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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Deals
Delta flash sale: Flights to beach destinations from 2.5k miles in economy, 10k in first class
Benji Stawski is a former reporter for the site, covering all things points, miles, credit cards, travel and aviation.
February 23, 2021 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Delta is offering a flash sale on award flights from Seattle to destinations including Mexico, Hawaii, California and Florida, with one-way basic economy awards starting at 2,500 miles.
These deals are available for travel from February through May 2021, though some routes may require round-trip bookings to access the lowest rates.
Delta SkyMiles are valued at 1.41 cents each as of June 2025 per TPG's valuations, making these offers particularly strong compared to typical cash fares.
All award bookings made through March 30, 2021, can be changed or canceled without fees, and Delta is blocking all economy middle seats through at least April 30, 2021.
What to consider
Some offers mentioned are no longer available, and award space may disappear quickly due to high demand.
Taxes and fees apply to each booking, typically around $6 to $40 each way depending on the destination.
Lowest rates to Hawaii require round-trip bookings; one-way fares may be significantly higher.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of specific routes, sample itineraries and tips for maximizing value on these Delta award sales.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
If you live in Seattle and need an escape from the Pacific Northwest weather, listen up.
Delta is back with another one of its flash sales, this time discounting award flights from Seattle (SEA) to several sunny vacation destinations, including Cancun (CUN), Honolulu (HNL), Maui (OGG), Kona (KOA), Los Cabos (SJD), Puerto Vallarta (PVR), Los Angeles (LAX), Tampa (TPA) and more.
The awards start at just 2,500 SkyMiles one-way for basic economy and 10,000 miles for first class. TPG values Delta SkyMiles at 1.41 cents per point, so you'd effectively be paying $35.25 for coach or $141 for first class, which is terrific. Even if you don't live in Seattle, it could be worth booking a positioning flight to take advantage of these deals at such low prices.
Although Delta says that many of these fares are only valid for travel through the end of March, we're seeing them available through May. Regardless, you’ll want to act quickly because there's no telling how long this availability will be around. Depending on the route, you may need to book round-trip to unlock the lowest price.
Keep in mind that Delta is blocking all economy middle seats through at least April 30, 2021. Additionally, all award bookings made through March 30, 2021, including basic economy fares, can be changed or canceled fee-free.
Delta is blocking middle seats through April. (Photo by Benji Stawski/The Points Guy)
The deal
Airline: Delta Routes: SEA to/from CUN/FLL/HNL/KOA/LAX/OGG/PVR/SAN/SJC/SJD/MCO/TPA Cost: 2,500+ SkyMiles one-way in basic economy / 10,000+ SkyMiles in first class + taxes and fees Dates: February – May 2021 Pay Taxes/Fees With:The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare booked directly with the airline; on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on travel) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel) for travel protections on the award flight.
Sample itineraries
Flights to Mexico from 5,000 miles round-trip
The lowest rates available are for flights to Mexico. You can book nonstop flights from Seattle to Cancun (CUN), Los Cabos (SJD) and Puerto Vallarta (PVR) from 2,500 miles in basic economy or 10,000 miles in first class.
Regardless of which of the cities you fly into, you can expect to pay around $40 in taxes and fees each way.
Flights to California from 6,000 miles-roundtrip
If you'd rather stay within the U.S., you can fly to California from 3,000 miles one-way in basic economy or 12,000 miles in first class, plus about $6 in taxes each way. The low fares are available to cities like Los Angeles (LAX), San Jose (SJC) and San Diego (SAN). If you're strategic about picking your flights, you may even be able to fly in a lie-flat seat.
Alternatively, you could fly to Florida for just a thousand more miles each way. Flights to Tampa (TPA), Orlando (MCO), and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) are currently available from 5,000 miles one-way in basic economy.
Flights to Hawaii from 10,000 miles round-trip
Perhaps the most exciting part of this sale is the Hawaii deals. You can book nonstop flights to Honolulu (HNL), Maui (OGG) and Kona (KOA) from just 10,000 miles round-trip, plus about $12 in taxes. As you can tell from the calendar below, these rates are widely available.
The only thing to be aware of is that this rate is only available for round-trip bookings. One-way bookings are pricing significantly higher.
To give you a better idea of how good of a deal this is, the cash rate for some of these flights can be around $400 round-trip, so you'd be getting about four cents in value per Delta SkyMile.
Boosting your SkyMiles balance
While you couldn’t earn a welcome bonus in time to boost your balance for this wave of deals, you may consider adding a card now in anticipation of flash sales to come. There are various ways to earn Delta miles, from Delta-operated flights to trips on SkyTeam airlines to various non-travel partners. However, one of the best ways to boost your SkyMiles balance to score a few free trips is by adding one of these cards to your arsenal:
The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee; See Rates & Fees); Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership, though be sure to check the CardMatch Tool to see if you’re targeted for a 125,000-point after meeting minimum spend requirements (offer subject to change at any time). You can transfer Membership Rewards points directly to Delta SkyMiles.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee; See Rates & Fees); Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Platinum Card within the first three months of card membership. Terms Apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then, $99 see rates and fees); Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months of account opening.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months of account opening..($250 annual fee; see rates and fees);
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card ($550 annual fee; see rates and fees); Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months of account opening.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card ($0 annual fee; see rates and fees); Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.
Maximize your purchase
When paying the taxes and fees on your award ticket, be sure to use a credit card that earns additional points on airfare purchases and offers travel protection if anything goes wrong. Cards that fit the bill include The Platinum Card® from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Blue Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, please click here.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
