Quick Overview
- How much are Delta SkyMiles worth? SkyMiles average about 1.2 cents per mile when redeemed for award flights (your best-value use).
- Best redemption (highest value): Use SkyMiles for Delta and partner award flights—especially when you can find lower-priced awards or promo deals.
- Delta miles to dollars “floor” value: With Pay with Miles, eligible Delta Amex cardholders can get $50 off for 5,000 miles (about 1 cent per mile).
- Lower-value redemptions: Options like hotels, car rentals, gift cards, and merchandise typically return less than flights and are best for convenience when you can’t use miles for travel.
Top Partner Cards To Earn Delta SkyMiles Fast
These partner cards offer the best sign-up bonuses for Delta SkyMiles. View card details through our partners or use our calculators to estimate total value.
At-a-glance: Delta miles value
Delta SkyMiles are worth 1.2 cents per mile on average when booking award flights based on our valuations. All other redemptions will give you anywhere from 0.41 to 1 cents per mile.
| Redemption Option | Value Per Mile |
|---|---|
| Award flights with Delta and their partners | 1.1 – 1.3 cents |
| Pay with miles redemptions | 1 cent |
| Car rentals | 0.84 cents |
| Hotels | 0.42 cents |
Awards flights (1.2¢ per mile)
The best way to get the most out of Delta SkyMiles is to redeem them for award flights on Delta and eligible airline partners. Based on our valuations, flight awards average about 1.2 cents per mile, so 10,000 SkyMiles translates to roughly $120 in flight value.
Delta doesn’t publish a traditional award chart and prices awards dynamically, so “sweet spots” are usually about finding unusually low award pricing (often through Award Deals) or booking the right partner flights when pricing and availability line up.
Short-haul U.S. flights (best for Award Deals): You can sometimes find short domestic round-trips priced in the low five-figures of SkyMiles during Delta Award Deals and flash sales (pricing varies widely by date and city pair).
Long-haul U.S. economy flights: Longer domestic routes can deliver above-average value when cash fares spike but the mileage price stays relatively reasonable—always compare the cash price vs. the SkyMiles price.
International partner redemptions (good value when priced well): Delta SkyMiles can be used for partner award travel, and these routes are worth checking when you see favorable pricing and availability:
- U.S. ↔ Brazil / South America on LATAM
- U.S. ↔ U.K. on Virgin Atlantic
- Flights on Korean Air (Asia)
- U.S. ↔ Canada
- U.S. ↔ Middle East via partners
Delta flash sales & weekend getaways: If you’re flexible, Award Deals and flash sales are one of the most reliable ways to score outsized value with SkyMiles.
Pay with Miles (1¢ 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.
This is a decent option if you don't have enough miles for an award flight, but still want to shave some money off the cost of your flight.
Car Rentals (~0.84¢ 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.
Hotels (~0.42¢ 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.
Other redemptions
Other ways you can redeem your Delta SkyMiles includes:
Delta Vacations: Use our miles to cover some or all of a Delta Vacation package which includes flights, hotels, rides, activities and more.
Upgrades: Upgrade your seat/class while booking or after booking.
Premium Drinks: SkyMiles can be redeemed for premium drinks and beverages in the Delta Sky Club.
Products & Services: Put your SkyMiles towards preferred seats, ticket change fees, same-day confirmed fees, and external ticket charges.
Experiences: Use miles to bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as VIP tickets to the Grammy's, Wine and Food tasting with well-known chefs, suite tickets to sporting events, and more.
Delta miles value table
The table below lists the value of Delta SkyMiles when redeemed at an average of 1.2 cents per mile towards award flights.
| Delta SkyMiles | Cash Value |
|---|---|
| 1 Mile | $0.012 |
| 1,000 Miles | $12 |
| 5,000 Miles | $60 |
| 10,000 Miles | $120 |
| 15,000 Miles | $180 |
| 20,000 Miles | $240 |
| 25,000 Miles | $300 |
| 40,000 Miles | $480 |
| 50,000 Miles | $600 |
| 60,000 Miles | $720 |
| 70,000 Miles | $840 |
| 80,000 Miles | $960 |
| 90,000 Miles | $1,080 |
| 100,000 Miles | $1,200 |
| 110,000 Miles | $1,320 |
| 125,000 Miles | $1,500 |
Want to know what your specific balance is worth? Use the Delta SkyMiles Value Calculator to convert any amount of miles to dollars.
