Last Updated on July 28, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Delta Air Lines and Marriott Bonvoy give travelers several ways to connect flight and hotel rewards, but the programs are not merged and they do not offer reciprocal elite status. SkyMiles members can earn Delta miles on qualifying Marriott hotel stays, transfer existing Bonvoy points to SkyMiles, or use SkyMiles for eligible hotel bookings through Delta Stays. Each option follows different rules, so choosing the right one can make a meaningful difference in the rewards and hotel benefits you receive.
Quick Answer
Delta SkyMiles members can earn miles on qualifying Marriott stays by setting Marriott Bonvoy to earn airline miles and adding their SkyMiles number. Most participating Marriott brands earn either 2 or 1 SkyMile per eligible $1. Bonvoy points also transfer to Delta at 3:1, but the programs do not provide reciprocal elite status.
Delta SkyMiles and Marriott Bonvoy: key takeaways
Key Takeaways
- Marriott Bonvoy is one of several lodging partners through which Delta SkyMiles members can earn miles.
- You can set Marriott Bonvoy to earn Delta SkyMiles instead of Bonvoy points on future qualifying stays.
- Delta currently earns 2 SkyMiles per eligible $1 at many luxury and premium Marriott brands and 1 SkyMile per eligible $1 at many select and extended-stay brands.
- Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to Delta SkyMiles at 3:1, but Delta is excluded from Marriott’s usual 5,000-mile bonus on 60,000-point transfers.
- You cannot earn both Marriott points and airline miles as your reward currency for the same qualifying stay.
- Delta Stays is separate from direct Marriott earning. A Marriott booked through Delta Stays may not qualify for Bonvoy points, Elite Night Credit, or normal elite benefits because Delta’s hotel platform is Expedia-powered.
- Delta and Marriott elite benefits remain independent; there is no published reciprocal status match between the two programs.
Benefits of being a Delta Air Lines SkyMiles member and Marriott Bonvoy member
Earning rewards with SkyMiles
SkyMiles members can earn miles from eligible Delta flights, Delta co-branded credit-card purchases, lodging partners, rental cars and other qualifying activity. Current flight earning depends on the Delta travel experience or fare purchased. For example, eligible Delta-marketed Classic or Refundable experiences generally earn 5 miles per eligible $1 for a general SkyMiles member, while Extra earns more; Delta Main Basic does not earn SkyMiles. Partner-airline and exception-fare rules can also differ. See Delta’s current SkyMiles earning rules before relying on a specific earning rate.
Medallion Status adds benefits such as higher mileage earning on qualifying flights, priority boarding, eligible complimentary upgrades, waived baggage fees and other tier-specific perks. Those benefits come from Delta status itself, not from Marriott Bonvoy membership.
Unlocking rewards with Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy members normally earn points on qualifying stays and eligible hotel charges. Many Marriott brands currently earn 10 base Bonvoy points per eligible $1, while several extended-stay and other brands earn at lower base rates. Members can redeem points for hotel awards and other eligible redemptions.
Basic Bonvoy membership also includes benefits such as complimentary in-room Wi-Fi, member rates and mobile check-in at participating properties. Benefits such as late check-out, enhanced room upgrades, breakfast offerings and lounge access depend on elite tier, hotel brand, property and the program’s current terms. See Marriott Bonvoy member benefits for the current tier-by-tier rules.
Maximizing rewards potential
Being active in both programs gives you more choices, but it does not automatically let you double-dip. For a qualifying Marriott stay, you can generally choose Bonvoy points or airline miles as your Marriott earning currency. You can also keep earning Bonvoy points and later transfer some of them to SkyMiles when you need to top up a Delta balance.
Co-branded credit cards can add another layer of earnings on eligible purchases. Those card rewards are separate from Marriott’s decision to credit a qualifying hotel stay with Bonvoy points or Delta miles, and card benefits vary by product.
How Delta SkyMiles and Marriott Bonvoy actually work together
There are three different ways Delta and Marriott rewards can intersect. They should not be treated as the same transaction.
1. Earn Delta SkyMiles directly on qualifying Marriott stays
Marriott Bonvoy accounts are normally set to earn points. To earn SkyMiles instead, use the one-time process described by Delta’s lodging-partner page and Marriott’s program rules:
- Sign in to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
- Open your profile and change your earning preference from points to airline miles.
- Select Delta SkyMiles as the participating frequent-flyer program.
- Enter and save your SkyMiles number.
- Book and complete a qualifying Marriott stay using a qualifying rate.
For current Delta SkyMiles earning through Marriott, the rate depends on the hotel brand:
| Delta earning rate | Representative Marriott brands |
| 2 SkyMiles per eligible $1 | The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, EDITION, Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis, W Hotels, Renaissance, Autograph Collection, Design Hotels, MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy and other listed brands. |
| 1 SkyMile per eligible $1 | Courtyard, Fairfield, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, AC Hotels, Aloft, Moxy, Element, City Express, StudioRes, citizenM and other listed brands. |
Marriott’s exact participating-brand list can change, so check its current airline-mile earning page before a stay.
