Delta brings back 12Status: Score SkyMiles each time the Seahawks throw a pass
This weekend marks the return of the NFL, and with that comes an easy way for Pacific Northwest travelers to earn miles.
Delta Air Lines is bringing back 12Status, its loyalty program specifically for Delta SkyMiles members who live in Washington state, this fall.
As part of the program, the carrier will award members 1 mile for every passing yard thrown by the Seattle Seahawks this season.
While those miles won't exactly get you a free Delta One seat to Europe, they do add up: I crunched the numbers, and over the last five seasons, the Seahawks have averaged just over 4,100 passing yards per season.
This summer, I scored a SkyMiles award deal to book my wife on a one-way economy flight from Texas to North Carolina for 5,000 miles.
That's not to say there are many 5,000-mile flights out there, but combined with linking your Uber and Starbucks accounts to SkyMiles, these are several other easy ways you can earn loyalty currency — that is, in addition to flying and spending on a credit card that helps you earn miles on everyday purchases.
You can sign up here for the 12Status program, which is named for the passionate Seahawks fan base aptly nicknamed the "12th man."
It's free, but you have to register before the Seahawks' first game of the season kicks off at 1:05 p.m. PDT on Sunday.
Turf war in Seattle (and not just on the football field)
Delta has offered its 12Status program since 2016.
The carrier's fall 2025 push to reward Pacific Northwest flyers comes amid some heightened competition in Seattle — a turf war that goes beyond Lumen Field.
Alaska Airlines is growing a global hub at its Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) home base, where Delta also has a major hub. Both airlines have announced nonstop service from Seattle to Rome, launching next year. Alaska will also soon go head-to-head with Delta on flights to London.
Alaska grabbed plenty of headlines last month when it unveiled its new Atmos Rewards loyalty program in conjunction with merger partner Hawaiian Airlines.
Delta, for its part, just stepped up its premium offerings at SEA with a brand-new Delta One Lounge and Sky Club.
Best ways to earn Delta SkyMiles
As for Delta loyalists, here are some of TPG's top tips for earning SkyMiles:
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at Capital One's secure site
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| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
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