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You Can Now Redeem Your Delta SkyMiles to Fly by Private Jet

Oct. 25, 2016
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3 min read
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You Can Now Redeem Your Delta SkyMiles to Fly by Private Jet
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Do you have a couple million spare Delta SkyMiles? Well, if you do, you could have a new redemption option from the Atlanta-based carrier — flying with its private jet division. As of today, SkyMiles members can transfer a minimum of 2.5 million miles for a $25,000 Delta Private Jet Card.

Jet cards like Delta's are essentially pre-loaded accounts that are deducted from when you fly. Once you load the card with money (or miles if you choose to transfer your SkyMiles to the balance of the card), each private jet flight will deduct the amount of money or miles from your account. By being a private jet cardholder with Delta, you're guaranteed you choice of jet size on every flight, jet availability and you'll also have four private jet categories to choose from.

So how much will the 2.5 million SkyMiles get you? It's pretty simple math, as Delta Private Jets charges based on how long the flight is. The hourly rate for a light jet with Delta Private Jets is approximately $5,500, so for the $25,000 value on your card, you're getting a little less than five hours of private flying. Based on his most recent valuations, TPG values Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents apiece, meaning the 2.5 million you'd be transferring are worth about $30,000 — $5,000 less than what you're getting to use on your private jet redemptions.

Conversely, if you do choose to redeem your SkyMiles for a private jet card, which you can do on Delta's Private Jet website, you're getting a significantly reduced minimum for how much you need to initially put on the card. The normal minimum needed to load on a card is $100,000 — you can also choose to load $250,000 or $500,000. So by loading just $25,000 worth of SkyMiles, you're putting down 25% of what is normally required. You can also load more than 2.5 million miles, as there's no limit to the number of miles you can redeem — if you have 15 million miles, you'll get $150,000 worth of jet travel.

Whether or not this is a deal worth splurging on is completely up to you and the number of SkyMiles in your account. If you have a surplus of miles sitting around that you don't know what to do with, this could be a neat opportunity. Note, however, that you won't be getting the best possible value out of your SkyMiles if you choose to redeem them for a Delta Private Jet Card. Keep in mind that if you're really intrigued by this offer but don't yet have quite enough SkyMiles, you can also transfer SPG Starpoints and American Express Membership Rewards to Delta — both at a 1:1 ratio.

H/T: Forbes.com

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
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  • 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.