Delta Air Lines first launched its loyalty program in 1981, targeted at its most frequent flyers, but quickly realized it had broad appeal among even its infrequent fliers. So it re-branded as SkyMiles in 1995, and shifted the program to be more lifestyle-focused, offering members a multitude of ways to earn and spend SkyMiles in their daily lives.

On the face of it, SkyMiles can seem deceptively simple: fly, earn miles, redeem for a free ticket. In practice, it’s a flexible, sometimes frustratingly dynamic program that has also seen a raft of changes from Delta in recent years. It requires an understanding of how Delta defines eligible spending, how Medallion Status is earned, and the best redemption options. So let’s take a look at how to get the most out of the SkyMiles program in 2026.

Earning Medallion Status With Delta SkyMiles

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To understand the SkyMiles program, you first need to understand Medallion Status, which are the four loyalty tiers based upon your spend with Delta, or MQDs (Medallion Qualification Dollars). In general, MQDs accrue according to eligible spending with Delta (and certain qualifying channels), and your total MQDs for the calendar year determine the Medallion tier you’ll hold for the following year. The MQD thresholds for each status level are:

• Silver Medallion: $5,000 MQDs
• Gold Medallion: $10,000 MQDs
• Platinum Medallion: $15,000 MQDs
• Diamond Medallion: $28,000 MQDs

The most straightforward way to earn MQDs is through ticket spending on Delta-operated or SkyTeam partner flights. Note that Basic Economy tickets do not earn MQDs. However, Delta also offers a few additional paths, such as qualifying spending via Delta Vacations or by spending on Delta co-branded credit cards (more on that later). Members with Delta Medallion status earn SkyMiles at a higher rate, and the status provides various additional perks at each level, rewarding the airline’s most loyal flyers.

In general, the Silver and Gold status levels are largely about earning miles at an increased rate, and additional services such as waived baggage fees and priority check-in. These tiers used to also offer better odds for upgrades, but in reality, Delta hands out very few upgrades these days, as higher demand for premium seats has allowed it to sell rather than give away premium economy and business class seats. The Platinum and Diamond tiers unlock Choice Benefits, such as upgrade certificates, bonus miles, or MQD accelerators.

The Various Ways To Earn Miles

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There are several ways to earn Delta SkyMiles, the most obvious being to fly with Delta or one of its partner airlines. Earning SkyMiles on flights is revenue-based, which means your fare (excluding government taxes and fees) equates to miles, and those purchasing higher value tickets or with higher Medallion status earn more miles per eligible dollar. If your company pays for travel credits you with miles, this is one of the cleanest ways to build a healthy balance.

Partner earnings are where many travelers miss out. You can credit any SkyTeam flight and other partner flights to SkyMiles, but the earning method may vary depending on how the ticket is marketed and issued and by fare class. When in doubt, confirm earnings on the booking confirmation and keep boarding passes until miles are posted to your account.

Beyond flights, Delta offers a myriad of other ways to earn SkyMiles:

Once you’ve tightened up flight and partner earnings, the biggest accelerant for most travelers is a well-chosen Delta American Express card. The next section breaks down the consumer cards and how to pick the right one.

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Boosting Miles With Delta Credit Cards

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Nearly ten million SkyMiles members also carry a Delta co-branded American Express card as a means to extract even more value from the program. The cards can deliver value in three ways: everyday mileage earnings, travel perks that reduce out-of-pocket costs, and award-related features that make redemptions more efficient. Delta also offers business versions, but the consumer lineup covers most travelers’ needs.

For those traveling with Delta just once or twice a year, the Delta SkyMiles Blue card is sufficient, with no annual fee and providing an easy way to accumulate miles. However, if you travel with Delta a bit more than that and/or regularly check bags, the Delta SkyMiles Gold card makes a lot more sense, as the $150 annual fee (free in the first year) is easily offset by the benefits of free checked bags and discounts on award flights.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum card comes with a $200 annual fee, step-up from Gold, so this only truly makes sense if you are a “road warrior” traveling frequently with Delta or based in a Delta hub city like Atlanta, New York, Minneapolis, or Detroit. The big benefit of Platinum over Gold is that you earn 3X miles for each dollar spent (versus 2X), can earn MQDs based on spend, and start the year with $2,500 MQDs, making it easier to achieve Medallion status.

