The aviation partnership landscape shifted dramatically when LATAM Airlines Group departed the oneworld alliance in May 2020. For years, American Airlines AAdvantage members could earn and redeem miles seamlessly across South America’s largest carrier. Then came the unexpected announcement: Delta Air Lines would acquire a 20% stake in LATAM and launch a joint venture covering North and South America. According to Delta’s 2026 investor relations data, the joint venture now covers over 300 daily flights between the continents, with combined annual revenues exceeding $8 billion across the partnership. LATAM itself carries approximately 74 million passengers annually across 145 destinations in 26 countries as of Q1 2026 operational reports. But for frequent flyers, the practical question remains: can you still credit LATAM flights to Delta SkyMiles, and if so, how does it actually work in 2026?
The Current State of the Delta-LATAM Partnership
The Delta-LATAM relationship has matured significantly since the initial investment in 2019. The joint venture received final regulatory approval from all required governments by mid-2023, and the carriers have since integrated their networks across key hubs including Atlanta, Miami, New York-JFK, Santiago, São Paulo, and Lima. The partnership now includes codesharing on over 120 routes, reciprocal lounge access for elite members, and coordinated scheduling on trans-American corridors. However, the earning relationship for SkyMiles members is more nuanced than a simple blanket policy. LATAM is not a full SkyTeam alliance member, which means earning and redemption rules differ from what you would experience on Air France, KLM, or Korean Air. Instead, the partnership operates under a bilateral agreement with specific fare class eligibility requirements that every SkyMiles member should understand before booking.
Which LATAM Fare Classes Earn Delta SkyMiles?
This is where the rubber meets the road for mileage earners. Not all LATAM tickets will credit to your Delta SkyMiles account, and assuming otherwise can lead to disappointment at the airport. LATAM uses a fare class structure that determines eligibility, and the earning rates vary dramatically based on booking class. Premium cabin tickets naturally earn more, but certain deeply discounted economy fares earn nothing at all. The LATAM miles earning chart for Delta SkyMiles in 2026 follows a tiered structure based on the operating carrier’s fare buckets. Premium Business (J, C, D, I) fares earn up to 150% of flown miles, while full-fare Economy (Y, B, H) can earn 100%. Discounted Economy (K, M, L, V) typically earns 50%, and deeply discounted classes (S, N, Q, O, G, A, R) may earn 25% or, in some cases, zero miles. Always verify the specific fare class on your ticket before purchasing, as LATAM’s booking interface sometimes displays promotional names rather than the underlying booking code.
How the Joint Venture Affects Mileage Accrual
The joint venture itself does not guarantee mileage earning on every flight. The JV primarily governs revenue sharing, schedule coordination, and pricing alignment between Delta and LATAM on routes between North and South America. What it does influence is the consistency of the partnership. Prior to the joint venture, earning rates and eligible fare classes changed frequently as the relationship evolved. Now, with a stable, long-term commercial agreement in place, the earning structure has remained consistent through 2025 and into 2026. The joint venture also means that certain routes previously operated independently now carry both DL and LA flight numbers. When you book through Delta’s channels on a Delta-marketed flight operated by LATAM, standard Delta earning rates apply, which can sometimes be more generous than crediting a LATAM-ticketed flight directly. This distinction between marketing carrier and operating carrier is critical for maximizing your mileage haul.
Step-by-Step: Crediting LATAM Flights to Delta
The process itself is straightforward, but missing a single step can result in miles landing in LATAM Pass instead of SkyMiles. LATAM’s default frequent flyer program is LATAM Pass, and if you do not specify otherwise, your flight earnings will automatically credit there. To ensure your miles reach Delta, you must add your SkyMiles number to the reservation. Here is the recommended workflow: first, book your flight and note the reservation code. Second, access the booking on LATAM’s website or app, navigate to passenger details, and replace any existing frequent flyer number with your nine-digit SkyMiles number. Third, verify the change appears on your boarding pass at check-in. Keep your physical boarding pass and ticket receipt until the miles post, which typically takes 7 to 14 days after the flight. If miles fail to appear after two weeks, Delta’s online missing mileage request form requires the ticket number, flight date, and routing details.
LATAM Domestic Flights Within South America
One of the most common questions involves LATAM’s extensive domestic networks in Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador. Yes, LATAM domestic flights within South America are eligible for Delta SkyMiles earning, provided the fare class qualifies under the partnership agreement. This opens up significant earning opportunities for travelers exploring multiple countries on the continent. For example, a LATAM flight from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro in fare class Y would earn 100% of the 225 flown miles. A Santiago to Lima segment in Premium Business class J could earn over 2,000 SkyMiles on a single three-hour flight. However, regional subsidiaries and affiliates may have different rules. LATAM Airlines Brasil, LATAM Airlines Chile, LATAM Airlines Peru, LATAM Airlines Colombia, and LATAM Airlines Ecuador all participate in the Delta partnership, but always confirm the operating carrier on your ticket matches one of these entities.
