Since Delta eliminated the awards chart in 2015, Skymiles Program It has become particularly unpredictable and sometimes incredibly expensive. Business class flights on long distance routes often have a wealth of prices for over 450,000 Skymiles, so it’s understandable that Skymiles feels like there’s little balance.
But if you have a stockpile of delta mile, they It’s far from being worthless. Excellent redemptions will continue to be available, especially during the sale of carrier awards.
So let’s explore some strategies to maximize the value of your Delta Sky Mile.
Related: Delta Medallion Status: What is it and how to get it
Redeem Skymiles on Delta Flight
You can book delta, delta connections and delta shuttle flights using Delta Sky Meal. Because Delta uses dynamic pricing, award prices may vary significantly. For example, one-way basic economic rates from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (sea) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) from 16,500 to 26,000 miles in July and August.
Summer trips distort awarded prices on these dates, but volatility at large prices is normal. Flexibility is important if you want to maximize your skimir.
Taxes and fees are generally reasonable with Delta tickets. While we expect to pay $6 per person taxes and fees on most domestic and international tickets leaving the US, Delta will be careered by many awards outside the US, particularly the many awards that occur in Europe. will add additional charges charged by.
Keep an eye out for Skymiles’ deals
A great option to redeem your Delta Miles is to take advantage of Skymiles’ transactions. These transactions usually apply to a specific city pair, so you may need to book Placed flights To maximize these promotions completely.
Delta previously offered flash sales on only 5,000 Skymile round-trip flights. Airlines too Recently provided Flights from Atlanta to the Caribbean and Mexico begin with 14,400 Delta Sky Miles round trips.
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If you’re not using Skymiles instantly, it may be best to save them for your next big Skymiles deal. Be sure to pay attention Delta’s Skymiles page.
Save at least 15% with your selected delta credit card
If you are eligible Delta Credit Cardyou can Save 15% on Delta Operated Award Flights When using miles to pay taxes and fees with your card. This is the best option to lower the price you pay with your Delta Award ticket, and is the main reason to open (and hold) your Delta card in your wallet.
read more: Best Delta Credit Cards
When the re-booking price drops (or cancels when plans change)
For flights booked with Delta Skymiles, you can replicate the flight as long as the flight is eligible for cancellation. Mileage differences will be re-registered with your account at no charge.
You can cancel award flights for basic economic bookings, but you will need to pay the associated mileage fee. On these flights, the Delta will subtract 9,900 miles for domestic travel within the US and Canada and 19,900 miles for international travel. This price will be deducted from the value of your ticket and the remaining miles will reappear on your Skymiles account.
Related: Airlines that offer credit if airfares drop
Redeem Delta Sky Miles on your partner flight
Delta is a member of the SkyTeam Alliance and has eight Non-aligned airline partners. This gives you the flexibility to redeem Skimir on a variety of airlines and routes around the world. Here is the complete list of Delta airline partners:
SkyTeam Partner
- Aerolinas argentinas
- Aeromexico
- Air Europa
- Air France
- China Airlines
- China Eastern Airlines
- Garuda Indonesia
- Ita Airways
- Kenya Airlines
- KLM
- Korean air
- Middle East Airlines
- Saudian
- Scandinavian Airlines
- Tarom
- Vietnam Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Xiamen Airlines
Non-alliance partners
- Air Tahiti Nui
- Cape Air
- China South Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Ratum
- Mandarin Airlines
- Shanghai Airlines
- West Jet
There are no online awards charts, so you need to search by route by price. For flights operated by partners that do not touch the US, you can find great deals.
For example, in September and October, flights from Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) are available daily for SkyMiles in Business Class for 40,000 people.
These are operated by Vietnam Airlines via Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Hochi Minh City or Noi Bai International Airport (Han) in Hanoi, with fees and taxes of just $27, and excellent repayment of Skimir. It’s optional.
If you are flying from Asia to Europe, especially if you are flying from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to Baklav Havel Airport (PRG), add this non-stop China Airlines flight to just 80,000 Sky Miles. , you can only get $15 with about 15 hours of taxes and fees. Long distance business class.
Alternatively, Air France business class flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) typically cost around $34 in taxes and fees, in addition to about 42,500 miles. .
Delta can raise these fees at any time and do so on multiple occasions. To get the current award price, you will need to contact Delta directly or search the website.
Delta has tried to improve its website to showcase its Partner Awards, but there may still be restrictions, especially if you are booking a mixed cabin itinerary. Websites often prioritize delta-operated flights. This may not be ideal if you have specific flight requirements. If your website doesn’t offer the desired travel options, we recommend searching for flight segments by segment and getting ready to call Delta.
Related: Best website to search for availability of SkyTeam Awards
Redeem Delta Skymiles for an upgrade
You can do it too Upgrade using Skimir For a higher class of service. If you have Delta -Marketed and -operated Flight confirmed, you can pay cash or use miles to upgrade your flight directly on the Delta website.
Using this method to redeem miles for an upgrade, you will typically get a value of around 1 cent per mile, which is lower than in February 2025. evaluation 1.2 cents per mile. This can be a viable option if you have a surplus of skimir and you don’t have an immediate plan to use them. However, we generally recommend that you prioritize redemption on your award flight.
You can also use the Delta Mile to upgrade certain flights operated by Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, or AeroMexico. This option is subject to fare class requirements and is only available on certain routes operated by each partner. See Delta.”Upgrade with miles“For more details, please see the page.
You must also ensure that the upgrade inventory is available.
Related: All the tips and tricks you need to use a delta upgrade certificate
Replace Delta Skymiles with Delta Bacations
When you use miles to cover, you usually get a value of 1.15 cents per mile Delta Vacation package.
For example, you can book a 7-day accommodation at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort in Hawaii for $2,814 or redeem 244,530 Sky Miles. This is slightly less than the February 2025 rating, but not a bad redemption.
Related: Best Hotels in Honolulu
How to win Delta Sky Meal
Skimir is required to take advantage of the above redemptions. Luckily there are several ways to increase your balance. One of the easiest ways Earn delta mile It is to use Delta’s Cobranded American Express card. Here are some of the current welcome offers available on these cards:
- Delta Skymiles® Gold American Express Card: You will earn 80,000 miles within the first six months of your card membership after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases.
- Delta Skymiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn 90,000 miles after spending a $4,000 qualifying purchase in the first six months of your card membership.
- Delta Skymiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn 100,000 miles after spending $6,000 on qualifying purchases in the first six months of your card membership.
- Delta Skymiles® Gold Business American Express Card: In the first six months of your card membership, you will earn 90,000 miles after spending $6,000 on a new card.
- Delta Skymiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: After spending $8,000 in the first six months of your card membership, you will earn 100,000 miles.
- Delta Skymiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: After spending $12,000 purchases in the first six months of your card membership, you will earn 110,000 miles.
Don’t forget that these cards include access to everything Benefits of Takeoff 15Save 15% on delta-operated award flights.
You can also transfer it American Express Membership Rewards It refers to a delta in a 1:1 ratio. You can earn these transferable rewards American Express® Gold Card and American Express Platinum Card. However, it is subject to AN Excise tax offset fee.
moreover, Marriott Bonvoy Point moves to Delta Sky Meal A 3:1 ratio.
Conclusion
The value of Delta Skymiles has declined in recent years, but there are still great deals.
The program is heading towards a redemption value of 1 cent per mile, but can surpass that, especially on Skymiles deals and flights operated by partners outside the US.