Do Delta miles ever expire?

Under the SkyMiles Mileage Expiration policy, miles do not expire. Delta reserves the right to deactivate or close an account under the following circumstances: Fraudulent activity occurs. A Member requests an account closure.



One of the most traveler-friendly features of the Delta SkyMiles program in 2026 is that miles never expire. Unlike some other major airlines that require account activity every 12 to 24 months to keep a balance "active," Delta eliminated mileage expiration in 2011. This means that whether you earned your miles last week or ten years ago, they will remain in your account until you choose to redeem them. This "no-expiration" policy applies to all SkyMiles members, regardless of their status or whether they hold a Delta-branded credit card. This makes SkyMiles an excellent "long-term" savings vehicle for a dream vacation, as you don't have to worry about "losing" your progress due to a period of inactivity. It is important to note, however, that while the miles don't expire, Delta reserves the right to close an account if it is inactive for a very long period (usually several years) or in cases of fraudulent activity. For the average 2026 traveler, this policy provides peace of mind and makes SkyMiles one of the most reliable and low-stress loyalty currencies in the aviation industry.

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Delta miles do not expire as long as the Delta account is open and in good standing. The only time Delta miles expire is when you or Delta closes the account without first redeeming unused rewards.

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To give you a jump start on earning Status again, the Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) you earn above your Medallion Tier will roll over to the next qualification year. Plus, at each Tier, you earn more miles from your flights to help you get to your next vacation faster.

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Here's the catch. Air Miles themselves do not expire. But, if your account “expires” by being “dormant” (or inactive) for 24 consecutive months, then the points on it will disappear. An account is considered inactive if there are no points transactions within that period.

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Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Platinum Business Basic and Additional Card Members (“Platinum Card Members”) have access to the Delta Sky Club at a per-visit rate of $50 per person when traveling on a same-day Delta or Delta partner airline flight.

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This benefit allows Card Members to use their miles, starting at just 5,000 miles, to discount the price of Delta tickets. Regardless of ticket price, a Card Member can reduce the cost of their ticket by up to $50 for every 5,000 miles.

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But if you forgot, it's OK. Most airlines, Keyes said, allow travelers to request miles three to 14 days after booking and within 12 months of travel.

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With Diamond, You Earn More This benefit is exclusive to Delta, and only for our Medallion Members. Here's an example of how Rollover MQMs work: You reach Diamond Medallion Status by earning 150,000 MQMs and $20,000 MQDs during the 2023 calendar year. You only needed 125,000 MQMs to reach Diamond.

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