How Delta SkyMiles value is calculated
Delta SkyMiles don’t have one fixed cash value. Your cents per mile depends on the cash price of what you’re booking, how many miles Delta wants for the redemption, and any taxes and fees you still pay. Because Delta award pricing is dynamic, the same route can price very differently across dates.
To calculate the value of SkyMiles for a redemption, use:
- Cents per mile = ((cash price − taxes/fees you still pay) ÷ miles required) × 100
Example: If a flight costs $500 in cash, or 40,000 miles + $11.20 in taxes/fees, then:
- (($500 − $11.20) ÷ 40,000) × 100 = 1.22 cents per mile.
One important exception is Pay with Miles, which Delta prices in fixed chunks: $50 off for 5,000 miles (about 1 cent per mile) for eligible Delta Amex cardmembers. This is the "floor" value for Delta SkyMiles.
How does Delta miles value compare?
Here's how Delta SkyMiles value stack up against other major U.S. airlines:
| Program | Average Value |
|---|---|
| American Airlines AAdvantage Miles | 0.6 – 2 cents |
| United MileagePlus Miles | 0.3 – 2 cents |
| JetBlue TrueBlue Points | 0.75 – 1.5 cents |
| Alaska Atmos Rewards Points Value | 1.5 cents |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Points | 0.25 – 1.3 cents |
| Delta SkyMiles | 0.42 – 1.3 cents |
| Frontier Airlines FRONTIER Miles | 1 cent |
| myAllegiant Rewards Points | 1 cent |
| Free Spirit Points | 1 cent |
Delta SkyMiles tends to be a more variable currency than programs like JetBlue and Southwest, because pricing can swing a lot by route and date. That’s why the value range for Delta is narrower on the high end than American or United, which can sometimes produce bigger “outsized” wins when the right partner award space shows up.
Where SkyMiles shines is the day-to-day practicality: Delta frequently runs award sales, and you can often find solid value on domestic economy and certain international routes if you’re flexible with dates. In other words, Delta may not always be the best “jackpot” program, but it can still be very efficient for travelers who want to book trips they’d actually pay cash for.
What it comes down to is: American and United can offer a higher ceiling in the right scenario, Alaska can be strong when it fits your routes, and Delta is often best when you’re willing to shop dates and grab good pricing when it appears—especially for economy awards and sale pricing.
Credit cards that earn Delta SkyMiles
The best credit cards for earning Delta SkyMiles will be one of Delta's own co-branded credit cards or an American Express Membership Rewards credit card.
Delta SkyMiles credit cards
Delta offers a range of co-branded credit cards—Blue, Gold, Platinum, and Reserve—each with its own set of benefits tailored to different types of Delta travelers. Whether you're a casual flyer or a frequent flyer, there's a Delta card that can help you earn SkyMiles and enjoy valuable perks.
Here’s a breakdown of Delta’s co-branded credit cards and the benefits they offer:
Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases.
Earn 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the US.
Earn 1X Mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Access to Delta Pay with Miles
20% off Delta in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets
Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
First checked bag free for cardholder and companions
15% off Delta Award flights booked through Delta
$200 Delta flight credit after spending $10K
Up to $100 Delta Stays Credit for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays
Access to Delta Pay with Miles
Priority Zone 5 boarding
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.
Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card
Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year
First checked bag free for cardholder and companions
15% off Delta Award flights booked through Delta
Up to $150 Delta Stays Credit for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays
Up to $120 in Resy credits
Up to $120 in rideshare credits
Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card
15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club plus 4 One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year
Complimentary Centurion lounge access when you book a Delta flight
Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year
15% off Delta Award flights booked through Delta
Upgrade priority over those with the same Medallion status
Up to $200 Delta Stays Credit for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays
Up to $240 Resy credit and up to $120 rideshare credit
First checked bag free you and traveling companions
Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent at restaurants.
Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases at U.S. shipping providers and eligible U.S. advertising purchases in select media on up to $50,000 in eligible purchases per category, per year.
