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How to Book Delta Premium Select Fare with SkyMiles

Booking Delta Premium Select with SkyMiles is easy, but you need enough miles for the total reward flight redemption.

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Updated Nov. 11, 2024
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If you have enough Delta SkyMiles, you can redeem them for a flight. You can use your SkyMiles to book a Delta Premium Select fare for a luxurious travel experience.

This fare is available on trans-Pacific and most trans-Atlantic flights. However, keep in mind that there are no partial reimbursements — you must have the full amount of SkyMiles to book a flight.

To book Delta Premium Select, you’ll need to log into your Delta account and search for a Premium Select seat using SkyMiles.

In this article

Key takeaways

  • To book a Delta Premium Select seat with SkyMiles, you simply need to search for available award flights, find one on your preferred date, and book it by logging into your account.
  • Delta Premium Select offers more amenities and perks, such as complimentary alcoholic beverages and extra premium snacks.
  • Delta Premium Select customers also receive a dedicated overhead bin space for their carry-on bags.
  • An additional perk is priority boarding toward the front of the line, just behind Diamond Medallion passengers.
  • You can use one of the Delta credit cards to earn SkyMiles to redeem toward your Premium Select seat.

What is Delta Premium Select?

Delta Premium Select is a section of Delta cabin classes that has more benefits than almost any other section, except for Delta One.

Premium Select seats are only available on international flights as of November 2023. This includes flights on Airbus A350, Airbus A330-900neo, Boeing 777, and Boeing 767-400ER.

Key benefits of Delta Premium Select include:

  • Bigger screens for in-flight entertainment, including movies and shows.
  • Recliner seats with an adjustable footrest and fold-out leg rest.
  • Outlets at each seat, so you can charge your devices while in the air.
  • Early boarding and potentially faster baggage check-in.
  • Upgraded food menu choices and exclusive snacks.
  • Complimentary alcoholic beverages for customers 21 and older.
  • A premium amenity kit, including eye masks, socks, and lip balm.

How to book Delta Premium Select with SkyMiles

Follow these steps to redeem your SkyMiles for a Delta Premium Select cabin fare:

  1. Visit Delta.com and use the search bar to enter your origin and destination city. You can also include nearby airports, as well as if you are traveling one-way or round trip.


  1. Select your desired travel dates and the number of passengers. You can also select the “My dates are flexible” box to see expanded options that will show your cheapest options, in terms of needed SkyMiles, in a grid.


  1. Click “Shop with Miles” and then scroll down to the “Best Fares For” section and click on the “Delta Premium Select” option.


  1. Go through available award flights to find your preferred option. You can sort and filter your results to make it easier to find the best option. Make sure to review the total flight time and potential layovers.


  1. You can view more flight details by clicking on a specific option. This includes information such as its reliability, power outlet status, Wi-Fi, entertainment screen, and more.


  1. Once you click on the departure Delta flight, you will see a list of return options. These will have the same sorting and filter choices as the departure flights.


  1. Next, you can view the trip summary with the total SkyMiles, taxes, and fees required.


  1. Click “Continue to Review & Pay” to finalize your booking. You may need to log into your Delta account.

Keep in mind
You’ll need the full number of SkyMiles required, as Delta doesn’t allow partial SkyMiles redemptions.

You can earn SkyMiles with several credit cards. You can also transfer rewards from some credit cards to Delta SkyMiles. For example, some American Express cards allow you to transfer your Membership Rewards points to SkyMiles.

Credit card Welcome offer Annual fee

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

Earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 6 months $0

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $150 per year thereafter

American Express® Gold Card

American Express® Gold Card

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership $325

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months $350

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months $650

Is Delta Premium Select worth it?

Delta Premium Select offers amenities that can improve both the pre-flight and in-flight experience for travelers. When you’re traveling abroad, having the most comfortable flight experience possible can make a huge difference.

That said, Delta Premium Select seats are more expensive than Main Cabin seats, even if you’re using SkyMiles. For example, we found a round-trip flight from Chicago to London for 48,000 miles in the Main Cabin or 164,000 miles in Premium Select.

