Have you taken a flight recently but noticed no miles posted to your account? Maybe you forgot to include your frequent flyer number in your reservation.
Fortunately, most airlines allow you to retroactively credit your mileage account after flying flights. However, some airlines give you less time than others to do so. Among them is Delta Air Lines.
Unlike some competitors, which typically give you 12 months to claim missing miles, Delta only gives you nine months to claim. So, if you’ve taken any flights in the past few months, now is the best time to review your tickets and make sure everything has been credited correctly.
We’ll step-by-step examine how to request a credit for missing Delta SkyMiles and review the rules for requesting credits in the business-oriented SkyMiles for Business (formerly Delta SkyBonus) program.
How far can you claim SkyMiles?
You can request missing Delta SkyMiles up to nine months after your flight date. A little less generous than airlines like this one American Airlines and United Airlines, which give you up to 12 months. Conversely, you get the same nine-month cutoff even if you weren’t enrolled in the SkyMiles program at the time of your flight; This is better than some competitors.
Delta says to wait at least seven days after the flight before requesting the missing miles. Typically, if you include your SkyMiles number on your reservation, most Delta flights post to your account within 24 hours of travel, while partner flights can take up to seven days.
How to request missing miles for a Delta flight
Using an online form, Delta makes it easy to request mileage credits for previous flights. All you need is your SkyMiles account number, ticket number and flight information.
To access the form, log into your Delta SkyMiles account, go to your profile, click “My SkyMiles” and then click “Request Mileage Credit.”
You will then be presented with two forms. Use the first form to request credit for a Delta flight.
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Your ticket number from the flight is on your receipt or boarding pass. If you don’t find it, go to the “Partner Flight” step below.
How to request missing miles from partners
Delta will also accept requests for mileage credit for partner flights and other SkyMiles partner activities.
The process for requesting lost miles for partners is similar to requesting for Delta flights. Follow the steps discussed above to get to the “Request Mileage Credit” page. Then, fill out the form at the bottom of the page.
Delta strongly recommends uploading supporting documents such as boarding passes, ticket receipts or travel confirmations to this form.
If you have this, it can speed up the verification process, meaning you’ll receive your miles sooner.
How to claim missing SkyMiles for business miles
Separate from SkyMiles, Delta operates a loyalty program for business customers called SkyMiles for Business.
It’s free to join with no travel or spending requirements. Your business can start earning miles with a Plus account, which requires a minimum of five employee travelers and $5,000 in annual travel expenses. You’ll earn more with the top-tier Elite account, which requires a minimum of five employee travelers and $300,000 annually spent on travel.
If your business qualifies for a top-tier account, you can double dip on every Delta flight, as well as on partners like Air France, KLM, Aeromexico and Virgin Atlantic. In addition to your company earning miles on business travel, individuals will also earn SkyMiles.
According to Delta’s SkyMiles for business terms and conditions“Primary Admins, Secondary Admins and travel agents designated for Delta’s SkyMiles for Business program may request retroactive credit for qualifying flights within nine months of the enrollment date. Up to 20 eligible tickets per month may be submitted for retroactive credit.”
How to earn more Delta SkyMiles
One of the easiest ways Earn Delta miles using Delta’s co-branded American Express card. Here are some current welcome offers available for these cards:
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. The card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (see rates and fees).
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. The card has an annual fee of $350 (see Rates and Fees).
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. The card has an annual fee of $650 (see Rates and Fees).
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: Earn 55,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. The card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, followed by a $150 annual fee (see Rates and Fees).
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. The card has an annual fee of $350 (see Rates and Fees).
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. The card has an annual fee of $650 (see Rates and Fees).
You can also transfer American Express Membership Rewards points from such cards American Express® Gold Card And Platinum Card® from American Express at a 1:1 ratio for Delta SkyMiles.
Additionally, Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to Delta SkyMiles at a 3:1 ratio.
Bottom line
It’s easy to request missing Delta miles for flights and other qualifying activities. Plus, you can request a credit even if you’re enrolled in the SkyMiles program after your flight.
However, it’s important to remember that Delta doesn’t give you as much time to claim miles as other airlines. Consequently, you want to request your missing credit as soon as possible.
For Delta Gold Amex rates and fees, please click here
For Delta Platinum Amex rates and fees, please click here.
For Delta Reserve Amex rates and fees, please click here.
For Delta Gold Business Amex rates and fees, please click here.
For Delta Platinum Business Amex rates and fees, please click here.
For Delta Reserve Business Amex rates and fees, please click here.