Well, this is an unexpected but welcome suprise. Delta just launched a brand-new partnership with ticket-selling behemoth Ticketmaster, allowing SkyMiles members to earn bonus SkyMiles when buying tickets to concerts, sporting events, and more.
Simply head to the new partnership page at Delta.com/ticketmaster and punch in your SkyMiles number before buying tickets. And you'll have to do that before every ticket purchase in order to get the SkyMiles.
Normally, this partnership will earn 1x SkyMiles per dollar. But through Aug. 31, you can earn 3x SkyMiles per dollar spent on ticket purchases through the promo page. That will add up fast, though note that you won't earn SkyMiles for the (often extensive) taxes and fees on your tickets.
But almost all tickets purchased through Ticketmaster will be eligible to earn SkyMiles. According to the terms of the partnership, that even includes resale tickets bought on Ticketmaster.com. Just be sure to go through the Delta.com/ticketmaster page
Our Analysis
Delta keeps adding these inventive ways to keep earning SkyMiles through novel partnerships. It makes it easier to earn SkyMiles than with the other major U.S. airlines.
- You can earn bonus SkyMiles for most online purchases through the SkyMiles shopping portal
- Or get some bonus SkyMiles for your Airbnb stays
- Hop in a Lyft to the airport or around town and add to your SkyMiles stash
- Earn SkyMiles just for eating dinner with the SkyMiles Dining Program
But this new Ticketmaster partnership might be the best yet. Ticketmaster is the biggest vendor in concerts and sports, and it's not particularly close. With a 3x bonus through Aug. 31, those extra SkyMiles could add up fast on spendy tickets.
Bottom Line
Other airlines should take notice. Delta keeps finding creative ways to build these partnerships that allow flyers to earn more miles. And while the bonus miles you can earn from a concert or baseball game won't rival a big credit card sign-up bonus, this is just another way to add to your balance.