Delta deal alert: Australia as low as 60,000 SkyMiles
In a year where many travelers finally feel confident booking bucket list-type trips that might not have been feasible over the last couple of years, we’ve got a great deal to put on your radar…but you’ll want to act fast.
Delta Air Lines has some great mileage deals available right now on flights to Sydney Airport (SYD). While the best deals involve flights out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) — the only airport with direct Delta flights to Australia — right now, no matter your home city, it appears you can get a pretty good deal on a flight Down Under.
At the moment, Delta’s sale involves round trips from LAX to Sydney for 60,000 SkyMiles throughout much of late 2022 and the first few months of 2023. Compare that to mileage fares out of LAX that can routinely cost well north of 100,000 — sometimes closer to 200,000 — SkyMiles for the round trip.
While you won’t find the same 60,000-mile fare from anywhere other than LAX, travelers leaving from an extensive list of U.S. airports should be able to get the round trip for 70,000 to 80,000 miles — still significant savings from what you’d typically see.
Related: Project Sunrise: Qantas announces plane purchase for NY-Australia nonstop flights
In keeping with the 2022 tradition, good deals (even with miles) often don't last long, so if you think this might be an option for you, you should book right away.
One of the best parts of this deal is that it will allow you to get Australia right as the continent is heading into its summer months, since it's in the Southern Hemisphere. Whether you want to stick to sightseeing in Sydney itself, or make your way to other parts of the country, this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for to get to the other side of the world.
Deal Basics
Airline: Delta Air Lines
Routes: LAX to SYD for the best deal, but many U.S. airports have strong options to Sydney as well
How to book: Directly through the airline.
Travel dates: August 2022 through spring 2023, excluding the holidays
Sample fares
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney for 60,000 miles
- Seattle (SEA) to Sydney for 70,000 miles
- Phoenix (PHX) to Sydney for 75,000 miles
- New York-Kennedy (JFK) to Sydney for 80,000 miles
One of the things that struck me about these flights out of LAX was that month by month, they had a similar look to the awards calendar below.
Looking to book on a particular week in the fall? There’s a good chance it’s available as part of this deal. Already know the dates for your 2023 spring vacation? You may be in luck.
Let’s first look at the strongest 60,000-mile, Main Cabin round-trip itinerary out of LAX, which TPG values at about $846 — cheaper than the cash price you’ll generally pay to get to Sydney. These are nonstop, long-haul flights between Los Angeles and Sydney aboard an Airbus A350-900. The outbound flight is the longest — close to 15 hours. On the way back, it’s a bit shorter, about 13 and a half hours. On top of the mileage fare, you pay $108 in fees which, considering it’s a trip to Australia, really isn’t bad. For perspective, I paid quite a bit more than that just this month for a short flight to the Caribbean on another legacy carrier.
Because Delta’s flights to Sydney are out of LAX, as part of this deal you're going to end up there during your trip regardless of your origin airport. Those wanting to leave from New York can take a transcontinental flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK); they’ll have a short layover at LAX before the long-haul flight. It’s the same story on the return. The round trip goes for 80,000 miles, as is the case for many non-western U.S. cities.
Plugging in a whole bunch of U.S. cities throughout the eastern U.S. and Midwest, I found nearly every one had the 80,000-mile round trip available. You can even get the fare on departures out of the smallest of airports. Take the Charlottesville Albemarle Airport CHO) in my Virginia hometown, which has Delta flights to just two destinations in all. You can get the 80k deal. But you'll end up with double connections (Atlanta and then Los Angeles) but, hey, you can get to Australia for a round trip mileage fare that TPG values at a little over $1,100.
Related: How to book a trip to Sydney with points and miles
Bottom line
If you’ve long wanted to travel to Australia but have never found the cash or mileage fares to be approachable, this could be a game changer. Whether you’ve accrued a bunch of SkyMiles through a Delta co-branded credit card or have, say, a haul of American Express points you’ve been thinking about redeeming, this deal is a good opportunity for travelers both in southern California and across the country to get to Sydney at a fraction of the cost typically available.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
Rewards Rate
| 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
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.