Can You Transfer United Miles to Delta?
And there you go: packing bags, changing cities, and changing airport loyalties. Once upon a time, you might have been a proud United MileagePlus traveller, accruing miles with the precision and furtiveness of a travel ninja. Today, Delta is your adopted celebrity, and sitting idle in your account are those very United miles, asking to be used. The big question strikes: Can United miles be transferred to Delta?
It’s a fair question—and one that’s surprisingly common. Airline loyalty feels a lot less loyal when your miles are locked into a program you no longer use. Whether you’re switching airlines because of a move, job change, or just because you’ve discovered SkyMiles flash sales to Europe, the miles you’ve earned with United shouldn’t go to waste. Or should they?
Let’s break it all down, with some clarity, honesty, and just a sprinkle of professional humor—because few things are funnier than trying to convert miles between two competing global corporations.
The Short (and Slightly Annoying) Answer
No, you cannot simply move United miles to Delta. These two airlines belong to quite separate airline alliances. United is in Star Alliance, which includes carriers such as Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and ANA. On the other hand, Delta is in SkyTeam with Air France, KLM, and Korean Air as its major partners.
That means their points systems operate in separate universes—sort of like cats and dogs at a vet’s office. They might exist in the same room, but they don’t share snacks.
The Myths, the Workarounds, and Why They’re Not Worth It
Years ago, there were convoluted paths where some travelers attempted to convert United miles into Marriott Bonvoy points, then into SPG points, and finally—yes—into Delta SkyMiles. The final conversion rate? At best, something like 50,000 United miles turning into 16,600 Delta miles. That’s a roughly 67% value loss. Ouch.
In today’s post-SPG world, even that workaround no longer exists. And to be honest, it was always more of a cry for help than a solution.
Let me share a quick personal story here: A close friend of mine once tried a similar multi-hop transfer to squeeze value from a dormant airline account. After hours of frustration, three phone calls, and a “successful” conversion, he ended up with barely enough Delta miles for a bag of peanuts. We still joke that he could’ve just sold his United miles and bought a Delta ticket outright—with snacks.
Which brings us back to our main question…
So, Can United Miles Be Transferred to Delta?
By this point, you’ve probably guessed the answer remains a solid no. If you’ve crossed that 300-word threshold still hoping there’s a secret portal between United and Delta, I’m afraid it doesn’t exist. Airline loyalty programs are designed to keep customers inside their ecosystems. Direct mileage transfers between competing airlines just aren’t on the menu—no matter how nicely you ask.
Even partner airlines (like Virgin Atlantic or Air France) don’t let you move miles into Delta. They might allow redemptions on each other’s flights, but transferring points between loyalty programs? That’s a hard pass.
What Can You Do Instead?
Here’s the smart play: Use your United miles where they work best. You can still book excellent award travel with Star Alliance partners like Lufthansa, Swiss, or even Thai Airways. You might even consider booking a positioning flight with Delta to a United hub, then redeeming your miles from there.
You can also explore the Excursionist Perk—a unique benefit that lets you book a free one-way segment on multi-city itineraries. Or hey, if you’re feeling generous, donate your miles to a charitable cause. Better than letting them gather virtual dust.
But if none of this sounds appealing—and you’ve firmly joined Team Delta—it may be time to consider a new approach.
Here’s Where Cash for My Miles Can Help
If you’re sitting on thousands (or hundreds of thousands) of unused United miles and no longer fly with them, don’t let them fade into worthlessness.
At Cash for My Miles, we help travellers convert their unused United miles into real cash—fast, safe, and hassle-free. No complex transfers, no poor redemption rates, and no weird three-way conversions through old hotel programs.
Here’s how it works:
- You tell us how many miles you have.
- We give you an instant quote.
- You accept, and we pay—quickly and securely.
Whether you want to buy a Delta ticket, book a hotel, or just treat yourself to something that isn’t airline-related, cash is a lot more flexible than miles you can’t use.
Conclusion
Can you transfer United miles to Delta? The short answer is no, not directly, and if there were methods, they certainly would be unprofitable. Airline programs are designed to be islands; trying to transfer points involves a lot of frustration and anguish.
Instead, make the smart move: Let your United miles work for you one last time—by turning them into cash. At Cash for My Miles, we offer an easy, secure solution to sell United miles and move on. Whether you’ve switched to Delta or simply want more freedom, we’re here to help you unlock the value you already earned.
Get an Instant Quote Today and put those United miles to better use—on your terms.
