If you’re a Delta frequent flyer, you may already be earning SkyMiles on your Delta flights, and even in eligible bonus categories with a Delta SkyMiles credit card.

But there’s another way to boost your miles using purchases you were already planning to make anyway: Delta’s online shopping portal.

Delta SkyMiles Shopping helps you to earn miles and save each time you make a purchase at your favorite stores. Since SkyMiles never expire, you can accumulate them now and use them to book flights, hotels and car rentals in the future.

Here’s a guide to help you get the most out of the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal.

What is the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal?

Delta SkyMiles Shopping is Delta Air Lines’ version of an online shopping portal for loyalty members.

There are more than 1,000 retailers to choose from, and the deals change regularly. For example, you may find a retailer that previously offered 2 miles per $1 spent has a limited-time offer for 3 miles per $1 through the end of the month.

When you find the merchant you’re looking for, you can simply click through the portal to the retailer’s online store and shop like normal. After you make your purchase, the SkyMiles you earn are added to your account automatically.

Benefits of Delta SkyMiles Shopping

  • Earn miles toward future travel with Delta
  • Get bonus miles on online purchases you would have made anyway, with over 1,000 merchants to choose from
  • No need to have a Delta co-branded card, you just need a SkyMiles account
  • While the shopping portal is solely for online shopping, SkyMiles Shopping Gift Cards earns you miles on gift card purchases, which you can then use in-store

How to sign up and access Delta SkyMiles Shopping

Before you can start earning miles with Delta SkyMiles Shopping, you’ll need to sign up for a Delta SkyMiles account on the airline’s website. Then, you can use your SkyMiles number to join SkyMiles Shopping and start earning miles.

There are two main ways to shop through Delta SkyMiles — log in to the online shopping portal or download the button browser extension.

Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal

Shopping from the Delta portal allows you to see all eligible retailers in one place, compare offers and view special promotions, such as extra miles for a limited time. But the portal does add another step in your shopping process. Instead of shopping at your favorite online stores directly, you’ll have to log in to the Delta portal and click through to the websites from there. Still, it’s nice to have all the Delta stores in one place.

Delta SkyMiles Shopping browser extension

The Delta SkyMiles Shopping button browser extension makes earning rewards even easier — and can be a great reminder if you don’t always check the portal before you buy something. Whenever you’re on a website that offers a SkyMiles deal, the extension will remind you and let you activate your rewards just by clicking a button.

It also finds and applies coupon codes to help you earn extra savings.

How to earn miles through Delta SkyMiles Shopping

When you make an eligible purchase after clicking through the portal or using the browser extension, the SkyMiles you earn will be automatically credited to your account.

The number of miles you’ll earn depends on where you shop. Some stores offer a fixed number of miles, while others will give you a few miles for each dollar you spend.

Although rates vary, you can usually expect to earn about 1 to 5 miles per dollar you spend, or at least a couple hundred miles from retailers offering the fixed mile option. Sometimes retailers offer special promotions like extra miles and discounts, so keep an eye out for those to increase your savings.

Once you click through the portal and activate your miles, avoid navigating to another website or exiting the page until your purchase is complete to best ensure the deal goes through.

After your purchase, you may not see your miles immediately. Miles generally post to your account within three to five days, but it may take up to 15 days.

Maximizing SkyMiles Shopping

You can easily maximize your spending through SkyMiles Shopping by choosing retailers with higher rewards rates. Consider holding off on a purchase until the merchant offers more miles per dollar, for example, or see if you can find the same item from another online store with a higher earning rate.

Within the portal, you can sort by the number of miles a retailer offers, so you can quickly find those that give you the most bang for your buck.

Another great way to maximize your rewards is to make your purchase with a rewards credit card that can help you earn even more. Below are some of our favorite cards to use on Delta’s shopping portal.

Best credit cards to use with Delta SkyMiles Shopping

Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card

Even though you don’t need a Delta co-branded card to benefit from Delta SkyMiles Shopping, it may be worth it if you’re a frequent Delta flyer.

With the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, you’ll earn 3X miles on Delta flights and Delta Vacations, plus purchases made directly with hotels. You’ll also earn 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants, including delivery and takeout in the U.S. and 1X miles on all other eligible purchases (including SkyMiles Shopping purchases).

This card does carry a $250 annual fee, but you’ll get plenty of Delta benefits to help make up the price.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Another option is a credit card that offers a high rate of cash back on everyday purchases, even those not within bonus categories. The Chase Freedom Unlimited®* gives you an unlimited 1.5 percent cash back on everything you buy outside of the card’s rewards categories.

Additionally, you’ll earn 5 percent cash back on Lyft purchases (through March 2025), 5 percent cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards and 3 percent back on dining and drugstore purchases.

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card

You can also shop with a card that earns bonus rewards on online purchases. The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers 3 percent cash back in the category of your choice, which includes online shopping (along with gas, dining, travel, drugstores and home improvement). You’ll also earn 2 percent cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined 3 and 2 percent category purchases each quarter, then 1 percent), plus 1 percent on all other purchases.

*The information about the Chase Freedom Unlimited® has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.