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As you may be aware, Delta SkyMiles Deals offer significant advantages. On February 2, Delta introduced a new “Take Off 15” feature for its Delta SkyMiles Amex Gold, Platinum, and Reserve consumer and Delta Business Credit Cards. This new feature enables cardholders to receive a 15% discount on Delta-operated award flights when redeeming their Delta SkyMiles.
To fully benefit from this new feature, there are a few important details to keep in mind. You must make your booking through the Delta website or app and then log in to your Delta SkyMiles account to apply the discount. Once you’ve completed the booking for an eligible flight, you’ll see the mileage discount reflected in your itinerary.
This benefit is only accessible to primary cardholders, not authorized users. Delta has also raised the sign-up bonuses for the Skymiles Gold, Platinum, and Reserve credit cards, which will be available until March 29th.
What is “Takeoff 15” Under Delta SkyMiles Deals?
American Express and Delta have a longstanding partnership, which is one of the most significant collaborations in the airline and credit card industries. As part of this partnership, they regularly introduce Delta SkyMiles Deals to provide added value to their customers. A 15% discount on Delta-operated award flights when redeeming Delta SkyMiles is one of the most recent Delta SkyMiles Deals.
Let’s say you book travel with an Amex Delta SkyMiles card that is eligible for this offer from Chicago to New York one way. Here’s how your points requirement would look after the “Takeoff 15” is applied:
Here is the list of Amex Delta SkyMiles cards that are eligible for the Takeoff 15 offer:
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles Awards Key Terms
- Only Eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Card Members to receive a 15% discount off the mileage portion of an Award Ticket through the TakeOff 15 benefit. Additional Card Members are not eligible for this benefit.
- The offer exclusively applied to itineraries operated and ticketed by Delta and Delta Connection® carriers and booked through delta.com or the FlyDelta app. It is not applicable to flights operated by other carriers.
- The benefit cannot be availed for Pay with Miles, Miles + Cash, seat upgrades purchased after the initial flight booking, or any other Delta products or services.
- The TakeOff 15 perk can be utilized an unlimited number of times.
- The discount only applies to the mileage portion of the Award Ticket fare; it does not apply to any applicable taxes or fees, which must be paid with the Eligible Card.
- When attempting to modify an existing SkyMiles reservation, the TakeOff 15 discount doesn’t seem to be accessible. You must cancel and rebook to receive a refund of your miles and the TakeOff 15 discount.
How To Get the Most Out Of This Delta SkyMiles Deals
Use The Discount For More Expensive Flights
To maximize the benefits of TakeOff 15, it’s worth considering using the discount for more expensive or long-haul flights. Since the discount is a percentage of the mileage portion of the award ticket, the savings will be more significant for higher-priced flights.
For example, if you’re considering redeeming your SkyMiles for a flight that costs 40,000 miles, the TakeOff 15 discount would save you 6000 miles. However, if you’re considering a flight that costs 100,000 miles, the TakeOff 15 discount would save you 15,000 miles.
Rebook Your Existing Flight
If you have already booked a trip with Delta, you can review your current Delta award bookings and check if the prices have decreased. You can then look for new award flights and compare the pricing with your booking. If you find a lower price with TakeOff 15, you must cancel and rebook your reservation.
However, please note that Delta’s basic economy award tickets are non-refundable, so you cannot cancel them for a refund. Delta should provide a refund for your existing flights right after you cancel the ticket in another case.
Steps To Avail This Delta SkyMiles Deals
Here are the steps you can take to avail of the Takeoff 15 deal via delta.com or in the Fly Delta app:
Step 1: log into your SkyMiles account and select “Shop with Miles” when searching for Award Travel on delta.com or in the Fly Delta app.
Step 2: Choose an eligible flight. After you check out, the mileage discount will be applied to your ticket. if you are an eligible Amex card holder, you don’t have to do anything it 15% discount will be applied automatically.
Step 3: You can earn miles by using your Delta SkyMiles® American Express Card to pay for the taxes and fees associated with your booking. If you travel Delta and want to enjoy rewards, one of these three co-branded Delta business credit cards may be a good fit for you; it all depends on your requirements.
Is The “TakeOff 15” Offer Beneficial For You?
Whether TakeOff 15 offers benefits depends on your travel needs and preferences. However, it’s not really the go-to option for most points enthusiasts, but if you frequently book Delta-operated award flights and have an eligible Delta SkyMiles credit card, the 15% discount can save you significant miles. It’s worth considering and comparing the discounted award flight options with other available offers before making a decision.
However, the value of Delta SkyMiles can vary based on a number of factors, such as the route, class of service, time of year, and availability. On average, the value of one Delta SkyMile is around 1.1-1.3 cents, after the 15% discount, you will be getting 1.3-1.5 cents, although this can fluctuate. It’s important to note that the value of Delta SkyMiles can also depend on how you redeem them.
In addition to maximizing this Delta SkyMiles Deal, eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express cardholders can enjoy a variety of other perks. For instance, these cardholders can receive free checked bags, and discounts on in-flight purchases, making their flying experience more enjoyable and affordable. Additionally, cardholders can receive annual companion certificates, which allow them to bring a companion with them on a Delta flight for a reduced fare. These added benefits can make having a Delta SkyMiles credit card even more worthwhile and use it for Delta purchases.
Bottom Line
If you do not fly with Delta often, you may not benefit much from the Delta SkyMiles deals program. The value of this program largely depends on how frequently you travel with Delta and how many points or miles you can accumulate. If you only travel with Delta a few times a year, it may take you a long time to earn enough miles to redeem an award ticket and take this benefit.
Additionally, if you do not frequently use the Delta SkyMiles American Express card or take advantage of the various perks and benefits, the value of the program may be limited for you. However, if you do fly with Delta frequently and utilize the various benefits and promotions offered by the program, you can potentially maximize the value of your rewards and make the most out of the Delta SkyMiles program.
If you travel Delta and want to enjoy rewards, co-branded Delta Credit Cards may be a good fit for you, depending on your requirements. Keep track of your spending categories and select a credit card that rewards you for your most frequent purchases. Sign up for our travel concierge service, and we will help you uncover the finest credit cards of 2023, as well as incredible travel deals.
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