When booking Delta flights, it’s easy to forget about one of the best perks that comes with a Delta co-branded American Express card: TakeOff 15. This benefit gives eligible cardholders a 15% discount on the SkyMiles required for award flights.
Here’s how it works in practice.
A Real-World Example
Booking flights between Orlando and Atlanta is a common short route with plenty of options. Frontier, Spirit, Southwest, and Delta all fly nonstop. Delta runs 13 to 15 daily flights, almost hourly.
Cash fares often hover around $190 for this 90-minute hop—not exactly cheap. When award pricing was checked, the same flight cost 13,500 SkyMiles + $5.60 in taxes, which comes out to about 1.36 cents per mile in value.
But when logged into an account tied to a Delta American Express card, the price dropped to 11,400 SkyMiles thanks to TakeOff 15. For two tickets, that’s a savings of 4,200 miles—or about $42 in value at a baseline 1 cent per mile.
What Is TakeOff 15?
TakeOff 15 is a standing benefit for Delta Amex cardholders. It provides a 15% discount on the mileage portion of award tickets booked on Delta or Delta Connection flights.
- The discount applies only when booking directly at delta.com or through the Fly Delta app.
- Taxes and fees aren’t discounted—you’ll still need to pay those separately.
- Partner flights (like Air France or KLM) don’t qualify.
Which Cards Qualify?
The following Delta American Express cards include the TakeOff 15 benefit:
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Blue cardholders are not eligible.
How Much Can You Save?
Since TakeOff 15 is tied to the award price, it’s a flat 15% off—no more, no less. That means:
| Award Price | Discount | Final Price |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 SkyMiles | 1,500 | 8,500 |
| 25,000 SkyMiles | 3,750 | 21,250 |
| 80,000 SkyMiles | 12,000 | 68,000 |
So while you’ll save more miles on longer or more expensive flights, the percentage always stays the same.
Other Things to Keep in Mind
You must be logged into the SkyMiles account linked to the eligible card for the discount to apply. Additionally, all flights in the itinerary must be operated by Delta or its Delta Connection carriers.
Bonus Value: Free Checked Bags
TakeOff 15 isn’t the only way Delta Amex cards add value. Most co-branded Delta cards also include a free first checked bag on Delta-operated flights. Depending on how often you fly (and check luggage), that benefit alone can cover a card’s annual fee.
Final Thought
TakeOff 15 is one of those easy-to-miss perks that can save Delta flyers thousands of miles over time. Whether you’re booking a short hop like Orlando–Atlanta or a long-haul international trip, the flat 15% discount makes SkyMiles go further. If you or your travel partner has a Delta American Express card, always make sure to book from that account—you’ll be leaving real value on the table otherwise.
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