Overview
- Delta announced on Monday that starting Aug. 5, 2026 eligible linked SkyMiles and Starbucks Rewards members will earn 1 SkyMile per $1 spent at participating Starbucks locations.
- To qualify for miles members must be 'flight active'—having flown a qualifying Delta flight in the prior 12 months—with a one-time grace period through Oct. 5, 2026 and a 12-month earning window for newly linked accounts.
- Under the new model miles are awarded on purchases rather than Starbucks card reloads, and reloads made on or after Aug. 5 will not by themselves trigger SkyMiles.
- The program keeps Double Starbucks Stars on days members have a scheduled Delta flight and retains exclusions such as taxes, gratuities, gift cards, and alcoholic beverages.
- Travel outlets say the move simplifies earning for casual Starbucks buyers but reduces rewards for frequent reloaders and signals a shift to concentrate partner value on customers who actively fly Delta.