American AAdvantage vs. Delta SkyMiles

To find the right one that meets your needs, you’ll want to do a little comparison shopping. Of course, the right program varies for each person because it is based on where you live, where you travel to most often and the type of trips you like to redeem with miles.

When comparing American AAdvantage versus Delta SkyMiles though, there is a clear winner for those interested in feeling rewarded. Here’s what you need to know to make the right decision for you.

Both carriers have a similar earning structure offering general members 5x miles per dollar spent on all fares, except for basic economy (more on that below). Elite status travelers earn at a ratio of 7x, 8x, 9x and 11x in ascending order based on the four tiers.

American offers a variety of other ways to accrue miles through spending: booking rental cars, hotels or vacation packages through the airline, shopping through the online portal or spending on American Airlines co-branded credit cards.

Unlike Delta, AAdvantage members do earn miles on basic economy fares, but at the measly rate of 2 miles per $1. Members with elite status will also get a bonus on the 2x miles.

Delta offers similar mileage-earning opportunities but tacks on some innovative partnerships like earning miles when shopping via Instacart, Starbucks, Lyft, and Airbnb, among others. It also has a suite of co-branded Delta credit cards. SkyMiles members do not earn miles on basic economy tickets.

Things get a bit more interesting here because it’s much easier to earn status with American and its Loyalty Points system than with Delta and its Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs).

Both airlines use different metrics, but the chart below outlines the different tier qualifications for 2025 elite status. American and Delta have also created online calculators to help you determine your specific situation.

It is possible to achieve elite status without flying by spending on the airlines’ credit cards. American gives cardholders one Loyalty Point per $1 spent on its co-branded credit cards. Meanwhile, Delta co-branded credit cards earn one MDQ per $10 or $20 spent (depending on the card).

American Airlines also lets elite members earn Loyalty Points at a higher ratio. For example, an AAdvantage Executive Platinum member earns 11x Loyalty Points per dollar spent on flights, compared to just 5x for general members. On Delta, a general non-status member and a Diamond Medallion earn 1 MQD per dollar spent, so the ascent to top status (or requalification) is much harder with Delta than on American.

Winner: American Airlines

The whole point (forgive the pun) in earning miles is to redeem them for travel to the places you want to go. This means that the number of redemption partners for an airline program is key, and the ability to know how many miles you would need is helpful. Both airlines have moved to dynamic pricing, which means knowing how many miles you will need for a redemption is hard.

It is common to find American awards in economy as low as 5,000 or 7,500 miles for a short, one-way redemption. Longer flights and those in the premium cabin can cost more, but you can usually find good deals if you are flexible.

That doesn’t mean there are not some crazy high redemptions like one-way business class flights to Sydney for 450,000 miles. But across the board, there are many more sweet spots.

Aside from the occasional SkyMiles flash sale where the carrier makes many awards quite affordable, its cheapest standard redemption using SkyMiles usually prices into basic economy. This means you have fewer benefits and won’t be able to use the Sky Club, even with an annual membership. If you redeem your SkyMiles for a business class seat, the pricing can be astronomical, sometimes as much as 400,000 to 500,000 miles for a one-way ticket.

Winner: American Airlines

Both loyalty programs offer elite-status members space-available upgrades on most domestic and regional flights. These are not promised, and they should not be expected. If you really want to fly in the premium cabin, you should purchase a ticket for it. But when there is space, it’s nice to be recognized. Both programs also offer their top-tier elites upgrade certificates that can be used on longer flights, but they are quite different.

American’s systemwide upgrades are available on any economy class fare for an upgrade to business class or domestic first class if inventory is available. However, these cannot be used on award tickets. A recent change is the ability to also use them on British Airways tickets, but you’ll only be able to go from economy to premium economy, premium economy to business or business to first class.

On the other hand, Delta only offers the complimentary upgrade from economy to the next-available cabin. On many flights, this is economy to premium economy — not business class. If space is available at departure time, the upgrade to business would be made available. This makes it less rewarding to use these.

Delta does deserve credit, however, for allowing elite travelers to use these certificates on award flights and Miles+Cash tickets, as well as with partners like Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic.

Winner: American Airlines

Both airlines have an extensive lounge network providing travelers with a place to relax. They include complimentary refreshments and more personalized customer service.

American is working on upgrading many of its Admirals Clubs and improving the food and beverages. Where American earns accolades is in its entry policy, which includes any time before departure on a same-day American or partner flight as well as upon arrival. Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® cardholders can bring in two guests on an unlimited annual basis. American also grants access to top American or Oneworld elite members traveling on an international flight (even when in economy class).

Typically, Delta Sky Clubs are more modern and have better food spreads. They have become so popular with travelers that the airline had to limit access to only three hours before departure.

Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion passengers traveling in economy class cannot access Sky Clubs on an eligible, same-day international departure, despite this being a key perk for SkyTeam elite status. New restrictions also cut access for pretty much anyone traveling in basic economy.

Winner: American Airlines

Both airlines offer a global network of flights and loyalty programs with multiple ways to earn rewards.

Miles aren’t the only rewards, either. American offers benefits (called Loyalty Point Rewards) that begin at certain thresholds even before achieving elite status. These include things such as priority boarding, bonus miles and systemwide upgrades.

When Delta SkyMiles members reach Platinum and Diamond Medallion tiers, they get to choose Choice Benefits. Options include bonus miles, gift cards and regional or global upgrades.

Unfortunately, recent changes to SkyMiles have made it harder to earn top-tier elite status. This comes on the heels of reductions in the value of SkyMiles for redemptions, fewer global upgrade uses and more restrictive lounge access policies.

As a result, American’s program comes out ahead for many travelers who value those benefits. The value you find comes down to what is important to you and how often you can fly (or spend) with either airline.