Delta SkyMiles vs United MileagePlus: award prices compared
Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus both showed award space in the same cabin on 1,839 routes in the last 30 days. In economy, SkyMiles needed fewer miles on 995 of 1,835 shared routes; in business class, MileagePlus on 626 of 986.
Page regenerated from AwardTool's award data snapshot (normally daily). Summary last changed . Seats change quickly.
- Routes with both programs
- 1,839
- Cabin comparisons
- 4,261
- SkyMiles routes
- 4,484
- MileagePlus routes
- 3,225
SkyMiles or MileagePlus: fewer miles by cabin
On each route where both programs showed award space in a cabin, the one whose lowest observed one-way award needed fewer miles. Both programs' miles are compared one to one; taxes are compared separately.
| Cabin | Shared routes | Fewer with SkyMiles | Fewer with MileagePlus | Same number | Median difference | Median taxes and fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 1,835 | 995 | 713 | 127 | 1,300 fewer miles with SkyMiles | SkyMiles $25.30, MileagePlus $18.20 |
| Premium Economy | 722 | 1 | 721 | 0 | 45,600 fewer miles with MileagePlus | SkyMiles $35.40, MileagePlus $31.63 |
| Business Class | 986 | 346 | 626 | 14 | 37,000 fewer miles with MileagePlus | SkyMiles $48.84, MileagePlus $38.05 |
| First Class | 718 | 367 | 348 | 3 | 700 fewer miles with SkyMiles | SkyMiles $5.60, MileagePlus $5.60 |
When SkyMiles or MileagePlus came out ahead
What the last 30 days of observations show; award space changes daily.
- Fewer miles needed more often: SkyMiles in first class and economy; MileagePlus in business class and premium economy.
- Economy: SkyMiles needed fewer miles on 995 of 1,835 shared economy routes; the median difference was 1,300 miles in favor of SkyMiles.
- Business class: MileagePlus needed fewer miles on 626 of 986 shared business-class routes; the median difference was 37,000 miles in favor of MileagePlus.
- Premium economy: MileagePlus needed fewer miles on 721 of 722 shared premium economy routes; the median difference was 45,600 miles in favor of MileagePlus.
- First class: SkyMiles needed fewer miles on 367 of 718 shared first-class routes; the median difference was 700 miles in favor of SkyMiles.
- Open dates: MileagePlus showed economy award space on more departure dates on 1,308 of 1,835 shared routes.
- Taxes and fees: on shared economy routes the median was $25.30 with SkyMiles and $18.20 with MileagePlus.
- Coverage: SkyMiles showed award space on 2 or more dates on 4,484 routes and MileagePlus on 3,225 routes; 1,839 routes had both.
- Booking window: AwardTool saw SkyMiles award space up to 330 days ahead (Sep 11, 2027) and MileagePlus up to 337 days ahead (Sep 18, 2027).
- Bank transfers: Amex transfers to SkyMiles only; Bilt and Chase transfer to MileagePlus only.
Shared routes: SkyMiles and MileagePlus side by side
Each program's lowest observed one-way award on the route in that cabin, plus taxes, with its open departure dates and newest observation.
Economy: 1,835 shared routes
The 50 of 1,835 routes with the most open dates.
