Guesswork in Cashing In Delta’s Frequent-Flier Miles

[vanillabean]

Delta Changes to Frequent Flier Miles is in Credit in the News.

Delta changing frequent flier miles..now by price , not by miles. is in Credit Cards.

I flipped a coin, and Credit Cards won, so here it is.

It would be so much easier if myFICO had a travel forum, lol.

[Imperfectfuture]

Booking through Alaska Airlines site still awards miles travelled (as far as I have purchased). They offer redemption for partner Delta. Wonder how this plays out? I can also redeem my miles via AA portal for Alaska Airlines, but not Delta. HHHMMM, sorta takes the fun out of considering a Delta Card, back to Alaska Airlines card, and CSP when cancel Aviator in a March 2017 (if I cancel).

[NRB525]

It's actually likely to end up in "credit in the news", but the devaluations are just getting things in line with sustainable redemptions.

Here's my "offer" for SEA - LAX - BNE in First / Business in miles and dollars comparison. The NYT author is playing the violin like a lot of commentators, without disclosure that Delta's booking comparison is actually easier to work with, due to the toggle between Miles and Dollars on the same route, so you can choose. Note that the miles work out to 1.9c per mile (the $137 you pay regardless). It's not 6c, it's also not 830,000 miles like the NYT links to.

[NRB525]

You can also work the Delta site to find the real bargains, SEA-BNE First/Business for 160,000 miles.

But, of course, first one must find a way to get 160,000 miles. Not a terribly easy task.

[B335is]

Even though you're seeing those flights for 160k in the search results, actually confirming it is another story. I went around and around with Delta when I recently tried to book LAX-ATH one way on Aeroflot Business, but was never able to confirm it so I used AA miles on BA.

As for that SEA-BNE search, if you have flexibility, Alaska has coach as low as 40k+$100 one way. I actually found the elusive Qantas Business LAX-BNE on January 31 for 55k Alaska miles. I should have just booked it.

[Anonymous]

Delta devaluations have been known about for several months. However, delta still continues to offer sales for domestic flights, of 5-10k each way, so only 10-25k roundtrip. Not bad at all.  The issue is miles earned when flying are based on cash price paid, not actual miles flown. You used to get miles for buying, and butt in seat miles flown.

Flyertalk is great for info on this.

The other mile issue I have heard a lot of complaining about is british airways. You used to be able to use avios and book American Airline flights for great prices but their booking system has changed, or is in the process of changing.

[NRB525]

Yes, the flights are difficult to book, and the devaulations in many airlines have been going on for a while.

One of the spin comments that Delta puts on their changes is, they want to keep a separation between those who are Medallion status, particularly Gold, Platinum and Diamond, and the rest of the cattle car. Their revenue per specific individual on Diamond status gets their attention much more than the once a year budget traveller. At the same time, the budget travellers contribute to the basic operation of the plane, so you can't annoy them too much.

I see it as making the rewards field more consistent, including offering some of those lower fares, lower mileage requirements like 5k miles for some one-way awards. That has a practical availability for miles earned on the credit cards, which was not there before.

If one is really diamond status, then their miles earning accelerator is probably putting that 300k miles award ticket in reach fairly easily. At the other end, the occasional traveller who wants to cash in 5k or 12,500 miles has a better chance as well.