Book fast: Delta flights from just 2,000 SkyMiles each way
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Planning a domestic getaway later this year? Now might be the time to book.
Delta is currently offering award flights from just 2,000 SkyMiles one-way on a number of domestic routes. Many routes — even premier ones like New York-JFK to Miami (MIA) — are pricing under 5,000 SkyMiles in basic economy.
As noted by God Save The Points, Delta hasn’t posted these deals on its Flash Deals website — you can only find them by searching Delta’s website. These cheap award tickets could go away at any moment, so book quickly if you see something you like.
Remember, Delta’s new change policy doesn’t cover Basic Economy awards. We recommend paying for a Main Cabin ticket if your plans aren’t set in stone or if you think you may have to cancel.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
Sample fares from 2,000 SkyMiles
You’ll find the cheapest tickets on West Coast short-haul routes in the early Spring. For example, this flight from Seattle (SEA) to Los Angeles (LAX) is 2,000 SkyMiles in Basic Economy and 2,500 in Main Cabin.
The price goes up to 3,000 SkyMiles over the summer months. Here’s a flight in July:
We’re also seeing a ton of routes price at 4,500 SkyMiles over the coming months. This price-point isn’t all too rare, but we’re seeing it on traditionally more expensive routes like New York to Miami, as discussed earlier.
New York (LGA) to Chicago-O’Hare (ORD) is also pricing at 4,500 SkyMiles on many dates this summer:
Longer routes like Atlanta (ATL) to Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) have 4,500-SkyMile tickets throughout the summer too:
You also can find transcontinental routes like New York-JFK to Los Angeles (LAX) pricing at 7,500 SkyMiles one-way in Basic Economy. On a route this long, however, you may find it worthwhile to pay 3,000 extra SkyMiles for Main Cabin.
These aren’t the only routes available. Search Delta’s website and look for the routes you’re interested in — you’ll want to use the Calendar View option to see a month’s worth of award pricing at once.
As usual, be sure to check the cash cost of a ticket before using your SkyMiles. TPG values SkyMiles at 1.2 cents apiece, so you’ll want to ensure you’re getting at least this amount of value from your miles.
How to get SkyMiles quickly
You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards to Delta SkyMiles if you need to top-up your account. These transfers process immediately. If you’re looking to earn more Delta SkyMiles for future trips, the following cards are offering at least 70,000 SkyMiles as a welcome bonus:
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months card membership. Offer ends 11/10/2021.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership. Offer ends 11/10/2021
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn 80,000 bonus miles and 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership. Offer ends 11/10/2021/
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: Earn 70,000 bonus miles, and a $50 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases the first three months of card membership. Offer ends 11/10/2021.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Earn 90,000 bonus miles, 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs), and a $100 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first three months of card membership. Offer ends 11/10/21.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Earn 80,000 bonus miles, 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs), and a $200 statement credit after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. Offer ends 11/10/21.
Bottom line
These discounted fares from Delta can be a great way to book flights ahead of time, as it becomes safer to travel. Just remember to book a refundable fare so you can easily cancel if you can’t travel safely.
Feature photo by Chris Dong/The Points Guy
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Offer ends 11/10/2021.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer expires 11/10/2021.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.