SkyMiles Program Updates

Learn about the latest SkyMiles program updates.

SkyMiles/WorldPerks® Program Integration

The Northwest Airlines® WorldPerks program officially merged into the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles program. SkyMiles is now the sole loyalty program for both Delta and Northwest even though the two airlines will continue to operate separately until the merger is fully complete in early 2010. It's business as usual for SkyMiles members, who will experience very little change with this program integration. All former WorldPerks members are now SkyMiles members and have a 10-digit SkyMiles account number, which they should use going forward. Please visit delta.com/what2expect for more information.

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Partner Airline Handling Charge

The Partner Airline Handling Charge will no longer apply for award booking made on or after October 1, 2009.

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Mileage Upgrade Changes

SkyMiles members can now request mileage upgrade awards on Northwest Airlines® flights.

Now SkyMiles members can use miles to upgrade to First Class/Business First and World Business Class™ on all Northwest operated flights.

• Eligible fares include Y,B,M,H,Q, and V for all domestic travel and Y, B, M fares for all international travel.

Additionally, for requests for Upgrade Award travel on Delta within or between the continental U.S., Alaska, and Canada the following changes apply:

• Discounted fares in H, Q and K class are now eligible providing you with more upgrade opportunities
• Award level for fares other than full Y will require 12,500 miles each way

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SkyMiles Mid and High Mileage Awards Available on Northwest

Effective May 7th, SkyMiles® members will be able to redeem Mid and High mileage award levels on Northwest flights. This expanded benefit will provide increased opportunities and more flexibility when booking award travel. To view the complete award structure you can visit SkyMiles Award Mileage.

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Pay with Miles Program Expanded

Pay with Miles, an exclusive benefit for the Gold and Platinum Delta SkyMiles® and Delta Reserve Credit Cardmembers, has been expanded to allow redemption on Northwest operated flights.

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SkyMiles Mileage Expiration Policy Changes

On January 1, 2009, the SkyMiles program mileage expiration policy changed from a two-year policy tied to the end of the calendar year to a rolling 24-month policy for all SkyMiles members. Miles will expire 24 months after a member’s last qualifying activity rather than at the end of the year. To ensure a smooth transition to this 24-month policy, miles will not expire earlier than April 30, 2009. You can check your February online statement or log into your SkyMiles account beginning February 1, 2009, for your updated expiration date.

An example of the 24-month policy: if a member’s last qualifying activity took place on August 31, 2009, the member’s miles will expire on August 31, 2011 – not on December 31, 2011.

A qualifying activity occurs when a member earns, receives or redeems miles. Examples of qualifying activities include:

• Earning miles when flying Delta or a partner airline
• Using a Delta SkyMiles Credit Card
• Earning miles through Delta’s more than 100 SkyMiles partners
• Receiving miles through SkyMiles Buy/Gift/Transfer Miles via points.com or SkyMiles Incentives
• Redeeming miles for magazines, upgrades, Delta Sky Club™ memberships, or Award Travel
• Winning mileage bids on SkyMiles Online Auction
• Transferring Membership Rewards®, Hilton, Marriott or Diner's Club® partner points to miles
• Donating miles to one of several SkyWish charities

All SkyMiles program rules apply.  To review the rules, please visit delta.com/memberguide.

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Fuel Surcharge and Direct Ticketing Fee Changes

Effective immediately, Delta will eliminate the fuel surcharges for SkyMiles and WorldPerks Award Tickets, originating from the U.S. and Canada, travel instituted earlier this year by both airlines in response to unprecedented fuel costs.

Effective November 6, 2008, Delta reduced the fee assessed for tickets purchased over the phone from a reservations sales representative from $25 to $20 consistent with Northwest's policy.  Delta will also reduce the fee when customers redeem either SkyMiles or WorldPerks award travel over the phone with a reservations sales representative from $25 to $20. As always, there will continue to be no charge for customers who book tickets and redeem award travel online at either delta.com or nwa.com.

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Delta and Northwest Merger Update

We’re excited to announce that SkyTeam partner Northwest Airlines is now a part of Delta.

This is an important milestone for our airline, but for you, it’s business as usual right now. Please know that your SkyMiles frequent flyer miles are safe and your status is secure. And, you may continue to:

• Earn miles as normal with Delta and our partners. Please remember to add your SkyMiles number to your flight reservations.
• Redeem miles with our new, industry-leading Award Travel structure and SkyMiles Online Auction.

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New SkyMiles Award Structure

Delta has launched a new SkyMiles Award redemption structure that will provide you with more flexibility and options.

The new Award Travel structure has three tiers starting at 12,500, 20,000, and 30,000 miles for one-way travel within the US domestic 48 states, Alaska, and Canada to destinations worldwide. Miles shown are one-way based on a round-trip Award Ticket purchase. Customers will have access to last-seat Award availability and will be able to combine Economy, First, Business and BusinessElite® cabins and dates at various mileage levels. To view the complete award structure you can visit the SkyMiles Award Mileage page.

Terms and Conditions apply.

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Changes to Award Ticketing Fees

Effective August 15, 2008 the current Award Ticketing fee structure will change to three tiers for Award Tickets issued on or within 20 days before departure date. 

• For Award Tickets issued 21 days or more before departure date, no fee is applied. 
• For Award Tickets issued 8 to 20 days before departure date, a $75 fee is applied. 
• For Award Tickets issued 4 to 7 days before departure date, a $100 fee is applied. 
• For Award Tickets issued 3 days or less prior to departure date, a $150 fee is applied.

The fee is waived for Award Tickets issued from a Platinum Medallion® members' account

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Award Travel Fuel Surcharge

Effective November 5, 2008, Delta is eliminating the SkyMiles Award Ticket Fuel Surcharge on all award tickets issued on November 5, 2008 and forward.

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SkyMiles Award Ticketing on KLM

Award Tickets are now available on the Online Award Calendar at delta.com for travel on KLM Airlines, in addition to Northwest Airlines, Hawaiian, Alaska, Air France, and Delta.

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