How to earn and maximize 100,000 Delta SkyMiles – The Points Guy
A message from our partner: Vacation harder with the new Delta Vacations. Earn up to 10,000 bonus miles on every vacation package, plus your miles are worth at least 15% more to every destination at any time. Click here to learn more.
Even without published award charts, the Delta SkyMiles program still offers lots of value. While uncovering the best deals requires effort, it’s well worth it. Occasionally, you can earn up to 100,000 SkyMiles with one credit card welcome bonus.
Today, we’ll explore ways to maximize 100,000 SkyMiles for domestic and international travel.
Earning Delta SkyMiles
There are many ways to earn Delta miles, including flying on Delta or other SkyTeam airlines and transacting with Delta’s partners. But generally, the fastest way to earn a significant number of miles is through credit card bonuses. You can earn SkyMiles with Delta’s cobranded American Express cards or transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Delta at a 1:1 ratio.
Here are the top current Delta cobranded credit card offers:
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Earn 65,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership. Offer ends Aug. 2, 2023. The card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 (see rates and fees).
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn 85,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership. Offer ends Aug. 2, 2023. The card has a $250 annual fee (see rates and fees).
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn 85,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership. Offer ends Aug. 2, 2023. The card has a $550 annual fee (see rates and fees).
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership. Offer ends Aug. 2, 2023. The card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then a $99 annual fee (see rates and fees).
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership. Offer ends Aug. 2, 2023. The card has a $250 annual fee (see rates and fees).
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership. Offer ends Aug. 2, 2023. The card has a $550 annual fee (see rates and fees).
You can easily earn bonus Delta miles through SkyMiles Dining program, which partners with numerous restaurants, bars and clubs. By dining at these establishments, you can accumulate Delta miles effortlessly.
Another way to earn is through Delta’s partnership with Lyft, where you can earn additional SkyMiles for every ride you take. Simply visit deltalyft.com to link your SkyMiles and Lyft accounts to begin earning miles. And the SkyMiles Shopping program offers a way to earn miles through online shopping at popular online retailers.
Related: Choosing the best credit card for Delta flyers
Maximize redeeming 100,000 SkyMiles
Although the SkyMiles program has faced criticism for devaluing long-haul business-class awards, our valuations peg SkyMiles at 1.41 cents apiece.
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts.
Despite its challenges, there are still many excellent ways to utilize SkyMiles. Delta regularly offers SkyMiles flash sales. Recently, the airline offered round-trip airfare to Auckland Airport (AKL) from most major U.S. airports for just 37,400 SkyMiles round-trip. Other sales have included round-trip flights from the New York area for just 5,000 SkyMiles. These sales are often not widely advertised, so bookmarking the flash sales page and staying updated on our deals page is recommended.
Sun and sand in Mexico
With widespread round-trip flights from 14,000 SkyMiles plus around $100, Delta offers bargain award rates on many of its flights to Mexico.
It’s important to note that these award flights are in the basic economy fare class. While you won’t have the option to select your seat in advance, you can bring a full-size carry-on bag onboard. While you might board last and potentially have to gate-check your bag, this won’t cost you any additional fees. With a welcome bonus of 100,000 miles, you could potentially secure seven round-trip tickets to Cancun.
Main cabin awards start at 20,000 SkyMiles round-trip.
Head to Hawaii
It’s hard to beat 14,000-mile round-trip flights to Cancun.
However, an 18,000-mile plus $11.20 round-trip flight to Honolulu is another solid choice. Again, this fare is in basic economy. If you want to book a main cabin award, expect to spend at least 25,000 SkyMiles round-trip.
White sand in the Bahamas
Basic economy awards to the Bahamas start at 14,000 SkyMiles plus $116.65 round-trip, meaning that a 100,000-mile sign-up bonus could cover seven seats to the Bahamas.
Main cabin awards cost 22,000 SkyMiles round-trip.
Round-trip to Europe
Europe is a highly sought-after destination for travelers, especially those seeking affordable flights using points and miles.
During SkyMiles flash sales, it is relatively easy to find flights to popular cities like Paris and Brussels for as low as 30,000 SkyMiles round-trip. Currently, prices are higher, but round-trip rates of 64,000 SkyMiles for basic economy or 80,000 SkyMiles in main cabin are widely available throughout the year from various Northeast departure cities.
Round-trip to South America in economy or Premium Select
Award flights to Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL) can be very low, with economy award rates from 44,000 SkyMiles in main cabin and 80,000 SkyMiles Premium Select plus $47.95.
Related: The best ways to get to Europe with points and miles
Bonus: WestJet flights to Canada
While all of the above redemptions focused on Delta-operated flights, one great partner award involves WestJet service. The carrier offers service from across the U.S. to several Canadian airports, including Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ), Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR). And awards are plentiful.
Here’s a calendar view of round-trip award availability for four passengers in economy from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Toronto next June.
These flights would cost nearly $600 per person, so you could fly your family of four to Canada (and back) for 100,000 miles plus just $250 in taxes and fees.
Bottom line
Smart travelers have plenty of opportunities to make the most of their Delta SkyMiles. Despite the lack of an award chart and frequent devaluations, fantastic deals are still available. However, finding these deals requires effort as award rates fluctuate over time.
By taking the time to earn SkyMiles through various means such as credit card spending, increased welcome bonuses, paid flights and the Delta shopping portal, you’ll be on your way to making the most of your hard-earned SkyMiles.
Additional reporting by Victoria Walker and Edward Pizzarello.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card, click here.
