How Chase and Amex points players can get 3-for-1s on Business Class flights on Delta.
Dear Delta Loyalist,
I feel your pain. In many ways, the airline performs operationally better than American and United. And, yes, we know that many of you live in a city that provides very few options other than Delta.
But I still have to write this subheadline (apologies if you feel a slight sting).
How Amex & Chase Points Players Can
Pay 67% Less for Delta-Operated Flights
Than Delta SkyMiles Members Do
Ouch!
What the heck?! Although it sounds crazy, it’s true. Here’s why: Delta only releases a small number (if any) of low-priced mileage award seats to Asia, forcing you to settle for full-priced options (in the 320,000 to 640,000 miles territory). But here’s the catch… using Virgin Atlantic miles for the same Delta flights/routes can open up low-priced saver award space that Delta doesn’t offer SkyMiles members.
Delta’s Gift to Virgin
Delta SkyMiles one-way tickets to Asia usually cost 180,000 miles and up to 360,000 — double ouch! — on Delta-operated flights, as the screen below attests.
On the other hand, Virgin Atlantic (an Amex and Chase points transfer partner) offers one-way flights to Asia for just 60,000 miles on Delta-operated flights, as shown below.
So that’s round-trip for 240,000 fewer miles? Yup. The cost to use Delta miles is generally 360,000 miles round-trip and about $36 in award taxes. Virgin Atlantic only charges 120,000 miles and $36 for taxes.
And by the way, this isn’t the first time we’ve mentioned this under-the-radar, secret FCF strategy. We reported on low-cost awards using Virgin here, here, here, here, and here. Then we reported the switch where Delta had space and Virgin did not here. Now it’s back to Virgin having saver award space and for much less than Delta. It’s a rollercoaster ride with this special strategy. But hey, now you’re back around to the place with the good view.
Availability Is Good
There are 12 Delta-operated routes to Asia with award space available using Virgin Atlantic miles right now at 67%-off levels, with departures from Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Portland and Seattle to Tokyo. You can also find routes from Seattle, Detroit, Atlanta, and Minneapolis to Seoul; from Detroit to Nagoya; and Los Angeles to Shanghai. Happily, there are lots of booking options available for mid-late 2021. So dust the lockdown residue off your suitcase and get ready to fly.
Versus the Full Freight Fare
Or you could be like regular travelers and pay the standard published fare (not a good idea). For example, Atlanta to Tokyo in Business Class in July costs $7,058, round-trip. On a high-priced route like Los Angeles-Shanghai ($13,497), the value-per-mile is an impressive 11 cents per mile, which we like to see in FCFville.
Link it up with FCF’s Leg Stretch Strategy. Elsewhere in this December Upgrade Advisor, we talk about our awesome Leg Stretch Strategy. This Virgin play (particularly one-way) pairs with it like dumplings and hoisin sauce. Mmm…
How to Buy Miles
If you don’t have enough miles, you can buy them for as low as $3,036 round-trip (includes about $36 in award tax). The lowest published fare Los Angeles to Shanghai is currently $13,497, netting you a huge savings of $10,461 (77%). And FYI, you can buy Amex Membership Reward points for 2.5 cents each and transfer them to Virgin Atlantic. Check out How to Buy American Express Membership Rewards Points, and When to Buy Miles Instead of Purchasing a Normal Published Fare.
Chase and Citi points also transfer to Virgin Atlantic miles.
How to Search for Delta Flights
Bookable Online Using Virgin Atlantic Miles
You don’t have to create a Virgin Atlantic mileage account to check for availability. However, if you are booking award seats, then you’ll have to log in. Just go to “Book” and click “Advanced search.” For more on searching for Delta flights, see our report here (the important information is about halfway down the page with the same header as above).
How to Add Connecting Flights
If you need to add extra flights to the nonstop Delta flight that has good availability, you’ll have to spend more miles. A one-way domestic (non-transcontinental) flight costs 22,500 more Virgin miles. More here on how to book Delta connecting flights with Virgin miles.
Some Need-To-Knows When Using Virgin Atlantic Miles
To review other key details such as credit card partnerships, throughout-the-year transfer bonuses, and mileage award taxes, go here.
Risky to Book With Miles?
Both Virgin Atlantic and Delta have a “travel fee waiver” currently offered for new bookings until the end of this year. This includes award flights. That means there won’t be any fees to cancel your ticket.
Normal mileage award booking policies vary by airline, but you can generally redeposit or change your mileage ticket for as little as $50. Details here.
Think of the change and/or redeposit fee as an insurance policy. If your plans change and you decide not to travel, you can do so with very little hassle and cost. We think it’s well worth it.
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