Delta SkyMiles partners

Delta has a massive airline network just on its own, but, if you’re looking for additional options to use your SkyMiles, you should search for rewards flights on Delta’s partner airlines.

Delta currently has 24 airline partners – 18 partners in the SkyTeam alliance and 6 additional airline partners – with which you can redeem SkyMiles. Awards flights on Delta’s partners are often more expensive than Delta awards flights, and flights can be difficult to find. In fact, some partners, such as AirEuropa, aren’t even listed on Delta’s website and require a call to Delta’s reservation line or to the partner’s reservation line. However, good deals can be found here and there.

See related: Best airline credit cards

Your gateway to Delta perks

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Why should you get it? Since its annual fee is waived in the first year (then $99 annually), the Delta SkyMiles Gold card is the most affordable option for scoring a large introductory bonus and perks with Delta Air Lines. Learn more

More things to know: Limited Time Offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles if you spend $2,000 in first 3 months (offer expires 4/28/2021) Receive $100 Delta flight credit when you make $10,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets 1 mile per dollar on other purchases First checked bag free on Delta flights Priority boarding privileges $0 annual fee in the first year ($99 thereafter) Terms apply

Also, many of these airlines are small, regional airlines, so their coverage is already limited:

Delta airline partners

On top of redeeming miles with these partners, you can elect to earn miles and Medallion Qualification Miles with many of Delta’s partners. You can earn only one airline currency at a time, so you’ll need to choose SkyMiles when you make your reservation by entering in your SkyMiles account number.

Elite members are also eligible for benefits on most of Delta’s airline partners. Benefits and mileage earnings depend on the type of partner – a regular partner, a preferred partner, a SkyTeam partner or a Skyteam Preferred partner. Here’s a quick summary of each:

Delta partner benefits

Medallion members are entitled to a list of standard benefits on all of Delta’s airline partners that are similar to the benefits that they receive on Delta flights. Depending on your level of status, these benefits include priority check-in, free baggage, priority boarding, preferred seating, lounge access and priority baggage handling.

Preferred partner benefits

With Delta’s preferred partners, you get additional benefits on top of regular partner benefits. The list varies by each partner, but generally includes upgrade privileges and mileage upgrade awards.

SkyTeam benefits

Through Delta’s membership in the SkyTeam alliance, you not only earn SkyMiles and elite status through any airline in the alliance, but you get a guaranteed list of benefits with every airline. Medallion members are granted either SkyTeam Elite status (Silver Medallion members) or SkyTeam Elite Plus status (Gold, Diamond and Platinum members). All SkyTeam Elite members receive priority waitlist, priority airport standby, priority check-in, extra baggage allowance, priority boarding, preferred seating and mileage upgrade awards. In addition, Elite Plus members get guaranteed reservations, priority security, priority baggage handling and lounge access.

Earning SkyMiles through Delta partners

On top of its airline partnerships, Delta allows you to earn SkyMiles through many travel partners, including Lyft, Airbnb and several hotel loyalty programs. Note that, with most of these programs, you can’t earn SkyMiles on top of the program’s rewards points. However, SkyMiles are more valuable than many of the points with these programs, so they may be the better choice:

Delta hotel partners

Delta car rental partners

Other Delta travel partners

Bottom line

As you can see, Delta Air Lines partners with a very large number of travel programs. The nature of the partnership varies quite a bit across the programs – some Delta partners allow you to earn points, others allow you to redeem points and enjoy elite status benefits, and some preferred partners offer additional benefits on top of your usual perks. Before you travel with a Delta partner, you should check to see which perks and earning opportunities you can take advantage of.

See Related: What are Delta SkyMiles worth?, Which Delta SkyMiles card is best for you?, Best ways to earn Delta SkyMiles, Best ways to redeem Delta SkyMiles, Delta elite status benefits, Delta Sky Club lounges, How to book a flight with Delta SkyMiles, Delta Skymiles Shopping guide