| Route | SkyMiles (miles) | MileagePlus (miles) | Fewer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newark (EWR) to Hong Kong (HKG) | 30,000 + $5.60331 dates · | 55,000 + $5.60337 dates · | SkyMiles |
| New York JFK to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 50,600 + $5.60331 dates · | 55,000 + $5.60337 dates · | SkyMiles |
| New York JFK to Tokyo Narita (NRT) | 50,600 + $5.60331 dates · | 55,000 + $5.60337 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 55,800 + $5.60331 dates · | 55,000 + $5.60337 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) | 55,800 + $5.60331 dates · | 55,000 + $5.60337 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Seattle (SEA) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 40,300 + $5.60331 dates · | 55,000 + $5.60337 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Seattle (SEA) to London Heathrow (LHR) | 25,000 + $5.60331 dates · | 40,000 + $5.60337 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Seattle (SEA) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) | 40,300 + $5.60331 dates · | 55,000 + $5.60337 dates · | SkyMiles |
| San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 41,100 + $5.60331 dates · | 55,000 + $5.60337 dates · | SkyMiles |
| San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) | 41,100 + $5.60331 dates · | 55,000 + $5.60337 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Vancouver (YVR) to Hong Kong (HKG) | 25,000 + $68.58331 dates · | 41,900 + $66.99336 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Vancouver (YVR) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 78,000 + $69.23331 dates · | 55,000 + $66.69336 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Hong Kong (HKG) to Los Angeles (LAX) | 20,000 + $72.87329 dates · | 37,900 + $72.79337 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Seattle (SEA) | 43,000 + $61.78329 dates · | 55,000 + $61.63337 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) | 34,000 + $5.60330 dates · | 52,100 + $5.60336 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Frankfurt (FRA) to Seattle (SEA) | 42,000 + $160.68330 dates · | 27,900 + $153.99335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Houston (IAH) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 67,600 + $5.60330 dates · | 55,000 + $5.60335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Seattle (SEA) | 40,000 + $35.33329 dates · | 48,700 + $42.09336 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 39,700 + $5.60329 dates · | 54,400 + $5.60336 dates · | SkyMiles |
| San Francisco (SFO) to Zurich (ZRH) | 25,000 + $5.60330 dates · | 40,000 + $5.60335 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Atlanta (ATL) | 120,000 + $61.91329 dates · | 55,000 + $61.69335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Houston (IAH) | 68,000 + $67.95329 dates · | 55,000 + $57.59335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Tokyo Haneda (HND) to San Francisco (SFO) | 42,000 + $67.81329 dates · | 55,000 + $56.09335 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Honolulu (HNL) to Boston (BOS) | 22,300 + $5.60329 dates · | 25,000 + $5.60335 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Washington Dulles (IAD) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 67,600 + $5.60329 dates · | 55,000 + $5.60335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Seattle (SEA) to Amsterdam (AMS) | 25,000 + $5.60329 dates · | 40,000 + $5.60335 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Seattle (SEA) to Seoul Incheon (ICN) | 52,600 + $5.60330 dates · | 55,000 + $5.60334 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Sydney (SYD) to Los Angeles (LAX) | 47,000 + $92.04330 dates · | 38,600 + $97.99334 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) to Seattle (SEA) | 20,000 + $44.93327 dates · | 36,500 + $47.49337 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 62,600 + $5.60328 dates · | 55,000 + $5.60335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) | 62,600 + $5.60330 dates · | 55,000 + $5.60333 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Sydney (SYD) | 99,300 + $36.50330 dates · | 55,000 + $36.30333 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Frankfurt (FRA) to New York JFK | 42,000 + $154.84328 dates · | 37,900 + $148.29335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Washington Dulles (IAD) to Madrid (MAD) | 25,000 + $5.60330 dates · | 30,100 + $5.60333 dates · | SkyMiles |
| New York JFK to London Heathrow (LHR) | 20,000 + $5.60331 dates · | 40,000 + $5.60332 dates · | SkyMiles |
| New York JFK to Milan Malpensa (MXP) | 20,000 + $5.60330 dates · | 40,000 + $5.60333 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 58,000 + $35.23328 dates · | 55,000 + $37.59335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) to Miami (MIA) | 44,000 + $34.83331 dates · | 30,000 + $37.29331 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Hong Kong (HKG) to New York JFK | 30,000 + $78.47327 dates · | 44,200 + $78.39335 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Hong Kong (HKG) to San Francisco (SFO) | 23,000 + $78.47327 dates · | 48,300 + $72.79335 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Houston (IAH) to Sydney (SYD) | 95,100 + $36.40329 dates · | 55,000 + $36.30333 dates · | MileagePlus |
| New York JFK to Athens (ATH) | 20,000 + $5.60328 dates · | 40,000 + $5.60334 dates · | SkyMiles |
| London Heathrow (LHR) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 26,000 + $235.10330 dates · | 40,000 + $220.49332 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Amsterdam (AMS) | 25,000 + $5.60329 dates · | 40,000 + $5.60333 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Seattle (SEA) to Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) | 30,000 + $5.60328 dates · | 49,200 + $5.60334 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Amsterdam (AMS) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ) | 110,000 + $121.04328 dates · | 36,500 + $116.09333 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Dublin (DUB) to Washington Dulles (IAD) | 28,000 + $50.03328 dates · | 40,000 + $42.39333 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Munich (MUC) | 25,000 + $5.60330 dates · | 40,000 + $5.60331 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Tokyo Narita (NRT) to San Diego (SAN) | 47,000 + $67.81328 dates · | 50,900 + $63.19333 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Tokyo Narita (NRT) to San Francisco (SFO) | 42,000 + $67.81327 dates · | 55,000 + $56.09334 dates · | SkyMiles |
Premium Economy: 722 shared routes
The 50 of 722 routes with the most open dates.
