You should not intentionally collect Delta SkyMiles instead of other currencies. If you’re aiming for Delta elite status, there’s an argument for incidental collection of their redeemable miles. But their currency is worth so much less than others. The head of the program says this is intentional and they’re not trying to compete on delivering value to members.
One way you know this is that their partner programs – like Virgin Atlantic and Air France KLM – offer the same award seats traveling on Delta for far fewer miles than Delta charges its own members. That’s true even after Virgin’s recent devaluation.
Another way is just to look at the prices Delta considers to be a sale. Their ‘sale’ prices are higher than what other airlines start saver award pricing at.
They’re advertising a handful of markets starting at 99,000 points each way for business class.
- Amsterdam – Orlando
- Brussels – New York JFK
- Paris – Cincinnati
- Boston-Dublin
- Dublin – New York JFK
- Edinburgh – New York JFK
- Frankfurt – New York JFK
- Detroit – Frankfurt
- New York JFK – Keflavik
- Detroit – London Heathrow
- Minneapolis – London Heathrow
- Boston – London Heathrow
- Salt Lake City – London Heathrow
- Seattle – London Heathrow
- Boston – Lisbon
- New York JFK – Lisbon
- New York JFK – Madrid
- New York JFK – Zurich
However most markets are priced higher as part of this sale. For instance, they are highlighting Tokyo at 200,000 miles each way, 400,00 miles roundtrip, as part of this ‘sale’.
Here’s a sample of roundtrip ‘deals’ from my home market.
These prices are available for 3 days only, through December 19th. The good news is that Delta Amex cardholders should pay a bit less, since SkyMiles charges a premium to customers who don’t have their card. Awards booked online by cardmembers should cost 15% fewer miles.
¡Hola, amigos!
They don’t call them ‘SkyPesos’ for no reason.
It is the reason I do not use Delta, do not collect their points even though i have a high status with one of my credit cards.
Telling it like it is!
I am so happy that I burned hundreds of thousands of Delta miles and am now a free agent. Just released from the Delta State Penitentiary after being there for 25 years! SkyPesos super aggressive stance caused loyalty to other airlines!
Gary…of all people, you should know that this isn’t “theft”
Theft requires the absconded materials to be of value.
Agree with everything except the “Theft” headline.
When you voluntarily hand over something in exchange for something else, that is NOT theft, regardless of the value or lack of.
Gary, these are premium seats and command premium pricing.
You just don’t get it.
“Theft” is overexaggerating. Other US airlines are asking around $9k for that route in business class. I’m usually the first to say Delta is hilariously overpriced now. I’d say it’s a great deal, but you can get that same flight on a non-US airline for <$6k. So it's still a deal.
This is a serious “wtf” situation that genuinely make me wonder if Delta employs anyone with a working knowledge of public relations.
No one there sees the terrible optics here?
Maybe not theft, strictly speaking — but highway robbery for sure.
Delta continues to devalue the entire customer experience.
No one wants to collect Delta miles years on end only to realize their very limited value, so much for rewarding their customers.
AAdvantage miles have value. I just booked LAX-JFK in First for 64k r/t.
There are only two reasons to fly Delta: masochism or hub captive. No one else has an excuse.
I started saving skymiles when Northwest airlines transferred my miles to Delta. I had 1 goal, a Delta One roundtrip ticket SEA to CDG. Every time I got close the miles got devalued. I finally got my trip. I’m in my 70’s. I won’t live long enough for another one at this rate. Now I save AMX membership rewards to transfer to nearly any airline.
I’ll keep using my SkyMiles for 10-15k one way domestic redemptions which are a good deal
Well at least when delta robs their program members they do it without assault or weapons of any kind to their credit
Classy thieves
They are a last resort
That said someone is swallowing the bait foolishly
There is a sucker born every minute
The trend I’ve seen is DL consistently priced the premium cabin beyond absurdity, while their economy awards are usually not too ridiculous.
All it means is to know what your plans are for award travel, because hoping to save enough SkyPesos for D1 is a pipe dream for most.
Again, the devaluation that’s taken place is astounding. I was recalling recently in another post about a trip I took in 1985 on Northwest Orient (part of Delta now.) It was a round trip, first class FOR TWO from the US to Asia; it allowed two stops (we did Hong Kong and Tokyo Narita). It also included four nights in a swanky hotel a a one week car rental (both separate certificates, could spend on this trip or at another time.) Price in miles: 140,000
That’s cheap for the premium airline. Usually it’s over a million for a RT.
I switched from United to Delta for a while until I saw the exorbitant number of points needed for intl BC redemption. Now back at United and if you’re diligent, you can find decent redemptions. However, it cost me 200k each way from Denver to Tokyo for Polaris class.
I think that Mr Bastian has a unrealistic view of what his customers are willing to put up with.
Insane mile burns plus this unbundling nonsense is not going to end well – especially since the fleet is so inconsistent and the 767 business class product is simply horrible
Chasing miles is just not worth it anymore..
Delta is so ridiculous with their award pricing in J. Yesterday I booked a trip to London and Paris for my wife and myself. Booked 2 business class seats on Virgin Atlantic to LHR for 35,000 miles each and return trip from CDG on Air France business class for 50,000 miles each. With Amex and Chase transfer bonuses the VS flight took fewer MR points (50,000 total) than if I transferred it to DL and flew coach in the US to most locations. DL really has people fooled on their Skymile program which is sad so many are clueless. BTW, as you mentioned I could also use Flying Club or Flying Blue miles to book DL metal cheaper than DL wants for it.
Glad you are exposing Delta for what most flyers would not already know! From their computer meltdown to this redemption scam, Delta is no longer the classy #1 airline that it kinda once was.
Thanks again!
I credit my Delta flights to Flying Blue, which still has a decent availability for business class saver awards.