New service to Mumbai and Accra means easy mileage availability

Delta is flying headlong into new international routes, these two being the latest. While the airline is infamous for the difficulty in using miles for premium awards and upgrades, our research indicates there are lots of upgrade and free mileage award seats available now. Daily non-stop service between New York/JFK and Mumbai, India, begins Nov. 1. Non-stop service between New York/JFK and Accra, Ghana, begins Dec. 11 (four times weekly).

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Bombay, India

Full-fare Business Class: $6,791 r/t Lowest Upgradeable Economy Fare:$1,832 + 50,000 miles Discounted, Restricted Business Class: $3,500 r/t (booking code I)

Accra, Ghana

Full-fare Business Class: $7,864 r/t Lowest Upgradeable Economy Fare:$2,410 + 50,000 miles Discounted, Restricted Business Class: $5,365 (booking code D)

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The opportunity

As Delta has just announced its service, mileage/award seats are abundant—the dates I checked (Nov. 2006 through March 2007) were wide open on both routes. The cost: 120,000 SkyMiles, a relative bargain. Memo to Amex Membership Rewards members: Your points are transferable to Delta. Starwood points are also transferable, and with the 25% bonus it only takes 100,000. Diners Club cardholders can also transfer points to SkyMiles.

Upgrades

There’s the opportunity to upgrade off the lowest economy class fare (M class), which costs about $1,832 to Bombay; $2,410 to Accra. This is often a better deal because you’ll earn miles and elite credit with any SkyTeam carrier.

Don’t have miles?

No problem—there are a couple of ways to get Delta miles fast and easy. With almost any Amex card, you can buy up to 500,000 Membership Rewards points at 2.5¢. That makes the cost of 120,000 miles just $3,000 (unrestricted reg. $6,791 to Bombay; $7,864 to Accra)—a good deal if you have to buy a ticket within the 50-day advance purchase window.