Calculator: What's The Value of Delta Airlines SkyMiles?

Delta Flights: 1.2 cents per mile.

The best way to get the most out of Delta SkyMiles is to redeem them for flights on Delta Airlines and their airline partners. This will give you an average redemption value of 1.2 cents per mile. So 10,000 SkyMiles translates to around $120 in flight value.

Delta Airlines has a handful of sweet spots when it comes to redeeming your SkyMiles for solid value.

Short-haul flights in the U.S.

Short-haul flights in the United States is one of the best uses of Delta SkyMiles. It's easy way to get from point A to point B for a small amount of SkyMiles. You can find round-trip flights ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 Delta SkyMiles on average between many cities.

Long-haul economy flights in the U.S.

You can get some bang out of your Delta SkyMiles when it comes to booking long-haul flights in Economy with Delta. This can typically give you average to higher-than-average value on your bookings.

For a round-trip flight from New York (JFK) to San Francisco in October, the cost in SkyMiles start for as low as 26,000 to 27,000 SkyMiles plus $12 in taxes. The lowest cost in cash for most of the flights between these two cities are $357. This gives Delta SkyMiles a cash value of around 1.3 cents each which is great value.

Cost in SkyMiles for flights from New York to San Francisco.

Cost in cash for flights from New York to San Francisco.

International redemptions

Delta has a handful of redemptions to international destinations that can net you some solid value. This includes:

• Flights to Brazil on LATAM
• Flights to the U.K. on Virgin Atlantic
• Flights with Korean Airlines
• Flights from the U.S. to Canada
• Flights from the U.S. to Middle East

These will mainly be for First, Business, and Delta One flights, but there's some sweet spots for economy as well for these particular flights and destinations.

All partner award bookings can be booked directly though the Delta website by entering your destination, dates, and selecting 'Shop with Miles'. Results for both Delta and airline partners will appear in the results.

I recommend using the 'My dates are flexible' option so that you can find the best value across multiple dates.

Fly one-way, across the U.S., from Boston to Vancouver, Canada for as little as 18,500 SkyMiles.

Delta flash sales & weekend getaways

Delta has weekend getaway deals to several destinations around the globe for anyone who wants to plan a quick weekend trip. These deals are usually heavily reduced and can save you some serious SkyMiles.

Along with weekend getaways, Delta also has consistent Flash Sales. These are random deals that pop up to excellent destinations for great value.

Both of these add to the reasons why I recommend keeping a stash of SkyMiles handy so you can be ready for that next deal to a place on your bucket list or to a favorite travel destination.

Delta Flash Sales & Weekend Getaways can save you some SkyMiles and offer great value.

Finding other great redemptions

The Delta SkyMiles program has a handful of sweet spots when it comes to redemptions. If you're looking for flights outside of the sweet spots mentioned, your best bet is to use Advanced Search and select the My Dates Are Flexible option when searching flights.

This allows you to easily toggle between seeing the cost of flights in SkyMiles and the cost of flights in cash. From there, you can easily calculate which flights offer you great value.

Below are a few examples of how to use Advance Search to find some solid redemptions.

Detroit to Orlando

For a round-trip flight from Detroit to Orlando in mid-August, I was able to find several great redemptions starting at 13,000 SkyMiles plus $12 in taxes/fees. Cash prices for the same flights started as low as $197 meaning these redemptions offer a value of 1.42 cents per SkyMile which is great.

Cost in cash for flights from Detroit to Orlando.

Cost in SkyMiles for flights from Detroit to Orlando.

Miles + Cash redemptions

Along with booking award flights using all miles, you can also book using Miles + Cash. This allows you to flexibility to pay for a flight using a combination of miles and dollars.

While that's a nice benefit to have, do note that you will not receive Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs), Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) or Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) for Miles + Cash redemptions. They are treated just like normal award tickets.

If you want to use your miles and still earn progress towards Delta Medallion status, you can consider the Pay with Miles option explained below.

Use your SkyMiles to upgrade your trip!

Seat upgrades

Delta SkyMiles can be used to upgrade your seat. This can be done at checkout while booking your trip or you can use your SkyMiles to a upgrade your seat on a trip you've already booked.

If you're reservation is eligible and you have enough Skymiles, you will see the options you have for upgrading your trip in the Trip Summary section when booking your trip and in the 'Select Seats' for money or miles section when in My Trips for a trip you have already booked.

