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Delta Raising Award Redemption Rates for Partner Flights
Zach Honig
Contributor
Jan. 07, 2016
•
3 min read
Delta Raising Award Redemption Rates for Partner Flights
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It's just another day at the office for Delta. The airline quietly "enhanced" its award redemption rates, this time for partner flights, specifically. In typical Delta fashion, no notice was provided — instead, travelers spotted the change and shared the news in a FlyerTalk thread.
For now, it appears that this rate hike only affects partner flights, which, as you're probably aware, typically represent the most reasonably priced SkyMiles redemptions. The new rates take effect on October 1, 2016, but rather than simply applying to flights booked on that date, the higher rates also apply to flights you'll book today, assuming the travel date is on or after October 1. That's a very consumer-unfriendly move on Delta's part.
For example, I found a fantastic Delta redemption on Garuda Indonesia last year (here's the flight review). At the time, that business-class flight required 40,000 SkyMiles, and it still does today. However, if you book for travel on or after October 1, 2016, the rate jumps to 50,000 miles, representing a 25% hike.
Looking at a more popular redemption, New York to Seoul on Korean (in business class) jumps from 70,000 miles to 80,000 miles on October 1. That's a much more reasonable 14% increase, but it's disappointing to see, nonetheless, especially considering that Delta's provided absolutely no advance notice here.
Fortunately, economy redemptions appear to be unaffected, as you can see in the example above.
Overall, this isn't a huge blow — what's far more upsetting than the rate hike, however, is that Delta's provided absolutely no notice at all. If you were planning to redeem SkyMiles for a business-class partner flight on or after October 1, 2016, you'll now need to use more miles than you did before. For customers who already had a redemption in mind, an unannounced action (like this one) can be infuriating.
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Update: This doesn't appear to affect all partner routes. For example, flights from the US to London on Virgin Atlantic (TPG's favorite Delta redemption) remain at 62,500 miles each way in business class.
How do you feel about Delta's latest rate hike?
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Best for dining at restaurants
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Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
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$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.Pros
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- 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.
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- $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.