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Delta Airlines Transfer Partners | SkyMiles Points Guide

Which credit cards transfer to Delta Airlines SkyMiles?

Looking to transfer points to Delta Airlines?

Delta SkyMiles stands apart from the other major U.S. airline programs in one important way: American Express is both the exclusive co-branded credit card issuer for Delta and the only major flexible points program that transfers directly to SkyMiles. That makes the Amex ecosystem uniquely central to earning Delta miles through transferable points.

Delta's transferable currency ecosystem runs entirely through American Express Membership Rewards, making it the single most important flexible points program for any serious Delta loyalist.

This guide explains Delta SkyMiles transfer partners, transfer rules, eligible cards, and the best ways to maximize your miles.

Актуализирано 17 август 2026 г. · 6 min read

Delta Airlines

Основни факти

Primary partner
American Express Membership Rewards
Партньори за трансфер

Credit Cards That Transfer to Delta SkyMiles

American Express Membership Rewards

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American Express Membership Rewards is the only major flexible credit card points currency that transfers directly to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio. This makes Amex the primary and exclusive flexible points pathway into SkyMiles — a significant structural advantage for cardholders who want to build a Delta miles balance without flying.

Important note on transfer fees: Unlike most airline transfer partners, transferring Amex Membership Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles (and JetBlue TrueBlue) incurs a small U.S. federal excise tax offset fee of $0.0006 per point transferred, capped at a maximum of $99. For example, transferring 100,000 points would cost $60. This is not charged when transferring to international airline partners.

Eligible Amex Cards (1:1 Transfers)

  • American Express Platinum Card®
  • American Express® Gold Card
  • American Express® Green Card
  • The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
  • American Express® Business Gold Card
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Delta co-branded Amex cards (Gold, Platinum, Reserve, and their business variants) earn SkyMiles directly and do not earn or transfer Membership Rewards points. To use the 1:1 transfer pathway, you need one of the non-co-branded Membership Rewards cards listed above.

Transfer Details

Minimum Transfer1,000 Amex Membership Rewards points
Transfer SpeedTypically instant; Amex states up to 48 hours in some cases
Transfer IncrementsAll transfers must be made in increments of 1,000 points

Transfers are final and cannot be reversed, always confirm award availability before initiating a transfer.

View Amex Transfer Partners →
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Secondary Transfer Options (Limited Use)

Marriott Bonvoy

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(no 5,000-mile bonus — Delta is one of three programs excluded from Marriott's standard transfer bonus, along with American Airlines AAdvantage and Avianca LifeMiles)

Marriott Bonvoy offers a secondary path into Delta SkyMiles but with no 5,000-mile bonus.

Transfer Details

Minimum Transfer3,000 Bonvoy points
Transfer TimeTypically 1–7 days

Best used for:

  • Topping up miles when just short of an award

Hilton Honors

Съотношение на трансфер10:1

(10,000 Hilton points = 1,000 Delta SkyMiles)

This is a poor ratio and generally only worth considering as a last resort top-off, as Hilton points typically deliver far more value when used for hotel stays.

Transfer Details

Minimum Transfer10,000 Hilton points
Transfer TimeTypically 1–3 days

Best used for:

  • Topping up miles when just short of an award

World of Hyatt

Съотношение на трансфер2.5:1

(2,500 Hyatt points = 1,000 Delta SkyMiles; with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 50,000 Hyatt points transferred)

Hyatt points are among the most valuable hotel points available, and transferring them to Delta is rarely the best use. Best reserved for small top-offs only.

Transfer Details

Minimum Transfer2,500 Hyatt points
Transfer TimeTypically 1–7 days

Best used for:

  • Topping up miles when just short of an award
  • Completing a redemption rather than as a primary earning strategy
Не се поддържа

Programs That Do NOT Transfer to Delta SkyMiles

Several major rewards programs do not partner with Delta SkyMiles:

  • Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • Capital One Miles
  • Citi ThankYou Points
  • Bilt Rewards

If you are researching which cards transfer to Delta SkyMiles, American Express Membership Rewards is the only major flexible points option with a direct 1:1 transfer path.

Why It Matters

Strategic Context (Why This Matters)

  • Delta's exclusive relationship with American Express makes it unique among the three major U.S. airlines. While United works with Chase and Bilt, and Alaska works with Bilt, Delta runs its entire co-branded card portfolio — all seven personal and business cards — exclusively through American Express.
  • This creates a clear and focused strategy for Delta loyalists:
  • American Express is the exclusive co-branded credit card issuer for Delta SkyMiles
  • All seven Delta co-branded cards (Blue, Gold, Platinum, Reserve, and their business variants) are issued by Amex
  • Amex Membership Rewards cards offer the only flexible points transfer path into SkyMiles at 1:1
  • Delta co-branded Amex cards include the TakeOff 15 benefit — a 15% discount on award flights booked on Delta-operated flights for all card members except the Blue card

This positions American Express as the complete financial ecosystem behind Delta SkyMiles — both for direct earning through co-branded cards and for flexible transfers through Membership Rewards.

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