If you’re a frequent flyer, you’ve probably accumulated a significant amount of Delta Skymiles. But have you ever wondered if you can use those miles to book flights on other airlines? The short answer is yes, but it’s a bit more complicated than that. In this article, we’ll explore how you can use your Delta Skymiles to book flights on partner airlines and what you need to know before you start booking. So, let’s get started!
Contents
- Can I Use Delta Skymiles on Other Airlines?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. Which airlines can I use my Delta Skymiles on?
- 2. How do I book a flight on a partner airline using Delta Skymiles?
- 3. Can I earn Skymiles when flying on partner airlines?
- 4. Can I use Skymiles to upgrade on partner airlines?
- 5. Are there any restrictions on using Skymiles on partner airlines?
- Delta SkyMiles: 6 Tips To Use Your SkyMiles (Like a Pro!) in 2020
- How Many Bags American Airlines?
- How To Fly Standby On American Airlines?
- Why Does My American Airlines Ticket Say Pending?
Can I Use Delta Skymiles on Other Airlines?
Delta Air Lines is a major American airline that operates a large network of domestic and international flights. The airline is a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, which includes 19 airlines from around the world. One of the benefits of being a Delta SkyMiles member is the ability to earn and redeem miles on other airlines, including SkyTeam partners and other non-alliance airlines. In this article, we will explore the options for using Delta SkyMiles on other airlines.
Using Delta SkyMiles on SkyTeam Partners
Delta SkyMiles members can redeem miles for flights on any of the 19 SkyTeam member airlines. This includes airlines such as Air France, KLM, Alitalia, and China Eastern. To book a SkyTeam award ticket using Delta SkyMiles, members can visit the Delta website or contact Delta reservations. One advantage of using SkyMiles for SkyTeam flights is that there are no blackout dates, so members can book award tickets on any available flight.
Another benefit of using SkyMiles for SkyTeam flights is that members can earn miles on the airline they are flying with. This means that if a member books a flight on Air France using SkyMiles, they will earn Air France Flying Blue miles in addition to Delta SkyMiles. Members can also earn elite qualifying miles and segments on SkyTeam flights, which can help them achieve elite status on Delta and other SkyTeam airlines.
Using Delta SkyMiles on Non-Alliance Airlines
In addition to SkyTeam partners, Delta SkyMiles members can also redeem miles for flights on several non-alliance airlines. These include airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, and Hawaiian Airlines. To book a flight on a non-alliance airline using SkyMiles, members can visit the Delta website or contact Delta reservations.
One advantage of using SkyMiles for non-alliance flights is that members can book one-way tickets, which are not always available when booking directly with the airline. Members can also book multi-city itineraries using SkyMiles, which can be useful for complex travel plans.
Benefits of Using Delta SkyMiles on Other Airlines
There are several benefits to using Delta SkyMiles on other airlines. One of the main benefits is the ability to access a larger network of flights and destinations. SkyTeam partner airlines operate in over 170 countries, which means that members can use their SkyMiles to book flights to a wide range of destinations around the world.
Another benefit of using SkyMiles on other airlines is that members can save money on flights. Delta frequently offers discounted award tickets on SkyTeam partner airlines, which can be a great way to stretch your miles further. Additionally, members can avoid paying cash for flights by using their SkyMiles balance to cover the cost of the ticket.
Delta SkyMiles vs. Other Airline Loyalty Programs
While Delta SkyMiles can be used on other airlines, it’s worth comparing the program to other airline loyalty programs to see how it stacks up. One advantage of Delta SkyMiles is that there are no blackout dates, which means that members can book award tickets on any available flight. However, some other airline programs may offer more generous redemption rates or better value for your miles.
Another factor to consider is the earning potential of the program. Delta SkyMiles members can earn miles through a variety of methods, including flying, credit card spending, and partner promotions. However, other programs may offer more opportunities to earn miles or more generous earning rates.
In Conclusion
Delta SkyMiles members have several options for using their miles on other airlines, including SkyTeam partners and non-alliance airlines. By booking award tickets on other airlines, members can access a larger network of flights and destinations, as well as save money on flights. However, it’s important to compare the benefits of Delta SkyMiles to other airline loyalty programs to ensure that you’re getting the best value for your miles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions and answers regarding the use of Delta Skymiles on other airlines:
1. Which airlines can I use my Delta Skymiles on?
Delta Skymiles can be used on any of Delta’s SkyTeam partners, which include airlines such as Air France, KLM, and Korean Air. Additionally, Delta has partnerships with other airlines outside of the SkyTeam alliance, including Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia.
It’s important to note that the availability of award seats on partner airlines may be limited, and the number of Skymiles required for a ticket on a partner airline may differ from Delta’s own award chart.
2. How do I book a flight on a partner airline using Delta Skymiles?
To book a flight on a partner airline using Delta Skymiles, you will need to search for award availability on Delta’s website or by calling Delta’s reservations line. Once you have found availability, you can book the flight using your Skymiles.
Keep in mind that some partner airlines may have different booking processes or fees when using Skymiles, so it’s important to check the specific airline’s policies before booking.
3. Can I earn Skymiles when flying on partner airlines?
Yes, you can earn Skymiles when flying on Delta’s partner airlines. However, the amount of Skymiles earned may vary depending on the airline and fare class. You can check Delta’s website for specific earning rates for partner airlines.
It’s also important to note that earning Skymiles on partner airlines may be subject to certain restrictions, such as flights marketed by one airline but operated by another.
4. Can I use Skymiles to upgrade on partner airlines?
In most cases, Skymiles cannot be used to upgrade on partner airlines. Delta’s upgrade policies only apply to Delta-operated flights. However, some partner airlines may offer their own upgrade options for Skymiles or other frequent flyer currencies.
If you are interested in upgrading on a partner airline, it’s best to check with the airline directly for their specific upgrade policies.
5. Are there any restrictions on using Skymiles on partner airlines?
Yes, there may be certain restrictions on using Skymiles on partner airlines. For example, some partner airlines may not allow one-way award bookings or may have blackout dates for award travel.
Additionally, the number of Skymiles required for a ticket on a partner airline may differ from Delta’s own award chart. It’s best to check the specific airline’s policies and award charts before booking.
Delta SkyMiles: 6 Tips To Use Your SkyMiles (Like a Pro!) in 2020
In conclusion, Delta Skymiles can be used on other airlines, but there are certain limitations that you need to be aware of. It is always best to check with Delta’s partner airlines to see if they accept Skymiles for award bookings.
If you have a Delta credit card, you can transfer your Skymiles to partner airlines, which can give you more options for award travel. However, it’s important to note that the transfer rates may vary and are subject to change.
Overall, Delta Skymiles can be a valuable currency for travel, whether you’re flying with Delta or one of its partner airlines. By understanding how to use your Skymiles on other airlines, you can potentially save money and enjoy a more comfortable travel experience.