Many Delta Routes Between the U.S. and Asia Have Great Availability Right Now—For Amex, Starwood, and SkyMiles Redemptions

Great time to consider the options that surely won’t last very long.

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Lowest Partner Award Rate: Book through Alitalia’s MilleMiglia loyalty program—the carrier is an Amex Rewards and Starwood partner—and you can save up to 50,000 miles (36%), as Alitalia charges 90,000 to 95,000 miles round-trip to Asia. Inventory through Alitalia is at times similar to Delta.

More point transfer partners and lower rate: Save 20,000 miles by booking through Virgin Atlantic’s loyalty program, which charges 120,000 miles round-trip to Asia. Partners: Amex Rewards, Citi ThankYou, Chase, and Starwood. Inventory is at times similar to Delta’s own.

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I confess that FCF does not publish many special reports about long-haul travel on Delta. This is simply because it’s astonishing how little Delta repays loyalty. Upgradable economy fares are often higher than published Business  Class fares, for example.

That being said, here are seven reasons to give Delta a look— right now:

1. Good Mileage Award Availability: On eight routes, now through September to Asia.
2. Low Mileage-Ticket Taxes: Generally $35 to $100, compared to $500+ on these routes with Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific.
3. Large U.S. Route Network: Makes it easier to reach a Delta Asia gateway with mileage award space (Detroit, Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle) from smaller U.S. airports at no extra cost because Delta does not charge more miles for domestic connecting flights. Detroit to Beijing costs the same as Washington, DC-Beijing, which involves flying to Detroit to catch the international flight.
4. Lie-Flat Business Class Seats: Delta’s entire international fleet has them.
5. Easy Access to Miles: Via Amex Rewards (miles almost always post instantly) and Starwood (often post in one day, but up to five business days). If you don’t have any miles, sign up for an Amex Membership Rewards earning card and buy up to 500,000 points, at 2.5¢ each. That will save you up to $15,177 on these flights.
6. Okay Mileage Cost: Delta charges 140,000 miles to Asia, about what most U.S. carriers charge. (American charges 100,000 to 110,000 miles until March 21, 2016, but its only transfer partner is Starwood.)
7. Return On Miles to Asia Is Often Good: On Detroit-Seoul, fares are usually high—starting at $6,178 in Business Class and climbing to $18,677 (with less advance purchase or no minimum stay). At 140,000 miles, the return is 4.4¢ per mile ($6,178 divided by 140,000).

No Credit Card Transfer Points, But You Bought Alaska Miles?

The carrier is a Delta partner and the cost to Asia is 140,000 miles.

If you are taking advantage of Alaska Airline’s current mileage purchase bonus (up to 50%), then you are getting those miles at a good discount. (Alaska offers the bonus every two to three months.) Availability using Alaska miles is sometimes similar to Delta’s own.

Delta Sweet Redeem Business Class Survey

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