| Route | SkyMiles (miles) | MileagePlus (miles) | Fewer |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York JFK to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 112,900 + $5.60331 dates · | 65,000 + $5.60337 dates · | MileagePlus |
| New York JFK to Tokyo Narita (NRT) | 108,000 + $5.60331 dates · | 65,000 + $5.60337 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 109,700 + $5.60331 dates · | 65,000 + $5.60337 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) | 109,700 + $5.60331 dates · | 65,000 + $5.60337 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Seattle (SEA) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 104,500 + $5.60331 dates · | 65,000 + $5.60337 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Seattle (SEA) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) | 104,500 + $5.60331 dates · | 65,000 + $5.60337 dates · | MileagePlus |
| San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 117,300 + $5.60331 dates · | 65,000 + $5.60337 dates · | MileagePlus |
| San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) | 117,300 + $5.60331 dates · | 65,000 + $5.60337 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Seattle (SEA) to London Heathrow (LHR) | 75,000 + $5.60330 dates · | 50,000 + $5.60337 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Houston (IAH) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 121,800 + $5.60330 dates · | 65,000 + $5.60335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Newark (EWR) to Hong Kong (HKG) | 97,700 + $5.60327 dates · | 65,000 + $11.20337 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Frankfurt (FRA) to Seattle (SEA) | 105,000 + $160.68329 dates · | 50,000 + $153.99335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Atlanta (ATL) | 215,000 + $61.91329 dates · | 65,000 + $61.69335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Houston (IAH) | 130,000 + $67.81329 dates · | 65,000 + $57.49335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 89,900 + $5.60328 dates · | 65,000 + $5.60336 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Seattle (SEA) to Amsterdam (AMS) | 75,000 + $5.60329 dates · | 50,000 + $5.60335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Seattle (SEA) to Seoul Incheon (ICN) | 97,100 + $5.60330 dates · | 65,000 + $5.60334 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 131,500 + $5.60328 dates · | 65,000 + $5.60335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) | 131,500 + $5.60330 dates · | 65,000 + $5.60333 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Tokyo Haneda (HND) to San Francisco (SFO) | 130,000 + $67.88328 dates · | 65,000 + $57.39335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Washington Dulles (IAD) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 132,400 + $5.60329 dates · | 65,000 + $5.60334 dates · | MileagePlus |
| San Francisco (SFO) to Zurich (ZRH) | 75,000 + $5.60328 dates · | 50,000 + $5.60335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| New York JFK to London Heathrow (LHR) | 75,000 + $5.60330 dates · | 50,000 + $5.60332 dates · | MileagePlus |
| London Heathrow (LHR) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 82,000 + $426.31330 dates · | 50,000 + $408.09332 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Amsterdam (AMS) | 75,000 + $5.60329 dates · | 50,000 + $5.60333 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 120,000 + $35.23327 dates · | 65,000 + $37.59335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Vancouver (YVR) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 165,000 + $69.23331 dates · | 65,000 + $66.69331 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Amsterdam (AMS) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ) | 185,000 + $121.04328 dates · | 50,000 + $115.99333 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Frankfurt (FRA) to New York JFK | 100,000 + $154.84326 dates · | 50,000 + $148.39335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) to Miami (MIA) | 110,000 + $34.83330 dates · | 55,000 + $37.29331 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Tokyo Narita (NRT) to San Francisco (SFO) | 130,000 + $67.81327 dates · | 65,000 + $56.29334 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Portland (PDX) to Seoul Incheon (ICN) | 91,900 + $5.60327 dates · | 65,000 + $5.60334 dates · | MileagePlus |
| San Francisco (SFO) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | 75,000 + $5.60328 dates · | 50,000 + $5.60333 dates · | MileagePlus |