Note: Marriott allows a member to earn only one loyalty currency for the same qualifying stay: Bonvoy points or airline miles. If your profile is set to Delta miles, you do not also earn normal Bonvoy points or Elite Bonus Points on those qualifying charges. A qualifying stay can still earn Elite Night Credit under Marriott’s rules, subject to brand and program exceptions.
A qualifying Marriott stay also matters. Marriott generally requires an eligible rate and qualifying booking channel. For example, a hotel stay booked directly through Marriott channels at a qualifying rate can earn points or miles, while many third-party bookings cannot.
2. Transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Delta SkyMiles
If you already have Bonvoy points, you can transfer them to Delta without changing your earning preference for future hotel stays. Marriott currently lists Delta SkyMiles at a 3:1 points-to-miles ratio, so 3 Marriott Bonvoy points become 1 Delta SkyMile.
60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points currently convert to 20,000 Delta SkyMiles. Delta is excluded from Marriott’s normal 5,000-mile bonus on a 60,000-point airline transfer.
Marriott’s current points-to-miles page confirms both the 3:1 Delta ratio and the transfer-bonus exception.
The reverse direction is different. Marriott publishes a list of airline programs whose miles can be converted into Bonvoy points, and Delta SkyMiles is not currently among those participating programs. In practical terms, there is no published SkyMiles-to-Bonvoy transfer path at this time.
3. Use SkyMiles for a hotel through Delta Stays
Delta also lets logged-in SkyMiles members use miles to pay for all or part of certain eligible hotel and vacation-rental bookings through Delta Stays. This is a hotel redemption using SkyMiles; it is not a transfer of SkyMiles into Marriott Bonvoy.
On eligible paid Delta Stays bookings, SkyMiles members currently earn 2 miles per eligible $1 spent on the base hotel rate. Delta does not award those miles on the portion of a booking paid with SkyMiles. See Delta’s current hotel redemption rules for details.
Warning: Do not assume that a Marriott property booked through Delta Stays will earn Bonvoy points, Elite Night Credit, or normal Marriott elite benefits. Delta says its hotel booking engine is powered by Expedia, while Marriott generally classifies reservations made through online travel channels such as Expedia as non-qualifying rates. Book directly through an eligible Marriott channel when preserving Bonvoy earning and elite benefits is important.
Perks for Delta SkyMiles and Marriott Bonvoy members
| Perk/Privilege | How it actually works |
| Priority Check-in / Boarding | Delta Medallion members receive priority boarding according to tier. Marriott members can use mobile check-in at participating hotels, while other hotel arrival benefits depend on Bonvoy status and property rules. These benefits are independent. |
| Room Upgrades | Eligible Marriott Bonvoy elite members may receive enhanced room upgrades based on status, brand and availability. Delta’s complimentary flight-upgrade rules are separate and depend on Medallion tier, fare and route. |
| Free Wi-Fi | SkyMiles members can use fast, free Delta Sync Wi-Fi on most equipped domestic and international Delta flights. Marriott Bonvoy members receive complimentary in-room Wi-Fi at participating properties. These are separate membership benefits. |
| Lounge Access | Medallion status alone does not provide blanket Delta Sky Club access. Access depends on factors such as qualifying itinerary and cabin, Sky Club membership or an eligible card. Marriott Platinum Elite and higher tiers can receive lounge access at participating brands under Marriott’s terms. |
Each program’s elite perks therefore work independently rather than as a merged benefit tier. Delta Medallion members can receive benefits such as priority boarding, eligible upgrades and waived baggage fees. Marriott Bonvoy elite members separately receive status-based hotel benefits such as room upgrades, late checkout, welcome gifts, breakfast options or lounge access where the applicable tier and brand provide them.
Making the most of both programs
The best strategy depends on which reward you need and how much you value Marriott elite progress.
- You want SkyMiles from an upcoming Marriott stay: book a qualifying Marriott rate and set your Bonvoy earning preference to Delta before the stay.
- You want to build Marriott rewards: keep your account set to Bonvoy points and book through a qualifying Marriott channel.
- You already have Bonvoy points and need a few more SkyMiles: consider a 3:1 transfer when you have a specific Delta redemption ready.
- You want to spend existing SkyMiles on lodging: compare Delta Stays, but do not assume the booking will qualify for Marriott points or elite benefits.
At many Marriott brands, a member earning Bonvoy points receives 10 base points per eligible $1, while choosing Delta miles at many of those same brands earns 2 SkyMiles per eligible $1. That does not automatically make one option five times more valuable because Bonvoy points and SkyMiles have different redemption values, but it shows why switching currencies should be a deliberate decision rather than a default.
