Delta and Starbucks Change SkyMiles Earning
Delta and Starbucks are changing the way linked members earn SkyMiles at Starbucks. Beginning August 5, 2026, members will once again earn 1 SkyMile per $1 spent on eligible Starbucks purchases, replacing the current system that awards miles based on Starbucks Card reloads.
Under the current structure, members earn fixed number of miles when adding money to a Starbucks Card:
- 25 miles for reloads of $25 to $49.99
- 75 miles for reloads of $50 to $74.99
- 125 miles for reloads of $75 to $99.99
- 200 miles for reloads of $100 or more
That system can provide as much as 2 miles per $1 on a $100 reload, but it requires members to prepay rather than earning based on actual purchases.
The new setup is more straightforward. Eligible purchases at participating Starbucks locations will earn 1 mile per dollar regardless of whether members pay with a Starbucks Card, credit card or another accepted payment method. Taxes, tips, gift cards and alcoholic beverages will not qualify.
The change also adds a new eligibility requirement. Members generally must have taken a qualifying Delta flight within the previous 12 months to continue earning SkyMiles at Starbucks. Newly linked members will receive 12 months of eligibility, while existing linked members without recent flight activity will have a grace period through October 5, 2026.
The partnership’s other major benefit is not changing. Linked members will continue to earn Double Stars on eligible Starbucks purchases made on days when they have a scheduled Delta flight.
Conclusion
The new system is simpler, but it lowers the potential earning rate for members who currently maximize earning with $100 reloads. The added Delta flight requirement also means the partnership will become less useful for people who rarely fly with the airline.