Earn 1 Mile on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
First checked bag free for cardholder and companions
15% off Delta Award flights booked through Delta
$200 Delta flight credit after spending $10K
Up to $150 Delta Stays Credit for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays
Access to Delta Pay with Miles
Priority Zone 5 boarding
Earn 3 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent on purchases made directly with hotels.
Earn 1.5 miles per dollar 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.
Earn 1 Mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases.
Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card
Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year
First checked bag free for cardholder and companions
15% off Delta Award flights booked through Delta
Up to $200 Delta Stays Credit for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays
Up to $120 in Resy credits
Up to $120 in rideshare credits
Earn 3X Miles on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.
Earn 1.5X miles on eligible transit, U.S. shipping, and U.S. office supply store purchases
After you spend $150,000 on your Card in a calendar year, you earn 1.5 Miles per dollar (that’s an extra half mile per dollar) on eligible purchases the rest of the year.
Earn 1 Mile on every dollar on all other purchases.
Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card
15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club plus 4 One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year
Complimentary Centurion lounge access when you book a Delta flight
Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year
15% off Delta Award flights booked through Delta
Upgrade priority over those with the same Medallion status
Up to $250 Delta Stays Credit for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays
Up to $240 Resy credit and up to $120 rideshare credit
First checked bag free you and traveling companions
American Express Membership Rewards credit cards
Delta SkyMiles can be earned using the American Express Membership Rewards program. Points earned in the program can be converted into Delta SkyMiles at a rate of 1,000 AMEX points for 1,000 Delta SkyMiles.
One of the big benefits of AMEX is that their top-tier personal and business Platinum cards offer complimentary Delta SkyClub access which is a big plus if you want to earn flexible travel rewards while still receiving benefits with Delta.
Here are our favorite Membership Rewards credit cards for Delta:
Intro Bonus
You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Earning Rates
Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year
Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
Earn 1X points on all other purchases.
Key Benefits
Over $3,500 in annual credits
Complimentary global lounge access to 1,550+ airport lounges
Complimentary status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors
Access to Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection
Superb travel and purchase coverage
Intro Bonus
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Earning Rates
Earn 5X points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1X).
Earn 4X points at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1X).
Earn 3X points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X points on all other eligible purchases.
Key Benefits
Over $400 in annual credits
Access to The Hotel Collection which grants extra benefits on stays
Travel & purchase coverage
No foreign transaction fees
Intro Bonus
Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express® Green Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earning Rates
Earn 3X points per $1 spent on travel, transit, and at restaurants worldwide.
Earn 1X points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Key Benefits
Up to $199 in statement credits towards CLEAR® Plus Membership.
Travel & purchase coverage.
Intro Bonus
You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Earning Rates
Earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
Earn 1X points for each dollar you spend on all other eligible purchases.
Key Benefits
Over $4,000 in annual credits
Complimentary global lounge access (Centurion Lounges, Delta SkyClub Lounges, Priority Pass Lounges, and more)
35% point rebate on airfare booked via AMEX Travel
Access to Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection
Superb travel and purchase coverage
Intro Bonus
You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Earning Rates
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month
Earn 3X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 1X points on all other purchases.
Key Benefits
Up to $300 ChatGPT Business credit
Up to $240 in Flexible Business credit
Up to $155 in Walmart+ Membership credit
Up to $150 Squarespace Credit
Benefits when booking through The Hotel Collection
Travel & purchase coverage
Intro Bonus
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
Earning Rates
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on the first $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar thereafter.
Key Benefits
Spend beyond your credit limit
FAQs: Delta Skymiles value
Is there a Delta SkyMiles Value Calculator?
Yes. This page features a full Delta SkyMiles Value Calculator for converting Delta miles to average dollar value when redeemed in various ways. It also supports calculating worth for miles + cash redemptions and custom scenarios.
How much are Delta SkyMiles worth?
On average, SkyMiles are worth about 1.2 cents per mile for award flights based on our valuations, with other redemptions often landing lower.
How do I convert Delta miles to dollars?
Multiply your miles by your target value. Using our flight average, dollars ≈ miles × 0.012.
Is Pay with Miles always 1 cent per mile?
Pay with Miles applies SkyMiles in 5,000-mile increments for $50 off (about 1 cent per mile) for eligible Delta AMEX cardmembers.
Do Delta SkyMiles expire?
Delta SkyMiles do not expire.
How much are 1,000 Delta SkyMiles worth?
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