What About LATAM Flights to Non-US Destinations?
A pleasant aspect of the Delta-LATAM partnership is its geographic reach beyond the Americas. SkyMiles earning on LATAM extends to flights between South America and Europe, Oceania, and within South America itself, not just routes touching the United States. The joint venture specifically covers North-South America corridors, but the broader frequent flyer partnership encompasses LATAM’s entire global network. This means a LATAM flight from São Paulo to London Heathrow, Santiago to Auckland, or Lima to Madrid can all earn Delta SkyMiles. The earning rates follow the same fare class chart regardless of route. For travelers connecting through LATAM’s Santiago hub to Tahiti or Easter Island, these exotic segments count toward SkyMiles qualification as well. The key limitation is that LATAM flights wholly within Europe or other regions where LATAM does not have operating rights are rare, as the airline’s network radiates from South America.
Elite Status Benefits and Medallion Qualification
Earning redeemable miles is only part of the equation. Flights credited to Delta SkyMiles from LATAM also earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs), which are the sole metric for Delta elite status qualification in 2026. MQDs are calculated based on the fare paid in US dollars, converted from the local currency at the time of purchase. For Medallion status seekers, this creates both opportunities and complexities. LATAM fares in South American markets can sometimes be significantly lower than comparable Delta-operated routes, meaning MQD accrual may be modest. On the other hand, Premium Business fares on long-haul LATAM flights can generate substantial MQDs. Delta Medallion members also receive priority boarding and preferred seat access on LATAM flights when their SkyMiles number is attached to the reservation. This reciprocity extends through the Gold, Platinum, and Diamond tiers, though Delta Silver Medallion members do not receive equivalent benefits on LATAM.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Several traps can prevent your LATAM flights from earning SkyMiles. The most frequent issue is accidentally leaving a LATAM Pass number on the reservation, which diverts miles to the wrong program with virtually no recourse for transfer after the fact. Another common problem involves booking through third-party online travel agencies that default to LATAM Pass or strip frequent flyer information entirely. Always verify your SkyMiles number appears on the booking before travel, ideally at least 48 hours prior to departure. Award tickets booked through LATAM Pass using LATAM points are not eligible for SkyMiles earning, as is standard across the industry. Additionally, flights that are rebooked or disrupted and re-accommodated on non-partner airlines will not earn Delta miles, even if originally ticketed on LATAM. In irregular operations situations, politely request rebooking on Delta or another SkyMiles-earning carrier if mileage accrual matters to you.
FAQ
Can I earn Delta SkyMiles on LATAM flights booked with points or award tickets?
No. Award tickets issued by LATAM Pass or any partner frequent flyer program do not earn SkyMiles. Only revenue tickets in eligible fare classes qualify for mileage accrual. This policy has been consistent through 2025 and remains unchanged in 2026.
How long does it take for LATAM flights to post to my Delta SkyMiles account?
Most LATAM flights post within 7 to 14 calendar days after the flight date. If miles have not appeared after 14 days, you can submit a missing mileage claim through Delta’s website. Delta requires the 13-digit ticket number starting with 045, flight number, date, and routing. Claims must be filed within 9 months of the flight date.
What percentage of miles do LATAM Premium Business fares earn in 2026?
Premium Business fares in J, C, D, and I classes earn 150% of actual flown miles. A 5,000-mile flight from New York to Santiago in fare class J would yield 7,500 SkyMiles, plus any applicable Medallion status bonuses. F, A, and some promotional business fares may earn at lower rates or not at all.
Do LATAM flights count toward Delta Medallion status qualification?
Yes. LATAM flights credited to SkyMiles earn Medallion Qualification Dollars based on the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges, converted to US dollars. Government taxes and fees do not count toward MQD. Delta eliminated MQM and MQS requirements in 2024, so MQDs are the sole qualification metric in 2026.
Can I use Delta SkyMiles to book LATAM flights?
Yes, but availability varies significantly by route and season. Delta’s award search engine displays LATAM-operated flights when partner award space is released. LATAM does not guarantee award availability to Delta members, and some high-demand routes, particularly domestic Brazil segments and premium cabin long-haul flights, show limited partner inventory.
参考资料
- Delta Air Lines Partner Earning Chart, Effective January 2026, Delta SkyMiles Program Documentation
- LATAM Airlines Group Q1 2026 Operational and Financial Results, Investor Relations Section
- US Department of Transportation Final Order Approving Delta-LATAM Joint Venture, Docket DOT-OST-2022-0089
- Delta Air Lines 2026 Investor Day Presentation, Partnership Revenue and Network Integration Data
- LATAM Pass Terms and Conditions, Section 8: Partner Airline Mileage Accrual, Updated March 2026