Delta Air Lines is a favorite product and airline for so many people. Even with Delta being a favorite, their award program, Delta SkyMiles, does not offer the best value when it comes to their award flights. This is why it is important to know that there are other ways to book Delta Flights with something other than Skymiles. Instead, you can transfer those Chase or Amex points to a transfer partner of Delta. So while Delta doesn’t partner directly with Chase Ultimate Rewards , there are still ways to use your Chase or Amex points to book Delta flights. Here’s a step-by-step guide to make it happen:

Using Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

While Chase points can’t be transferred directly to Delta SkyMiles, you can still use them through partner airline that works with Delta. First, important to know that Delta is part of the SkyTeam airline alliance, so you can book Delta flights by transferring Chase points to these partners:

• Air France/KLM Flying Blue
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

How to Book via FlyingBlue:

Step 1: Create Air France/KLM FlyingBlue Account

1. Visit the Flying Blue website at https://www.flyingblue.com
2. Click on “Sign Up” in the top-right corner of the homepage (Highlighted in image).

3. Complete the registration form with your personal details, including name, email, and date of birth. Confirm your email address to activate your account.

Tip: Write down your Flying Blue number and keep it handy for linking with Chase or Amex when transferring points.

Step 2: Link Your Accounts

Before transferring, you need to connect your Chase Ultimate Rewards account with your new FlyingBlue account:

1. Log into your Chase account and go to the Ultimate Rewards portal.
2. Select “Transfer to Travel Partners” under the redemption options.

3. Locate FlyingBlue under Airlines and follow the prompts to link your loyalty account.

Important Tip: The name on each account has to match transferring between Chase and the transfer partner. 

Step 3: Search For Flights on FlyingBlue’s Website

1. Search for Delta award availability on Flying Blue’s website. Pick your dates and destination and look for the routes listing Delta as the carrier.

2. Check can compare options through Delta and their SkyMiles program

3. Compare the options. 32,000 Chase points through FlyingBlue or 80,000 Skymiles? Choice seems clear. Complete the booking through FlyingBlue Website.

How to Book via Virgin Atlantic:

Step 1: Create Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Account

1. Visit the Virgin Atlantic website at https://www.virginatlantic.com/en-US and click on Flying Club
2. Click on “Sign Up” in the top-right corner of the homepage (Highlighted in image).

3. Complete the registration form with your personal details, including name, email, and date of birth. Confirm your email address to activate your account.

Tip: Write down your Virgin Atlantic Flying Club number and keep it handy for linking with Chase or Amex when transferring points.

Step 2: Link Your Accounts

Before transferring, you need to connect your Chase Ultimate Rewards account with your new FlyingBlue account:

1. Log into your Chase account and go to the Ultimate Rewards portal.
2. Select “Transfer to Travel Partners” under the redemption options.

3. Locate Virgin Atlantic under Airlines and follow the prompts to link your loyalty account.

Important Tip: The name on each account has to match transferring between Chase and the transfer partner. 

Step 3: Search For Flights on Virgin Atlantic’s Website

1. Search for Delta award availability on Virgin Atlantic’s website. Pick your dates and destination and look for the routes listing Delta as the carrier.

2. Check can compare options through Delta and their SkyMiles program

3. Compare options. 30,000 Chase points through Virgin Atlantic or 80,000 Skymiles? Choice seems clear. Complete the booking through Virgin Atlantic’s Website.

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Using American Express Membership Rewards Points

For American Express, there are two different ways to use these points for Delta flights. One is Delta’s direct partnership with Amex through the SkyMiles program and the other is the partnership with Virgin Atlantic and FlyingBlue.

Step 1: Transfer Amex Points to Delta SkyMiles/FlyingBlue/Virgin Atlantic

1. Log into your American Express Membership Rewards account as shown above in the Chase Example.
2. Navigate to the Transfer Points section.
3. Select Delta SkyMiles or FlyingBlue or Virgin Atlantic your transfer partner.
4. Enter your account number and link your accounts if you haven’t already.
5. Choose the number of points you want to transfer. Points transfer at a 1:1 ratio, but transfers are final—confirm award availability before initiating the transfer.

Step 2: Search for Award Availability As Shown Above

1. Log into your Delta SkyMiles / FlyingBlue / Virgin Atlantic account and search using the points option.
2. Look for the best-value award options, which can vary significantly depending on demand and route. As shown above in the Chase example, Virgin Atlantic and Flying Blue are always going to be cheaper than Skymiles booking. Hence, it is a better way to transfer your Amex points
   • Tip: Delta no longer has an award chart, so award prices can be unpredictable. Be flexible with dates and destinations to find the best deals. Only reason to transfer to Delta is if there is an award sale.

Step 3: Complete the Booking

Once your Amex points have been transferred and your desired flight is found, complete the booking directly through Delta’s website.

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Pro Tips for Maximizing Points on Delta Flights

1. Monitor Transfer Bonuses: Both Amex and Chase occasionally offer transfer bonuses to partners like Flying Blue or Virgin Atlantic, which can stretch your points further.
2. Book One-Way Flights: Delta and its partners often price one-way awards favorably, so mix and match points strategies to maximize value.
3. Compare All Options: Check cash prices, partner availability, and transfer ratios to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re using Amex points or Chase points, there are plenty of ways to book Delta flights and maximize your travel rewards. As we have seen, transferring points to Delta’s airline partners is the best way to fly on that Delta plane for 50% off the price. Amex’s direct partnership with Delta makes it a go-to choice for frequent Delta flyers, while Chase’s flexibility allows for creative workarounds using the travel portal or transfer partners. Experiment with these strategies, and before long, you’ll be soaring with Delta in style—all on points.