Do Delta miles expire?

Do Delta miles expire?

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Delta Air Lines, one of the major airlines in the United States, operates a frequent flyer program called SkyMiles, which offers loyal customers numerous benefits, including miles that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related expenses. Many Delta SkyMiles members want to know whether or not their hard-earned miles have an expiration date.

The Expiration Policy

Like many other airlines, Delta does have an expiration policy for its SkyMiles, although it has undergone changes over the years. Prior to January 1, 2011, Delta SkyMiles had no expiration date. However, since then, the airline implemented a new policy stating that Skymiles do expire.

Currently, Delta SkyMiles do not expire, providing that the member remains active. In other words, as long as you earn or redeem miles at least once during a certain period, your miles will remain valid. The timeframe to keep your account active is two years. If no account activity occurs during this period, your miles will expire.

Account Activity

To ensure that your Delta miles do not expire, it is important to engage in account activity. But what qualifies as account activity? Delta defines account activity as any type of activity that increases or decreases your SkyMiles balance. It includes not only flying with Delta Air Lines but also various other actions such as:

• Earning or redeeming miles with Delta's partners
• Using a Delta SkyMiles credit card
• Shopping through the SkyMiles Shopping portal
• Donating miles
• Booking a Delta Vacation package
• Purchasing or gifting of miles

Engaging in any of these activities at least once within a two-year timeframe will reset the expiration clock and ensure that your Delta miles remain intact.

Exceptions to the Rule

While Delta's general policy states that miles expire after two years of inactivity, there are certain exceptions to this rule. Some Delta SkyMiles members might enjoy lifetime status with the airline, which exempts them from the expiration policy. Lifetime status is granted to those who have earned a specific number of Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) over their lifetime of flying with Delta.

Additionally, Delta offers a unique program called "mileage reinstatement" which allows members to reinstate expired miles for a fee. However, this option is only available for a limited period, generally within a year after the miles expire.

The Importance of Regular Account Activity

While the two-year timeframe may seem generous, it is essential to engage in regular account activity to ensure that your Delta miles do not expire unexpectedly. By staying active and taking advantage of the various ways to earn and redeem miles, you can continue to accumulate and enjoy the benefits of Delta's SkyMiles program.

In Conclusion

In summary, Delta SkyMiles do have an expiration policy. However, if you remain active in your account by earning or redeeming miles at least once within a two-year period, your miles will not expire. It is crucial to stay engaged in various activities, such as flying with Delta, using partners, or utilizing Delta-related credit cards, to ensure the longevity of your SkyMiles. By doing so, you can make the most of your hard-earned miles and enjoy the benefits of the Delta Air Lines loyalty program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Delta miles expire if there is no qualifying activity in your SkyMiles account for a period of 24 months.

To keep your Delta miles from expiring, you can engage in various qualifying activities such as earning or redeeming miles through Delta's partners, using a Delta SkyMiles credit card, flying on Delta or its partner airlines, or donating miles to charity.

Yes, you can reactivate your expired Delta miles, but it comes with a fee. Delta offers a reinstatement option where you can reinstate expired miles for a fee of $30 per transaction.

You can check the expiration date of your Delta miles by logging into your SkyMiles account on the Delta website or mobile app. The expiration date will be displayed in your account's summary.

Yes, there are exceptions to Delta miles expiration. Delta's Medallion members (Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond) enjoy unlimited miles expiration, meaning their miles will not expire as long as they maintain their Medallion status.