Pro Tip: Keep Bonvoy points until you have a specific Delta redemption in mind. Transfers to Delta use a 3:1 ratio and do not receive Marriott’s normal 5,000-mile bonus on a 60,000-point transfer, so transferring speculatively can reduce your flexibility.
Tips for booking flights and hotel stays
Book early when prices and award inventory fit your plans, but compare more than the headline rate. A cheaper third-party hotel price may be less attractive if it gives up Bonvoy points, Elite Night Credit or status benefits.
- Check your Bonvoy earning preference before the stay. Marriott says a switch from points to miles applies to future qualifying stays after the profile change.
- Use a qualifying Marriott booking channel when Bonvoy benefits matter. Direct qualifying bookings are generally the safest route for earning Marriott credit.
- Make sure your account details are correct. Save the correct SkyMiles number in your Marriott profile, and keep the names on your loyalty accounts consistent when transferring points.
- Compare cash rates, cancellation rules and rewards. Do not choose Delta Stays or a direct Marriott booking based only on the number of miles or points advertised.
- Check current promotions before paying. Delta, Marriott and their co-branded cards may offer temporary bonuses that change the value of one option.
- Use each brand’s app for its own trip functions. The Fly Delta app handles flight information and Delta account activity, while the Marriott Bonvoy app supports hotel reservations, mobile check-in and other participating-property features.
How the relationship may develop
Loyalty programs regularly change earning rates, participating brands, redemption methods and technology. As of July 28, 2026, the official Delta and Marriott materials reviewed for this article support three main connections: earning SkyMiles instead of Bonvoy points on qualifying Marriott stays, transferring Bonvoy points to SkyMiles, and booking or redeeming miles for hotels through Delta Stays.
The current materials do not describe a merged loyalty program or a broad reciprocal status match between Delta Medallion and Marriott Bonvoy elite tiers. Both companies also operate sustainability initiatives independently, but there is no current loyalty-program basis for assuming those efforts will create joint Delta-Marriott benefits. Treat any future expansion as unconfirmed until Delta or Marriott publishes new terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hotel chain is Delta Air Lines affiliated with?
Delta works with several lodging partners rather than being affiliated with only one hotel chain. Marriott Bonvoy is one of its participating hotel loyalty partners, and Delta also publishes earning opportunities with other lodging partners such as IHG, Hyatt and Shangri-La.
What benefits do Delta SkyMiles members get through Marriott Bonvoy?
A Bonvoy member can choose Delta SkyMiles as the earning currency for future qualifying Marriott stays or transfer existing Bonvoy points to SkyMiles. Delta and Marriott elite benefits remain separate, so Delta status does not automatically provide Marriott elite status or hotel upgrades.
How can I earn Delta miles through Marriott Bonvoy?
Sign in to Marriott Bonvoy, change your earning preference from points to airline miles, select Delta SkyMiles, and save your SkyMiles number. Future qualifying stays can then earn Delta miles at the applicable Marriott brand rate instead of normal Bonvoy points.
Can I redeem Delta miles for hotel stays at Marriott?
You can use SkyMiles for all or part of certain eligible hotel bookings through Delta Stays, and its inventory can include Marriott properties. This is a Delta Stays redemption rather than a transfer into Marriott Bonvoy, and a third-party booking may not qualify for normal Bonvoy earning or elite benefits.
Can I earn Marriott Bonvoy points and Delta SkyMiles on the same Marriott stay?
Not as your Marriott earning currency. Marriott’s rules let you earn either Bonvoy points or airline miles for the same qualifying stay. Choosing Delta miles means you do not also earn normal Bonvoy points or Elite Bonus Points on those qualifying charges.
Do I still earn Marriott Elite Night Credit if I choose Delta miles?
A qualifying Marriott stay can still earn Elite Night Credit when your earning preference is set to airline miles, subject to Marriott’s normal brand and qualifying-stay exceptions. However, Marriott says Elite Bonus Points are not awarded when your earning preference is Miles.
Will a Marriott booked through Delta Stays earn Bonvoy points?
Do not assume it will. Delta says its hotel platform is powered by Expedia, and Marriott generally treats bookings made through online travel channels as non-qualifying rates. Those stays normally do not receive Bonvoy points, Elite Night Credit or membership-tier benefits unless a specific exception or offer says otherwise.
Sources
- Delta SkyMiles Partners & Offers — Marriott hotel-mile earning process, brand rates and Delta Stays lodging rules.
- Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program Terms & Conditions — qualifying stays, points-versus-miles rules, Elite Night Credit, elite bonus rules and third-party booking exclusions.
- Marriott Bonvoy: Transfer Points to Miles — confirms Delta’s 3:1 transfer ratio and its exclusion from the 5,000-mile transfer bonus.
- Delta: Travel With Miles — current Delta Stays pay-with-miles and hotel redemption rules.
- Delta SkyMiles: How to Earn Miles — current flight earning rules and fare-based exceptions.
- Delta Sky Club Access & Policies — current Medallion, cabin, membership and card-based lounge-access rules.
