Delta Gold reward travel

[Anonymous]

Hi, everyone.

I'm about to book a trip to Kauai next month and I'm trying to figure out the best way. 

Tools at my disposal:

Amex Delta Gold card

Enough Delta gift cards to pay for the flight

Enough delta miles to pay for the flight

I've found a flight on delta for either $536.20 or 46,500 miles + $11.20. Is one a better deal than the other?

Also, in order to get the free checked back benefit from my gold card, do I have to pay for part of the flight on the card? I'd love to use up the gift cards before paying with my card, but I do want the checked bag.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I have the Amex Gold card, and just booked my first award trip. I also had my business buy me a Delta flight (economy) through their travel agency, so I have experience when flights aren't booked with the card.

By having the card, as long as you have your SkyMiles properly linked to the card (pretty much, if you log onto American Express and can see your miles there, then it's linked), and your name is on the reservation (your family members and friends can't get free checked bags unless you are on the same reservation!) and your ticket has your SkyMiles number on it, then the benefits of the card will be on your ticket whether you paid for it or not.

I got main1 and free checked bags on my last flight that I didn't even pay for myself. And on my award flight, I was allowed to book with miles and pay the $11.20 with any card, and I can still get the benefits because I'm a card holder and have everything linked right.

As for miles and value, I shoot for 1.3-1.4 cents per point in economy. For your flight, ($536.20-$11.20)/46,500 = 1.13 cents per point, so it's a little on the low side for Delta redemptions :/ if you don't want to pay cash for the flight and don't wanna hang onto the points, then spend them, but if you do a lot more flying and might use Delta again, then maybe hang onto them.

[NRB525]

You can only use three Delta GC on any flight transaction.

The miles redemption rate is typical.

[Anonymous]

Agree with above posts. (BTW, although I never tried myself, I remember reading here that you may use more than 3 gcs by booking through csr)

Another thing is if you have any flexibility with the trip, check different day, nearby departure/arrival airport, two one way vs round trip. It may save you some money/miles.

You can use tools like kayak, itamatrix, Google flight.

Skypesos does have a typical range of 1.1 to 1.5 cpp. FYI.

[Shadowfactor]

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@NRB525 wrote:
You can only use three Delta GC on any flight transaction.

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this used to be the case, if you call delta over the phone and book you can exceed 3 GC's. Its clearly stated now on the T&C on the website.

[Shadowfactor]

try awardhacker.com to get an idea of the routing and programs that are offered for that routing.

You can probably do better then that redemption value, but it might involve a layover somewhere else.

[K-in-Boston]

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@NRB525 wrote:
You can only use three Delta GC on any flight transaction.

The miles redemption rate is typical.

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It was recently pointed out to me that while it’s still the case booking online, you can call Delta Reservations and use more now. They even updated the FAQ! 

Edit: I should finish reading the thread before replying. 😂 

I would say that if elite status is a consideration, and you are looking at a lower redemption value, it may be worth considering using Pay With Miles during checkout (1 cent per mile) as you will still earn MQMs as normal, and earn MQDs and RDMs (aka SkyMiles) on any pre-tax amount that you actually pay for with a credit or gift card.

Main Cabin fares can get much higher value at times, particularly during sales. I booked a flight last week and nearly did an award booking since it would have been 1.8 cents per mile, but decided to expedite my earnings for 2020 status instead and booked a revenue flight.

As stated already, as long as you have the card linked to your account you’re good on the free bag for you and up to 8 companions flying on the same PRN no matter how payment is made. Around these forums, it would be rare for anyone to want to charge airfare to a Delta card when higher earnings are available on so many other cards.