Delta starts letting you pay bag fees with SkyMiles
Delta Air Lines is running a trial that will give you a new way to use your SkyMiles.
Passengers departing from Columbus, Ohio (CMH) and Greensboro, North Carolina (GSO) can now pay their checked bag fees with SkyMiles.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more travel tips.
Delta currently charges $30 for most passengers in the main cabin to check a bag. The fee is waived for travelers with Medallion status, or those with a Delta co-branded credit card. Paying with SkyMiles will cost 3,000 miles on domestic flights, which, according to TPG's valuations, is equal to $36. For this use, Delta is valuing SkyMiles at a cent a piece, so this isn't a way to get the maximum value out of each point.
The airline said the test, which was first reported by Thrifty Traveler, is part of its ongoing effort to make SkyMiles a more versatile currency.
"This new option builds on Delta's pioneering work to make miles even more valuable and providing more flexibility for purchases including air travel and upgrades, merchandise, Delta Vacations, SkyMiles Experiences and Delta Sky Clubs," Delta said in a statement. "We will share more details about using miles as a form of payment for bag fees once testing is complete."
For now, passengers departing from the participating airports have to use self-service check-in kiosks in order to use miles to pay for their bags, and only standard-sized bags are eligible for SkyMiles payment. Delta said it plans to expand the program in 2020, and will incorporate customer feedback as it does.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app