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Delta Skymiles vs. Flying Blue for Skyteam Awards - Which is Better?

Feb. 18, 2011

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3 min read

Delta Skymiles vs. Flying Blue for Skyteam Awards - Which is Better?

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Delta and Air France/KLM have a very close relationship. As founding members of the Skyteam alliance, they also have a tight-knit joint venture that allows them to own a huge portion of transatlantic travel. While this relationship continues to grow (I sometimes hear, "Thank you for calling the Delta, Air France, and KLM elite line, how many I help you?" when I call Delta), their frequent flyer programs are quite different. And since they are both 1:1 transfer partners of American Express Membership Rewards, I often get asked which airline is best for booking Skyteam awards. In short, it's usually Delta, but there can be a few exceptions. I'll explain below.

The Delta Skymiles program is often criticized for making it hard to redeem low level awards (like 25,000 round-trip domestic coach seats or 100,000 US-Europe business class awards), but it can be very generous - especially when it comes to Skyteam awards because they are always at the low level.

The other main advantages of Delta are:

1) Much lower fees. I pulled up a sample Washington DC - Paris roundtrip in coach and Delta's price was 60,000 miles and $84.30. Air France's award came in at 50,000 miles, but cost a shocking $476.86 in fees.

2) Delta is much more generous with miles. They award 100% accrual on most fare classes whereas Flying Blue awards are as low as 0% for cheap fares. Delta also has partnerships with a multitude of non-air partners, like shopping malls, hotels and dining programs.

3) Delta allows awards to be booked 11 months in advance, where Air France only allows 10 months. So basically Delta frequent flyers get to book Flying Blue awards before Flying Blue members. Seems a little backwards, right? Check out these screenshots for an example - I can currently book a Paris - NY flight on January 2nd using Delta miles, but not with Air France's own Flying Blue miles:

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4) American Express runs frequent transfer bonuses to Delta like the current 30% and 50% and 25,000 MQM offers.

Flying Blue does have a couple unique advantages.

1) The ability to book one way awards. If you wanted LAX-CDG in coach one way, you'd pay 25,000 Flying Blue miles versus 60,000 Delta miles.

2) They run crazy 50% off awards, which can be incredible values - especially for longhaul premium class travel.

As always, the best choice for you is the one that best aligns with your travel plans. For instance, I'm currently helping clients book an award trip to Africa and British Airways makes the most sense on the outbound, but they will return on Air France. Since they have American Express Membership Rewards points, I advised them to transfer miles to both programs and leverage one-way awards.

I still think the most standout advantage between programs is that millions of Delta Skymiles members have access to Flying Blue awards before Flying Blue members. This is a huge benefit - especially when booking high demand awards like LAX- PPT (Papeete, Tahiti).

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card

at American Express's secure site

Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees

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4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Intro Offer
As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
Annual Fee
$325
Recommended Credit
Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
Solid welcome bonus

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.