| São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) to New York JFK | 120,000 + $29.62329 dates · | 55,000 + $31.69331 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Houston (IAH) to Sydney (SYD) | 200,700 + $36.40327 dates · | 70,000 + $36.30333 dates · | MileagePlus |
| New York JFK to Milan Malpensa (MXP) | 75,000 + $5.60327 dates · | 50,000 + $5.60333 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) | 88,000 + $5.60325 dates · | 71,500 + $13.10335 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Minneapolis (MSP) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | 75,000 + $5.60327 dates · | 50,000 + $5.60333 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Tokyo Narita (NRT) to San Diego (SAN) | 110,000 + $67.81327 dates · | 65,000 + $61.89333 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Houston (IAH) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | 75,000 + $5.60329 dates · | 50,000 + $5.60330 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Barcelona (BCN) | 75,000 + $5.60330 dates · | 50,000 + $5.60329 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) | 93,100 + $5.60329 dates · | 65,000 + $5.60330 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Seattle (SEA) to Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) | 86,700 + $5.60327 dates · | 71,500 + $26.50332 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Sydney (SYD) | 194,400 + $36.60326 dates · | 70,000 + $36.30332 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Rome (FCO) to Charlotte (CLT) | 115,000 + $71.73329 dates · | 50,000 + $68.59329 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Frankfurt (FRA) | 75,000 + $5.60329 dates · | 50,000 + $5.60329 dates · | MileagePlus |
| London Heathrow (LHR) to Atlanta (ATL) | 100,000 + $420.66327 dates · | 50,000 + $414.19331 dates · | MileagePlus |
| San Francisco (SFO) to Rome (FCO) | 75,000 + $5.60325 dates · | 50,000 + $5.60333 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Boston (BOS) to Dublin (DUB) | 75,000 + $5.60328 dates · | 50,000 + $5.60329 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Newark (EWR) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 112,900 + $5.60328 dates · | 65,000 + $5.60329 dates · | MileagePlus |
Business Class: 986 shared routes
The 50 of 986 routes with the most open dates.
| Route | SkyMiles (miles) | MileagePlus (miles) | Fewer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle (SEA) to London Heathrow (LHR) | 125,000 + $5.60329 dates · | 80,000 + $5.60337 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Seattle (SEA) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) | 195,700 + $5.60329 dates · | 110,000 + $5.60337 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Hong Kong (HKG) to Los Angeles (LAX) | 305,000 + $75.03328 dates · | 110,000 + $84.99337 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Seattle (SEA) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 195,700 + $5.60328 dates · | 110,000 + $5.60337 dates · | MileagePlus |
| San Francisco (SFO) to Zurich (ZRH) | 125,000 + $5.60329 dates · | 88,000 + $5.60335 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Seattle (SEA) to Seoul Incheon (ICN) | 302,100 + $5.60329 dates · | 110,000 + $29.10334 dates · | MileagePlus |
| New York JFK to London Heathrow (LHR) | 125,000 + $5.60330 dates · | 80,000 + $5.60332 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| New York JFK to Milan Malpensa (MXP) | 125,000 + $5.60329 dates · | 88,000 + $22.40333 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Seattle (SEA) to Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) | 165,000 + $5.60328 dates · | 110,000 + $5.60334 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Sydney (SYD) to Los Angeles (LAX) | 290,000 + $92.04328 dates · | 300,000 + $97.99334 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Seattle (SEA) to Amsterdam (AMS) | 125,000 + $5.60326 dates · | 88,000 + $22.40335 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| San Francisco (SFO) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | 125,000 + $5.60328 dates · · Mixed cabin | 88,000 + $22.40333 dates · | MileagePlus |
| São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) to New York JFK | 215,000 + $29.62329 dates · | 88,000 + $31.69331 dates · | MileagePlus |
