Earning points and miles isn’t just about big, splashy purchases – it’s about stacking rewards on everything you’re already spending money on. Every dollar counts, and the easiest wins often come from the smallest tweaks.
That’s why we love Delta and Airbnb's decade-long partnership … and why this latest update is worth your attention.
You can now earn 3x Delta SkyMiles on Airbnb Experiences and Services, turning everything from cooking classes to city tours (and even spa days or photo shoots) into a steady stream of miles.
Although Delta SkyMiles require a bit of patience, they can be insanely valuable, thanks to Delta's frequent SkyMiles flash sales. Being able to rack them up in more ways is great news for Airbnb and Delta loyalists. And since Airbnb (somehow) doesn't have a loyalty program of its own, this is a great way to get rewarded for spending you are already doing.
For years, this partnership has quietly let travelers earn 1x SkyMiles on Airbnb stays. Now, Delta and Airbnb are expanding things in a meaningful way – and giving travelers more ways to rack up miles without changing how they travel.
Read on for everything you need to know about this update and how to earn SkyMiles with Airbnb.
What Are Airbnb Experiences and Services?
By now, I'm sure you're plenty familiar with Airbnb's vacation rental platform, but did you know you can also book tours, day trips, and unique experiences led by local guides in most major cities?
In most cases, these aren’t your typical walking tours or day trips – though you can find those, too. These unique experiences range from guided hikes to photo shoots and everything in between.
Booking an Airbnb Experience or Service is a great way to get a taste of local flavor (literally – many cities have some great cooking classes and foodie tours!) in a new city. And you don’t need to stay in an Airbnb during your trip to book one!
Simply head to Airbnb and click “Experiences” or “Services” at the top to see what's available wherever you're traveling (or even at home)!
Say you're planning a trip to Tokyo and want a little help getting ready for a big night on the town. Airbnb Services has you covered with personal fitness classes, hair and makeup stylists, personal photographers, and spa treatments.
With Airbnb Experiences, you'll find the usual walking and food tours, as well as some more unique offerings like a calligraphy class or the opportunity to take in a baseball game with a local.
Car buffs may be keen to live out their Fast & Furious fantasies with a night of street racing … Tokyo Drift style. Not exactly the kind of tour you'll typically find on Viator or other sites like it.
How to Earn SkyMiles With Airbnb
If you don't already have one, you'll need to create a free Delta SkyMiles account. Simply head to Delta's website and enter a few pieces of personal information to get started. The process only takes a few minutes, and your miles will never expire.
Critically, you do not need a Delta co-branded credit card to earn SkyMiles through this Airbnb partner program.
If you already have a SkyMiles account, you can skip this step and simply head to deltaairbnb.com to connect your accounts. Click the “Continue” button pictured below.
From here, you'll be directed to Airbnb, where you can click on “Connect to Delta.” To get started, you'll log in to your Airbnb account by entering (and verifying) your email address or phone number.
Next, you'll be prompted to log in to your Delta SkyMiles account, and then you're all set to start earning SkyMiles.
Annoyingly, your Airbnb and SkyMiles accounts will only stay connected for 10 days. If you don't book something in that timeframe – or even if you do and you want to make another reservation later – you'll need to refresh your eligibility on deltaairbnb.com before booking to continue earning on Airbnb for another 10 days.
On the plus side, Delta and Airbnb have made it much easier to see how many SkyMiles you're earning through Airbnb when you go to check out.
As a reminder, you'll earn 1x SkyMiles on Airbnb Stays and 3x SkyMiles on Experiences and Services. That means a $1,000 vacation rental is an extra 1,000 SkyMiles in your pocket, or a $100 cooking class is an extra 300 miles.
Given the highs and lows that Delta charges when using SkyMiles, that could be enough to get you well on your way to a free flight … or barely make a difference.
Bottom Line
Delta and Airbnb just made it easier to pad your SkyMiles balance without going out of your way.
You’ll still earn 1x SkyMiles on Airbnb stays, but now you can earn 3x on Experiences and Services – a simple way to turn tours, activities, and even a little trip splurge into extra miles. It’s not a game-changing haul on its own, but it’s the exact kind of low-effort earning opportunity we’re always looking for.
