There is no way I would advocate redeeming 90,000 Delta SkyMiles for a one-way Business Class award to Asia. But that doesn’t keep me from finding it interesting that you can actually price out a one-way Business Class award for only 90,000 to Asia when their award chart clearly shows they require 120,000 SkyMiles for the flight. Plus, some people may find value in a one-way award to or from Asia using Delta SkyMiles.
In this post we’ll illustrate how a simple trick, can tweak the price of a SkyMiles award ticket to Asia, even if it is on the same flight that requires 120,000 SkyMiles.
Delta SkyMiles Award Chart From U.S.
The Delta award chart clearly shows that a Business Class award ticket to Asia from the U.S. requires 120,000 (60,000 each way) in Business class at the low mileage level. We all know that Delta doesn’t offer one-way awards even though Air France does. This award essentially prices out a one-way (which you cannot book) from the U.S. to Northern Asia for 60,000 SkyMiles.
Illustrating A 120,000 SkyMiles One-Way Business Class Award To Tokyo
Given the award chart above, if you price out a one-way ticket from the U.S. to Northern Asia, the total miles required will be 120,000, even if you only intend to fly one-way.
Delta SkyMiles Award Chart From Mexico
The Delta award chart from Mexico clearly shows that a Business Class award ticket to Asia from Mexico requires the same 120,000 (60,000 each way) in Business class at the low mileage level. But the chart also shows a 60,000 (30,000 each way) Business Class award to the U.S. from Mexico.
Illustrating A 90,000 SkyMiles One-Way Business Class Award To Tokyo
Pulling it all together we can book a one-way award in Business Class on Delta Airlines to Northern Asia in Business Class. How you ask? I’ll tell you it is simply the result of the award pricing engine.
If you book the same exact flights as we did above from the U.S., but you add in a flight originating in Mexico, the price comes out to only 90,000 SkyMiles for Business Class. This is because the award booking engine prices out the ticket as two flights. The first is only 30,000 SkyMiles from Mexico to the U.S., then the engine adds in the U.S. to Asia for 60,000 giving us a total of 90,000 SkyMiles for a Business Class Ticket to Asia.
Bottom Line
I’m not advocating 90,000 SkyMiles for a one-way Business Class ticket to Asia. But it could come in handy (think of the reverse), if you don’t use one of the segments and need a flight back to the U.S. from Asia.
Follow us on Twitter || Like us on Facebook || Sign Up For Email || Tips & Tricks Page
About The Weekly Flyer
The Weekly Flyer writes about travel from a business traveler perspective. He travels the world every week accumulating points and miles along the way.
Sign up for Email || Twitter || Facebook |
Hotel Offers || Airline Offers || Bank Offers || Cash Back Offers
Neat.
This seems more useful FROM Asia. 😉
I wonder if you can book US-US-Asia for 82.5k?
More evidence of the total worthlessness of Skypesos.
If you miss the first segment, won’t the rest be canceled?
any other ideas how to utilize from mexico?
Hi Jettboy – I agree.
Hi Gene – Much better from Asia to US if you need it. Perhaps….
Hi NZ – Disagree 100%.
Hi Trench – Yes. That is why it may not be as valuable on the way to Asia.
Hi Pilot – Absolutely, stay tuned… 🙂
Cool! What happens to the round trip price if you want to come back?
Hi FrequentMiler – The total ticket jumps up to the appropriate amount, 120k. So if on the return, you add a segment to Mex, you’ll still be in good shape at 120k miles.