How to use Delta SkyMiles. Considering that Delta award flights start at around 6,000 miles, you don't need to accumulate many SkyMiles to be able to fly for free. In addition to free flights on Delta Air Lines and its partners, you can use SkyMiles for seat upgrades and Delta Vacations packages.

The number of SkyMiles required for a free flight on Delta in 2026 varies wildly due to their dynamic pricing model, but you can often find domestic "SkyMiles Deals" starting as low as 5,000 to 9,000 miles for a one-way flight. For a typical round-trip domestic flight in the U.S. Main Cabin, you should generally expect to spend between 15,000 and 35,000 miles. International "Award Travel" requires a much larger balance; for example, a flight to Europe or Asia can range from 50,000 to over 150,000 miles depending on the season and demand. One of the best ways to maximize your points is to check the "Deals" section of the Delta website, where they frequently list discounted routes. It is also worth noting that Delta SkyMiles never expire, so you can accumulate them over several years without fear of losing your balance. If you are a Delta American Express cardholder, you also receive a 15% discount on award bookings, allowing your miles to go significantly further when booking through the Delta app or website.