23 Delta Airlines Travel Hacks! {What To Know Before You Fly}

Use these Delta Airlines Travel Hacks to save a bundle on your next flight!

Dreaming of a vacation? To help you make your next vacation a reality, I’ve put together these Delta Airlines Travel Hacks that will save you so much money!

Airfare can be a real budget buster, can’t it?  Well, that’s why you need to check out these little-known tips and tricks for how to save money flying Delta.

There are so many dreamy locations calling your name, so let’s start planning your next vacation on a budget, shall we?

From getting free airfare using free gift cards to savvy travel hacking techniques to get the cheapest Delta flights, here’s everything you need to know…

Related:

• How to Travel for Free or Cheap! {Budget Travel Hacks}

Delta Airlines Travel Hacks

#1:  Fly For Free On Delta When You Use FREE Delta Airlines Gift Cards!

The first way to fly for free on Delta is with Swagbucks. Right now you can score 100 FREE SB Points when you sign up with Swagbucks using code FRUGAL100.

Then keeping earning SB Points with the help of my easy tips: 16 Ways to Earn More Swagbucks SB Points.  The more SB Points you earn, the more Delta Airlines Gift Cards you’ll score!

I can’t even begin to tell you just how many free airlines tickets I’ve purchased using FREE gift cards I’ve earned using Swagbucks!  Seriously… our family of 4 has flown all over the country over the years using just this 1 easy tip… which is definitely one of my top favorite travel hacks!

Here’s what your Frugal Friends have said about using Swagbucks to earn gift cards…

“Love Swagbucks!” ~ Lynn

“Swagbucks is widely considered one of the top companies online to receive free rewards. They constantly update the website with fresh ways to earn money, gift cards, and other rewards free of charge. The 16 tips you mentioned for people to earn with them will have people cashing out in no time. So many free easy ways to earn. I always try to hit my daily goal for easy Swagbucks 🙂” ~ Cacey

“I love Swagbucks!” ~ Brenda

“Been using for many years, best ways to get cash back on where you shop” ~ Alexis

I LOVE using Swagbucks, and have been cashing in SB Points to get Free Gift Cards every month for over 10 years now!

#2:  Score Discounted Delta Airlines Gift Cards from Target!

Another easy way to save on Delta flights is to get 5% off every Delta Airline Gift Card you purchase using your Target Red Card!  Read these Ways to Save More at Target to learn even more savvy Target shopping hacks!

#3: Enroll in the Free Delta SkyMiles Program to Earn More FREE Flights!

When deciding if a loyalty program is worth your time, pay attention to whether or not the points you earn will expire. Delta SkyMiles points don’t expire and that makes this rewards program a lot more valuable. Especially if you don’t fly very often. It’s also important to note that you can sign up for your free Delta SkyMiles account without signing up for the Delta credit card.

One of the highlights of the Delta SkyMiles program, is that you can pay for flights using a combination of both Delta Airlines miles and cash. This feature can make it so much easier to redeem your points and save money on airfare. Another perk is that you can sign up for emails to be notified about sales and last minute deals.

#4: You Can Also Get FREE In-Air Wifi When You Sign Up for SkyMiles!

Did you know ad of 2/1/23, Delta is offering FREE Wifi on select flights, when you sign up for the SkyMiles Loyalty Program? Now you can surf, check your social media, shop, or work from the air!

#5: Get FREE Bonus Miles if Your Bags Don’t Arrive at the Carousel Within 20 Minutes!

Will you be checking bags on your Delta flight? Be sure to take advantage of the Delta Bags on Time Guarantee! If your bags don’t arrive to the carousel within 20 minutes after your domestic flight, you’re eligible to receive 2,500 Bonus Delta Miles! Fill out this form to claim your free miles.

#6: Use Multiple Sites to Search for Airfare

When shopping for the best deals on Delta Airlines airfare, pricing will vary from website to website. So make sure to check pricing on at least 3-4 sites that you trust. Remember, you can also be notified of sales and last minute deals when you sign up for the Delta SkyMiles loyalty emails.

#7: Choose Flights At Less Popular Times

Are your flight times not set in stone? Searching for flights over a variety of dates and times can help you save BIG! To start, you can often score some of the cheapest airfare when you fly very early in the morning, or late late at night. Also, you can frequently score better rates midweek on your Delta flights.

When searching for airfare, I like to view prices using a full month calendar view. This makes comparing prices and finding the best price so much easier.

#8: Flexibility Can Help You Save BIG!