| London Heathrow (LHR) to Atlanta (ATL) | 345,000 + $420.79329 dates · | 80,000 + $414.19331 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Hong Kong (HKG) to New York JFK | 315,000 + $81.02326 dates · | 110,000 + $78.29333 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Honolulu (HNL) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 167,200 + $5.60330 dates · | 400,000 + $11.20329 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Barcelona (BCN) | 125,000 + $5.60330 dates · | 80,000 + $5.60329 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Rome (FCO) | 125,000 + $5.60329 dates · | 88,000 + $22.40330 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Frankfurt (FRA) | 125,000 + $5.60330 dates · · Mixed cabin | 88,000 + $5.60329 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| San Francisco (SFO) to Rome (FCO) | 125,000 + $5.60326 dates · | 88,000 + $22.40333 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Seattle (SEA) | 170,000 + $35.33324 dates · | 110,000 + $59.59334 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Zurich (ZRH) | 125,000 + $11.20328 dates · | 88,000 + $5.60330 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to San Francisco (SFO) | 340,000 + $231.05328 dates · | 88,000 + $216.29329 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | 125,000 + $5.60326 dates · | 88,000 + $22.40331 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| New York JFK to Athens (ATH) | 125,000 + $5.60322 dates · | 88,000 + $13.50334 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| New York JFK to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | 125,000 + $5.60325 dates · | 88,000 + $22.40331 dates · | MileagePlus |
| New York JFK to Zurich (ZRH) | 125,000 + $5.60324 dates · | 88,000 + $5.60332 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 292,500 + $5.60320 dates · | 110,000 + $5.60336 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Minneapolis (MSP) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | 125,000 + $5.60323 dates · | 88,000 + $22.40333 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Milan Malpensa (MXP) to New York JFK | 260,000 + $50.18329 dates · | 80,000 + $48.09327 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) | 292,500 + $5.60325 dates · | 110,000 + $5.60330 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD) | 285,000 + $36.80321 dates · | 300,000 + $36.30333 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Seattle (SEA) to Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | 342,200 + $5.60324 dates · | 110,000 + $17.80330 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG) to Detroit (DTW) | 340,000 + $29.94326 dates · | 110,000 + $57.49327 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Amsterdam (AMS) to Boston (BOS) | 220,000 + $164.92321 dates · | 80,000 + $115.99330 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Amsterdam (AMS) to Detroit (DTW) | 360,000 + $165.02329 dates · | 80,000 + $116.49322 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Amsterdam (AMS) to New York JFK | 325,000 + $165.00320 dates · | 80,000 + $110.39331 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Atlanta (ATL) to Barcelona (BCN) | 125,000 + $5.60322 dates · | 88,000 + $8.80329 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Atlanta (ATL) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | 125,000 + $5.60322 dates · | 88,000 + $22.40329 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Atlanta (ATL) to Rome (FCO) | 125,000 + $5.60324 dates · | 88,000 + $22.00327 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Atlanta (ATL) to Frankfurt (FRA) | 125,000 + $5.60321 dates · | 88,000 + $5.60330 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Rome (FCO) to Los Angeles (LAX) | 285,000 + $71.38324 dates · | 88,000 + $75.49327 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Hong Kong (HKG) to Boston (BOS) | 255,000 + $81.02321 dates · | 110,000 + $92.89330 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Hong Kong (HKG) | 300,700 + $5.60328 dates · | 110,000 + $14.90323 dates · | MileagePlus |
| San Francisco (SFO) to Amsterdam (AMS) | 125,000 + $5.60323 dates · · Mixed cabin | 80,000 + $5.60328 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| San Francisco (SFO) to Barcelona (BCN) | 125,000 + $5.60323 dates · · Mixed cabin | 80,000 + $5.60328 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Boston (BOS) to Hong Kong (HKG) | 255,000 + $5.60321 dates · | 110,000 + $8.60329 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Atlanta (ATL) | 410,000 + $61.91315 dates · | 110,000 + $67.49335 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) | 193,500 + $76.33321 dates · | 88,000 + $5.60329 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to London Heathrow (LHR) | 125,000 + $5.60322 dates · · Mixed cabin | 80,000 + $5.60328 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
First Class: 718 shared routes
The 50 of 718 routes with the most open dates.
