A Starbucks store is seen inside the Tom Bradley Terminal at LAX Airport in Los Angeles, California.
Lucy Nicholson | Reuters
Delta Air Lines AND Starbucks are tying up their loyalty programs, marking the latest move by companies to broaden the appeal of their rewards programs and boost sales.
Starting Wednesday, members of Delta’s SkyMiles loyalty program can earn one mile for every $1 spent at Starbucks after linking their accounts. Those who link the two programs will also be able to earn double “stars” in Starbucks Rewards when they shop at participating Starbucks stores on days they have a Delta flight.
Delta already allows its SkyMiles members to earn miles with it Airbnb, Lyft and Instacart, as well as through its co-branded cards with American Express while airlines and others have expanded the ways customers can collect points beyond flying. Loyalty programs have become more important for airlines, especially during the pandemic when travel has fallen. Starbucks has also said its loyalty program helps boost sales.
From Wednesday through the end of the year, SkyMiles and Starbucks Rewards members can earn 500 miles if they link their accounts. They earn an additional 150 stars after making a qualifying purchase, such as food, drink or other merchandise.
According to Starbucks’ website, with 150 stars, members of the loyalty program can receive a coffee drink, such as a cappuccino.
The number of miles required for a free ticket varies based on demand and other factors. But this week, a round-trip ticket departing from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on Nov. 4 to Los Angeles and returning 10 days later was going for 30,500 SkyMiles on Delta’s website.
Customers can earn SkyMiles and Starbucks stars with every purchase, a Starbucks spokeswoman said.
The US version of Starbucks Rewards had 27.4 million active members as of July 3. Those members account for more than half of the company’s orders, the coffee chain said last month. At the latest investor day, Starbucks said it planned to tie its rewards program to other loyalty programs.
Alcohol, tax and gratuity are excluded from earning miles.
– CNBC Amelia Lucas contributed to this report.
Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated how many points are required to redeem a Starbucks coffee drink.
