Earn Miles By Flying The most well-known way to earn SkyMiles is by flying a Delta-operated flight. SkyMiles mileage earned per flight is determined by the cost of the ticket. As a Base SkyMiles member, you earn 5 SkyMiles per dollar spent (before taxes and fees) on your ticket purchase.

Since 2015, Delta Air Lines has utilized a revenue-based system for earning miles, meaning your SkyMiles are based on the price of the ticket (base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges) rather than the physical distance flown. In 2026, the standard earning rate for general members is 5 miles for every $1 spent. However, as you climb the Medallion elite tiers, this multiplier increases: Silver Medallions earn 7 miles per dollar, Gold earn 8, Platinum earn 9, and Diamond Medallion members earn 11 miles per dollar. This shift was designed to reward high-spending business travelers over "mileage runners" who previously sought long, cheap flights to rack up points. It is important to note that government-imposed taxes and fees are excluded from the mileage calculation. Additionally, for "Partner Marketed" flights (like those booked through KLM or Virgin Atlantic), Delta sometimes still uses a distance-based formula if the fare price isn't shared with them, but for any ticket booked directly through Delta.com, your "spend" is the only metric that determines how many miles you take home.