Delta lets you move SkyMiles to another person, but only under specific conditions and with fees that vary by transfer size

You can transfer Delta SkyMiles to a family member, friend, or anyone else through Delta's website or by phone. The person receiving the miles must have an active SkyMiles account, and you must be the account owner making the request. Delta charges a fee based on how many miles you transfer — the more miles, the higher the per-mile cost. Transfers typically process within one to two business days once Delta approves your request.

Not all miles can be transferred. Miles you earned from a co-branded Delta credit card purchase, miles from a sign-up bonus, and miles earned within the last 90 days are locked and cannot be moved. If you have a mix of transferable and non-transferable miles, Delta will only move the ones that meet the transfer rules.

Key Takeaways

  • The recipient must have an active SkyMiles account before you start the transfer process.
  • Delta charges a fee per mile transferred, and the rate decreases as the number of miles increases.
  • Miles earned in the last 90 days, from credit card sign-up bonuses, or from credit card purchases cannot be transferred.
  • You can transfer miles through Delta.com or by calling Delta's SkyMiles desk at 1-800-323-2323.
  • The transfer completes within one to two business days, and the recipient sees the miles in their account immediately after approval.

How to transfer miles through Delta's website

Log into your SkyMiles account at Delta.com and go to the "Account" section. Look for the option labeled "Transfer Miles" or "Send Miles" — the exact wording changes occasionally, but it appears in the account management area. Click that option and you will be asked to enter the recipient's SkyMiles account number and the number of miles you want to send.

Before you confirm, Delta will show you the transfer fee. Review the amount carefully because you pay the fee immediately, even if the recipient declines the transfer. Once you approve the fee and submit the request, Delta sends a notification to the recipient's email address on file. The recipient then has a set window (usually 14 days) to accept or decline the transfer. If they accept, the miles land in their account within one to two business days.

Transfer fees and how they scale

Delta's transfer fee is calculated per mile, and the rate drops as you transfer more miles. For example, transferring 5,000 miles costs less per mile than transferring 1,000 miles. The exact fee structure changes, so the best way to see what you will pay is to enter the transfer amount on Delta.com — the system will calculate the total fee before you commit.

You can transfer as few as 1,000 miles or as many as your account balance allows in a single transaction. Some accounts have a maximum transfer limit per calendar year, so if you have transferred a large amount recently, you may need to wait until the next calendar year to transfer again. Delta's website will tell you if you have hit a limit.

Which miles cannot be transferred

Miles earned from purchases made with a Delta SkyMiles credit card are permanently locked to your account and cannot be moved. The same applies to miles you received as a sign-up bonus when you opened a co-branded Delta card. These restrictions exist because the credit card issuer (usually American Express or another bank) owns those miles until they are earned and posted to your account.

Any miles you earned within the last 90 days are also blocked from transfer. This includes miles from flights, hotel stays, car rentals, or other earning activities. Once 90 days have passed since those miles posted to your account, they become transferable. If your account has a mix of old and new miles, Delta will only transfer the ones that are older than 90 days.

Transferring miles by phone

Call Delta's SkyMiles desk at 1-800-323-2323 and tell the representative you want to transfer miles. Have your SkyMiles account number and the recipient's SkyMiles account number ready. The representative will verify your identity, confirm the transfer amount, and quote the fee.

Phone transfers follow the same rules as online transfers — the same miles are blocked, the same fees apply, and the same timeline applies. The advantage of calling is that a representative can answer questions about whether specific miles in your account are transferable before you commit to the transfer. The call typically takes 10 to 15 minutes.

What happens after the recipient accepts

Once the recipient accepts the transfer through the email notification, the miles appear in their SkyMiles account within one to two business days. They can then use those miles to book flights, upgrade existing tickets, or transfer them again to someone else (subject to the same rules and fees). The miles are treated exactly like any other miles in their account once the transfer is complete.

If the recipient declines the transfer or does not respond within the acceptance window, the miles stay in your account and the fee you paid is not refunded. You can attempt the transfer again, but you will pay another fee. For this reason, confirm with the recipient before you initiate a transfer that they want to receive the miles and that their SkyMiles account number is correct.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer miles to someone who doesn't have a SkyMiles account yet?

No. The recipient must have an active SkyMiles account before you send the transfer request. If they don't have one, they can open a free account at Delta.com first, and then you can proceed with the transfer.

What if I made a mistake and sent miles to the wrong person?

If the recipient has not yet accepted the transfer, you can cancel it through your account before they respond. If they have already accepted, the miles are in their account and you cannot reverse the transfer. You would need to contact Delta's SkyMiles desk to discuss options, though reversing an accepted transfer is not may provide.

Do I have to pay taxes on miles I transfer to someone?

The IRS does not treat transferred miles as taxable income to the recipient in most cases, but tax rules can be complex depending on your relationship and the circumstances. Consult a tax professional if you are transferring a very large number of miles or if you have questions about your specific situation.

Can I transfer miles from a deceased person's account?

Delta allows transfers from a deceased account holder's SkyMiles account, but you must provide proof of death and documentation showing you have authority over the account (such as a will or power of attorney). Contact Delta's SkyMiles desk at 1-800-323-2323 to start this process, as it requires manual review.

Is there a limit to how many times I can transfer miles in a year?

Delta does not limit the number of transfer transactions you can make, but some accounts have an annual cap on the total number of miles you can transfer out. The cap varies by account type. Your SkyMiles account page will show whether you have a limit and how many miles you have left to transfer this calendar year.