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Link your accounts now: Delta teams up with Instacart for mileage earning on Grocery delivery

Feb. 22, 2022
3 min read
Instacart_Tiffany Hagler-Geard Bloomberg
Link your accounts now: Delta teams up with Instacart for mileage earning on Grocery delivery
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Editor's Note

As of April 1, 2023, Instacart Express members earn 1 Delta SkyMile per dollar spent on eligible orders (a decrease from 1.5 SkyMiles).

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.

(Photo by Cyrus McCrimmon for the Denver Post)


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.

Delta Instacart Earnings in SkyMiles account
(Screenshot courtesy of delta.com)

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.

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.

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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.

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.

TPG featured card

Rewards rate
2X milesEarn 2X miles per $1 on every purchase, everywhere
5X milesEarn 5X miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
Limited-time offer: Earn up to 150,000 bonus miles
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
24.49% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
740-850Excellent

Pros

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  • Bonus categories
  • Annual credits
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Flexible redemption options, including transfer partners

Cons

  • Has an annual fee
  • Fewer bonus categories than some competitors
  • Lacks premium perks
  • Limited-time offer: Earn up to 150,000 bonus miles—75,000 miles once you spend $7,500 in the first 3 months, and an additional 75,000 miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 6 months
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
  • Receive up to $220 in credits: Receive an annual $50 travel credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel, up to an annual $50 statement credit for purchases at qualifying advertising or software merchants, plus up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® every four years. Terms and conditions apply
  • Unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
  • Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
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  • $95 annual fee
  • Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
  • Top rated mobile app