Delta Air Lines and Airbnb have expanded their loyalty partnership to include Airbnb Experiences and Services, allowing travelers to earn SkyMiles rewards on accommodations, guided tours, and local activities booked through the platform.
The partnership extension broadens earning opportunities for Delta's 100 million-plus SkyMiles members. Previously limited to Airbnb's accommodation bookings, the expanded deal now covers Experiences, which range from cooking classes and wine tastings to guided hikes and cultural tours. Services, Airbnb's newer offering, includes cleaning, maintenance, and other support for hosts and renters.
This move reflects a travel industry shift toward bundled rewards programs that incentivize spending across multiple service categories. Loyalty programs increasingly recognize that modern travelers want flexibility and integrated redemption options beyond traditional airline bookings.
For SkyMiles members, the benefit works straightforwardly. Book an experience in Barcelona, earn miles. Reserve a service through Airbnb, accumulate points toward future Delta flights. The exact earning rate and any caps remain undisclosed, but partnerships of this type typically offer 1-2 miles per dollar spent.
Delta positions this as a response to changing travel behavior. Post-pandemic travelers prioritize experiences and authentic local engagement over passive tourism. Airbnb's Experiences platform, launched in 2016, attracts millions seeking chef-led dinners, craft workshops, and neighborhood explorations led by locals rather than standardized tour operators.
The partnership benefits both companies. Airbnb gains access to Delta's massive loyalty base, potentially increasing transaction volume. Delta strengthens retention of its frequent flyers by creating more touchpoints for earning miles outside airline revenue, a strategic necessity as flight-based miles become harder to earn amid capacity constraints.
For budget-conscious travelers, this expands paths to free flights. Those who regularly book Air