Ben Smithson Ben Smithson Senior writer Ben Smithson is a senior writer for TPG and is based in London. Originally from Australia and a qualified lawyer with a financial services background, he has almost a decade of experience writing about a broad range of travel and loyalty topics. also contributed to this story July 11, 2026 • 10 min read Jump to section Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Copy URL Email The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Editor's Note This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information. Since Delta Air Lines eliminated its award charts a decade ago, the Delta SkyMiles program has become notably more unpredictable and, at times, outrageously expensive. With business-class flights on long-haul routes often priced at over 450,000 SkyMiles, it's understandable to feel like your SkyMiles balance holds little value.
But if you have a stockpile of Delta miles, it is far from worthless. Excellent redemptions are still available, particularly during the carrier's award sales.
Let's explore some strategies for maximizing the value of your Delta SkyMiles.
Related: Delta Medallion status: What it is and how to earn it
A post shared by The Points Guy (@thepointsguy)
You can use your Delta SkyMiles to book Delta, Delta Connection and Delta Shuttle flights. Since Delta uses dynamic pricing, award rates can vary significantly. For example, one-way basic economy award rates from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) range from 22,600 to 25,800 miles in October and November 2026.
Taxes and fees are generally reasonable on Delta tickets. Expect to pay $6 per person in taxes and fees on most domestic and international tickets departing the U.S. However, Delta adds carrier-imposed surcharges on many awards outside the U.S., most notably those originating in Europe.
A great way to redeem Delta miles is to take advantage of SkyMiles deals. These deals typically apply to specific city pairs, so it may be necessary to book positioning flights to fully maximize these promotions.
For example, Delta has previously offered flash sales with round-trip flights for just 5,000 SkyMiles. The airline has also offered flights from Atlanta to the Caribbean and Mexico starting at 14,400 SkyMiles round-trip.
We will bring you great deals as we see them , too, like Delta One business class to Europe for just 115,000 SkyMiles on peak summer dates.
Daily Newsletter 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 Email address Sign up Submitting... By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe at any time.
If you have no immediate use for your SkyMiles, you may be best off saving them for the next big SkyMiles deal. Just be sure to keep an eye on Delta's SkyMiles Award Deals page .
If you have an eligible Delta credit card , you can save 15% on Delta-…