When trying to find the best deal on airfare, it pays to be flexible. So in addition to being flexible about what days you’re willing to travel, it also pays to be flexible about the airports you can fly into and what airlines you use.

For example, if you just can’t find a price you’re happy with on Delta, don’t be afraid to check other airlines and nearby airports. Here in Phoenix, most people use the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. However, many low cost Allegiant Air flights are also offered out of the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport located just 35 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

Related: 25+ Southwest Airlines Hacks! {Tips To Know Before You Fly}

#9: Children Can Fly Free

Did you know that Children Can Fly Free on Delta? If you have a kiddo that is under 2 years of age, they can fly for free on domestic flights if they sit on the lap of an adult ages 18 or older. For international flights, you can purchase a child ticket for 10% the price of a regular adult fare, plus taxes and fees.

To take advantage of these Delta child discounts, you’ll need to notify Delta in advance so they can list your child on your ticket.

Related: 34 Ways To Entertain Kids On A Trip!

#10: Take Your Pet Using The Upscale Delta CarePod

The Delta Airlines CarePod is an industrial strength, insulated travel cage that comes equipped with a hydration system. The CarePod also includes an integrated GPS tracking and monitoring system, that allows you to use your phone to track exactly where your pet is at all times. Talk about a better way to fly with your pets!

#11: Take Advantage of Exchange Rates

If you’re purchasing airfare for international travel, be sure to also check the Delta website of the country you’re flying to. You may score a better deal on airfare due to differences in currency.

For instance, if you’re flying to Rome Italy, check the it.delta.com site. Then use a free online currency converter to compare prices.

Related: Top Rome Italy Travel Tips!

#12: Trick the System and Search For Airfare Anonymously!

When searching for airfare online, airline and travel sites will often use cookies to track your searches. So what does this mean for you? Often when cookies are being used, the longer you search for airfare, the more likely prices will get higher and higher.

I have had this happen to me on multiple airline and hotel websites. It’s the worst feeling to be diligently searching for the best possible pricing… only to see prices shoot up for no apparent reason. What is likely happening, is that travel sites are using these price increases to pressure you. They want you to make a purchase right now to avoid risking further price increases.

So what can you do to avoid cookies while searching for the best airfare prices? I recommend that you utilize your web browsers private browsing or incognito mode.

• For Safari, select “File” from the menu bar, then “New Private Window.”
• For Chrome, select “File” from the menu bar, then “New Incognito Window.”

#13: Compare Prices on Several Different Websites

When shopping for the best airfare deals, pricing will vary from website to website. So make sure to check pricing on at least three or four different websites that you trust. I recommend including Delta.com as one of the sites you search. Remember, you can also be notified of sales and last minute deals when you sign up for emails from Delta.

Kathi writes: “One way tickets are no longer cost prohibitive. Find the best fares on Tuesdays and use different airlines, like Southwest or American if it’s cheaper to do 2 one-way tickets.”

#14: Take Advantage of Free Carry-On Baggage!

One of my favorite Delta Airlines Travel Hacks to save money is avoiding baggage fees. Delta will charge you for any luggage you check, but Carry-On Luggage is Free. So if you’re like me and don’t like to pay those pesky baggage fees, try to fit everything you need in your carry-on. You can also take better advantage of the additional free personal item by bringing a larger purse, small backpack or a laptop case.

If you need to bring a large jacket or umbrella, consider leaving these out of your carry-on so you have more space for other necessities. You’re allowed to bring these on in addition to your Free Carry-On and Free Personal item.

Related: 19 Carry On Must Haves For Your Next Flight!

#15: Get FREE Early Boarding & FREE Checked Bags With the Delta Airlines Military Discount

If you’re active-duty military, you can also take advantage of FREE early boarding and FREE checked bags with the Delta Airlines Military Discount!

Related: 101 Military Discounts!

#16: Fly Early To Avoid Delays

The earlier you fly, the more likely you’ll avoid long delays. When you book evening flights, the chances of delays increases dramatically.  Basically, any delays that have occurred throughout the day are compounded as the day goes on.  I’ve personally encountered the worst delays on evening flights.

#17: Avoid Missing Your Flight Connections:

My top tip for always making your connecting flights is to avoid flights with short layovers.

Frugal friend Jean writes: Try not to have too close of layover times, just in case one flight is late.

Also, I recommend flying earlier in the day, sitting in the front of the plane, and planning ahead for how much time you will need at your connecting airport to successfully catch your connecting flight.  

