# Delta SkyMiles guide: award flights, fare rules and how to book By AwardTool | Updated 2026-10-19 Canonical URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/skymiles-guide SkyMiles is Delta Air Lines' loyalty program. Award prices depend on the search result, so use flexible dates and compare the exact cabin and fare experience. Award Travel, Miles + Cash and Pay with Miles are distinct ways to spend miles. Best for: Travelers with SkyMiles who want to compare real award prices and understand Delta's fare restrictions. ## At a glance - Use Shop with Miles to search for Delta Award Travel. - A cabin and a fare experience are separate parts of the ticket choice. - Pay with Miles is a different redemption path with its own eligibility. - Change and cancellation rules depend on origin and fare restrictions. [Find award flights](https://www.awardtool.com/flight) ## What can Delta SkyMiles buy? Section URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/skymiles-guide#what-is-skymiles SkyMiles is Delta Air Lines' loyalty program. Miles can be used for eligible Award Travel on Delta and airline partners as well as other redemption options. Delta says its miles do not expire. Medallion status is a separate system, so check your redeemable balance when determining whether you have enough miles for a ticket. The program offers several ways to spend miles, and similar names can obscure the distinction. Award Travel is searched with the miles option. Pay with Miles is an eligible cardmember benefit used against certain paid tickets, while Miles + Cash is another booking option. Compare the actual payment and conditions of the product shown rather than assuming every miles-based quote is the same award. ## Compare live prices and the fare experience Section URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/skymiles-guide#prices-and-fare-experiences The Points Guy's July 11, 2026 redemption guide describes Delta's variable award pricing and the importance of searching dates rather than relying on an old mileage chart. Delta's official booking instructions offer a flexible award calendar. Use the returned price for the complete trip, since route, date, cabin and passenger count can change the available offer. Delta also distinguishes the cabin from the fare experience. A lower-priced Basic experience can have different restrictions from another ticket in the same cabin. Delta's current experience comparison page includes award cancellation information. Read that product comparison and the fare rules in your booking before assuming the lowest miles quote includes the flexibility or seat choices you need. [Delta's current travel experiences and conditions](https://www.delta.com/us/en/onboard/onboard-experience/travel-experiences) ## Understand partners and account-specific benefits Section URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/skymiles-guide#partners-and-card-benefits A partner award uses SkyMiles while another airline operates the flight. The availability must be offered through Delta's booking channels; a seat visible in Flying Blue or Flying Club is not proof Delta will sell the same award at the same price. Check flight numbers, operating carriers and cabins before comparing two results that seem similar. Eligible card benefits can also affect a quote. If you expect an award discount or Pay with Miles eligibility, sign in to the relevant account and check the benefit's current terms. A benefit on Delta-operated awards should not be assumed to apply to every partner itinerary. Avoid opening or funding an account based only on a generic claim about a different card product. ## How to book a flight using Delta SkyMiles Section URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/skymiles-guide#how-to-book Use AwardTool to identify a suitable itinerary, then repeat it on delta.com or in the Fly Delta app. Delta's official instructions use Shop with Miles on the website and Show Price in Miles in the app. 1. **Search the intended trip** Enter the airports, dates and actual traveler count with the miles option selected. Use the flexible calendar when your dates permit and compare each available cabin and fare experience. 2. **Inspect the fare and price** Check the full journey, operating carriers, baggage and seat conditions. Review the miles and cash total and the exact cancellation or change restrictions rather than relying on a headline about free changes. 3. **Pay and confirm** Make sure the account has the required balance, check passenger names and complete payment. Verify issued tickets, then review the reservation for seats, contact details and any operating-carrier reference. ## Check transfers and cancellation eligibility Section URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/skymiles-guide#funding-and-cancellation Delta's official points-conversion page lists American Express Membership Rewards as a transfer route and directs travelers to the relevant country terms. For a U.S. account, use the U.S. issuer's transfer page and review any fee, minimum and processing estimate. A hotel-points conversion is another separate transaction; its rate should not be assumed equivalent to a bank transfer. Delta's current travel-with-miles page describes no redeposit or change fee for eligible awards originating in the United States and Canada, while excluding Basic experiences. Other origins and restricted fares require their own check. A fee waiver also does not guarantee that a replacement flight costs the same miles. Save the selected conditions and act before the applicable departure deadline if plans change. ## Common questions ### Is Pay with Miles the same as booking an award? No. Pay with Miles is an eligible cardmember payment benefit for certain paid tickets. Use Delta's Award Travel search to compare an award and review the separate rules of each option. ### Can every SkyMiles award be canceled without a fee? No. Delta's published U.S. and Canada-origin flexibility excludes Basic experiences, and other origins require their own rule check. Read the conditions attached to the exact ticket. ## Sources and further reading Sources reviewed 2026-10-19. Publisher dates are shown where available. - [Delta: Travel with Miles booking and servicing](https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/how-to-use-miles/travel-with-miles) - [Delta: current travel experiences](https://www.delta.com/us/en/onboard/onboard-experience/travel-experiences) - [Delta: convert partner points to SkyMiles](https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/how-to-earn-miles/convert-partner-points) - [The Points Guy: SkyMiles redemption guide, July 11, 2026](https://thepointsguy.com/loyalty-programs/how-to-redeem-delta-skymiles/) ## Before you book Award availability and prices can change. Confirm the exact itinerary, cabin, traveler count, points, and cash total with the loyalty program before transferring points or booking. Search access and limits depend on your plan. [See current plans](https://www.awardtool.com/pro) ## Related guides - [Flying Blue guide: Air France and KLM awards and how to book](https://www.awardtool.com/learn/flying-blue-guide) - [Virgin Atlantic Flying Club guide: reward seats and how to book](https://www.awardtool.com/learn/flying-club-guide) - [How to search award flights with Real-Time and Mega Search](https://www.awardtool.com/learn/real-time-and-mega-search)