Delta partner award prices skyrocket: Here's what you need to know
Delta's "keep climbing" motto may now apply to the price of some SkyMiles awards.
It appears that without notice, Delta Air Lines increased the price of its SkyTeam partner awards to match its own flights, as first reported by Thrifty Traveler. While this could be a technical or similar short-lived error, this follows a 2021 increase in partner award prices and the airline's decision to axe partner sweet spots earlier this year. And without a published award chart, Delta has positioned itself to not be tethered to any set pricing model.
That includes flights on popular Delta partners like Air France/KLM, Korean Air and Virgin Atlantic.
This means partner awards that may have cost 120,000 Delta SkyMiles to fly in business class are now going for as much as 330,000 miles one way. Coach fares on trips to Europe that were as low as 35,000 miles now cost 65,000 one-way. That would mean a pretty substantial devaluation if this pricing sticks around. TPG reached out to Delta for comment, but hadn't heard back by publication.
Here's what you need to know about this potential Delta SkyMiles devaluation.
SkyTeam award prices match Delta's own flights
For several years, Delta has used a dynamic pricing model on its flights, which means that the award prices fluctuate, just as cash prices do. However, a bright spot was that SkyTeam award prices were more stable, resembling the airline's since-retired award charts.
Right now, however, SkyTeam partners are pricing roughly in line with flights on Delta's own-operated flights.
Let's look at a KLM-operated flight from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
Before this seeming devaluation, this flight would have likely cost 35,000 SkyMiles in economy. Now, however, the flight is priced at 56,000 SkyMiles. Incidentally, that is the same price as the least expensive Delta flight connecting through Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).
The same holds on soon-to-be SkyTeam member Virgin Atlantic flights.
The Virgin Atlantic flight from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) prices at the same rate as Delta's own flight.
Take a look at the popular New York to London route. The pricing is pretty shocking, both for Delta and for Virgin Atlantic-operated flights.
In all these cases, Delta flights are now pricing the same as partner-operated flights.
SkyTeam cities without Delta service
Notably, the award rates we checked remain unchanged on flights that don't have Delta service and are only operated by a partner airline.
For example, Delta doesn't fly to Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), so the award prices on China Airlines flights from the United States remain the same as they have been.
Bottom line
In our test searches, Delta Air Lines is pricing SkyTeam partner-operated awards at the same less-than-ideal award prices as on its own flights.
On the bright side, assuming this is all intentional when Delta runs SkyMiles sales, there's a possibility that partner award prices will drop, but that's mere speculation at this point.
TPG has reached out to Delta for comment. For now, it's looking like SkyMiles are worth less than before for those who liked to redeem them to fly partner airlines.
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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
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- 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.
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- $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.
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| 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. |
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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
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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)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.