| Route | SkyMiles (miles) | MileagePlus (miles) | Fewer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu (HNL) to Boston (BOS) | 87,200 + $5.60329 dates · | 90,000 + $5.60335 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Austin (AUS) to Washington Dulles (IAD) | 47,400 + $5.60330 dates · | 30,000 + $5.60330 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Atlanta (ATL) to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) | 28,100 + $5.60329 dates · | 33,400 + $5.60330 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Denver (DEN) to Orlando (MCO) | 49,700 + $5.60330 dates · | 30,000 + $5.60329 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Denver (DEN) to Maui (OGG) | 98,700 + $5.60329 dates · | 77,500 + $5.60329 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Honolulu (HNL) to San Francisco (SFO) | 60,700 + $5.60328 dates · | 66,600 + $5.60330 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Bozeman (BZN) to Los Angeles (LAX) | 35,700 + $5.60327 dates · | 30,000 + $5.60330 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Honolulu (HNL) to New York JFK | 92,000 + $5.60326 dates · | 90,000 + $5.60331 dates · | MileagePlus |
| New York JFK to Toronto Pearson (YYZ) | 22,300 + $5.60330 dates · | 30,000 + $5.60327 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Mexico City (MEX) to Washington Dulles (IAD) | 27,000 + $98.70328 dates · | 35,000 + $103.08329 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Maui (OGG) to Los Angeles (LAX) | 71,100 + $5.60327 dates · · Mixed cabin | 71,800 + $5.60330 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) | 26,300 + $5.60330 dates · | 30,000 + $5.60327 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Pittsburgh (PIT) to Orlando (MCO) | 24,700 + $5.60329 dates · | 45,100 + $5.60328 dates · | SkyMiles |
| San Francisco (SFO) to Phoenix (PHX) | 24,400 + $5.60327 dates · | 30,000 + $5.60330 dates · | SkyMiles |
| San Jose (SJC) to Philadelphia (PHL) | 52,200 + $5.60327 dates · | 59,100 + $5.60330 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Houston (IAH) to Denver (DEN) | 31,000 + $5.60330 dates · | 30,000 + $5.60326 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Vancouver (YVR) | 41,900 + $5.60329 dates · | 45,000 + $5.60327 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Maui (OGG) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 79,700 + $5.60330 dates · | 89,600 + $5.60326 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Cancun (CUN) to Charlotte (CLT) | 66,000 + $81.41328 dates · | 35,000 + $86.39327 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Las Vegas (LAS) to Seattle (SEA) | 20,700 + $5.60329 dates · | 30,000 + $5.60326 dates · · Mixed cabin | SkyMiles |
| Miami (MIA) to Lisbon (LIS) | 125,000 + $5.60328 dates · | 200,000 + $5.60327 dates · | SkyMiles |
| San Antonio (SAT) to Phoenix (PHX) | 29,900 + $5.60330 dates · | 46,300 + $5.60325 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Seattle (SEA) to New York JFK | 82,100 + $5.60330 dates · | 58,700 + $5.60325 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Salt Lake City (SLC) to Detroit (DTW) | 71,500 + $5.60328 dates · | 30,000 + $5.60327 dates · | MileagePlus |
| St. Louis (STL) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) | 32,300 + $5.60327 dates · | 30,000 + $5.60328 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Nashville (BNA) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 21,200 + $5.60329 dates · | 30,000 + $5.60325 dates · | SkyMiles |
| New York JFK to Las Vegas (LAS) | 48,100 + $5.60330 dates · | 68,000 + $5.60324 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Cancun (CUN) | 49,500 + $62.85325 dates · | 39,400 + $62.85329 dates · | MileagePlus |
