How to use and maximize Delta’s TakeOff 15 feature to save on award tickets
In 2023, Delta Air Lines introduced an awesome new feature for many of its cobranded credit card holders: a 15% discount on all award flights, dubbed TakeOff 15.
If you hold one of the participating cards, your SkyMiles are at least 15% more valuable when used for Delta award tickets. All you have to do is pay the award's taxes and fees with your eligible Delta credit card.
The discount applies to all Delta-operated flights regardless of when you travel, though partner flights are excluded (full terms are available on delta.com). For Delta loyalists, this can easily provide hundreds of dollars a year in value.
Let's take a closer look at Delta's TakeOff 15 feature and how to use it when booking award travel. Then, we'll run through how it can potentially save you miles on flights you've already booked.
Related: Earn bonus SkyMiles with these Delta credit card welcome offers
Cards eligible for TakeOff 15
Many popular Delta cobranded credit cards from American Express are eligible for the TakeOff 15 discount, including:
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
The only card not eligible for the TakeOff 15 discount is the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card.
Related: Your complete guide to the Delta SkyMiles program
How to use TakeOff 15 to save on Delta award tickets
Using the TakeOff 15 discount is simple. Just search for your desired Delta award flight and book it as usual; the discount will be automatically reflected on the results page.
There are only a few restrictions to keep in mind:
- It's only valid on Delta- and Delta Connection-operated flights.
- It does not apply to Pay with Miles or Miles + Cash purchases, nor does it apply to upgrades purchased after ticketing or any other Delta services.
- It does not discount taxes and fees.
- You must pay the taxes and fees with your participating Delta cobranded credit card.
Make sure you're logged in to your Delta account before you search. Then, enter your desired dates and destinations on the homepage and select the "Shop with Miles" option.
You'll be presented with the Delta award calendar, with the TakeOff 15 discount reflected on all prices.
When you choose a date, you'll see more flight options. The discounted price will appear for all Delta-operated flights, with the original price slashed out. The discount applies to all classes of service, including basic economy.
You'll see the TakeOff 15 discount reflected on the checkout screen as well. Again, pay the taxes and fees with your eligible Delta cobranded American Express card to receive the discount.
Note that you might save slightly more than 15% on award tickets in some cases. Delta appears to be rounding prices down to the nearest 100 points, giving you a slightly larger discount on some flights.
It's also worth noting that the TakeOff 15 terms mention the discount is "at least a fifteen percent (15%) discount off the mileage portion of an Award Ticket," so we could see higher discounts in the future.
Related: Best sweet spots with Delta SkyMiles
Save on previously booked flights by rebooking
Already booked a Delta award ticket before you got your participating credit card? You still might be able to save on your flights.
Look through your existing Delta award bookings and see if they've dropped in price with the TakeOff 15 feature. Search for new award flights as normal and compare the pricing to what you've already booked.
If you see a lower price with TakeOff 15, you'll need to cancel your existing reservation and rebook it. Delta should refund both your miles and fees immediately after you cancel the ticket. However, Delta's basic economy award tickets are not refundable, so it's probably not worth trying to rebook these.
We always recommend repricing your award tickets periodically. Now that Delta and other airlines have made their programs more flexible, you can use this to make dynamic pricing work to your advantage.
Related: How to redeem Delta SkyMiles for maximum value
Bottom line
TakeOff 15 will provide value to holders of a Delta cobranded credit card, who can save hundreds of dollars in SkyMiles annually.
You must use your Delta cobranded credit card to pay the ticket's taxes and fees, and it's only valid on Delta-operated flights. However, there's no limit to how many times you can use this benefit.
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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.
- See Rates & Fees