While 4,000 Delta SkyMiles is a relatively small balance, there are several practical ways to use them in 2026. One of the best options is to use them for "Pay with Miles" towards checked bags; at select U.S. airports, you can use 3,000 to 4,000 miles to cover the fee for a standard checked bag during check-in on the app or at a kiosk. Alternatively, you can use them as a partial payment for a flight—Delta's "Pay with Miles" feature for Amex cardholders allows you to reduce the cash price of a ticket in $50 increments for every 5,000 miles, so you are very close to a $40–$50 discount. You can also use small amounts of miles for onboard Wi-Fi or magazines through the Delta store. If you have no upcoming travel, you can donate your miles to charities like the American Red Cross or Make-A-Wish through the SkyWish program. Since Delta miles never expire, you can also simply keep them and continue earning through partners like Starbucks or Uber until you have enough for a "short-haul" award flight, which can sometimes be found for as little as 5,000–7,000 miles.