Delta SkyMiles Experiences platform: Use miles to bid on activities, concerts, dining and more
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?
Related: Delta SkyMiles: Your complete guide to earning, redeeming and elite status
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.
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.
Related: How to redeem your Delta SkyMiles for maximum value
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.
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.
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: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 80,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 90,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
If opening a Delta cobranded card is not of interest, American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to Delta at a 1:1 ratio. Note that you will pay a fee of $0.0006 per mile (up to $99) to offset the federal excise tax. However, earning transferable credit card points gives you flexibility with your rewards.
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.
Related: Delta Medallion status: What it is and how to earn it
Bottom line:
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?
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.