Part of Delta SkyMiles hub · KrisFlyer hub
Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
FREQUENT FLYER GLOSSARY
What are bonus miles?
Bonus miles is the label airlines use for miles that sit outside the standard earn of a programme, but the label does not carry the same meaning everywhere: American Airlines treats Bonus Miles as a defined second category of AAdvantage miles that do not earn Loyalty Points [1], Delta describes most miles from non-airline partner offers as bonus miles that do not count towards Million Miler Status [2], and KrisFlyer uses the phrase for promotional miles and for miles earned on selected co-branded cards [3].
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- American Airlines names two types of AAdvantage miles: Base Miles, which earn Loyalty Points, and Bonus Miles, which do not. [1]
- All three programmes checked attach a restriction to bonus miles, but a different one each time: Loyalty Points and tier qualification at American, Million Miler Status at Delta, and Elite miles at KrisFlyer. [1] [2] [3]
- Bonus miles are most often tied to promotions, buying or transferring miles, or partner activity, and each programme sets its own conditions and timing. [1] [2] [3]
- Because the definitions differ, a bonus mile is best read as a programme-specific category rather than an industry-wide one. [1] [2] [3]
A defined second category at American Airlines
American's AAdvantage terms divide AAdvantage miles into Base Miles, described as standard AAdvantage miles that also earn Loyalty Points, and Bonus Miles, described as AAdvantage miles that do not earn Loyalty Points. [1] The collective term "AAdvantage mileage" covers both. [1] American says Bonus Miles are typically granted through special promotions and offers, and through Buy Miles, Gift Miles and Transfer Miles transactions. [1]
The terms list the transactions that produce Bonus Miles only: miles earned from Offers, miles from Buy, Gift and Transfer Miles transactions, and conversion of another programme's currency into AAdvantage miles. [1] A member who completes a Buy Miles transaction, or who is the recipient of a Transfer Miles or Gift Miles transaction, receives Bonus Miles [1], and buying an AAdvantage Pass package is another listed route to acquiring them [1]. Unless an Offer states otherwise, miles earned through an Offer are Bonus Miles and therefore earn no Loyalty Points and do not count towards AAdvantage tier qualification or Million Miler status. [1]
Flying can also generate them. Travel on certain AAdvantage Partner flights may earn Bonus Miles instead of Base Miles [1], and some partner-marketed flights or fare types may earn Base Miles or Bonus Miles based on a percentage of distance flown, determined by the booking code purchased — the examples given include tickets sold with an American Airlines Vacations package, consolidator and bulk fares, and student tickets. [1] Earning Bonus Miles on third-party websites operated by AAdvantage Partners is also contemplated in the terms. [1]
Loose uses of the label at Delta and KrisFlyer
Delta's program rules do not set bonus miles up as a second currency, but they use the phrase in a narrower way: most miles earned through non-airline partner offers are bonus miles, and bonus miles do not count towards Million Miler Status. [2] Delta's own flight earn is a per-dollar rate rather than a bonus layer — 5 miles per US dollar on qualifying Classic or Refundable experiences, 7 on qualifying Extra experiences and 2 on qualifying Delta Basic experiences, with government taxes and fees excluded — and Delta Main Basic (Basic Economy) tickets earn neither miles nor MQDs. [2]
KrisFlyer's terms mention bonus miles in two settings. Bonus KrisFlyer miles earned from promotions are credited at the end of the promotional period. [3] Bonus KrisFlyer miles earned on selected co-branded credit or debit cards used to buy a Singapore Airlines ticket online are based on the purchase value of the ticket, not on the actual miles flown. [3] On flights, KrisFlyer awards miles on the actual distance travelled using the great circle distance formula, plus other bonuses when applicable. [3]
When bonus miles post, and how to chase them
Posting follows each programme's own timetable. Delta says miles earned are typically credited within eight weeks of the qualifying activity, unless the individual offer, benefit or partner terms state otherwise, and members have nine months after the flight date or qualifying transaction to request missing miles and MQDs. [2] KrisFlyer credits promotional bonus miles at the end of the promotion [3], asks members to allow two weeks for Singapore Airlines flights and four weeks for partner airline flights before raising a claim, and accepts missing-mileage requests within six months of the transaction date [3]. American lets members request mileage for past eligible transactions up to 12 months from the activity date, and requires any claim for uncredited mileage to reach it within 12 months after the miles were earned. [1]
What bonus miles do and do not count towards
Redemption. At American, any Base Miles or Bonus Miles accrued are treated the same for redemption purposes, so the distinction affects status earning rather than spending. [1]
Status and tier credit. Because Bonus Miles earn no Loyalty Points at American, miles from Offers do not count towards AAdvantage tier qualification or Million Miler status. [1] At Delta, bonus miles from non-airline partner offers do not count towards Million Miler Status. [2] At KrisFlyer, tier bonus and any type of promotional bonus do not apply to Elite miles, the status credits used for Elite Silver and Elite Gold [3]; welcome miles from enrolment, miles awarded as prizes in lucky draws and miles awarded under other promotions are excluded from Elite miles earn unless the promotion's own terms say otherwise [3].
Exceptions and limits
- Classification can change. American says whether a mile counts as a Base Mile or a Bonus Mile may be changed in its sole discretion at any time, with or without notice [1], and that AAdvantage mileage accrual eligibility on partner airline routes is subject to change with or without notice [1].
- Revocation. American reserves the right to deny or revoke AAdvantage mileage at any time, including after it has posted or been redeemed, if it determines the rewards were improperly given — including where the cause is its own error or an AAdvantage Partner's error. [1]
- Ineligible tickets. Certain fares may be ineligible for AAdvantage mileage and Loyalty Point earn [1], and Delta Main Basic tickets earn no SkyMiles miles and no MQDs [2].
- Which rule version applies. Delta states that, unless otherwise stated, the rules in effect at the time of travel or of the request for a benefit or other transaction govern that transaction [2], and that it is the final authority on qualification for mileage credit [2]. Singapore Airlines reserves the right to modify its rules for earning or using KrisFlyer miles at its discretion without prior notice [3].
- Promotional terms sit on top. American conditions participation in any Offer on acceptance of that Offer's own terms, which it may change, stop or end at any time. [1]
Sources
Sources checked on 18 October 2026. Only American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer are covered here; other programmes, including United MileagePlus, Flying Blue, Aeroplan, Emirates Skywards and Miles & More, are not covered.
- AAdvantage terms and conditions, American Airlines, checked 18 October 2026
- SkyMiles program rules, Delta Air Lines, checked 18 October 2026
- KrisFlyer terms and conditions, Singapore Airlines, checked 18 October 2026