Delta SkyMiles removes surcharges for redemptions from Europe to the US
Delta Air Lines' SkyMiles loyalty program has made a small but potentially valuable change to its redemption pricing, removing carrier-imposed surcharges on Delta-operated flights from Europe to the United States. This means that while the number of miles required may still be high, the cash payment required on these flights is now lower. DansDeals first reported the news.
Related: A review of Delta Air Lines economy on the Boeing 767 from London to New York
Delta SkyMiles Europe surcharges
SkyMiles has in the past used an uneven pricing structure for transatlantic awards flights operated on its own metal: One-way and round-trip flights from the United States to Europe were not subject to surcharges, while those going in the reverse direction were.
For example, a one-way basic economy redemption from Brussels Airport (BRU) to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) when I searched in November 2024 showed a rate of 70,000 miles and a cash payment of 214.87 euros (about $234): 77.37 euros (about $84) of fees and taxes and 137.50 euros (about $150) of carrier-imposed surcharges.
However, Delta has now removed the carrier-imposed surcharges on one-way and round-trip itineraries commencing in Europe, so the same flight from Brussels to New York now costs 66,000 miles plus 55.67 euros (about $61) in fees and taxes, with no surcharges payable. The mileage cost is slightly lower — which is not unusual since Delta prices redemptions dynamically, meaning the number of miles required fluctuates regularly.
While this change will not affect those booking round-trip award flights to Europe, anyone booking one-way flights, perhaps because of a lack of round-trip availability or because they want to use multiple carriers or programs, will benefit from the reduced cash payment on those SkyMiles redemptions commencing in Europe.
SkyMiles is still imposing surcharges on partner-operated flights from Europe to the United States, such as this economy-class booking on SkyTeam partner Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow Airport (LHR) to New York, which carries a surcharge of 148 British pounds (about $192).
What are surcharges, and how can you avoid them?
Surcharges, sometimes referred to as fuel surcharges, were a way for airlines to increase the cash payment required when redeeming points and miles as the global price of fuel changed. Some airlines argued that the cost of transporting passengers who booked with points and miles increased as fuel prices did, so the cash payment should be adjusted similarly.
The issue was that when fuel prices last fell (for example, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when global travel and the subsequent demand for fuel dropped significantly), some airlines did not reduce their fuel surcharges. This led to some programs changing the fee's name from "fuel surcharge" to "carrier-imposed surcharge," to remove the link to fuel prices.
Surcharges (whether fuel or carrier-imposed) are an unpleasant reality of some airline loyalty programs. British carriers Virgin Atlantic and British Airways are both notorious for imposing significant surcharges on cash and award tickets. For example, on a British Airways economy-class round trip from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) this summer, almost a third of the total fare is classified as a carrier-imposed charge.
The easiest way to avoid surcharges is to redeem points and miles through programs that do not impose them. If you have transferable credit card points, you can choose to send them to a program that does not impose surcharges or at least limits these surcharges to select partner-operated flights.
Some programs, like Delta SkyMiles, charge higher redemption rates through dynamic pricing than others — like British Airways Executive Club, which levies surcharges but generally has lower award-chart rates. So, you'll need to balance the surcharge savings with potentially parting with more points and miles.
Related: Dynamic pricing vs. fuel surcharges — which is the lesser of 2 evils for your next redemption?
Bottom line
This small but significant improvement to the SkyMiles program means you can redeem miles for flights operated by Delta originating in Europe without paying a carrier-imposed surcharge. SkyMiles rates remain high and can still seem unattractive compared to other programs that use award charts. Still, this means less cash required for redemptions from Europe, which is a step in the right direction for the SkyMiles program.
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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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| 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. |
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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
$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. (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.