| New York LaGuardia (LGA) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) | 29,100 + $5.60328 dates · | 30,000 + $5.60326 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Seattle (SEA) to Boston (BOS) | 61,600 + $5.60329 dates · | 58,700 + $5.60325 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Boston (BOS) to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) | 39,400 + $5.60328 dates · | 54,400 + $5.60325 dates · | SkyMiles |
| New York JFK to Cancun (CUN) | 47,300 + $62.85326 dates · | 35,000 + $62.85327 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Mexico City (MEX) to San Francisco (SFO) | 50,000 + $98.83330 dates · | 35,000 + $108.68323 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to El Paso (ELP) | 51,300 + $5.60325 dates · | 30,000 + $5.60328 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Guatemala City (GUA) | 61,200 + $5.60325 dates · | 49,100 + $5.60328 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Portland (PDX) to Honolulu (HNL) | 73,900 + $5.60330 dates · | 66,500 + $5.60323 dates · | MileagePlus |
| San Francisco (SFO) to Washington Dulles (IAD) | 55,600 + $5.60323 dates · | 30,000 + $5.60330 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Charlotte (CLT) to Montreal (YUL) | 51,900 + $5.60329 dates · | 45,000 + $5.60323 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Cancun (CUN) to Portland (PDX) | 60,000 + $81.05324 dates · | 38,900 + $86.39328 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Denver (DEN) to San Jose (SJC) | 27,700 + $5.60325 dates · | 31,300 + $5.60327 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Dublin (DUB) to Seattle (SEA) | 465,000 + $49.94328 dates · | 173,900 + $53.59324 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Houston (IAH) to Atlanta (ATL) | 17,900 + $5.60324 dates · | 30,000 + $5.60328 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Houston (IAH) to Pittsburgh (PIT) | 34,100 + $5.60330 dates · | 30,000 + $5.60322 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Jacksonville (JAX) to Newark (EWR) | 36,500 + $5.60330 dates · | 30,000 + $5.60322 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Minneapolis (MSP) to Montreal (YUL) | 58,100 + $5.60328 dates · | 57,400 + $5.60324 dates · | MileagePlus |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ) | 25,900 + $5.60325 dates · | 45,000 + $5.60327 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Phoenix (PHX) to Omaha (OMA) | 37,700 + $5.60330 dates · | 40,500 + $5.60322 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to New York JFK | 19,000 + $64.44326 dates · | 30,000 + $67.76326 dates · | SkyMiles |
| Austin (AUS) to Atlanta (ATL) | 36,600 + $5.60326 dates · | 30,000 + $5.60325 dates · · Mixed cabin | MileagePlus |
| Boston (BOS) to San Francisco (SFO) | 53,500 + $5.60327 dates · | 56,000 + $5.60324 dates · | SkyMiles |
Prices are one-way per traveler: the program's points or miles plus taxes and carrier fees in USD, as AwardTool observed them in the observation window. Award space changes constantly. A seat we saw may be gone, and space we haven't seen may exist. Always confirm with a live search before transferring points; most transfers can't be reversed.
Dates seen counts departure dates with an open award in that cabin at any price; newest observation is the latest time AwardTool saw one of them.
Transfer partners of SkyMiles and MileagePlus
Bank points to each program: ratio and typical transfer time as listed when AwardTool last reviewed them, Aug 27, 2026.
| Bank | Delta SkyMiles | United MileagePlus |
|---|---|---|
| American Express Membership Rewards | 1:1 · Instant | — |
| Bilt Rewards | — | 1:1 · Instant |
| Chase Ultimate Rewards | — | 1:1 · Instant |
Check current transfer bonuses. Most transfers can't be reversed.
