One of the biggest advantages that codeshare agreements and airline alliances bring for passengers is being able to earn miles through partner airlines. For example, one flying on LATAM Airlines flights is able to earn miles in Delta Air Lines’ SkyMiles frequent flier program. Typically, miles earned through partner airlines are earned at reduced rates and have certain restrictions.
According to Delta Air Lines’ website, passengers can earn SkyMiles on more than 20 airlines worldwide. While most airlines (18 + Aeroflot, whose membership has been suspended) are in the SkyTeam Alliance, seven carriers award SkyMiles outside of the alliance. These carriers are LATAM Airlines, airBaltic, ELAL, Hawaiian Airlines, Cape Air, WestJet, and China Southern Airlines.
If a flight is marketed by Delta, passengers earn miles based on the fare cost and Medallion status. Naturally, those flying in premium cabins and having higher statuses within the SkyMiles program will earn more. Miles are earned on the base fare at the following rates (per status):
- General member (no status): 5 miles per dollar
- Silver Medallion: 7 miles per dollar
- Gold Medallion: 8 miles per dollar
- Platinum Medallion: 9 miles per dollar
- Diamond Medallion: 11 miles per dollar
Earning miles on partner airlines through tickets not sold by Delta are different, and each airline has its own rates and rules.
LATAM Airlines
LATAM Airlines Group is formed by two major former South American Airlines, LAN (from Peru) and TAM (from Brazil). LATAM used to be part of the oneworld Alliance, but left shortly into the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, LATAM and Delta Air Lines have a joint-venture agreement and a partnership that has seen a significant increase in operations between the United States and South America.
Related
Delta Air Lines Celebrates One Year Of Its Joint Venture With LATAM
Six routes have been announced since the launch of the joint venture, with two already in operation.
Passengers flying in 13 different classes on LATAM can earn SkyMiles based on percentages in the table below multiplied by flight distance. If a class is not listed, no miles are earned. No miles are earned for award travel.
|
PURCHASED FARE CLASS |
TOTAL MILES EARNED |
MEDALLION QUALIFICATION DOLLARS |
MEDALLION MILEAGE BONUS |
|
Business – J |
200% |
40% |
✅ |
|
Discounted Business – C |
200% |
30% |
✅ |
|
Discounted Business – D, I, Z |
150% |
30% |
✅ |
|
Premium Economy – W |
150% |
25% |
✅ |
|
Premium Economy – P |
125% |
25% |
✅ |
|
Full Economy – Y, B |
125% |
20% |
✅ |
|
Full Economy – H |
100% |
20% |
✅ |
|
Economy – K, M |
100% |
15% |
✅ |
|
Economy – L, V |
75% |
15% |
✅ |
|
Discounted Economy – X |
75% |
10% |
✅ |
|
Discounted Economy – S |
50% |
10% |
✅ |
|
Deep Discounted Economy – N, Q |
50% |
5% |
✅ |
|
Deep Discounted Economy – O, G, A |
25% |
5% |
✅ |
airBaltic
airBaltic is a young, 28-year-old carrier based in Latvia. Throughout its short history, airBaltic has operated several aircraft types, from Saab to Fokker and now the Airbus A220. Today, the airline serves more than 70 destinations with its all-A220 fleet.
Photo: airBaltic
SkyMiles members flying on Delta-marketed flights that are operated by airBaltic earn miles and earn towards Medallion Status. SkyMiles numbers should be added to the reservation prior to travel, but within nine months of the flight, can request a retroactive credit. Some of the rules on earnings on airBaltic flights are in the photo below.
EL AL
EL AL is Israel’s flag carrier. Launched in 1948, EL AL has grown its fleet to 47 aircraft, all Boeing, including the 777, 787, and 737, and now serves more than 50 destinations. The airline is famous for having anti-missile defense systems on its planes.