Pay with Miles: 1 cent per mile.

Pay with Miles is an exclusive redemption option that is only available to Delta credit cardholders. It allows you to use Delta SkyMiles to reduce the overall cost of your flight in increments of 5,000 SkyMiles for a $50 credit. This comes out to 1 cent per mile.

Car Rentals: 0.84 cents per mile.

Redeeming Delta SkyMiles for car rentals through the Delta SkyMiles Marketplace will give your miles a value of about 0.84 cents. You'll be able to book car with all of the top car rental companies including Enterprise, Hertz, and Alamo.

Merchandise: 0.55 cents per mile.

Redeeming Delta SkyMiles for merchandise through the Delta SkyMiles Marketplace will give your points an average of 0.55 cents per mile, though it will vary based on what you're purchasing. There are a lot of products available ranging from suitcases and outdoor to kitchen appliances and Apple electronics.

Cruises: 0.47 cents per mile.

Using your Delta SkyMiles for cruise redemptions through the Delta SkyMiles Marketplace will give your miles a value of around 0.47 cents per mile. While the value isn't the best, being able to book a full cruise starting at 78,000 SkyMiles isn't too shabby for anyone who loves cruising.

Standard interior rooms ranged between 78,000 to 227,000 depending on the brand and length of cruise. The value of your SkyMiles will heavily depend on the brand.

Hotels: 0.42 cents per mile.

Redeeming Delta SkyMiles for hotels through the Delta SkyMiles Marketplace will give your miles an average value of 0.42 cents per mile. You'll be able to book hotels with Marriott, Wyndham, and other popular hotel chains.

You must have at least half of the miles required to reserve the room. You can pay cash for the remainder of the balance if you do not have enough SkyMiles.

Learn more: Best Hotel Credit Cards (+ Rewards Calculator)

Gift Cards: 0.41 to 0.69 cents per mile.

SkyMiles can be redeemed for a large variety of gift cards include dining, entertainment, gas, retail, and travel which will give you about 0.41 cents in value per mile. You can obtain as much as 0.69 cents per mile using SkyMiles towards Delta Gift Cards.

Experiences: value varies.

Delta SkyMiles can be used to bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Skymiles Experiences includes experiences such as VIP tickets to the Grammy's, Wine and Food tasting with well-known chefs, suite tickets to sporting events, and more. The value of these experience will depend solely on how much you value the event itself.

Convert Delta Miles To Dollars

Use the Delta SkyMiles Value Calculator to determine the dollar value of your miles when redeemed for flights, hotels, gift cards, and other rewards. This will give you an idea of the average value for all the redemption options available with your Delta SkyMiles.

Use Delta SkyMiles or Pay Cash?

Use our SkyMiles or Cash Calculator to determine the cash value of a redemption based on the cost in cash versus the cost in Delta SkyMiles. This tool is useful when trying to decide whether to use cash or SkyMiles to book a flight.

Credit Cards that earn Delta SkyMiles

Delta offers a total of seven co-branded American Express credit cards that you can use to earn SkyMiles. Not only does these cards earn SkyMiles for every $1 spent, but they also provide valuable benefits including free checked bags, annual companion passes, and priority boarding.

