A plan for the person who wants to get in the upgrade game overnight—without even taking a flight.
That’s right, you can get in the game without having any Delta or SkyTeam airline partner miles or even boarding a flight.
The only terms you have to know are “transfer points” and “buy miles.”
“Transfer points” means moving credit card points that you already have to Delta or SkyTeam partner airlines in order to get an award ticket. “Buying miles” means taking advantage of purchasing miles with Delta or SkyTeam partner airlines, which is especially smart when published fares are high.
The one technical term you have to keep in mind is Transaction Completion Time, meaning the time between initiating a mileage-purchase or points-transfer and actually receiving the miles in your account. This ranges from instantly, which means low or zero risk of losing a seat, to seven or more days. Most airlines won’t hold a seat unless the miles are in your account. (See chart below.)
This special report focuses on major airlines that we include in our Sweet Redeems alerts for SkyTeam airlines. You won’t find Aeromexico, Aeroflot, or China Southern.
KNOW YOUR HOLD-FRIENDLY AIRLINES WITH SKYTEAM
The drawback to accumulating miles through purchases or transfers is the time it takes for the miles to post to your account. In the interval, seat availability can disappear.
That’s why choosing an airline that will hold a seat while you get the miles into your account is so important.
Air France and KLM, both part of the Flying Blue mileage program, hold free award space on their flights and partner flights for up to 48 hours if you book by phone (800) 375-8723.
Korean holds free award space on its own flights if you book by phone (800-438-5000), but the time varies by reservation; it can take up to a month. No partner award hold is offered.
KNOW YOUR TRANSFER- AND BUY-MILES OPTIONS WITH SKYTEAM AIRLINES
Air France or KLM / Flying Blue Miles
New members can buy 75,000 miles in a calendar year, but they can take up to 72 hours to post. Elites (Silver, Gold and Platinum) can purchase up to 100,000 miles in any one transaction and an unlimited number of miles in any calendar year.
Flying Blue has five credit card transfer partner partners: American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Marriott Points, and Barclays Points. Three of them allow you to buy points (Amex Rewards, Citi Rewards, and Marriott Points), as much as 500,000 from Amex Rewards. Point transfer time varies (see chart below).
Delta Miles
New members can buy 60,000 miles, which can take up to 24 hours to post. Delta has two credit card transfer partners, American Express Membership Rewards and Marriott Points, and the former allows you to buy up to 500,000 points. Point transfer time varies (see chart below).
Korean Air Miles
You can get miles by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards or Marriott Points. There’s no option to buy miles. Point transfer time varies (see chart below).
SkyTeam Rapid Miles Accumulation
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Sample of Recent Delta and SkyTeam Airline Partners Sweet Redeems Alerts in FCF Newsroom:
Korean Air First Class Award Availability Found to/from Asia From Chicago, New York, and More
Good Delta Business Class Award Availability Found to/from Beijing
Delta Business Class Awards Found Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis to/from London (and Beyond)
Related FCF Reports on Buying Points or Miles, and the Right Time to Buy Miles or Points Instead of Paying Cash:
How to Get Around Buying Miles Maximum Limits
How to Buy American Express Membership Rewards Points
When to Buy Miles Instead of Purchasing a Normal Published Fare
Upgrader’s Block and How to Overcome It, Volume 1: When to Use Your Miles