You Can Now Earn Delta SkyMiles Rewards by Drinking Starbucks Coffee

by Daniel McCarthy October 13, 2022

After announcing updates to its SkyMiles Loyalty Program that includes a higher threshold to reach Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Status, Delta Air Lines unveiled a new partnership that could make it slightly easier for coffee drinkers to reach those levels.

Effective immediately, SkyMiles members who are also enrolled in Starbucks Rewards can link their accounts, and then earn one mile for every $1 spent at Starbucks. Delta will then double that reward for purchases made on days when enrolled members have a scheduled flight with Delta.

The move is the second time that Starbucks has partnered with an airline—in 2021, Starbucks Canada launched a similar partnership with Air Canada. This week’s announcement is the first time that Starbucks has linked loyalty programs with a U.S. airline.

“We’re continuing to evolve Delta’s SkyMiles program to give our customers valuable, premium experiences not just on the days they travel but in their everyday lives as well,” said Prashant Sharma, vice president of loyalty at Delta. “Through this new partnership with Starbucks, we can deliver more moments and interactions that matter, both in the air and on the ground.”

To celebrate the new partnership, Starbucks and Delta are also giving those who link their accounts (Starbucks Rewards and Delta SkyMiles) by the end of the year an extra 500 miles.

Delta’s earlier announcement this week means that starting next year, it will take more to earn a higher status with Delta Air Lines. The new thresholds start on Jan. 1, 2023, the earn year to qualify for 2024 Medallion Status. Status for 2023 remains unchanged.

Here are the new thresholds for Delta SkyMiles Medallions for 2024:

Silver Medallion: $3,000, no change from 2023.
Gold Medallion: $8,000, up from $6,000 in 2023.
Platinum Medallion: $12,000, up from $9,000 in 2023.
Diamond Medallion: $20,000, up from $15,000 in 2023.

At the same time, Delta announced some enhanced benefits for those Medallion members, including the ability to gift status to a friend—Diamond members get two Gold Medallion Gifts per selection and Platinum members get two Silver Medallion Gifts per selection.