The government says a man scammed Delta out of 42 million SkyBonus points
A man in Georgia really loved Delta's loyalty program for businesses — so much so, that he's been accused of wire fraud related to it.
Gennady Podolsky, a dual Ukrainian and American citizen, and managing partner of Vega International Travel Services, Inc., was arraigned this week for wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Northern District of Georgia.
According to the indictment, Podolsky used his Chicago-based travel company to acquire SkyBonus points, which is a program for businesses similar to the airline's SkyMiles. Enrolled businesses can earn points under the SkyBonus program at the same time the traveling passengers earn points under the SkyMiles program. According to prosecutors, Podolsky allegedly defrauded Delta by earning and redeeming over 42 million SkyBonus points.
If you're curious to know where 42 million SkyBonus points can take you -- and we know you are -- this award chart shows that a passenger could fly from the mainland US to Hawaii (435,000 points in Delta One or First Class) 96 times.
"Podolsky used his knowledge of the travel industry to take advantage of his travel agency clients," U.S. Attorney Byung J. Pak said in a statement. "Through his access, he allegedly took advantage of Delta Airlines corporate frequent flyer program, illegally reaping millions of SkyBonus points worth more than $1.75 million dollars."
"The fraudulent accumulation of frequent flyer miles in the travel industry may seem like a victimless crime, however, large corporations stand to lose significant profits", said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta.
The $1.75 million valuation doesn't quite line up with our math. TPG does not include SkyBonus in our monthly valuations since the program is limited to small business. The government is valuing the points at nearly 4.2 cents each -- 3.5 times what we value the regular SkyMiles at. A domestic coach ticket with SkyBonus starts at 90,000 points. At the government's valuation that would mean the coach ticket is worth $3,780.
Businesses who use SkyBonus accrue points whenever employees travel on Delta. According to the indictment, an enrolled business can only accrue SkyBonus points under the terms of the program if the passenger is an actual employee of that business.
As part of the scheme, the indictment alleges, Podolsky registered a Skybonus account in the name of a fertility center owned and operated by a family member of the president of his company.
When Vega Travel booked its customers for air travel on Delta, Podolsky caused the SkyBonus account number for the fertility center to be associated with those customers' tickets. The customers, according to the indictment, were not employees of his company.
Podolsky was indicted on 12 counts of wire fraud on September 11.
SkyBonus is marketed by Delta as "a business travel rewards program for small to mid-sized companies." Companies in the program are required to spend a minimum of $5,000 a year on eligible flights and have at least five unique employees completing eligible travel each year.
Companies can earn points on flights operated by Delta, Aeromexico Air France, KLM and Alitalia. SkyBonus members earn a different amount of points based on their fare class and whether or not they're flying to or from Atlanta (ATL), Cincinnati (CVG), Detroit (DTW), Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) or Salt Lake City (SLC). You can also earn points through purchases from Delta Private Jets.
Companies that earn 2 million points during a calendar year also qualify for SkyBonus Elite status, which offers 10% more points on top of normal accumulation rates.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
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