but we’ll touch on those later.

Delta SkyMiles Card

Delta and American Express have teamed up to offer a range of Delta SkyMiles cards. Each credit card comes with different benefits and annual price points.

Using a Delta SkyMiles card at participating stores and restaurants will earn you miles quickly. The SkyMiles Shopping website gives you the option to search for participating online stores and products. When you purchase something from the site, the miles immediately populate in your SkyMiles with Delta program. SkyMiles shopping offers coupons and promo codes, as well as the opportunity to earn extra miles at select stores. The SkyMiles Dining website offers the option to search for participating restaurants in the area, notifying you to which ones offer more rewards miles per dollar spent. The amount of rewards miles earned per dollar spent increases according to the traveler’s SkyMiles with Delta status.

Medallion Status

There are five tiers of member status through SkyMiles with Delta: General (the automatic tier for a member), Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. In order for a traveler to rise up the ranks, they must earn a set number of Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) through utilizing their Delta SkyMiles card on Delta flights, and earn a set number of Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) or Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs) through flying with Delta. The qualifying amounts per tier are as follows:

There are exclusive benefits at each Medallion Status tier, including:

• Rollover Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs)
• Earn More Miles at Each Tier
• Choice Benefits
• Flight Benefits
• Fee Waiver Benefits
• Airport Benefits
• Customer Service Benefits
• Airline & Car Partner Benefits
• Delta Vacations Benefits

To sign up for the SkyMiles with Delta program, travelers can go HERE and get started. The program boosts a Delta traveler’s reward earning potential, giving them the ability to earn miles on every purchase. The more a SkyMiles member spends, the higher up the Medallion Status ranks they advance. They can then spend those miles on future flights, as opposed to shelling out more money to cover the cost.