SkyMiles and MileagePlus booking windows: published and observed
| Program | Published booking window | Furthest departure observed | Routes with award space on 2+ dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles | 331 days | 330 days after Oct 16, 2026 | 4,484 |
| United MileagePlus | 337 days | 337 days after Oct 16, 2026 | 3,225 |
AwardTool scans departures up to 365 days ahead, so a longer published window can't be observed in full. Observations are a record, not a forecast. Compare booking windows across programs.
Airlines seen on SkyMiles and MileagePlus awards on shared routes
Shared routes where an airline appeared on each program's award itineraries in the shared cabins.
| Airline | SkyMiles routes | MileagePlus routes |
|---|---|---|
| United Airlines (UA) | 0 | 1,460 |
| Delta Air Lines (DL) | 1,368 | 0 |
| Air Canada (AC) | 0 | 961 |
| JetBlue (B6) | 0 | 819 |
| Air France (AF) | 810 | 0 |
| Lufthansa (LH) | 0 | 800 |
| KLM (KL) | 769 | 0 |
| SWISS (LX) | 0 | 757 |
| Turkish Airlines (TK) | 0 | 740 |
| Lufthansa City Airlines (VL) | 0 | 641 |
| Austrian (OS) | 0 | 627 |
| Singapore Airlines (SQ) | 0 | 624 |
| LOT Polish Airlines (LO) | 0 | 556 |
| ITA Airways (AZ) | 0 | 535 |
| Aer Lingus (EI) | 0 | 534 |
| Brussels Airlines (SN) | 0 | 513 |
| TAP Portugal (TP) | 0 | 472 |
| EVA Air (BR) | 0 | 463 |
| Air Dolomiti (EN) | 0 | 455 |
| ANA (NH) | 0 | 417 |
| Eurowings Discover (4Y) | 0 | 376 |
| Air China (CA) | 0 | 375 |
| Korean Air (KE) | 375 | 0 |
| Eurowings (EW) | 0 | 371 |
| SAS (SK) | 330 | 0 |
| Asiana Airlines (OZ) | 0 | 318 |
| Juneyao Airlines (HO) | 0 | 284 |
| Aegean Airlines (A3) | 0 | 277 |
| Virgin Atlantic (VS) | 275 | 0 |
| Shenzhen Airlines (ZH) | 0 | 265 |
An airline appears here when it was part of an award itinerary the program showed. It isn't always the airline of the lowest award.
Questions about SkyMiles vs MileagePlus
Which needs fewer miles for economy awards, SkyMiles or MileagePlus?
On the 1,835 routes where both showed economy award space in the last 30 days, SkyMiles needed fewer miles on 995 and MileagePlus on 713, with the same price on 127 routes. The median difference was 1,300 miles in favor of SkyMiles. Both programs' miles are compared one to one, although their value differs.
Which needs fewer miles for business-class awards, SkyMiles or MileagePlus?
On the 986 routes where both showed business-class award space in the last 30 days, SkyMiles needed fewer miles on 346 and MileagePlus on 626, with the same price on 14 routes. The median difference was 37,000 miles in favor of MileagePlus. Both programs' miles are compared one to one, although their value differs.
Which banks transfer to both Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus?
No bank AwardTool covers transfers to both. Amex transfers to SkyMiles only. Bilt and Chase transfer to MileagePlus only. Ratios as of AwardTool's review on Aug 27, 2026. Most transfers can't be reversed.
How far ahead did AwardTool see SkyMiles and MileagePlus award space?
SkyMiles: up to 330 days ahead (Sep 11, 2027). MileagePlus: up to 337 days ahead (Sep 18, 2027). AwardTool scans departures up to 365 days ahead from Oct 16, 2026, so this is a record, not a forecast.
Where did SkyMiles and MileagePlus both show the most award space?
Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) in economy (SkyMiles on 331 dates, MileagePlus on 337 dates); Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) in economy (SkyMiles on 331 dates, MileagePlus on 337 dates); New York JFK to Tokyo Haneda (HND) in economy (SkyMiles on 331 dates, MileagePlus on 337 dates), counting departure dates with an open award in the last 30 days.