Delta lets you transfer SkyMiles to another person, but the process depends on your relationship to them and whether they already have a SkyMiles account

You can transfer Delta SkyMiles to a family member, friend, or colleague through your SkyMiles account online. The recipient must have an active SkyMiles account before you send the miles. Delta charges a fee for transfers — currently $5 per transfer plus $0.01 per mile transferred, though this fee structure can change. The transfer typically completes within 24 hours after you submit the request.

If the person you want to send miles to doesn't have a SkyMiles account yet, they will need to create one first. You cannot transfer miles to someone without an account, and Delta will not create an account for them on your behalf.

Key Takeaways

  • The recipient must have an active SkyMiles account before you initiate a transfer; Delta does not create accounts as part of the transfer process.
  • Delta charges $5 per transfer plus $0.01 per mile, so transferring 10,000 miles costs $5 plus $100, totaling $105.
  • You transfer miles through your SkyMiles account online under the "Transfer Miles" option, not through email or phone.
  • Transferred miles arrive in the recipient's account within 24 hours, and the transfer cannot be reversed once submitted.
  • You can transfer miles to the same person multiple times, but each transfer incurs the full fee.

How to transfer miles through your SkyMiles account

Log into your SkyMiles account on Delta's website or through the Fly Delta mobile app. Go to the "My Wallet" or account settings section and look for "Transfer Miles" or "Send Miles" — the exact label varies slightly between the website and app. Click that option.

Enter the recipient's SkyMiles account number and the number of miles you want to transfer. Delta will show you the total fee before you confirm. Review the fee, confirm the recipient's account number is correct (transfers cannot be reversed), and complete the transaction. You will receive a confirmation email, and the recipient will receive a separate notification that miles have arrived in their account.

If you cannot find the transfer option in your account, contact Delta SkyMiles customer service by phone at 1-800-323-2323 or through the chat feature in the Fly Delta app. They can walk you through the process or transfer miles on your behalf, though you will still pay the standard transfer fee.

Minimum and maximum transfer amounts

Delta requires a minimum transfer of 1,000 miles per transaction. There is no published maximum per single transfer, but your account balance cannot go below zero after the transfer. If you have 50,000 miles and want to transfer 60,000, the system will not allow it.

You can make multiple transfers to the same person or to different people. Each transfer is charged separately, so sending 10,000 miles to one person and 5,000 miles to another costs two separate $5 fees plus the per-mile charges for each.

When transferred miles expire and how they work

Transferred miles follow the same expiration rules as miles you earn yourself. SkyMiles do not expire as long as you have account activity — which includes earning, redeeming, or transferring miles — at least once every 24 months. If your account becomes inactive for 24 months, your miles expire.

Once miles land in the recipient's account, they own them completely. They can use transferred miles to book flights, upgrade tickets, or redeem them for other rewards through the SkyMiles program. The recipient does not have to use the miles when ready; they can hold them as long as their account stays active.

Transferring miles as a gift or for a specific trip

Many people transfer miles to help someone book a flight or cover part of a ticket cost. If you are sending miles to help pay for a specific trip, coordinate with the recipient about when they need the miles. Once the miles arrive in their account (within 24 hours), they can use them right away to book or upgrade a flight.

If the recipient is booking a flight that departs soon, transfer the miles at least one day before they plan to book. This gives time for the transfer to complete and for them to search and reserve their flight. SkyMiles can be used to book flights departing up to 330 days in the future, so there is usually flexibility in timing.

Restrictions on who you can transfer miles to

You can transfer miles to anyone with a valid SkyMiles account — there is no requirement that they be a family member or that you have a specific relationship to them. However, Delta's terms state that miles are non-transferable except through the official transfer process, and selling or trading miles outside of Delta's system is not permitted.

If Delta suspects miles are being transferred as part of a commercial transaction (selling miles for cash, for example), they may freeze the account or deny the transfer. The transfer feature is intended for personal use — helping a friend book a trip, giving a gift to a family member, or pooling miles with a travel companion.

Alternatives if you cannot transfer miles

If the person you want to help does not have a SkyMiles account and cannot create one, or if you want to avoid the transfer fee, you have other options. You can book a flight for someone else using your own miles — you do not have to be the passenger. During booking, enter the recipient's name and contact information, and they will receive the ticket confirmation.

You can also purchase a gift card through Delta's website and send it to someone, though gift cards are separate from SkyMiles and work differently. Another option is to add someone as an authorized user on your SkyMiles account if they are a household member, though this gives them access to your entire account rather than a specific number of miles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer miles to someone who doesn't have a SkyMiles account yet?

No. The recipient must have an active SkyMiles account before you transfer miles to them. They can create a free account on Delta's website in a few minutes, and then you can proceed with the transfer.

What happens if I transfer miles to the wrong account number?

Once you submit a transfer, it cannot be reversed or recalled. If you sent miles to an incorrect account number, contact Delta SkyMiles customer service when ready at 1-800-323-2323 with your confirmation number. They may be able to help, but there is no may provide they can recover the miles.

Do I have to pay the transfer fee every time I send miles?

Yes. Each transfer incurs a $5 fee plus $0.01 per mile, regardless of how many times you transfer to the same person or how frequently you transfer. There is no way to avoid the fee through Delta's official transfer process.

Can the person I send miles to transfer them to someone else?

Yes. Once miles arrive in their account, they own them and can transfer them to another person using the same process, paying the transfer fee themselves.

How long does it take for transferred miles to show up?

Transferred miles typically appear in the recipient's account within 24 hours. In most cases, they arrive within a few hours, but Delta allows up to 24 hours for the transaction to complete.