#18:  Bring Food And Snacks From Home to Avoid Sky-High Airport Prices!

Most Delta Airlines international flights will include a complimentary meal. However… most domestic flights don’t! What you can expect to be served on flights over 250 miles is a light snack and a beverage like coffee, milk, juice or soda.

If you know you’ll be traveling all day, that light snack probably isn’t going to be enough. So make sure to pack some of your favorite snacks from home, and take them through security.  You can snack on them at the airport while waiting for your flight, or take them on board as an in-flight treat!  The selection of food and snacks at the airport can be limited and the price can be crazy high, so this one thing will save you money even before you leave town!

Want to know what food you can bring through airport security and onto your Delta flight?  Be sure to check out the TSA Food I Can Bring Through Security Screening!

#19: Avoid a Pesky TSA Pat-down! {Don’t Ask Me How I Know}

Going through airport security can always be a bit of a hassle, but setting off the body scanners and having TSA security agents tell you it’s time for a full body pat down… now that’s something no one needs to endure!  Recently when I was flying, I set off the body scanner from the waist-down and received one of those pesky airport pat-downs.  Yikes, right?  The next time I went through security, I was good-to-go.  But let me tell you… I spent a lot of time picking the brains of the security agents telling me what I needed to do to avoid ever setting it off again!

The TSA Agent I was talking to said: “Sparkles regularly set it off.  Sparkles may even be found in the threads of your garments.  Also, the sensor is looking for any anomalies on your body.  Anything it thinks shouldn’t be there.”

So what does this all mean?  First of all, you’ll want to avoid any thick fabrics with your pants.  When I set it off, I was wearing thick denim capris.  I’ve actually set it off twice now… the only two times I flew in jeans.  So note to self: no jeans!  When I’ve flown in cute skirts or cozy stretchy pants I’ve been just fine.

Also, don’t put anything in your pockets.  When I set it off I also had a bulky hair rubber band in my pocket that I was going to use to pull up my hair later that day.  The scanner may have caught that as something that shouldn’t have been on my body.

Finally, avoid anything sparkly.  Sparkles on your jeans pockets, bling on your shirts, any sparkly threads in your garments, etc.  Just think about it all BEFORE you head to the airport. Choosing the right outfit can make your big travel days so much better!

#20: Get TSA Pre-Check, Like We Did!

Want to speed through TSA Security?  Simply signup for TSA Pre-Check and avoid the hassle!

#21: Always Sanitize Your Grimy Tray Table and Armrest

I also always take along Sanitizing Wipes for the tray table and armrests on the plane!  It will definitely give you some peace of mind knowing it’s all squeaky clean!

Frugal friend Wendy writes… “Take a Ziploc bag with disinfectant wipes for the seats, bathrooms, hotels & tourist attractions on your trip.”

#22: Use Free Visa Gift Cards To Fly For Free on Delta!

I love how you can use a Free Visa Gift Card to buy free airfare from any airline.  Check out how you can score yours for free!

#23: Score Free Travel Tips for Your Next Delta Airlines Destination!

I was looking at the Delta Air Lines USA Flight Map and they literally fly to almost every destination I have ever talked about on my 101 Frugal Travel Tips Destinations page. So before you plan your next trip flying on Delta, don’t miss out… be sure to explore these savvy budget travel hacks!

Take advantage of these Delta Air Lines destination tips:

• Alaska
• Albuquerque
• Atlanta
• Austin
• Boston
• Big Island of Hawaii
• Colorado Springs
• Chicago
• Dallas
• Denver
• Houston
• Idaho
• Kauai
• Key West
• Los Angeles
• Maui
• Memphis
• Miami
• Minneapolis
• Montana
• Myrtle Beach
• Nashville
• New Orleans
• New York City
• Oahu
• Orlando
• Philadelphia
• Phoenix
• Portland
• Rome, Italy
• San Antonio
• San Diego
• Santa Barbara
• San Francisco
• Savannah
• Seattle
• Smoky Mountains
• Tampa Bay
• Tucson
• Washington D.C.
• Wilmington NC
• Yellowstone
• Yosemite

Now that you’ve read through these Delta Airlines Travel Hacks, I have even more ideas to help you save money and make your next trip totally fabulous. Saving as much money as possible while on vacation is always a good idea, so don’t miss any easy ways to save money…

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So do you have any favorite Delta Airlines travel hacks or tips that have worked for you?

We’d love to hear!  

Leave a comment & share…