Related
Why Israeli Airlines Have Anti-Missile Defenses On Their Planes
EL AL is not part of any alliance, but its reciprocal codeshare agreement with Delta is a step toward joining SkyTeam, should it choose to do so. Like with LATAM, SkyMiles are earned on EL AL flights based on the class of service and distance flown, and award tickets do not earn miles. The full breakdown is below:
|
PURCHASED ACCRUAL CLASS |
TOTAL MILES EARNED (% OF DISTANCE FLOWN) |
MEDALLION QUALIFICATION DOLLARS (% OF DISTANCE FLOWN) |
MEDALLION MILEAGE BONUS |
|
Business: I, D, Z, J, C |
100% |
20% |
✅ |
|
Premium Economy – W, Q, B, P |
75% |
20% |
✅ |
|
Economy: Y, M |
50% |
15% |
✅ |
|
Economy: K |
50% |
10% |
✅ |
|
Economy: V, S, L, H, N |
25% |
10% |
✅ |
|
Economy: G, O, U |
25% |
5% |
✅ |
CapeAir
CapeAir is a small airline headquartered in Massachusetts, operating in New England, Montana, the Midwest, and in the Caribbean. Using its fleet of 64 Cessna 402s, 4 Britten-Norman Islanders and 30 Tecnam P2012 Travellers, Cape Air serves 37 destinations. Passengers traveling on CapeAir on certain flights from Boston, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Croix, and Billings can earn SkyMiles, so long as tickets are purchased in Delta channels (operated and marketed by Cape Air and ticketed by Delta). Miles are earned at the rate shown in the photo below:
China Southern
China Southern was a member of the SkyTeam alliance until January 2020. In 2007, China Southern became the first Chinese carrier in the alliance, but by the time they left, China Eastern was also a member. China Eastern’s membership was one of the main reasons China Southern decided to exit and pursue other partnerships.
Related
Why Did China Southern Quit Skyteam?
Despite its exit from the alliance, passengers flying on China Southern can still earn SkyMiles on the following flights:
- China Southern-marketed/China Southern-operated
- Delta-marketed/China Southern-operated
- China Southern-marketed/Delta-operated
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Flights marketed by Delta earn at the following rates:
|
PURCHASED FARE CLASS |
TOTAL MILES EARNED |
MEDALLION QUALIFICATION DOLLARS |
MEDALLION MILEAGE BONUS |
|
First – F |
100% |
20% |
N/A |
|
Business – J, C, D, I |
100% |
20% |
N/A |
|
Premium Economy – W, S |
100% |
20% |
N/A |
|
Full Economy – Y |
100% |
15% |
N/A |
|
Economy – P, B, M, H, K |
50% |
10% |
N/A |
|
Discounted Economy – U, A, L, Q |
50% |
10% |
N/A |
|
Discounted Economy – E |
50% |
5% |
N/A |
|
Deep Discounted Economy – V, Z, T, N, R |
25% |
5% |
N/A |
No miles are earned for award travel.
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines is the largest airline in the state of Hawai’i. Founded in 1929, it first began operating flights between islands. Fast-forward 95 years, and it now operates internationally and recently added the Boeing 787 to its fleet. Today, Hawaiian is one of three remaining Boeing 717 operators worldwide.
Passengers flying on interisland flights on Hawaiian are eligible for earnings with SkyMiles. Earnings are also broken down by booking fares and award tickets are not eligible for earnings.
|
PURCHASED FARE CLASS |
TOTAL MILES EARNED |
MEDALLION QUALIFICATION DOLLARS |
MEDALLION MILEAGE BONUS |
|
First – F, P, J, C, A |
100% |
20% |
N/A |
|
Full Economy – Y |
100% |
20% |
N/A |
|
Economy – W, V, X |
50% |
10% |
N/A |
|
Discounted Economy – Q, S, N |
50% |
10% |
N/A |
|
Deep Discounted Economy – H, I, B, M, G, L, K |
25% |
5% |
N/A |
WestJet
WestJet is one of Canada’s largest airlines. Founded in 1994 and operating its first flight in 1996, WestJet operates flights to Europe, Asia, and in North America. Tokyo was its first Asian destination in 2023, and now, the airline flies to Seoul and 117 other destinations and has a fleet of 198 aircraft.
Photo: Heather Dunbar | Shutterstock
WestJet marketed flights are eligible for SkyMiles earnings based on the booking fares below.
|
PURCHASED FARE CLASS |
TOTAL MILES EARNED |
MEDALLION QUALIFICATION DOLLARS |
MEDALLION MILEAGE BONUS |
|
Business – J, C, D |
100% |
20% |
N/A |
|
Premium Economy – W, O, R |
100% |
20% |
N/A |
|
Full Economy – Y, B |
100% |
15% |
N/A |
|
Economy – M |
50% |
10% |
N/A |
|
Discounted Economy – H, Q, N, S, X |
50% |
10% |
N/A |
|
Deep Discounted Economy – T, K, L |
25% |
5% |
N/A |
-
SkyMiles
- Participating Airlines:
- Delta Air Lines
- Owner:
- Delta Air Lines
- Region:
- North America
- Countries:
- United States
- Established Date:
- 1981-00-00