If all or part of your frequent Delta travel includes international flights, then the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card can really come into its own. The higher annual fee is offset by the highest levels of MQD boost, as well as 15 free visits to SkyClub lounges. There is also a wide range of dining, ride-hailing, and Delta Stays credits that create additional perks.

Redeeming Your Delta SkyMiles

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In general, your best bet for getting the most value out of your SkyMiles will be to purchase an award flight directly through Delta’s website — either Delta-operated or partner flights booked through Delta. Because Delta uses dynamic pricing for awards, it is always best to start with flexible-date searches. Compare nearby days, alternative airports, and cabin differences, as a one-day shift can change pricing dramatically.

If you aren’t looking for any specific flight, stay up to date with Delta, as it regularly offers SkyMiles flash sales or high-value partner awards in specific regions. Most recently, there have been high-value redemption options with LATAM flights to Brazil and Korean Air flights within Asia. You should also keep up to date with Delta’s award sale page. The airline consistently posts limited-time award deals that are usually of great value. These deals change fairly frequently, so it’s worth checking back every few weeks or so.

Delta also offers a range of other popular ways to redeem miles:

The most common alternative use of miles is for upgrades or paying with miles and cash to reduce the cost of a ticket. As a rule of thumb, if the value of the redemption is significantly less than 1.5 cents per mile, you might want to pay cash instead and hold onto your miles for a rainy day. Treat miles like currency: spend them where they replace expensive cash costs.

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Reaching Million-Miler Status

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If you use Delta SkyMiles for long enough and travel frequently, you will notice a steady accumulation of miles visible as a running total in your SkyMiles account and the Fly Delta app. This is Delta’s Million Miler program, a lifetime flying milestone that rewards long-term loyalty with annual complimentary Medallion Status and recognition perks.

Million Miler credit is based on “Lifetime Flight Miles” — in other words, the actual flight miles you’ve flown over time, not your spend with Delta. It also includes award travel and qualifying partner-airline flights, but excludes Basic Economy fares. Once you hit a threshold, Delta grants complimentary Medallion status each year, plus recognition benefits.

Reaching the Million Miler threshold is very rare: Of the more than 120 million registered SkyMiles members, there are approximately 30,000 Delta Million Milers globally, or about 0.02% of all members. However, if you start with SkyMiles early enough and are fortunate to do plenty of international travel, the miles can accumulate toward a valuable, durable baseline status, even in years when you travel less.

The Invite-Only Delta 360° Tier

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There is one more tier in the SkyMiles program that few people know about. Delta 360° is Delta Air Lines’ most exclusive, invitation-only recognition tier for its highest-value SkyMiles customers. This is an annual membership offered to a very small percentage of flyers, typically drawn from the most loyal Diamond Medallion members, and based largely on overall loyalty and spending rather than a published qualification threshold. Delta describes it as follows on its website:

“Entry into Delta 360° is extended to a very small percentage of Diamond Medallion Members. Considerations include but are not limited to: overall Delta flight activity, premium product purchases (Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta First) and spending on Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards.”

Delta 360° members keep their normal Medallion tier but receive extra “white-glove” service and airport assistance. While Delta doesn’t publish a full benefits list, commonly cited perks include dedicated top-tier phone line/concierge-style support, elevated priority handling during disruptions, and special airport assistance on key routes. Some reports also point to premium lounge access, luxury gate transfers, and small exclusives like 360° bag tags and welcome/thank-you gifts.

In short: Delta 360° is the airline’s behind-the-scenes VIP layer — rare, invite-only, and centered on personalized service more than extra mileage-earning or upgrade mechanics. Invites are sent each year, and membership must be re-earned annually.