Can You Use Delta Air Lines SkyMiles To Upgrade On Other Carriers?

Delta SkyMiles is one of the world’s most popular and valuable loyalty programs. With the airline being part of the SkyTeam alliance, it offers numerous ways to earn and redeem miles even if you are not flying on Delta-operated flights. Many loyal customers save their miles to redeem for upgrades and get a chance to experience the premium cabins. Now, the question is, can you use your SkyMiles to get upgraded on another airline? The answer is yes, but only with a few airlines and under certain conditions.

Mileage Upgrade Awards

To fly in business, premium economy, or first class, you don’t always have to pay a hefty price for a ticket. Some airlines offer customers options to bid for an upgrade at a reasonable price, while others allow you to upgrade with your loyalty points or both. Delta Air Lines offers SkyMiles customers numerous ways to upgrade their trips. Passengers can choose to upgrade while making their bookings or after the ticket is booked.

Photo: Delta Air Lines 

If you are not traveling on a flight marketed and operated by Delta, reservations can help you upgrade your trip from Main Cabin or Delta Comfort+ to first class, Premium Select, or Delta One using Mileage Upgrade Awards. These allow you to use your SkyMiles to upgrade on certain flights operated by Delta, Virgin Atlantic, Air France-KLM, and Aeromexico.

Mileage Upgrade Awards are redeemable for fixed mileage amounts depending on the area of travel and are only valid within certain fare classes. You can upgrade your trip up to 24 hours before departure and must book through a reservation specialist. It is important to note that upgrades are subject to availability.

Upgrading with Delta’s partners

Air France flights to Paris

If you are flying on an Air France-marketed or operated flight, you can use Mileage Upgrade Awards on these paid fare classes: W, S, A, Y, B, or M. For Air France flights marketed by Delta Air Lines, you can use Mileage Upgrade Awards or P, A, G, Y, B, or M paid fare classes.

Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock

When flying with the French carrier, Mileage Upgrade Awards are available from economy to premium economy, premium economy to business, or economy to business only on transatlantic joint venture flights between US cities and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY) airports. Air France flies from the following US airports:

• Atlanta (ATL)
• Boston (BOS)
• Denver (DEN)
• Dallas (DFW)
• Detroit (DTW)
• Newark (EWR)
• Washington (IAD)
• Houston (IAH)
• New York (JFK)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• Miami (MIA)
• Minneapolis (MSP)
• Chicago (ORD)
• Phoenix (PHX)
• Raleigh (RDU)
• Seattle (SEA)
• San Francisco (SFO)

KLM-operated flights

If you are flying with KLM, you can use Mileage Upgrade Awards for economy to business upgrades on the Y, B, or M paid fare classes. KLM flies between Amsterdam and 12 US airports, including Atlanta (ATL), Austin (AUS), Las Vegas (LAS), New York (JFK), and Salt Lake City (SLC).

Virgin Atlantic flights

Virgin Atlantic joined the SkyTeam alliance in March 2023, becoming the 19th member and the first UK-based airline in the alliance. On flights operated by Virgin but marketed by Delta, Mileage Upgrade Awards are available from economy to premium economy, premium economy to Upper Class, or economy to Upper Class.

Photo: Ceri Breeze | Shutterstock

If you are flying in economy, you can upgrade from Y, B, M, H, Q, and K paid fare classes. However, in premium economy, you can upgrade from P, A, and G. Virgin Atlantic flies between Edinburgh, London Heathrow, and Manchester and the following US airports:

• Atlanta
• Boston
• Washington-Dulles
• New York JFK
• Las Vegas
• Los Angeles
• Orlando
• Miami
• Seattle
• San Francisco
• Tampa

Flying with Aeromexico

For flights marketed by Delta Air Lines and operated by Aeromexico, Mileage Upgrade Awards are available on Delta’s published fare classes in Y, B, M, H, Q, K, L, U, or T when traveling between Mexico and the US. Aeromexico flies to and from about 17 US airports, including the major hubs. As you may have noticed, Mileage Upgrade Awards do not apply to all fares, and additional taxes and fees may apply.

Upgrading on Delta flights

Of course, if you are a Delta SkyMiles member, using your miles for upgrades on Delta flights is more straightforward. You can upgrade to Delta One, first class, Delta Premium Select, or Delta Comfort+ for nearly all Delta Air Lines flights. When flying within the US, upgrading through miles only requires a few simple steps.

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

If you choose to upgrade during booking, you must log in to the airline’s website and select a ticket. If your ticket is eligible, you will be given the option to upgrade with miles, and once selected, you can use your miles to upgrade all passengers on the reservation. You can use SkyMiles to upgrade other passengers, like family and friends, even if you aren’t traveling. You must be flying with Delta or Delta Connection with a reservation in the US.

If you choose to upgrade later, you must find your reservation on the Delta website or app. If an upgrade is available, you will see an option to ‘Select Seats’ for money or miles. After picking an available seat, you can complete the transaction and upgrade your flight. You can also contact a SkyMiles representative to upgrade after making a booking. Certain flights are not available for upgrade on the app or website, so you would need to contact a reservation specialist.