Delta Air Lines passengers can now earn miles when booking a stay through Airbnb, the leading home-sharing service.
Delta is the first of the large U.S. carriers to partner with Airbnb. Virgin America reached a similar deal last year and Australia's Qantas did last month.
Despite strong pushback from the hotel industry and regulators in cities across the U.S., Airbnb has grown in popularity with travelers for a variety of reasons — price, location, size or a more local experience. These airline partnerships validate and cement Airbnb's place within the travel industry.
"This industry-leading partnership enables us to provide a unique benefit to our SkyMiles members, enabling us to reward them for their lifestyle choices through the SkyMiles loyalty program," said Sandeep Dube, Delta's vice president of customer engagement and loyalty.
Airbnb offers an online platform to match homeowners with visitors looking to rent their space. The website acts as a go-between for a secured financial transaction, and offers a review and rating system for travelers to rely on when making a booking choice. The network has grown to 190 countries with more than 2.5 million homes.
"SkyMiles members can now enjoy the additional benefits of living like a local with authentic travel experiences on Airbnb in all global destinations that Delta services," Lex Bayer, head of business development at Airbnb, said in a statement.
Travelers who book an Airbnb stay through Delta will earn 1 mile for every $1 spent.
Kristen Leigh Painter • 612-673-4767
