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Maximize Your Delta SkyMiles
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10,000 Delta miles ROUND TRIP to Mexico…and 34,000 to Europe (with low taxes!!)
Those are real SkyMiles flash sale rates from this summer, and for a family of six, that’s Mexico and back for 60,000 miles total.
Delta miles used to have the not-so-loving nickname “Sky Pesos” (because well, they were pretty darn worthless)…but used the right way, they have become some of the most useful miles for families to have on hand.
How Do You Maximize Delta SkyMiles With Flash Sales?
Flash sales are where Delta miles shine brightest!! These are real roundtrip award prices from recent SkyMiles flash sales, per person, after the 15% card member discount (keep scrolling for that part!)
- New Orleans to Cancun, 10,200 miles + $148.29
- Raleigh to San José, Costa Rica, 13,400 miles + $97.69
- Chicago to Reykjavik, 13,700 miles + $72.23
- Syracuse to Montego Bay, 14,000 miles + $151.42
- Minneapolis to Brisbane, 25,400 miles + $134.93
- New York to Melbourne, 34,000 miles + $141.23
Australia and back for 34,000 miles was the unicorn SkyMiles deal of the CENTURY, and these sales move fast, so the whole game is having a stash ready BEFORE one drops.
Where Do You Find Delta Flash Sales Before They’re Gone?
- They live under SkyMiles Award Deals on Delta’s desktop site, not the app
- Use the flexible date calendar that shows whole months at once, which is how you spot the lowest rates
➡️ But the easiest way to never miss one is Thrifty Traveler alerts.
They send point AND cash deals, economy and business class – Thrifty Traveler is in my top 3 saving-on-travel MUST HAVES (…from someone who does this for a living!)
🔗 Use my code to get $20 off Thrifty Traveler HERE!
Should You Book Delta Award Flights Round Trip?
Check round trip FIRST! Unlike usually when booking with points, with Delta, round trip usually prices better than two one-ways, so always pull up both before you book.
And when you’re multiplying everything by x4, x5, x6, that MATTERS.
What Is the 15% Delta Card Discount Worth for a Family?
With EVERY Delta Amex card you get 15% off award travel on Delta-operated flights.
- Minneapolis to Brisbane saves 4,600 miles per person, so a family of six saves 27,600 miles.
- New York to Melbourne saves 6,000 per person, which is 36,000 miles back in your account for a family of six, or three more round trips to Cancun!
Are Taxes Low on Delta Award Flights?
This is the quiet win with Delta miles!! Every flash sale above came in between $72 and $152 in taxes per person, round trip…Australia included.
If you know anything about booking flights on points, you know those taxes can add up FAST – so there is some huge potential savings here when using your SkyMiles.
Should You Book Main Basic or Main Classic With Miles?
For families, this one matters more than it looks!
- Main Basic = the most restrictive. You pay a fee to change or cancel (in miles, if you booked with miles), you can’t choose a seat, and you board in group 8.
- Main Classic = cancel for a full refund of miles, select your seats at any time, and board earlier.
Usualllyyy airlines will automatically sit you together, but if you want the TOTAL peace of mind, Main Classic is usually worth the extra miles.
Should You Always Use SkyMiles to Book Delta Flights?
Not always! Sometimes the exact same Delta flight is WAY cheaper booked through a partner.
Booking an Iceland flight with Delta directly was ~75k miles one way per person. Booking that EXACT same flight through the Air France website? 19k miles per person.
That’s the power of flexible points that transfer to Air France (like Chase and Capital One), so check both before you spend your SkyMiles!
Which Delta Card Should You Get Right Now?
Beyond the 15% off, every Delta Amex card gets your first checked bag free for you and up to 8 people on your reservation (HUGE for families!!)
The personal Delta cards have family language, so the ORDER you get them in MATTERS (i.e. if you want to keep yourself eligible for all bonuses in time, you need to move Gold > Platinum > Reserve):
1️⃣ Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card >>>
Terms Apply,
Rates and Fees
2️⃣ Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card >>>
Terms Apply,
Rates and Fees
3️⃣ Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Terms Apply,
Rates and Fees
The business cards are their own family and there is NO family language, so the order doesn’t matter on these!
“But Abby, I don’t have a full-time business”…you don’t need one! Etsy shop, freelance work, reselling, the thing you’re already doing.
See if you’re eligible HERE, spoiler alert, you probably ARE.
Terms Apply,
Rates and Fees
Terms Apply,
Rates and Fees
Terms Apply,
Rates and Fees
Want the full card-by-card breakdown? It’s all HERE!
Delta SkyMiles FAQs
Nope! Any SkyMiles member can book award flights and flash sales. The card stacks 15% off Delta-operated award flights on top, plus a free first checked bag for up to 8 people on your reservation.
Yes! The best flash sale dates go FAST. Search the flexible calendar, stay open on your dates, and book Main Classic so you can pick seats together.
If you fly Delta even occasionally, the 15% off and free checked bags add up quickly for a family. If you’re brand new, I’d still start with flexible points first, and my blueprint to nearly 1 million points is the place to begin. With all of these insane Flash Sales as of late though, I think if you are beyond the starter cards- these are a really valuable next bonus!
Start with the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, then the Platinum, then the Reserve. The personal cards have family language, so going in that order keeps you eligible for each bonus.
Used the right way, a stash of Delta miles is one of the easiest ways to get your whole crew in the air for WAY less!!
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
ADVERTISER DISCLOSURE:
Wayfaren is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites such as MileValue.com and Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. We appreciate it when you use our affiliate links as it supports our content at no cost to you!
EDITORIAL NOTE:
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included with the post.
