We are giving new meaning to the term SkyPesos today. I shared in my last Delta award booking secrets post a way to find low level business class awards to Tokyo. There are some ways to maximize award bookings to Asia using Delta SkyMiles. In this post, we’ll demonstrate how to save about 160,000 SkyMiles by flying a Delta partner to Shanghai in business class at low award level.
For this award booking search, we’ll look for only one low level business class award from Los Angeles to Shanghai, China. Then we’ll compare a Delta partner option to Shanghai, China departing from Tijuana, Mexico.
Delta Award Pricing From LAX To PVG
Again, Delta’s booking engine prices out this ticket at a whopping 280,000 Delta SkyMiles and $39.30 in taxes and fees.
Only 240k Delta SkyMiles
Again, the Delta award calendar failed miserably to find any low level business class availability.
Not One Single Day At Low Level For One Single Award
Even when you make your search from Detroit to Shanghai, the Delta business class award pricing only drops down to 190,000 Delta SkyMiles and $91.40 in taxes and fees. But don’t be fooled that you are getting a good deal (roll eyes), you’re still having to double connect instead of the direct flight that again prices out at a whopping 280,000 Delta SkyMiles.
Only 190k Delta SkyMiles But Double Connection
Delta Pricing From TIJ To PVG
A Delta low level award from TIJ to PVG on AeroMexico comes in at only 120,000 Delta SkyMiles and only $46.58 in taxes and fees. I searched for the same dates as the Delta departure, and found a business class award on AeroMexico at the low level.
The cool part is this flight is operated by AeroMexico’s 777 product in premier class.
Only 120k Delta SkyMiles!!!
Alternatively you could book directly with Aeromexico for more miles and more in fees. Aeromexico charges 152,000 KPMs and 4,334 MXN (about $335 USD) for the same ticket.
Bottom Line
Finding international business class low level awards on Delta can be frustrating. But if you add their partners to the gimmicks it can create real value. Just by doing a little searching, we’ve demonstrated two ways to save Delta SkyMiles on business class awards to Asia.
If you are frustrated with your Delta miles, consider our Award Booking service. We are always happy to help you maximize your miles with a dream award booking.
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The Weekly Flyer writes about travel from a business traveler perspective. He travels the world every week accumulating points and miles along the way.
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Very cool, too bad TIJ does not seem to have any nonstop flights to the US, but a connection in MEX or another Mexican city can be a fun part of a trip for a quick stop.
Unfortunately your example is only reasonable for a small audience that can readily get to TIJ. However, it indicates again how broken Delta’s search engine is. Or rather how poorly they serve their elite members. In most cases traveling internationally is best done with Delta’s sky-partners.
I think it requires calling in, but China Eastern (MU) is the best partner for this one.
Are AeroMexico award flights searchable through Delta.com?
I have booked this flight but from Denver to Shanghai. I went Business from Denver to Shanghai on Delta via Tokyo, and the return was on China Eastern in Business..My total miles were 120,000. You MUST play with the rewards desk.My return was non stop from Shanghai to JFK and first from JFK to Denver on Delta.The Award desk is always on your side..try them..