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Thanks to a collaboration between Delta Air Lines and Starbucks, travelers and coffee drinkers alike can link their loyalty accounts and unlock bonus SkyMiles and Starbucks Stars. Delta SkyMiles and Starbucks Rewards members who connect their accounts can earn rewards whether they’re sipping a latte at the nearest café or heading to the airport for their next trip.
Here’s how the partnership works and how travelers can make the most of it.
How to Link Your Delta SkyMiles and Starbucks Accounts
Getting started with the Delta and Starbucks partnership is simple. To unlock the benefits, you’ll need to enroll in each loyalty program — Delta SkyMiles and Starbucks Rewards — both of which are free to join. Once your accounts are set up, you can link them through the official partnership page.
After linking, your accounts automatically work together behind the scenes. That means whenever you complete qualifying activities, like reloading your Starbucks balance or making an eligible purchase on a travel day, you’ll earn rewards. It's that easy.
The partnership launched in 2022 and was most recently amended in June 2024. The update slightly changed how rewards are earned; you can now earn miles on Starbucks card reloads, but no longer earn Stars from in-store credit card purchases.
Related: Starbucks Revamped Its Rewards Program and Launched Elite Status — Here’s How It Works
Earning SkyMiles on Starbucks Reloads
The easiest way to earn airline miles through the partnership is by reloading your Starbucks balance. When you add funds to your Starbucks Rewards account, either through the app or online, you can earn miles in your Delta SkyMiles account.
The number of miles you earn depends on how much you reload. For example:
- Reload $25-$49.99 and earn 25 miles
- Reload $50-$74.99 and earn 75 miles
- Reload $75-$99.99 and earn 125 miles
- Reload $100 or more and earn 200 miles
According to the program details, miles typically appear in your SkyMiles account within about 10 business days after a qualifying reload. But you may see them sooner than that.
For frequent Starbucks visitors, this can be a surprisingly easy way to accumulate miles over time, especially if you regularly reload larger amounts. However, the miles don’t come from regular credit card transactions, but from reloading a Starbucks gift card. Only on Delta travel days do you earn double Stars, no matter how you pay (more on this below).
You’ll generally need at least 5,000 miles with Delta to redeem for a free flight, and that's typically for a short one-way domestic trip. But still, this partnership can help you earn miles faster, especially if you’re earning Delta miles in other ways. Options include spending on one of the Delta SkyMiles Amex cards and leveraging the carrier's partnerships with Uber and Hertz.
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- 2X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 2X miles per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets
- 2X miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 1X miles on all other eligible purchases
$350Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 3X miles per dollar at hotels
- 2X miles per dollar at U.S. supermarkets
- 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 1 mile on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
$650Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
Related: Your Complete Guide to Delta SkyMiles Partners: Airlines, Credit Cards, and Transfer Options
Earn Double Stars on Delta Travel Days
Another neat perk of the partnership comes into play when you’re flying. On days when you have a scheduled flight with Delta Air Lines, you’ll earn double Stars on qualifying purchases at participating Starbucks locations.
A “Delta travel day” refers to the departure date of a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. From 12:01 a.m. to midnight on that departure day, Starbucks purchases can earn double the usual Stars when you pay using your Starbucks Rewards account.
In some cases, if your travel day coincides with another Starbucks promotion, like a Double Star Day, you could even earn triple Stars.
For travelers, it’s a convenient way to combine both programs for bigger rewards. Starbucks has locations in 47 of the 50 busiest airports in the U.S., 14 of which are in Chicago O’Hare alone.
Keep in mind that Delta SkyMiles never expire, while Starbucks Stars expire six months after they’re earned, so plan accordingly.
Bottom Line
The Delta and Starbucks partnership highlights a broader trend in travel loyalty programs, rewarding everyday spending — not just flights. By linking their Delta SkyMiles and Starbucks Rewards accounts, travelers can earn miles while fueling up with coffee and rack up extra Stars when they’re heading to the airport, which can be redeemed for future drinks. It's the gift that keeps on giving.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Rates & Fees), and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
