Deal of the day: Fly nonstop coast-to-coast from only 12,400 Delta SkyMiles
Editor's Note
If you're looking to travel between the East Coast and West Coast without breaking the bank, Delta Air Lines has you covered. Right now, there's solid award availability for nonstop transcontinental flights starting at just 12,400 Delta SkyMiles each way, with no basic economy restrictions.
Whether you're heading to New York for a Broadway show, jetting to Los Angeles for some sunshine or visiting San Francisco for a long weekend, this deal makes coast-to-coast travel accessible for fewer miles than you might expect.
Read on to learn which routes are available and how to book this deal.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles: 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus 20,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $2,000 on purchases (for a total of $6,000) in the first six months of card membership.
Related: A review of Delta Air Lines economy on the Boeing 767
Note that prices and availability were accurate at the time of writing.
TPG's deal of the day basics
- Airline: Delta Air Lines
- Routes: Nonstop flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), JFK and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and LAX, and BOS and SFO
- Best way to book: Delta SkyMiles (you can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio)
- Price: From 12,400 SkyMiles plus $5.60 taxes and fees each way
- Retail price: From $150 each way
- Travel dates: Various dates from February to December
How to find and book TPG's deal of the day
We found this deal on Seats.aero, which makes it easy to search SkyMiles for nonstop flights across the country a year out (with a Pro membership).
Head to Delta's website to book directly. Main Classic includes advance seat selection, an earlier boarding group, same-day flight changes and full mileage earning.
You'll see options to save even more SkyMiles by selecting Main Basic fares for as low as 7,600 miles. Main Basic is Delta's most restrictive fare: no seat selection until check-in, boarding last, no same-day changes and earning fewer SkyMiles (though on a redemption, this last restriction wouldn't matter).
However, if you can handle the restrictions, this is astonishingly cheap for a six-hour flight.
Related: How to use credit cards to defeat basic economy
Remember, always confirm availability with the airline before transferring your points or miles.
How to earn the points or miles required for TPG's deal of the day
One of the simplest ways to earn Delta miles is by using Delta's cobranded American Express cards. Here are some of the current welcome offers available for these cards:
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Earn up to 90,000 bonus miles: 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus 20,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $2,000 on purchases (for a total of $5,000) in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles: 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus 20,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $2,000 on purchases (for a total of $6,000) in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn up to 125,000 bonus miles: 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus 25,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $3,000 on purchases (for a total of $9,000) in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
Remember that all of these cards include access to the TakeOff 15 benefit, which will save you 15% on Delta-operated award flights, giving this deal even better value.
Bottom line
Coast-to-coast travel doesn't have to cost a fortune when you use your Delta SkyMiles strategically. For just 12,400 SkyMiles each way (or less with the right credit card or accepting basic economy restrictions), this deal offers an affordable way to fly nonstop between major East Coast and West Coast cities.
Continue reading:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
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.