I flew Delta One on the A350-900 to Australia: Here's how I booked it for just 73,000 SkyMiles
Delta Air Lines has received a lot of criticism for chipping away at the value of Delta SkyMiles, but there remain occasional ways to get outsize value from the program.
Most of the time, I tell people to save their SkyMiles for upgrades or to book last-minute tickets when prices are high. Even then, however, you will not often get more than a cent per point in value. But that's not always the case.
I recently returned from a trip to Australia after finding what I would consider a unicorn redemption: a deal so rare that those of us in the points and miles community consider it to be nearly mythical.
I booked a one-way ticket from Mexico City to Los Angeles and then on to Brisbane, Australia, for just 73,100 Delta SkyMiles and $119.93 in taxes and fees.
These days, that would be an incredible deal in economy, but this was first class to Mexico City and Delta One business class for the 14-hour flight across the Pacific.
Here's how I scored this amazing deal and what it was like flying Delta One on the Airbus A350-900.
How I booked this incredible Delta One award
At one time, it was common to find saver-level award redemptions in Delta business class by originating in Mexico City with a stop in one of its U.S. hubs like Los Angeles or Atlanta before continuing on to your final destination. If you instead tried to book just the portion of the trip from a U.S. airport, the price would skyrocket.
Unfortunately, sometime last year, Delta closed that loophole ... at least mostly. You can still sometimes find good value positioning to Mexico City (or other Latin American airports), but you'll have to luck out like I did to find a really good deal.
In my case, I subscribe to deal alerts from both Thrifty Traveler and Going. To me, both services are worth the cost for premium deal alerts. Going has three tiers, with its top membership, Elite, costing $199 a year. Thrifty Traveler's top membership plan, Premium+, is $149.99 a year, but includes hotel deal alerts. Its Premium plan gives you access to business-class deal alerts for $99.99.
When I wake up, I usually check my email to see if they've sent anything interesting. One Saturday last summer, I saw an alert in my inbox from Thrifty Traveler saying you could book to and from Brisbane in Delta One for just 80,000 SkyMiles one-way. Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity to fly in Delta One on the newly launched, 14-hour flight to Australia.
Knowing the deal wouldn't last, I quickly booked one-way from Mexico City International Airport (MEX) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in first class and then to Australia's Brisbane Airport (BNE) in Delta One. Because I hold the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the card's TakeOff 15 benefit is a savings of 15% when booking award travel on Delta flights using SkyMiles booked directly on delta.com and the Fly Delta app, the price ended up being just 73,100 SkyMiles plus $120 in taxes and fees.
That's one of the best deals I've ever seen for a business-class award to Australia, never mind just on Delta!
Cash prices for this ticket hovered between $6,468 and $8,900 one-way for similar dates, and on dates when this deal was not available, award tickets priced out at 465,000 SkyMiles. Each way!
I never did learn exactly what happened that these flights were such a deal. Was it because it was a newly launched route, or was Delta offering promotional pricing to excite people? I'll never know for sure, but I doubt it was a true mistake fare.
For this flight, however, after I booked it, I haven't ever seen prices drop that low again. Just note that this is a seasonal route that ended in March, and it will not be back in service until Oct. 31.
That said, it never hurts to check the price on flights from Mexico City when looking for deals (especially when new routes from LAX get loaded into the system). Pay attention to those new route announcements, and read on for a mini flight review of my Delta One experience.
What it was like flying Delta One on the A350-900
Delta's flagship Delta One suites can be found aboard the airline's Airbus A350s and A330-900neos. They include sliding doors for privacy; solid tech, including large entertainment screens; varied menus; and high-end amenities.
But before you step on board, the fun starts at the airport.
This was the first time at Los Angeles International Airport that I got to use Delta's new Delta One check-in area, where you enter via a separate door at the Terminal 3 arrivals level far away from the crowds of other departing passengers.
There's a small lounge if you want to grab a drink before security. I was even greeted by an attendant with a hot towel.
After a quick document check, I passed through the private security screening area and took the elevator up into the main concourse and entered the Delta One Lounge.
This lounge is a little slice of heaven with a bevy of food and beverage choices; an island of desserts; massage chairs available on a first-come, first-served basis; and views of Delta jets on the runway.
I was sad because I only had a few hours to enjoy it before it was time to board my flight.
My Delta jet, ship number N518DZ, was just 2 years old. Delta Air Lines operates A350-900s seasonally on its flights to Brisbane (as well as destinations like Cape Town and Tokyo). This three-times-weekly route operates from late October to the end of March.
Delta One on the A350 consists of 32 suites in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration.
I love the stylish finishes and the mood lighting in the cabin. There is no overhead bin in the center, making the cabin look even better, though that means space for carry-ons is more limited than you might find on other aircraft.
All the suites have sliding privacy doors that are easy to engage and operate once they are unlatched after takeoff.
The bed is wider than you'll find on some of the older Delta jets operating internationally.
The airline has really stepped up its bedding game, adding a lumbar support pillow and a mattress pad on many of its longer flights. The pillow and blankets are made from eco-friendly materials including recycled bottles. That meant I was able to get some good sleep, though I do miss the Delta's former Westin "Heavenly" bedding.
I love the new Missoni amenity kits with the signature zigzag patterning that Delta is giving out now in business class. All my friends have requested one after seeing the photos.
The suite's seat controls and 4K inflight entertainment screen were easy to use, and the buttons were responsive. The tray table provided plenty of surface area to work or eat on.
A predeparture choice of sparkling wine, orange juice or water was offered while boarding was underway.
Shortly after takeoff, meal service started with warm nuts and drinks. I had my go-to club soda and cranberry.
That was followed by starters and the main course, which were served at once. While convenient, the airline might consider coursing out meals on a long flight like this, just to lend the service a more elevated feel.
The appetizers were poached shrimp and a baby arugula salad, along with garlic-thyme focaccia with a pat of Banner butter (from an Atlanta-based farm). I had preselected the baked rigatoni and broccoli as a main course. While Delta has stepped up its food-and-beverage service recently, I found this particular dinner to be quite bland, unfortunately.
Dessert was an ice cream sundae with strawberry sauce sprinkled with cookie crumbs. It was delicious, but I would have liked to have a customizable sundae like the ones on American Airlines.
There were plenty of self-serve snacks in the galley, and the flight attendants were always willing to make a drink for you as well.
There was a second midflight meal service: a small salad served with baguette pizza. It was delicious, if a bit heavy.
Finally, about an hour before landing, we were served a hearty breakfast of sausage, eggs, potatoes, a croissant and fresh fruit. I definitely didn't leave the flight hungry.
Service on this flight was phenomenal from start to finish. The flight attendant named Lynn, who was working my side of the plane in Delta One, was friendly and responsive. Steve, the purser, and I had a few great conversations. They were both longtime veterans of the airline business who joined Delta after working for other airlines earlier in their careers.
We had an early arrival in Brisbane, and I was off on my Australian adventure.
Overall, the flight was excellent ... especially considering I spent just over 73,000 Delta SkyMiles. The same flight booked for next year was priced at $8,823 when I checked in April. For me, no business-class seat is worth that price tag, which is why I so love using points and miles.
Bottom line
Despite what you've heard, you can still squeeze an incredible amount of value out of Delta SkyMiles, whether it's an upgrade or scoring a once-in-a-blue-moon Delta One business-class flight to Australia as I did.
The Delta One suites aboard Delta's A350-900s are the airline's top product, and thanks to the sliding door and sizable lie-flat bed, this is among the most comfortable business-class seats I've flown.
I'd happily book this flight again, especially if I found another Delta One deal like I did on this one.
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