When it comes to Delta SkyMiles, I tend to be more forgiving than most. I should clarify—I love flying Delta, but their loyalty program has nothing to do with that. In fact, I’m not particularly fond of any U.S.-based airline loyalty program. With Delta, my approach is simple: earn and burn. I use my SkyMiles for inexpensive short-haul flights where I can get slightly more than 1 cent per point in value.
I remember when 80,000 SkyMiles could get me a business class ticket to Australia, but those days are long gone. Nowadays, that many miles might not even get you from coast to coast in domestic first class.
And after searching for transatlantic flights, I can see why so many people despise Delta SkyMiles.
Delta Charges the Most Miles for SkyTeam Flights
When booking flights on SkyTeam partners, I compare award pricing across Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and Flying Blue (KLM-Air France). Here’s what each program charges for the same economy flight from London to Atlanta:
Delta SkyMiles: 56,000 miles + £314 in taxes
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: 17,500 miles + £182 in taxes
Flying Blue (KLM-Air France): 29,000 miles + $414.31 (≈£320) in taxes
For reference, the cash price for this flight is £1,150.
One key thing to note: Delta allows redemptions across all fare classes but only released economy award space on this flight to partners.
What About Virgin Atlantic Flights?
All three programs also offer award seats on the Virgin Atlantic flight departing two hours after the Delta flight.
Flying Blue: 29,000 miles + taxes
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: 7,500 miles + £217 in taxes
Delta SkyMiles: 56,000 miles + taxes
Delta’s high pricing doesn’t stop at economy. If you want premium economy, here’s what each program charges for the same seat on Virgin Atlantic:
- Delta SkyMiles: 115,000 miles + £477
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: 72,000 miles + £432
- Flying Blue: 41,120 miles + $520
The Power of Transferable Points
If you only collect SkyMiles, you’re stuck paying more or convincing yourself that frequent flyer points are worthless because you can never find a good redemption. But if you have transferable points, you can book through the program that offers the best deal. Since Virgin Atlantic and Flying Blue partner with all major bank programs, it doesn’t matter which one you collect—Chase, Amex, Citi, or Capital One.
So while I give Delta credit for running an airline I enjoy flying, I’ll stick to using my SkyMiles for short-haul flights from Orlando to New York. When it comes to long-haul travel, I’ll let Virgin Atlantic and Flying Blue handle my redemptions.
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