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Delta SkyMiles Experiences platform: Use miles to bid on activities, concerts, dining and more
Gabrielle Bernardini is the senior points and miles editor at TPG. Joining the team in 2023, she focuses on helping people utilize their credit card rewards to travel for less.
November 15, 2024 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.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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Quick summary
Delta has launched an upgraded platform allowing loyalty members to redeem miles for exclusive experiences, such as concerts, culinary events and VIP activities.
Members can now either bid on or directly purchase select experiences using their miles, expanding redemption options beyond flights.
Experiences range from private performances and celebrity meet-and-greets to premium event tickets and luxury getaways.
The value of redeeming miles for experiences varies, so comparing cash prices to mile values is recommended.
What to consider
Some experiences are only available via auction, while others can be purchased outright with miles.
All bids and purchases are final, with no mileage refunds unless a bid is unsuccessful.
SkyMiles are valued at 1.2 cents each as of November 2024 per TPG's valuations.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of specific experiences available and guidance on maximizing the value of your miles through the new platform.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Attention Delta SkyMiles enthusiasts: The U.S.-based loyalty program is giving members more ways to spend their hard-earned miles. The carrier announced the launch of the all-new SkyMiles Experiences platform, which will allow Delta members to redeem their SkyMiles for epic activities. The upgraded booking platform will not only let members bid on experiences, but they'll now also be able to purchase a number of experiences outright using miles.
SkyMiles members can choose from a variety of experiences that fall within the following spaces: culinary, music and film, wellness and adventure, sports and fashion and art.
From dinner at "The Bachelor" mansion to premium tickets to Broadway's "Wicked" — plus a postshow meet and greet — there are plenty of ways members can use their SkyMiles beyond just travel.
So, how does Delta's SkyMiles Experiences booking platform work? And is it worth it to redeem your miles?
How to use Delta's SkyMiles Experiences booking platform
Officially launching on Nov. 18, SkyMiles members will have the opportunity to either directly purchase or bid on experiences. SkyMiles members can choose from a lengthy list of activities, including:
A private performance by Tinashe during her world tour: Delta is offering the chance for you and a friend to enjoy a VIP experience at a Tinashe concert. Aside from the concert, you'll get access to the preshow soundcheck, a special keepsake, exclusive merch and a signed tour poster.
Cocktails and style session with celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe: Get a personalized shopping experience with A-list stylist Rachel Zoe. Not only will you have a chance to upgrade your wardrobe with a shopping trip, which includes a $1,000 gift card, but you'll also get to talk about trends and ask for fashion tips at a happy hour hosted by Zoe.
Dinner at "The Bachelor" mansion: Diehard Bachelor Nation fans can visit the iconic mansion where you and a guest will enjoy an intimate dinner with Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt from Season 7 of "Bachelor in Paradise."
Other activities include a visit to the Minnesota Vikings training facility to attend a "Chalk Talk" session with an NFL player, a dining experience at the former Versace mansion in Miami Beach and a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the wintery woods of Utah's Deer Valley Resort — which includes dinner and a luxury king room at Stein Eriksen Lodge.
OLEG-BRESLAVTSEV/GETTY IMAGES
Note that while some experiences will only be auctioned off as one package, other activities will have multiple packages available for members to bid on or purchase directly.
Is it worth it to redeem Delta SkyMiles for experiences?
Delta had not officially launched its revamped booking platform at the time of publishing. The updated platform will go live on Monday, Nov. 18. Therefore, we do not know how Delta will price the experiences you can buy outright with your SkyMiles.
If you are looking to bid on an experience, you must bid in increments of 1,000 miles. According to TPG's November 2024 valuations, SkyMiles are worth 1.2 cents per mile. So, if you can get a great redemption price or have a stockpile of Delta SkyMiles at your disposal, bidding on a VIP experience may be worth it.
For example, the SkyMiles Experiences platform auctioned off two premium orchestra-level seats to see "The Outsiders" on Broadway in New York City on Jan. 30, 2025. The package also comes with two playbills autographed by cast members, a postshow meet and greet and two branded tote bags. At the time of writing, the bid was at 35,001 SkyMiles, which we value at $420.
DELTA SKYMILES EXPERIENCES
On Broadway.com, if I purchased a premium orchestra-level ticket for that specific showtime, one ticket would cost me at least $388. Therefore, redeeming your SkyMiles to bid on not one but two tickets would save you money. You'll also get valuable swag like the autographed playbills and two tote bags, plus get to meet some of the cast members. Not a bad deal!
However, if this experience was up to 100,000 SkyMiles, which we value at $1,200, you may feel it's more worth it to save your SkyMiles to book a flight and buy the Broadway tickets with cash. As always, we recommend comparing the cash rates to the value of the miles. That being said, if there is an ultraexclusive or VIP experience that really catches your eye, bidding or purchasing the activity with your SkyMiles could be worth it, no matter the cost.
Additionally, before purchasing or bidding on a package, make sure to read the terms and conditions pertaining to the package. All bids and purchases for SkyMiles Experiences packages are final; therefore, you will not receive a mileage refund. Note that if you bid and do not win, your miles will be returned to your account.
How to earn Delta SkyMiles
There are several ways to earn Delta SkyMiles, including flying with Delta and partners, shopping, dining and more. Check out our full guide to earning Delta SkyMiles here.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
If you want to earn a large amount of miles at one time, consider opening a Delta cobranded credit card. Here are a few of our favorite personal cards:
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Earn up to 90,000 bonus miles: 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus earn an additional 20,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases ($5,000 total) in the first six months of card membership.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles: 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus earn an additional 20,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases ($6,000 total) in the first six months of card membership.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn up to 125,000 bonus miles: 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus earn an additional 25,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases ($9,000 total) in the first six months of card membership.
These American Express cards are currently offering lucrative welcome offers:
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $12,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offer vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
American Express® Gold Card: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
While many people use their SkyMiles to book flights, redeeming your miles for an exclusive experience package could be worthwhile. Delta's upgraded Experiences platform allows members to bid or purchase unique activities — and who doesn't love choices when it comes to how we use our rewards?
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