Credit Card	Highlights
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card Best For No Annual Fee Learn More View Referral Offer Card Value & SkyMiles Calculator	Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. No foreign transaction fee and no annual fee Terms Apply $0 annual fee (See Rates and Fees)
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Best For Free Checked Bags Learn More View Referral Offer Card Value & SkyMiles Calculator	Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets First checked bag free for yourself and up to 8 others traveling with you on the same reservation $100 flight credit every year that you spend $10,000 or more on the card Terms Apply $0 introductory annual fee fee, then $99 (See Rates and Fees)
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Best Overall For Delta Travelers Learn More View Referral Offer Card Value & SkyMiles Calculator	Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card Terms Apply $250 annual fee (See Rates and Fees)
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Best For Benefits & Medallion Status Chasers Learn More View Referral Offer Card Value & SkyMiles Calculator	Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases Domestic First Class round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card Complimentary Centurion Lounge access when traveling on Delta Enjoy Delta Sky Club® access at no cost. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 10 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. Terms Apply $550 annual fee (See Rates and Fees)
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card Best Business Card For Free Checked Bags Learn More View Referral Offer Card Value & SkyMiles Calculator	Limited Time Offer: Earn 75,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn an additional 5,000 Bonus Miles after you make an eligible Delta purchase with your new card within your first 6 months. Offer Ends 10/25/23. Earn 2X Miles on Delta and restaurant purchases. Earn 2X Miles on eligible purchases at U.S. shipping providers and eligible U.S. advertising purchases in select media. Effective 1/1/2024, this benefit will have a cap of $50,000 in eligible purchases per category, per year. First checked bag free for yourself and up to 8 others traveling with you on the same reservation $100 flight credit every year that you spend $10,000 or more on the card Terms Apply $0 introductory annual fee fee, then $99 (See Rates and Fees)
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card Best Overall For Delta Business Travelers Learn More View Referral Offer Card Value & SkyMiles Calculator	Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $8,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 Bonus Miles after you make an eligible Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 6 months. Offer Ends 10/25/23. Earn 3X Miles on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent on purchases made directly with hotels Earn 1.5X miles on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (that’s an extra half mile per dollar), up to 50,000 additional miles per year Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card Terms Apply $250 annual fee (See Rates and Fees)
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card Best Business Card For Benefits & Medallion Status Chasers Learn More View Referral Offer Card Value & SkyMiles Calculator	Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 Bonus Miles after you make an eligible Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 6 months. Offer Ends 10/25/2023. Earn 3X Miles on eligible purchases made directly with Delta Earn 1.5X Miles on eligible purchases the rest of the year after you spend $150,000 on your Card in a calendar year (that’s an extra half mile per dollar) Domestic First Class round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card Enjoy Delta Sky Club® access at no cost. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 10 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. Terms Apply $550 annual fee (See Rates and Fees)

American Express Membership Rewards is the only major credit card transfer partner of Delta SkyMiles.

Points earned in the program can be transferred to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio which means that every 1,000 AMEX points you transfer to Delta will give you 1,000 SkyMiles. This opens a handful of top-notch travel credit cards that you can use to earn tens of thousands of Delta SkyMiles via intro bonuses and everyday spending.

Here's just a few of our favorite Membership Rewards credit cards for Delta flyers:

Credit Card	Highlights
The Platinum Card® from American Express Best For Lounge Access & Luxury Travel Learn More View Referral Offer Card Value & Points Calculator	Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000, then 1X) Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel Earn 1X points on all other eligible purchases Global Airport Lounge Access including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Club Lounges (when flying Delta), Airspace Lounges, Escape Lounges, and Priority Pass Lounges Over $1,400 in annual credits which includes airline incidentals, Uber Cash, digital entertainment, Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection, and more Enroll in complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Hilton Honors Gold status Terms Apply $695 annual fee (See Rates and Fees)
American Express® Gold Card Best For Restaurants & U.S. Supermarkets Learn More View Referral Offer Card Value & Points Calculator	Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months. Earn 4X points at restaurants and on up to $25,000 in annual U.S. supermarket purchases Earn 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com Earn 1X points on all other purchases Up to $120 in Uber Cash credit each year Up to $120 in dining credits each year Terms Apply $250 annual fee (See Rates and Fees)
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express Best For Lounge Access & Luxury Business Travel Learn More View Referral Offer Card Value & Points Calculator	Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com Earn 1.5X points on select business purchases and on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per year Earn 1X points on all other eligible purchases Global Airport Lounge Access including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Club Lounges (when flying Delta), Airspace Lounges, Escape Lounges, and Priority Pass Lounges Over $1,400 in annual credits which includes Dell, Adobe, Indeed, CLEAR, and more Get 35% points back when you redeem points for all or part of an eligible flight booked with AMEX Travel Enroll in complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Hilton Honors Gold status Terms Apply $695 annual fee (See Rates and Fees)
American Express® Business Gold Card Best For Business Rewards Learn More View Referral Offer Card Value & Points Calculator	Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Earn 4X points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month Earn 1X points on all other purchases Get 25% points back when you redeem points for all or part of an eligible flight booked with AMEX Travel Terms Apply $295 annual fee (See Rates and Fees)
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express Best For Small Business & Miscellaneous Purchases Learn More Card Value & Points Calculator	No current offer. Earn 2X points on the first $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar thereafter No annual fee Terms Apply $0 annual fee (See Rates and Fees)