Delta and Starbucks link their loyalty programs in a bid for repeat customers

Delta Air Lines and Starbucks are linking their loyalty programs, marking the latest determination by the companies to grow the entreaty of their rewards programs and boost sales.

Starting Wednesday, members of Delta's SkyMiles loyalty programme tin gain 1 mile for each $1 spent astatine Starbucks aft connecting the accounts. Those who nexus the 2 programs volition besides beryllium capable to gain treble "stars" connected Starbucks Rewards erstwhile they marque purchases astatine participating Starbucks stores connected days erstwhile they person a Delta flight.

Delta already lets its SkyMiles members gain miles with Airbnb, Lyft and Instacart, arsenic good arsenic done its co-branded cards with American Express arsenic the hose and others person expanded the ways customers tin accrue points beyond flying. Loyalty programs person become much important for airlines, peculiarly during the pandemic erstwhile question slumped. Starbucks besides has said that its loyalty programme helps assistance sales.

From Wednesday done the extremity of the year, members of SkyMiles and Starbucks Rewards tin gain 500 miles if they nexus their accounts. They gain different 150 stars erstwhile they marque a qualifying purchase, specified arsenic food, beverages oregon different merchandise.

According to Starbucks' website, with 25 stars, loyalty programme members tin get a java drink, specified arsenic a cappuccino.

The fig of miles required for a escaped summons varies based connected request and different factors. But this week, a roundtrip summons departing New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport connected Nov. 4 for Los Angeles and returning 10 days aboriginal was going for 30,500 SkyMiles connected Delta's website.

Customers tin gain some SkyMiles and Starbucks stars with each purchase, a Starbucks spokeswoman said.

The U.S. mentation of Starbucks Rewards had 27.4 cardinal progressive members arsenic of July 3. Those members relationship for much than fractional of the company's orders, the java concatenation said past month. At its caller capitalist day, Starbucks said it planned to nexus its rewards programme to different loyalty programs.

Alcohol, taxes and tips are excluded from earning miles.

— CNBC's Amelia Lucas contributed to this report.