Summary
- Earn more Delta SkyMiles by reloading your Starbucks account – up to 2 miles per $1 spent after June 12th.
- Linked Delta and Starbucks account members can still earn Double Stars on travel days with Delta.
- Delta Air Lines has other interesting partnerships, like one with Lyft, that allow members to earn miles on rides.
The US-based carrier Delta Air Lines’ SkyMiles partnership with Starbucks is set to change starting next week. Instead of the current system of one mile per $1 spent on Starbucks, the accumulation of miles will depend on reloading the users’ Starbucks accounts.
The existing partnership
First introduced in 2022, Delta Air Lines and Starbucks launched the mutually beneficial loyalty partnership, which would enable avid Starbucks customers to gain free miles and Delta frequent flyers to earn free coffees.
Existing and new customers of both brands could participate by linking their Starbucks account to their Delta SkyMiles program or vice versa and begin accruing points. On Delta’s side, enrolled SkyMiles members earned 1 mile per $1 spent at Starbucks. Similarly, on Starbucks’s side, customers could earn double stars from participating stores if they were scheduled to fly with Delta Air Lines on the day.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
As an introductory offer, the program even offered 500 complimentary miles to customers who linked their accounts within a certain time period and 150 complimentary stars for making qualifying purchases.
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The upcoming changes
Starting Wednesday, June 12th, the method of earning miles from Starbucks purchases will be changing. Instead of the current 1 mile per $1 ratio, the accumulation of miles will be dependent on the credit reloading of the users’ Starbucks accounts. Under the new system, the miles-to-spending ratio can vary from as little as 0.5 miles per $1 to 2 miles per $1 spent on Starbucks.
|
Reload Amount |
$25 – $49.99 |
$50 – $74.99 |
$75 – 99.99 |
$100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Miles Earned |
25 miles |
75 miles |
125 miles |
200 miles |
While this is a significant change in the way Starbucks customers can earn miles with Delta, the policy for Delta passengers to enjoy a cup of coffee on the day of their travel still remains the same.
Photo: Delta Air Lines / Starbucks
The bottom line is that the more credit users load onto their Starbucks account, the more miles they receive, which can be used toward award flights, upgrades, and other amenities when flying with Delta.
When reached for comment by Simple Flying, a spokesperson for Delta Air Lines outlined the changes:
- Starting on June 12, linked account members will earn miles on reloads of $25 or more to their Starbucks accounts rather than earning miles on every dollar spent at Starbucks.
- The majority of members with linked accounts already reload funds to their Starbucks accounts, so the program updates allow members to easily earn miles based on how they’re ordering and enjoying their Starbucks favorites.
- Members can still earn Double Stars on any day they travel with Delta. Additionally, the more a linked member reloads, the more they earn, with members earning 2 miles per $1 when they reload $100.
- Since 2022, Delta and Starbucks have offered members with linked accounts more ways to earn rewards at Delta and Starbucks, in addition to limited time offers and exclusive experiences.
Other interesting partnerships
Apart from Delta’s partnership with Starbucks, the carrier, being among the US Big Four (American, Delta, Southwest, and United), has formed interesting partnerships with other brands to form airline loyalty with new customer bases. One of these partnerships is that between Delta and the American ride-service provider Lyft.
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This partnership allows SkyMiles members to earn 1 mile per $1 spent on Lyft in the US and 2 miles per $1 spent on Lyft rides to US airports. Additionally, new Lyft users receive 50% off (up to $10) on their first two Lyft rides within the US.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Furthermore, American Express – Delta SkyMiles platinum cardholders also receive up to $120 in rideshare credits as part of the airline’s partnership with Lyft.
What do you think of the upcoming change in Delta’s partnership with Starbucks? Let us know in the comments below.