However, even when partners have availability for Skymiles redemptions, the Skymiles award rates to/from US/Canada have now been harmonized for both DL and partner operated flights. The awards on partner metal won't be any lower in miles than what you can potentially get on DL metal when redeeming Skymiles. They will also be subject to exact same fare rule requirements (like advance purchase, roundtrip booking with min stays, day of travel, seasonality, etc.) in order to get cheapest awards. You have to book Skymiles awards that both begin and end outside US/Canada in order to still find separate (potentially cheaper) Skymiles awards on partner metal.