Delta SkyMiles offers numerous avenues for members to accumulate miles, and understanding Delta Points Transfer Partners is key to maximizing your rewards. While many associate airline miles with flights, savvy travelers know that strategic partnerships extend earning opportunities to everyday spending, including car rentals. This guide dives into how you can leverage delta points transfer partners specifically for car rentals booked through delta.com/cars, ensuring you get the most out of your SkyMiles membership.
Booking your car rental through the dedicated delta.com/cars portal is a straightforward way to boost your SkyMiles balance. Delta Air Lines has established partnerships with leading car rental companies to reward SkyMiles members for their rental activity. By utilizing these delta points transfer partners, you can earn valuable miles on every qualifying rental.
Here’s a breakdown of how to make the most of these partnerships:
Earning SkyMiles with Car Rentals: The Basics
When you book a car rental through delta.com/cars, you are essentially engaging with delta points transfer partners in the car rental industry. For every US dollar or its equivalent in foreign currency you spend on the base car rental rate, you will earn two (2) SkyMiles. This applies to completed car rentals booked at participating locations for rental periods of one or more days.
What Qualifies for SkyMiles?
To ensure you earn miles with these delta points transfer partners, it’s crucial to understand what constitutes a “qualifying rental booking.” Eligible rentals are those booked at rates excluding:
- Travel industry rates or discounts
- Wholesale tour package rates or discounts
- Insurance/dealer replacement rates
- Corporate and government rates
- Group travel discounts
- Rentals in conjunction with frequent flyer car awards
- Other corporate agreements
Understanding “Qualifying Dollars”
The miles you earn are calculated based on “Qualifying Dollars.” This refers specifically to the base car rental rate, excluding taxes and fees, charged at the time of your booking. It’s important to note that:
- Taxes, fees, and incidental charges are not included in Qualifying Dollars.
- Any portion of the booking paid for using redemption vouchers or discount codes is also excluded from mileage credit.
Key Steps to Ensure You Earn Miles
To guarantee your SkyMiles are credited when utilizing delta points transfer partners for car rentals, remember these essential steps:
- SkyMiles Number at Booking: Always provide your SkyMiles number at the time of booking through delta.com/cars. Ensure only one SkyMiles number is associated with each booking.
- Name Matching: The name on the credit card used for the reservation must precisely match the name on your SkyMiles account. This is a critical verification step for delta points transfer partners to correctly allocate miles.
- Eligible Bookings Only: Be certain your rental meets the criteria of a qualifying rental, as outlined above, to earn miles with these delta points transfer partners.
- Allow Processing Time: Miles typically take up to 8 weeks after the completion of your eligible rental to be deposited into your SkyMiles account.
What If Your Miles Don’t Appear?
If you haven’t seen your earned miles in your SkyMiles account after 8 weeks, you can easily request a mileage credit. Simply contact Delta and select: Request Refund or Miles > Mileage Credit > Partners Requests. Keep in mind that requests for mileage credit are accepted up to 6 months from the last day of your rental reservation. It’s also important to note that car rentals completed before enrolling in SkyMiles are not eligible for mileage credit.
Bonus Miles and Medallion Qualification
The miles earned through delta points transfer partners for car rentals are considered bonus miles. While these bonus miles are excellent for award travel, they do not count towards Million Miler Status. Similarly, unless specifically stated in a limited-time offer, spending on car rentals does not contribute to Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs).
Non-Qualifying Rentals: What to Avoid
Certain rental types are excluded from earning SkyMiles with these delta points transfer partners. These include:
- Special contracted corporate or promotional rates (employee, net tour, travel agent, group, wholesale, package rates, crew).
- Insurance/dealer replacement rentals.
- Other non-revenue rentals.
Multiple Rentals: A Single Qualifying Rental
Be aware that if you have multiple rentals involving different cars on the same or consecutive days from the same location, even if you check the car in and out, it will be counted as a single qualifying rental.
Conclusion: Smart Miles with Car Rentals
Earning SkyMiles through car rentals booked via delta.com/cars is a valuable benefit of the SkyMiles program. By understanding the terms and conditions associated with these delta points transfer partners, you can confidently accumulate miles on your car rentals and bring your next SkyMiles reward closer. Always remember to book through delta.com/cars, provide your SkyMiles number, and ensure your rental qualifies to maximize your mileage earnings with delta points transfer partners.
