What Are Delta SkyMiles?

Delta SkyMiles is one of the most rewarding and popular frequent flyer programs that exist. It offers a wide range of partners, top-tier credit card deals, and various benefits in frequent flyer miles. Delta was one of the most preferred travel programs around the globe. Now, one important question often pops up: Do Delta SkyMiles expire? If you are a big traveler or just starting to rack up some serious miles with Delta, knowing how their expiration policy works means you get the most of those points. Let’s dive in for everything you need to know about Delta Airlines miles expiration, how to prevent your miles from expiring and more.

Do Delta SkyMiles Expire?

One of the most alluring features of the SkyMiles program from Delta is that Delta Airlines miles do not expire if your account remains in good standing. Indeed, unlike most frequent flyer programs, where miles can run out after some period of inactivity, Delta will make it quite easy for members to hold onto those miles indefinitely—if certain conditions are met.

• No Expiration Policy: Delta SkyMiles never expire due to non-use. You earn SkyMiles in your account, and they will remain in your account unless you use them all up while keeping your account open and in good standing.
• Account Closure Risks: Here, your miles do not expire but the Delta airlines miles in case you close your account or if they close it for any reason that might be fraudulent activity or if you fail to obey their policies.
• Deactivation of an Account: All the miles may be forfeited in case your account is deactivated with a reasonable cause such as fraud suspicion or inactivity contrary to the terms of Delta. Hence, it will be very significant to maintain the account in an active position and within the rules of the program.

How Do I Use My SkyMiles?

You should know how to use Delta SkyMiles. Fortunately, Delta has provided so many options that you can easily find what you are looking for.

• Flights: These are probably some of the most frequently redeemed and most valuable redemptions on SkyMiles: flights. With its extensive network, you could have used your miles to travel using Delta or any of the other SkyTeam airlines. It will depend on the route you’re flying, class of service, and how much advance notice they have.
• Seat Upgrades: You can spend your SkyMiles on upgrading your seat ticket from Main Cabin into Delta Comfort+, First Class, or Delta One. Hence, with miles, you will find extra comfort and facilities on board.
• Delta Vacations Packages. You can use SkyMiles to book Delta Vacations packages, as well. Such packages enable you to book hotels, car rentals, and activities such that the miles will pay for including these experiences when traveling.
• Sky Club Access: You can redeem Sky Miles for Sky Club access when you travel through an airport that has one. For a fee, you may be able to use premium services and amenities at the Sky Club before your flight.
• Other Non-Mileage Rewards: SkyMiles can also be redeemed on non-flight products such as gift cards, donations to charities and various merchandise. This redemption process is not necessarily one of the best for getting mileage out of Sky Miles.

How Do I Prevent My Delta Miles From Expiring?

Even though Delta Airlines miles do not expire unless under special conditions, it is always good to keep your account active and not in bad standing. Here are some ways you can ensure that the miles do not expire.

• No Expiration: You will earn miles continually even though your miles do not expire because of inactivity. Keep earning miles from flights, credit card spending, and partner programs to maintain your account active.

• Use Your SkyMiles: Periodic redemption of your miles, no matter how small the reward, helps keep your account in good standing.
• Link Your SkyMiles Account to Partners: Shop through Delta with the SkyMiles Shopping portal and earn miles. Dine out with Delta’s Dining Rewards program to keep your miles balance growing.
• Check your account status: You should check your account so that you don’t experience issues that may cause the account to be deactivated or closed. Be careful of communications from Delta and act in line with their policies.

When did Delta SkyMiles stop expiring?

Delta SkyMiles have changed with time. The SkyMiles expiration policy has changed with time. SkyMiles would expire after sometime if a member did not use them. 

Before 2011: Delta had an expiration policy under which SkyMiles would expire after 24 months of inactivity.

Since 2011: Delta has ended the policy of SkyMiles expiring completely. It is an industry-wide movement, where most airlines have scrapped this policy to get their programs more attractive to their members.

Current Policy: SkyMiles do not expire for your account as long as you keep your account active and in good standing and comply with all the rules of the program.

How Long Do Delta SkyMiles Last?

The most obvious answer is that Delta SkyMiles never expire. Given the fact that your account remains active and in good standing, your miles are yours to keep forever. It is necessary to know that your account can be closed in certain circumstances by Delta airlines. It means that your miles will be lost completely.

No Expiration Date : Your SkyMiles never expire; you do not need to track an expiration date on your SkyMiles. They are good until you use them or close your account.

How Much Delta SkyMiles Do You Need to Get a Free Flight?

SkyMiles needed will depend on destination, class of service, and availability.

• Basic Economy Flights: A basic economy round-trip might cost between 12,000 to 20,000 depending on the route.
• Flights in Main Cabin: usually between 20,000 for domestic, but can be as high as international, and can range anywhere from 30,000 to 70,000 dollars for economy.
• Comfort+ and First Class: this is a great amount of miles to get redemptions with most international flights. They will range between 40,000 to 100,000 and some can run even higher.
• Delta One Flights: This will be high-value travel available on delta, costing 70,000 to 150,000 or more miles per flight.

Can I use Delta SkyMiles to pay for part of a ticket?

Yes, Delta offers the Miles + Cash option, where you can use a combination of miles and cash to book a ticket. That’s a very helpful feature when you don’t have enough miles for a full ticket but still want to redeem some miles for part of the cost.

Using the Miles + Cash option, you can apply as many miles as you want toward your flight, so you could use your miles for part of the ticket price. You can use this option when booking flights directly through the Delta website.

Which Airlines Can I Transfer Delta SkyMiles To?

Since Delta is a SkyTeam member, you can transfer or redeem your Delta SkyMiles at any other airline that is part of that alliance. Some such big international airlines are:

• Air France
• KLM
• Virgin Atlantic
• Korean Air
• Aeromexico

You can accrue and redeem miles with such airlines on a wide variety of flights around the world, thus raising your mileage in Delta much more.

How Many SkyMiles Will I Need for a Flight?

It really depends on where you want to go, which class of service you want to book, and when you book. This is a very general example:

Domestic short-hauls: 12,000 to 20,000 miles.

Long international flights: Might be worth 30,000-100,000 miles, all depending on class of service and availability.

Book well ahead and watch out for the flash sales to get maximum value out of your Delta miles.

Does Delta Charge to Transfer Miles?

Yes, Delta will charge a fee whenever you transfer the miles to another person. According to its policy right now, there is an assured minimum transfer of 1,000 miles but a transfer fee of $0.01 per mile. If you plan on transferring 10,000 miles, then a transfer fee will be charged upon the transferred miles which computes to $100.

If you want to find the information on flights, services, or even any other amenities relating to United Airlines reach out to Fly Travel Board at +1 (844) 539-5787 for expert support.