Link your accounts now: Delta teams up with Instacart for mileage earning on Grocery delivery
Zach Griff is a senior reporter at TPG. He writes travel and product reviews, deep dives into loyalty programs, news about the airline industry and more.
Feb. 22, 2022
•
3 min read
Link your accounts now: Delta teams up with Instacart for mileage earning on Grocery delivery
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You don’t have to leave your house to earn SkyMiles with Delta’s newest partnership.
Last week, the Atlanta-based carrier unveiled a new tie-up with Instacart, the popular online grocery-delivery service, that allows SkyMiles members to earn miles for their purchases.
Now, customers can link their SkyMiles and Instacart accounts and begin earning miles. General members will earn 1 mile per dollar spent on Instacart grocery deliveries, excluding taxes, fees and tips. Those who subscribe to Instacart’s $99-annual Express membership will enjoy an enhanced earning rate of 1.5 miles for each dollar spent on eligible orders.
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Instacart will also offer SkyMiles members extended free trials for the Express membership. Diamond and Platinum Medallions can opt into a 12-month trial, while Silver and Gold elites, as well as non-status members, will enjoy a free three-month membership. After the trial, customers will be enrolled in Instcart’s standard $99 annual membership.
SkyMiles members can link their accounts to Instacart on this landing page.
In our test, SkyMiles posted immediately after the order was delivered.
TPG values SkyMiles at 1.57 cents apiece, meaning that general Instacart members will receive an effective 1.57% return on Instacart orders. That number jumps to 2.36% for Express members.
It’s ultimately a small sum, but it definitely makes sense for Instacart users to link their SkyMiles accounts.
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Plus, this represents a nice double-dipping opportunity — you can continue to earn points through the credit card that you use for groceries, in addition to SkyMiles.
For instance, some of TPG’s top recommended cards earn 6 points per dollar spent on groceries, which will combine with the SkyMiles that you’ll now earn on Instacart purchases.
Related: Which cards should you use for online grocery delivery services?
Bottom line
This is just the latest way that SkyMiles members can earn miles from everyday, non-flight purchases.
Earlier this year, the airline teamed up with Turo to offer members the ability to earn miles for qualifying car rentals. Turo, which recently announced plans to go public, uses a business model similar to Airbnb, where the general public can rent out personal vehicles.
Meanwhile, Delta continues to offer its recently expanded partnership with rideshare company Lyft, as well as its partnership with Airbnb, giving members miles for every dollar spent on eligible trips.
Featured image by (Photo by Tiffany Hagler-Geard/Bloomberg/Getty Images)
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
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- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
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- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
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Apply for The Platinum Card® from American Express
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. |
Intro Offer
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.Earn 80,000 PointsAnnual Fee
$695Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. There are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- Breeze through security with CLEAR® lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Learn more.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees