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How to use and maximize Delta’s TakeOff 15 feature to save on award tickets

June 17, 2024
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5 min read
Delta Airbus A220-100
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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:

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

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How to use TakeOff 15 to save on Delta award tickets

Delta connection plane
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

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.

Searching for an award flight from ORD to LGA on Delta's website
DELTA.COM

You’ll be presented with the Delta award calendar, with the TakeOff 15 discount reflected on all prices.

Delta award calendar with TakeOff 15 discounts
DELTA.COM

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.

Delta check-out screen with TakeOff 15 discount applied
DELTA.COM

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

Delta Airlines Plane
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

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.

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
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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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)

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  • 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

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  • 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.