Fly Delta to Australia for 60,000 miles round trip
If you missed the Delta Air Lines sale a few weeks ago on award flights to Sydney, we’ve found another batch of discounted mileage flights for travel in late summer and early fall.
The Atlanta-based carrier is offering August and September flights to Sydney for 60,000 SkyMiles round trip out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), where the airline’s nonstop service to Sydney (SYD) originates. Travelers from Delta’s other hubs in the western U.S. including Seattle (SEA) and Salt Lake City (SLC) can get the round trip for 70,000 miles, with airports in the Midwest and the eastern U.S. priced at 80,000 miles round trip.
It’s also worth noting that Delta is also offering pretty decent deals starting at 74,000 miles round trip for some dates during the peak Australia travel months of January, February and March next year.
Because August and September are off-peak months for travel to Australia, that also means there are likely some deals on accommodations as well. Temperatures in Sydney are still in the 60s at that time of year, according to Accuweather so the weather shouldn't be a deterrent.
Whether you’ve recently claimed a bonus from signing up for a credit card or see the end of the U.S. testing requirement for international travel as a signal it’s time to book a trip abroad, this is a great chance to put those miles to use.
Just be sure to act quickly though, since we know from past experience that these Delta deals can disappear quickly.
Related: Project Sunrise: Qantas announces plane purchase for NY-Australia nonstop flights
Deal Basics
Airline: Delta Air Lines
Routes: LAX to SYD for the best deal, but many U.S. airports have discounted fares to Sydney
How to book: Directly through the airline
Travel dates: August and September
Sample flights
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD) for 60,000 miles
- Seattle (SEA) to Sydney (SYD) for 70,000 miles
- Salt Lake City (SLC) to Sydney (SYD) for 70,000 miles
- Phoenix (PHX) to Sydney (SYD) for 75,000 miles
- New York-John F. Kennedy (JFK) to Sydney (SYD) for 80,000 miles
- Atlanta (ATL) to Sydney (SYD) for 80,000 miles
Related: 9 things to do on your first trip to Sydney
These deals fall into one of four basic categories. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is in a category on its own with economy seats for 60,000 miles round trip. Western Delta hubs are generally in the 70,000 range, with non-Delta western airports at 75,000 miles. Most other airports as you head east are at 80,000 miles.
Wherever your trip originates, you’ll end up at LAX along the way, so let’s start by looking at the best 60,000-mile main cabin fares out of LAX. TPG values the miles at around $846 so this is a good deal as fares for this route are often over $1,000. For the September itinerary below, you’ll leave LAX just before 11:00 p.m. and it’s a nearly 15-hour flight to Sydney. The return trip leaves at 11:45 a.m. Sydney time, and it’s 13 and a half hours on the way back to the U.S.
If you’re looking at booking in a more comfortable class for the long-haul trip, below are the rates for Comfort+, Premium Select and Delta One for the trip out of Los Angeles. You could get Comfort+ for some moderately improved accommodations for 80,000 miles – the same as what you’d pay in miles coming from an East Coast city. So, you could always put those miles toward the nicer seats on the long flight, and book a separate ticket to Los Angeles.
For instance, Google Flights shows the cheapest New York round trip tickets to LAX generally fall in the $250 ballpark in August and September.
Booking separate itineraries is not for everyone, but it’s an option.
What happens once you get past September? The deals out of Los Angeles still aren’t too bad – they go up to about 74,000 miles round trip in October and beyond.
It’s 80,000 miles for a round trip out of New York-John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Just keep a close eye on your total trip time and which flight you book out of JFK; if you’re not careful, you could end up with a longer wait than necessary in Los Angeles.
Related: How to book a trip to Sydney with points and miles
Bottom line
For those who still have an opening in their summer travel calendar – or who have been waiting for the testing mandate to expire before booking an international trip – this deal is well-timed as the testing requirement will be lifted after midnight tonight. Since Australia is a bucket list destination for many travelers, this could be a great opportunity to get to Sydney at a fraction of the cost you might otherwise pay in miles.
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.