Delta SkyMiles, Delta Air Lines’ loyalty program, opens doors to a vast network of destinations worldwide. Understanding how to use Delta SkyMiles effectively can be the key to unlocking incredible travel experiences. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from finding SkyMiles award availability to maximizing your points with AwardFares. Let’s dive in!

Contents

• Things you need to know about Delta SkyMiles in 2025
• How to Find Delta SkyMiles Flights (Step-by-Step)
• How to Use Delta SkyMiles for Award Flights
• FAQs About Using Delta SkyMiles
• Maximize Your SkyMiles
• Related Articles

Things you need to know about Delta SkyMiles in 2025

• Dynamic Award Pricing: Delta uses a dynamic pricing model, meaning award prices fluctuate based on demand and route. SkyMiles have no published award charts, making it essential to search often for the best deals.
• Earning Miles: SkyMiles are earned based on the ticket price (for Delta flights) and status level. You can also earn miles by flying with SkyTeam partners, using Delta credit cards, and through partnerships with hotels and car rentals.
• Redeeming Miles: Delta SkyMiles can be redeemed for flights on Delta and SkyTeam airlines. Recently, Delta has introduced promotions such as discounted award flights on select routes.
• Medallion Status: Delta offers four elite status tiers: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Medallion. Benefits include complimentary upgrades, priority boarding, and bonus mileage earnings.
• Miles Never Expire: One of the perks of Delta SkyMiles is that your miles do not expire, making it easier to save for larger redemptions.

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How to Find Delta SkyMiles Flights (Step-by-Step)

1. Go to AwardFares

Creating an account is optional but recommended to unlock additional features. You can sign up here.

2. Select the Frequent Flyer Program

In the Frequent Flyer Program picker, select Delta SkyMiles.

3. Add a Route(s)

Enter your departure and arrival airports in the From and To fields. For example, you can search for flights between Atlanta (ATL) and Amsterdam (AMS).

4. Explore Travel Dates

If you have a specific travel date, select it by clicking on the Calendar field.

AwardFares will search for available flights, displaying results in a list view below.

You can also use the Timeline View to explore availability over multiple days. Different cabin classes are represented by color-coded bars.

5. Sort by Price

AwardFares makes it easy to sort and filter results. Tap on the header columns to sort by price, and use tags like Eco, Prem, Biz, and First to quickly find affordable awards.

6. Add more filters (optional)

Filter by cabin class, number of stops, aircraft type, or flight number to narrow down your results. You can also set a maximum price filter using the Max Price pill to focus on flights within your preferred mileage range.

In the example below, we exclude mixed cabins, filter by available seats in Premium Economy, and that cost under 150k miles.

7. Book with Delta

Once you’ve found your desired flight, click the Book button.

AwardFares will redirect you to Delta’s website, where your search criteria will be pre-filled for seamless booking.

How to Use Delta SkyMiles for Award Flights

Delta SkyMiles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and even experiences, but the best value often comes from booking award flights. Here’s how to make the most of your SkyMiles:

1. Search for Award Availability: Use AwardFares to quickly check which flights are available for SkyMiles redemptions. Delta’s website doesn’t show all partner availability, so a third-party tool can help you find better options.
2. Understand Dynamic Pricing: Unlike other programs, Delta does not publish award charts. This means SkyMiles prices fluctuate, sometimes dramatically. Searching frequently is key.
3. Book with SkyMiles Deals: Delta often runs promotions on select routes where redemptions cost fewer miles. Look out for “SkyMiles Deals” to save points.
4. Use SkyMiles for Upgrades: If you’ve already booked a cash ticket, you can use SkyMiles to upgrade to a higher cabin.
5. Combine Cash & Miles: If you don’t have enough SkyMiles for a full ticket, Delta allows you to pay partially with miles and cash.

FAQs About Using Delta SkyMiles

How do I use Delta SkyMiles to book a flight?

You can use SkyMiles to book award flights through Delta’s website, but for the best availability, search using AwardFares. Simply enter your route, travel dates, and SkyMiles as your frequent flyer program to see real-time award options.

What is the best way to use Delta SkyMiles?

The best way to use SkyMiles is for award flights on Delta and SkyTeam partners. Look for low-mileage redemptions and avoid cash + miles options, which usually give lower value.

Do Delta SkyMiles expire?

No, Delta SkyMiles never expire, allowing you to save up for larger redemptions.

Can I transfer Delta SkyMiles to another airline?

SkyMiles cannot be transferred to other airlines, but you can use them to book flights on Delta’s partners like Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic.

Maximize Your SkyMiles

AwardFares lets you find award flights across different frequent flyer programs in just seconds, and with a few clicks. You can get started for free, even without creating an account!

As we are rolling out new features every week, make sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay on top of the latest and pro guides.

With our Gold and Diamond tiers, you can access premium features such as unlimited daily searches, alerts, seat maps, flight schedules, and more.

Related Articles

Our guides have all the information you need to be a pro travel hacker and explore the world on points. Here are some related posts you might enjoy:

• What To Do With 100k Delta SkyMiles? Finding SkyMiles Sweet Spots
• Delta One Suites A330-900neo Review: Buenos Aires to New York
• The Stunning Delta One Lounge at New York (JFK): Mind-blowing