You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles through your Chase account online, and the transfer posts to your Delta account within one business day

Chase and Delta have a partnership that lets you move points between accounts. The process is straightforward: you log into your Chase account, select the points you want to transfer, choose Delta as the destination, and confirm. Delta receives the points in your SkyMiles account the next business day. There is no fee for the transfer, and the exchange rate is one Chase point to one SkyMiles mile.

The main catch is that not every Chase card earns Ultimate Rewards points that can transfer to Delta. Only certain premium Chase cards — primarily the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and a few business cards — have transfer partners. If you have a basic Chase card like the Freedom Unlimited, your points are locked into cash back or statement credits and cannot move to Delta.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have a Chase card that earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points; basic Chase cards do not have this feature.
  • The transfer happens in your Chase account online and takes one business day to show up in your Delta SkyMiles account.
  • The exchange rate is one Chase point equals one SkyMiles mile, with no transfer fee.
  • You need an active Delta SkyMiles account linked to your Chase account before you can transfer.
  • Transferred miles can be used for Delta flights, seat upgrades, and other SkyMiles redemptions, but cannot be converted back to Chase points.

Which Chase cards let you transfer points to Delta

The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve are the most common cards with Delta transfer access. Both earn Ultimate Rewards points on all purchases and allow you to move those points to Delta or other travel partners. The Chase Sapphire Preferred charges an annual fee and offers a sign-up bonus; the Sapphire Reserve charges a higher annual fee but includes travel credits and other perks.

Chase also offers business cards with transfer partners, including the Chase Ink Preferred and Chase Ink Business Preferred. These cards work the same way — you earn points and can transfer them to Delta — but are designed for business owners and require a business tax ID to open.

If you have a Chase Freedom card (either the regular Freedom or Freedom Unlimited), your points do not transfer to partners. These cards earn cash back or points that can only be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, or cash. You cannot move them to Delta or any other airline.

How to set up your Delta account and link it to Chase

Before you transfer points, you need an active Delta SkyMiles account. If you do not have one, go to delta.com and create an account. You will need your name, email, and a password. Delta will assign you a SkyMiles number, which is the account identifier you will use for transfers.

Once you have your SkyMiles number, log into your Chase account online or through the Chase mobile app. Go to the rewards or points section and look for the option to transfer points to partners. Chase will ask you to enter your SkyMiles number to link the accounts. This linking is one-time; after that, you can transfer points without re-entering the number each time.

Make sure the name on your Chase account matches the name on your Delta account. If they do not match exactly, the transfer may fail or be delayed. If you have recently changed your name or have a nickname on one account, contact Chase or Delta to update it before transferring.

The step-by-step process for transferring points

Log into your Chase account on a computer or the Chase app. Navigate to your rewards balance or points summary — the exact location varies by card, but it is usually labeled "Rewards" or "Points" in the main menu.

Look for an option that says "Transfer Points" or "Redeem Points." Click it and select Delta Air Lines from the list of transfer partners. Chase will show you how many points you have available and let you choose how many to transfer. You can transfer any amount, from a small number to your entire balance.

Enter the number of points you want to move and confirm the transfer. Chase will show you a summary with your SkyMiles number and the number of miles that will be added to your Delta account. Review this carefully — once you confirm, the transfer cannot be undone. Click the final confirmation button, and Chase will process the transfer immediately.

The points leave your Chase account right away, but Delta takes up to one business day to add them to your SkyMiles account. If you do not see the miles in your Delta account within 24 hours, contact Chase customer service with your confirmation number.

What happens to your points after they reach Delta

Once the miles land in your SkyMiles account, they are yours to use like any other Delta miles. You can book Delta flights, pay for seat upgrades, purchase baggage allowances, or redeem them for other travel-related expenses through the SkyMiles program. Delta miles do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months, such as earning or redeeming miles.

The miles you transfer from Chase are treated identically to miles you earn by flying Delta or using a Delta credit card. There is no separate category or restriction on transferred miles. However, once miles are in your Delta account, you cannot move them back to Chase or convert them to another currency.

If you have a Delta co-branded Chase card, miles you earn on that card go directly to Delta and do not pass through your Chase Ultimate Rewards account. Only points in your Chase rewards balance can be transferred; miles already in your SkyMiles account stay there.

When transferring points to Delta makes sense

Transferring points to Delta is most valuable when you have a specific Delta flight or redemption in mind and need miles to complete the booking. If you are planning a trip on Delta and have enough Chase points to cover part or all of the cost, transferring lets you use those points immediately rather than waiting to accumulate Delta miles through flying or credit card spending.

The one-to-one exchange rate (one Chase point equals one SkyMiles mile) is reasonable but not exceptional. Some transfer partners offer bonus rates during promotional periods, so it is worth checking the Chase website before you transfer to see if Delta is running a bonus. Occasionally Chase advertises a promotion like "transfer 10,000 points and get 12,000 miles," which makes the transfer more valuable.

If you do not have a near-term Delta trip planned, holding onto your Chase points may be smarter. Chase points can be redeemed for cash back, statement credits, or transferred to other airlines or hotel partners. Keeping your options open until you know your travel plans lets you choose the best use for your points.

Troubleshooting common transfer problems

If your transfer fails or does not appear in your Delta account after 24 hours, the most common cause is a mismatch between the name on your Chase account and your SkyMiles account. Contact Chase customer service and confirm that both accounts have your name spelled identically. If you recently changed your name, ask Chase to update their records before trying again.

Another issue is attempting to transfer from a Chase card that does not have transfer partners. If you see no option to transfer to Delta in your Chase account, your card does not support this feature. You can only redeem those points for cash back or statement credits. If you want to transfer points to Delta in the future, you would need to open a different Chase card with transfer capabilities.

If you have linked your SkyMiles account to Chase but the link is not working, try unlinking and relinking it. In your Chase account, find the option to manage transfer partners or linked accounts, remove Delta, and then add it again by entering your SkyMiles number. This usually resolves connection issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer points to Delta if I do not have a Delta credit card?

Yes. You only need a Chase card that earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points — such as the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve — and an active Delta SkyMiles account. You do not need a Delta co-branded credit card. The transfer works the same way regardless of which Chase card you use.

How long does it take for transferred miles to show up in my Delta account?

Chase processes the transfer immediately, but Delta takes up to one business day to add the miles to your SkyMiles account. Most transfers appear within a few hours, but you should allow a full business day before contacting customer service if the miles do not show up.

Can I transfer Delta miles back to Chase points?

No. Transfers are one-way only. Once miles are in your Delta account, they stay there. You cannot convert them back to Chase points or move them to another airline or hotel program.

Is there a limit to how many points I can transfer to Delta at once?

Chase does not publish a specific limit, but you can transfer any amount up to your total points balance. If you are transferring a very large number of points, contact Chase customer service to confirm the transfer will process without issues.

Do transferred miles count toward Delta elite status?

No. Only miles earned through flying Delta flights or using a Delta credit card count toward elite status qualification. Transferred miles add to your account balance and can be redeemed, but they do not contribute to elite status tiers.