Ultimately, the value of Delta Premium Select depends on your preferences. Let’s explore how it compares to other fare classes Delta offers.

Delta Premium Select vs. Main Cabin

Delta Premium Select Delta Main Cabin
Boarding Boards before Main Cabin, after Diamond Medallion members Boards second-to-last, before Basic Economy
Food and beverage selection Upgraded food menu options along with exclusive snacks and complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the flight Choice of an entree and a dessert on longer flights, along with standard beverage options, including beer, spirits, and a limited selection of wine
Seats Additional legroom with wider seats that recline and fold-out leg rest Standard legroom
Overhead space Dedicated overhead space No dedicated overhead area
Fare flexibility No change fees No change fees

Delta’s Main Cabin is a fare class above Basic Economy. When comparing Premium Select and the Main Cabin, you’ll find a wide gap in amenities between the two, particularly when it comes to boarding, food and beverage options, and overhead space.

One of the biggest perks for many flyers is that Premium Select passengers get to board sooner than Main Cabin customers, who are second-to-last in the boarding process.

Main Cabin customers get meals on long-haul flights. However, the food and beverage service for Premium Select customers is definitely a step up.

Flying in Premium Select, passengers start their flight with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and also receive complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for the whole flight. In addition to meals, Premium Select flyers also get specialty snacks.

Premium Select customers also receive their own overhead space, while Main Cabin passengers are not guaranteed an overhead bin.

Delta Premium Select vs. Comfort+

Delta Premium Select Delta Comfort+
Boarding Boards before Comfort+, after Diamond Medallion members Boards after Premium Select, before Main Cabin
Food and beverage selection Upgraded food menu options along with exclusive snacks and complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the flight Choice of an entree and a dessert on longer flights, along with standard beverage options including beer, spirits, and a limited selection of wine
Seats Additional legroom with comfortable seats that recline and fold-out leg rest More legroom than Main Cabin
Overhead space Dedicated overhead space Dedicated overhead space
Fare flexibility No change fees No change fees

Delta Premium Select offers better service than Comfort+, Delta’s equivalent of a premium economy fare. Premium Select customers board the plane earlier and receive beverages and food sooner.

Even though Comfort+ customers receive a well-prepared meal and dessert, Premium Select passengers have more food options, including delicious specialty snacks upon boarding.

Delta Premium Select seats are also guaranteed to have a power outlet, which can be convenient for flyers trying to use their devices en route.

Both Comfort+ and Premium Select seats come with complimentary amenity kits for long-haul international flights. The two classes also dedicated overhead space and no change fees.

Delta Premium Select FAQ

How many free checked bags do I get on Delta Premium Select?

You receive two free checked bags as a Delta Premium Select customer. Delta Air Lines restricts checked bags to a 50-pound weight limit on Premium Select. Only Delta One, First, and Business passengers are allowed 70-pound bags.

Is Delta Premium Select the same as a business class fare?

Delta doesn’t have a specific business class label. For most airlines, business class is a step between first class and economy.

On Delta, you can choose from the following classes:

  • Basic Economy
  • Main Cabin
  • Comfort+
  • First Class
  • Premium Select
  • Delta One

Delta Premium Select may be better than what other airlines refer to as business class. Premium Select seats are less expensive than Delta One but typically cost more than First Class, Comfort+, or Main Cabin seats.

Does Delta Premium Select get you into the Delta Lounge?

To access the Delta Sky Club, you must have medallion status. Delta Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Medallion members are eligible for airport lounge access with Delta as long as they travel in Delta Premium Select or Delta One. They can also bring one guest, who must also have a Delta Premium Select or Delta One seat.

You can earn Medallion status by earning enough qualifying miles. There are four Medallion status tiers, and you need to be a SkyMiles member to earn them.

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Booking Delta Premium Select with miles: The bottom line

If you have an ample amount of SkyMiles saved up, you may be able to book a Delta Premium Select seat for your next overseas flight.

The process is fairly straightforward and simple, especially if you’re already used to booking award flights with Delta. Find more information in our guide to flying Delta with points.

You can also explore more options for earning reward travel in our lists of the best travel credit cards and best airline credit cards.

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Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

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