What Delta Air Lines offers and how its rewards program works

Delta Air Lines operates a frequent flyer program called SkyMiles, which lets you earn points on flights and other purchases, then redeem them for tickets, seat upgrades, or other travel benefits. You earn miles when you fly Delta or its partner airlines, when you use a Delta credit card, or when you shop through Delta's partners. The program is free to join.

Delta also charges for seat selection on most tickets. Basic Economy fares do not include a seat choice — the airline assigns you one at check-in. Main Cabin and First Class fares include seat selection. You can also pay separately to choose a seat in advance, or pay more for extra legroom seats in the Main Cabin Extra section.

Understanding how miles accumulate, what they are worth, and which seats cost extra helps you decide whether Delta's pricing matches what you need from a flight.

Key Takeaways

  • SkyMiles are earned on Delta flights, partner airlines, credit card spending, and retail purchases, and can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, or other travel perks.
  • Basic Economy fares do not include seat selection, while Main Cabin and First Class fares do, and you can pay separately to choose a seat in advance on any ticket type.
  • Main Cabin Extra seats cost more than standard Main Cabin seats but offer extra legroom and are located in the front of the cabin.
  • The number of miles needed to redeem a flight varies by route, season, and demand, so the same destination may cost different amounts at different times.
  • Delta partner airlines include Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and others, and miles can be transferred between some partner programs or used to book partner flights.

How SkyMiles are earned and what they are worth

When you fly Delta, you earn miles based on the distance flown and the fare class you purchased. A flight from New York to Los Angeles, for example, earns more miles than a flight from New York to Boston because it covers more distance. First Class fares earn more miles per mile flown than Basic Economy fares.

You also earn miles outside of flying. The Delta SkyMiles American Express card earns miles on every dollar spent, with bonus categories for restaurants, gas stations, and other purchases. Shopping through Delta's shopping portal, booking hotels through Delta Vacations, or renting a car through Delta's partners also adds miles to your account.

The value of a mile depends on what you redeem it for. A mile used to book a domestic flight might be worth 1 cent, while a mile used to upgrade a seat might be worth more or less. Delta does not publish a fixed redemption rate — the cost in miles for the same flight can change based on demand and availability.

Seat selection and extra legroom options

Delta offers three main cabin types on most flights: Basic Economy, Main Cabin, and First Class. Basic Economy is the lowest fare and does not include a seat choice — Delta assigns your seat at check-in, usually a middle seat or a seat near the back. You cannot change it in advance.

Main Cabin fares include the ability to choose your seat when you book or later online. Main Cabin seats are standard width and pitch (the distance between rows). Main Cabin Extra seats are in the same cabin but located in the front section and have extra legroom — usually 4 to 6 inches more than standard seats. Main Cabin Extra seats cost more than regular Main Cabin seats and can be purchased at booking or added later.

First Class seats are wider, have more recline, and include meals and premium beverages. First Class fares are the most expensive but include seat selection, extra legroom, and other perks like priority boarding and checked bag allowances.

You can also purchase a seat selection separately if you booked a Basic Economy fare and want to choose your seat in advance. The cost varies by route and how far in advance you buy it.

How to redeem SkyMiles for flights and upgrades

To redeem miles for a flight, log into your SkyMiles account on Delta's website or app, search for your route, and filter results to show award flights only. Delta displays the number of miles required for each flight. You can book the flight using miles, or use a combination of miles and cash if you do not have enough miles.

Award flight availability varies by route and date. Popular routes during peak travel times may have few or no award seats available, while less popular routes or off-peak dates may have many. Delta releases award inventory in batches, so checking back over several days sometimes reveals seats that were not available before.

You can also use miles to upgrade an existing ticket from a lower cabin to a higher one. If you booked a Main Cabin ticket, you can bid miles to upgrade to First Class, or use a fixed number of miles if Delta offers a set upgrade price for that flight. Upgrade availability depends on how many First Class seats are empty at the time of your flight.

Delta partner airlines and transferring miles

Delta is part of the SkyTeam alliance, which includes Air France, KLM, Alitalia, China Eastern, and others. You can book flights on these airlines using SkyMiles, and you earn miles when you fly them. The number of miles required to book a partner airline flight is usually similar to the cost of booking a Delta flight of the same distance.

Some Delta credit cards allow you to transfer miles to partner loyalty programs at a set ratio — for example, 1,000 SkyMiles might transfer to 1,000 Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles. Not all SkyMiles accounts can transfer miles; this feature depends on your credit card or membership tier.

Partner airlines have their own award charts and availability, so a route that has no Delta award seats might have partner seats available. However, partner bookings sometimes charge fuel surcharges or have other fees that Delta flights do not.

SkyMiles membership tiers and status benefits

Delta offers four membership tiers based on how many miles you fly or spend in a calendar year: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Each tier unlocks benefits like priority boarding, free checked bags, seat upgrades, and lounge access.

Silver status requires 25,000 miles or $3,000 in may be able to access spending. Gold requires 50,000 miles or $6,000 in spending. Platinum requires 75,000 miles or $9,000 in spending. Diamond requires 125,000 miles or $15,000 in spending. These thresholds reset on January 1 each year.

Higher tiers include benefits like complimentary upgrades to First Class on may be able to access flights, waived seat selection fees, and access to Delta Sky Club lounges. Some benefits are automatic; others require you to use a specific upgrade certificate or request the benefit at check-in.

Basic Economy restrictions and what they mean

Basic Economy is Delta's lowest fare class and comes with restrictions that higher fares do not have. You cannot choose your seat in advance — Delta assigns one at check-in. You cannot change your flight after booking without paying a change fee. You get one carry-on bag but no free checked bags unless you have status or a may have access to credit card.

Basic Economy passengers board last, after all other passengers. This means overhead bin space may be full by the time you board, and you may need to check your carry-on bag at the gate.

If you want to avoid these restrictions, you can purchase a Main Cabin ticket instead, which includes seat selection, a free checked bag, and the ability to change your flight. The price difference varies by route and how far in advance you book.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my SkyMiles if I do not use them?

SkyMiles do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months. Account activity includes flying Delta, earning miles through a credit card or partner, or redeeming miles. If your account is inactive for 24 months, Delta may close it and forfeit your miles. You can reactivate an inactive account by flying or earning miles again.

Can I book a Delta flight with miles and then change it?

Yes, you can change an award booking, but the rules depend on your fare class. Main Cabin and First Class award tickets can usually be changed to a different flight on the same route or a different route, though you may owe additional miles if the new flight costs more. Basic Economy award tickets cannot be changed; you must cancel and rebook, which may result in a loss of miles if the new flight costs fewer miles.

What is the difference between Main Cabin and Main Cabin Extra?

Main Cabin Extra seats have 4 to 6 inches more legroom and are located in the front of the cabin, closer to the cockpit. They cost more than standard Main Cabin seats. Both include seat selection, checked bags, and the same meals and beverages. Main Cabin Extra is worth considering if you are tall or want more space, but the price difference can be significant on longer flights.

Can I use miles to upgrade a Basic Economy ticket?

Yes, Delta allows you to bid miles for an upgrade from Basic Economy to Main Cabin or First Class, or to purchase a fixed upgrade if one is available. The cost in miles varies by flight and how far in advance you bid. Upgrade availability is not may provide and depends on how many seats are available in the higher cabin at the time of your flight.

How do I know if an award flight is available before I search?

Delta does not publish award availability in advance. You must search for your specific route and date on Delta's website or app to see which flights have award seats available. Checking multiple dates and times sometimes reveals availability that was not there before, since inventory changes as other passengers book and cancel.