If you’re serious about maximizing points and miles, you’ve probably picked up a treasure trove of tricks and tips along the way. You know the best credit cards for earning miles, which airlines serve your go-to destinations, and where to find those rare business class redemptions. But even the savviest traveler can overlook the finer details of award travel pricing—until they accidentally trip over them.
That’s exactly what happened to me on a trip to London. A quirk in Delta’s award pricing saved me over $300—and could save you even more. This isn’t just a one-off scenario; it’s a consistent opportunity hiding in plain sight. And if you’ve been burned by Delta’s international surcharges before, you’ll want to keep reading.
The Problem: Why Delta Charges Extra for International One-Ways
Delta SkyMiles is infamous for its steep fees on award tickets, especially for international flights. For instance, flights departing from London can rack up over $500 in additional costs, driven by taxes, the UK Air Passenger Duty, and Delta’s own international surcharge.
But here’s the secret: for flights originating in the U.S., Delta waives the international surcharge entirely. This leaves you paying only the $5.60 TSA fee alongside your miles.
But here’s the kicker: if you book a round-trip award ticket starting in the U.S., you can sidestep those hefty surcharges on the return leg. This is because Delta calculates fees differently for round-trip bookings originating in the States.
The Discovery: How I Saved $300
A few years ago, I was booking Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy flights using Delta SkyMiles. I had found a great deal—55,000 SkyMiles and $5.60 for a one-way flight from Orlando to London. But when I looked for the return leg from London to Orlando, the fees shot up to a painful $391 per ticket.
I almost resigned myself to the charges until I remembered reading that Delta sometimes waives these fees on round-trip itineraries starting in the U.S. Curious, I priced out a round-trip award ticket instead of two one-ways. The total? 110,000 SkyMiles and only $241.83 in fees for both flights—a savings of over $300 compared to booking them separately.
Why This Hack Works
The key lies in Delta’s pricing rules. For round-trip itineraries originating in the U.S., Delta does not apply the international surcharge on the return leg. This pricing advantage applies not only to Delta-operated flights but also to partner airlines like Virgin Atlantic, Air France and KLM when booked with SkyMiles.
Here’s a current example of a round-trip itinerary to London. Note the surcharge is only $14.
But for the one-way flight from London to the US, The international surcharge is £177.00.
How to Use This Hack
Here’s how you can replicate this strategy:
- Start Your Itinerary in the U.S.
Always book your round-trip ticket originating in the United States. This ensures the return leg is exempt from Delta’s international surcharge. - Compare the Price with Booking Two One-Ways
Resist the temptation to always book two separate one-way tickets. Consider whether the lower fees are worth giving up some flexibility. - Check Partner Flights
This trick works not just for Delta-operated flights but also for SkyTeam partners like Virgin Atlantic, KLM, and Air France. Look for award availability through Delta.com to confirm pricing.
Downsides of Booking a Round-Trip Award Ticket
There are some risks involved in booking a round-trip award ticket. If you have to cancel the outbound flight, the return flight will also be canceled. Be sure to weigh this risk before committing to a round-trip itinerary.
Key Takeaways
Delta SkyMiles’ international surcharges can be shockingly high, especially for one-way flights originating outside the U.S. However, by booking round-trip award tickets that start in the U.S., you can avoid these fees on your return leg and save hundreds of dollars. This hack works for Delta-operated flights and partner airlines like Virgin Atlantic, KLM, and Air France.
If you’re flexible and mindful of the risks of booking round-trip tickets, this strategy can be a game-changer for your international travel plans.
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