Delta’s 2015 program is now live. What does that mean for you?
1. You can now book one-way awards, though you can no longer take a free stopover. That’s the same policy as American.
For now United still allows stopovers on round-trip awards, but I can’t see that lasting for long. USAirways also allows for free stopovers, though that program will end in the 2nd quarter of this year.
2. New Delta award charts with 5 levels of pricing are in effect.
For example for JFK to Tel Aviv a one-way coach award can now run 40K, 50K, 62.5K, 75K, or 85K.
A domestic one-way coach award can run 12.5K, 17.5K, 20K, 25K, or 32.5K.
3. Unless you are flying on very expensive tickets, you will earn a small fraction of the miles that you used to earn thanks to revenue based mileage earning instead of distance based mileage earning.
United will match this change in March.
4. The best way to search for Delta award space is to search for a one-way flight with flexible dates using miles:
Then you can expand the flex search to 5 weeks and you can limit it to nonstop flights if you so desire.
Although you can select between Delta flights or Delta+partner flights it’s worth noting that most Delta partner award flights can only be booked over the phone.
Here is a 5 week view of nonstop one-way awards from JFK to Tel Aviv:
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19 Comments On "Delta 2015 SkyMiles Program Now Live"
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Dan, when will this change affect Alaska Awards on Delta too to start allowing one way travel for half the mileageplan miles?
As per delta’s website, bulk fares (as well as other discounted fares) will earn min of 50 percent of miles flown…
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/earn-miles/earn-miles-with-exception-fares.html
Which levels are available for partner programs? Only the lowest one?
Do I get a prize?
milage earning on partner airlines will also be price based?
Dan, I’m sure I speak for all 50,000+ of your followers in wishing you an easy fast and all good things in the secular new year.
If the fligt requires a connection eg nyc- hon on aa which requires connection @ either Dallas lax can you extend that stop-over ?
Is United getting rid of stopovers on their International award flights?
@first to comment in 2015: ya I wish
I see delta has saver award for today to tlv. Flying blue is closed today. Is there another way to get a hold of flying blue? What if I went to the airport?
Will flown miles on Delta earn full points on Alaska? Another blogger commented that this will no longer be the case.
HAPPY NEW YEAR and thanks for all the great tips in 2014!
@shmu: You can book it on FlyingBlue.com
@Anon:
Hopefully soon.
@Mendel:
Indeed.
@boaz:
No.
@Zow:
To you as well.
@Anonymous:
Not anymore.
@ABB:
Read the post.
@Joetraveler:
Most fares will only earn 25-50% miles.
Dan. Could you please clarify on United will match in March comment? Currently United do 42.5k miles 1 way international on Econ. You mean it will match to 40K? Please clarify.
Dan, I’m a Delta member for many years,
I have with them around 160000 miles.
2 years ago I called them to about my account, they told mr that my milage was expired…but for $50 The will reinstate my milage.
I have not gotten any statement.
My milage disappeared again…
What do I do now?
Generaly how can we revive our milage with other airlines?
Delta and United are targeting people like me that fly business class tickets rather frequently. In 2014 I earned 53K miles flying. Same trips in 2015 will get me 143K miles. United in 2014 earned me 27K miles. Next year same flights worth 130K.
My domestic trip now increased from
40k ~ 41.k to 45k roundtrip.
NYC – Florida.
I’m noticing award fees for roundtrip to Paris $88. One way home from CDG is ~$270. Bummer (same flight used for inbound trip)
@ross:
They charge fuel surcharges for flights that originate in Europe.