5 Ways To Spend Delta SkyMiles Without Flying

While flying domestically is one of the most popular ways of spending Delta SkyMiles, there are plenty of options that Delta Air Lines offers that allow you to spend the airline’s SkyMiles without flying. One could simply buy extra miles to boost your SkyMiles balance or use the miles to attend some of the world’s major sporting events. But there are some other options too – let’s find out the details of how you can spend Delta SkyMiles without flying.

Related

How Many Delta SkyMiles Do You Need For A Free Flight?

The answer can vary by route and date.

While you can earn Delta SkyMiles after taking a flight, taking to the skies with Delta Air Lines isn’t the only way to earn your miles. You can buy a mile for $0.035, though there might also be hidden costs. After purchasing additional SkyMiles, you can use them for various options, such as:

• Upgrades
• Delta Sky Club® membership as a Medallion Member.

Photo: Ryan Fletcher | Shutterstock

The purchased miles will be applied to the respective account within 24 hours, with a minimum of 2,000 miles per transaction and a maximum of 60,000 miles per transaction. Buying a mile costs $0.035. According to Delta Air Lines, some of the details of the miles purchased include:

• Purchased miles are applicable for all SkyMiles awards
• Miles purchased through the Buy Miles program are non-refundable
• All transactions are processed in U.S. Dollars
• Note: These miles do not qualify toward Medallion® Status
• Maximum mileage deposited to a SkyMiles account per year: 60,000

There are some hidden fees that are included while buying miles. According to the airline, these include:

“ All amounts paid by Purchaser for the purchase of Miles pursuant to this Agreement are exclusive of a U.S. federal excise tax (currently seven and one-half percent (7.5%) and subject to change). An additional 5% GST and/or other applicable taxes apply to purchases by Canadian residents. “

1

Give the gift of miles

The rate for gifting a mile is the same as that for purchasing a mile.

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles can be given to a maximum of four people in one transaction, and there is no upper limit on the number of transactions that can be made. Some more facts and figures to be aware of include:

• The rate per mile (for gifting) is $0.035.
• The minimum per transaction is 2,000 miles, and the maximum is 60,000.
• A member may receive up to 60,000 miles per year.
• A round-trip Award Ticket within the United States is available for as little as 25,000 miles.

Photo: Kevin Hackert | Shutterstock

There might be hidden charges when it comes to transferring the miles to friends or family. Regarding the matter, Delta Air Lines states:

“ Taxes and fees for award travel are the responsibility of the passenger and must be paid at the time the ticket is booked. Award travel seats and complimentary upgrades are limited and may not be available on all flights or in all markets. Delta is not responsible for goods or services offered by any companies participating in miles promotions. Partner offers subject to the terms and conditions of each individual offer. “

2

Transfer miles to friends and family

You can transfer Delta SkyMiles to your friends and family for $0.01 per mile.

If you don’t want to spend the Delta SkyMiles on yourself, you could transfer them to your friends or family. The airline gives the fantastic opportunity to transfer Delta SkyMiles from your personal SkyMiles account to another SkyMiles account in increments of 1,000 miles. However, there are some charges involved:

• $30 processing fee per transaction.
• $0.01 per mile.

Whether transferring the SkyMiles is worth it or not is something that needs to be reviewed thoroughly. According to NerdWallet:

“One Delta mile (is valued) at just 1.2 cents …. Transferring 30,000 miles — worth roughly $390 — would cost you about $330 in combined fees. In most cases, transferring miles isn’t worth it, given they lose so much value (in this scenario, it’s 85% of the overall value).”

One can give a maximum of 150,000 miles per year, while an individual SkyMiles account can receive up to 300,000 miles per year.

3

Donate your miles with SkyWish

You can donate your SkyMiles to UNICEF, Make-a-Wish, and other charitable foundations.

Photo: GB-Photographie | Shutterstock

You can donate your SkyMiles to a variety of good causes around the US, Asia, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The charities you could donate the SkyMiles to, and how these SkyMiles are used are stated below:

• The American Red Cross: to provide critical aid for those in need.
• Make-A-Wish: to help critically ill children travel with their families to wish destinations.
• The National Human Trafficking Hotline: to help survivors as well as victims to rebuild their lives.
• UNICEF: to cater to the needs of the world’s most vulnerable children by delivering healthcare, safety, educational materials, water, and more.
• BCRF: to advance the study of breast cancer science.
• Canine Assistants: for transportation of service dogs to better the lives of adults as well as children with disabilities.
• CARE: to defeat poverty, save lives, and achieve social equity.
• Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®: for the transportation of kids needing treatment to (pediatric) specialists across the country.

This option goes hand-in-hand with the airline’s community projects throughout the US, some of which are showcased in the video below:

Delta’s SkyMiles can get you access to major sporting events across the country.

You can use the Delta SkyMiles for a number of sporting events taking place throughout the world. One of these is the New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the NASCAR Cup Series race. There are five different packages available for this event. The perks of one of these 5 packages, according to Delta Airlines, are:

• Two Luxury Suite Seats in Concord Suite #1 at NHMS in Loudon, NH for the NASCAR Cup Series Race on Sunday, June 23, 2024, that includes:
  • Suite located near Pit Exit into Turn 1
  • Climate-controlled seating
  • Catered food menu
  • All-inclusive beverages including soda, water, beer, and wine
• Two pre-race track passes for Sunday, June 23, 2024
• One VIP Parking Pass for Sunday, June 23, 2024
• Access for two for a Magic Mile Track Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024
• Two signed hats by a driver participating in NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday, June 23, 2024

Photo: Grindstone Media Group | Shutterstock

In other packages, the perks are fairly similar, but there are subtle differences between what is on offer. The other sporting events that one can be a part of are:

• Trackside Access & pre-race access to NASCAR Ally 400 in Nashville, Tennessee
• NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona plus hot Lap Ride and Victory Lane Access
• Skip Barber Racing School One Day Program is available at a number of locations.
• VIP passes to JAS Aspen Snowmass on Labor Day Weekend.

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Have you spent your Delta Air Lines SkyMiles without flying? Let us know how by commenting below.