Delta and Turo launch partnership, allowing travelers to earn 2,000 SkyMiles on first rental
Delta and Turo are launching a new partnership that will allow Delta SkyMiles members to earn miles when renting cars with Turo.
Effective Jan. 20, 2022, you can add your SkyMiles number to your new (or existing) Turo profile. The partnership awards 2,000 SkyMiles on your first Turo rental and 500 SkyMiles on every rental thereafter. Unfortunately, there are no bonuses for Delta Medallion elites.
Note that the 2,000-mile bonus is only eligible for the first trip on the account, so if you've previously rented from Turo and add your SkyMiles number today, you'll start earning 500 miles per rental.
Get the latest points, miles and travel news by signing up for TPG’s free daily newsletter.
Turo, which recently announced plans to go public, uses a business model similar to Airbnb, where the general public can rent out personal vehicles. TPG has been continually impressed to see the wide variety of cars available to rent with Turo (yes, there are lots of Teslas), which range from basic sedans to luxury vehicles.
“Delta and Turo share a passion for connecting people through travel, which is why this partnership makes so much sense," said Turo CEO Andre Haddad. "Delta’s unsurpassed global network of destinations coupled with our unrivaled network of Turo hosts is a huge win for travelers.”
There are a couple of things to know when renting from Turo. The first is that renters are using the vehicle of a private party, so you must return your vehicle back to where you picked it up. Unfortunately, this means no one-way rentals. Additionally, it's almost certain that your credit card rental car insurance will not cover your Turo rental.
Related: Can’t find a rental car? Why you should try Turo instead
It's worth noting that Delta also has a partnership with Hertz. Silver and Gold Medallion members members can earn 1,300 SkyMiles per rental (more than twice the standard accrual with Turo), while Platinum and Diamond Medallion travelers can earn 1,550 miles on each Hertz rental. Those with Gold Medallion status or higher also enjoy automatic elite status with Hertz Gold Rewards.
With that in mind, Hertz remains the strongest rental car partner for Delta loyalists.
That said, having Turo as another earning option is a big plus for Delta travelers. Given the ongoing rental car shortage, Turo may help travelers find a car when traditional companies are sold out. Plus, Turo rentals are often cheaper than traditional rentals, and you can choose from a more interesting selection of cars.
Additional reporting by Andrew Kunesh