Penny a Mile Through Delta Marketplace a Decent Alternative?
#16
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: PC Pl, UA 1K, CC Gl
Posts: 2,235
#17
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: OKC (Oklahoma City), Oklahoma
Programs: Marriott Gold; IHG Platinum; Insomnia Cookies
Posts: 514
I just tried a hotel search for SDF, check-in June 12 and check-out June 13. I did not log in on Safari. I did log in on Firefox. I have no elite status but have a Delta Gold AmEx.
I got the same mileage levels for the hotels on the first page, so that's one data point for the same price.
Not logged in, I can't find the gift cards - there's no option on the left side of the screen. Logged in, I get gift cards at 5K per $50.
I got the same mileage levels for the hotels on the first page, so that's one data point for the same price.
Not logged in, I can't find the gift cards - there's no option on the left side of the screen. Logged in, I get gift cards at 5K per $50.
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,737
I had the same result comparing my son's no-status account, with my account (Gold Medallion + Amex.)
I also noted that the non-status account showing significantly higher prices for the merchandise items - Nintendo Wii Bundle - 35,400/58,900, Canon Powershot SD960 - 99,800/59,900
You'd have to be nuts to do the merchandise under any scenario, the SD960 at a penny a mile would be $599 at the lower (Amex/Elite) award level, it is $199 on Amazon.
So it seems that if you do not have access to the gift cards at a penny a mile, the hotels still give you the penny a mile, and would give the best value.
I also noted that the non-status account showing significantly higher prices for the merchandise items - Nintendo Wii Bundle - 35,400/58,900, Canon Powershot SD960 - 99,800/59,900
You'd have to be nuts to do the merchandise under any scenario, the SD960 at a penny a mile would be $599 at the lower (Amex/Elite) award level, it is $199 on Amazon.
So it seems that if you do not have access to the gift cards at a penny a mile, the hotels still give you the penny a mile, and would give the best value.
I just tried a hotel search for SDF, check-in June 12 and check-out June 13. I did not log in on Safari. I did log in on Firefox. I have no elite status but have a Delta Gold AmEx.
I got the same mileage levels for the hotels on the first page, so that's one data point for the same price.
Not logged in, I can't find the gift cards - there's no option on the left side of the screen. Logged in, I get gift cards at 5K per $50.
I got the same mileage levels for the hotels on the first page, so that's one data point for the same price.
Not logged in, I can't find the gift cards - there's no option on the left side of the screen. Logged in, I get gift cards at 5K per $50.
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,425
Thanks.
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,425
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,737
I am pretty sure, from looking at urls streaming by the bottom of my browser, that it is a private label booking engine provided by:
http://www.ezrez.com/
http://www.ezrez.com/
#23
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: PC Pl, UA 1K, CC Gl
Posts: 2,235
I am pretty sure, from looking at urls streaming by the bottom of my browser, that it is a private label booking engine provided by:
http://www.ezrez.com/
http://www.ezrez.com/
It looks like travelocity and it seems it is:
http://www.ezrez.com/suppliers/index.php
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,737
Not to beat a dead horse, but Travelocity is just one of 27 "sample" suppliers listed on the page you link to below.
#25
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: SDF
Programs: Delta PM, IC Ambassador, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,195
Not logging in will not show gift cards. I am unsure if you need status to redeem for a gift card.
Delta PM will get you a gift card at 6K points for $50. It seems as if the AMEX is what gets you the lower cost.
Is this a decent alternative? Perhaps. As one poster already said, it really depends on your situation. I just cashed in 36,000 miles for 3x$50 gift cards at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for a wedding gift and 3x$50 gift cards at Barnes and Noble's to take care of my books for the fall semester.
Delta PM will get you a gift card at 6K points for $50. It seems as if the AMEX is what gets you the lower cost.
Is this a decent alternative? Perhaps. As one poster already said, it really depends on your situation. I just cashed in 36,000 miles for 3x$50 gift cards at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for a wedding gift and 3x$50 gift cards at Barnes and Noble's to take care of my books for the fall semester.
#27
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 27
Yet another great example of DL best in class - don't offer the best rate to your best customers, offer it to customers that have your credit card.
I wouldn't mind, but this card is not available to non-US residents...great way to round out the program.
#28
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Boynton Beach, FL
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold, IC Amb, Citi Prestige
Posts: 218
Not logging in will not show gift cards. I am unsure if you need status to redeem for a gift card.
Delta PM will get you a gift card at 6K points for $50. It seems as if the AMEX is what gets you the lower cost.
Is this a decent alternative? Perhaps. As one poster already said, it really depends on your situation. I just cashed in 36,000 miles for 3x$50 gift cards at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for a wedding gift and 3x$50 gift cards at Barnes and Noble's to take care of my books for the fall semester.
Delta PM will get you a gift card at 6K points for $50. It seems as if the AMEX is what gets you the lower cost.
Is this a decent alternative? Perhaps. As one poster already said, it really depends on your situation. I just cashed in 36,000 miles for 3x$50 gift cards at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for a wedding gift and 3x$50 gift cards at Barnes and Noble's to take care of my books for the fall semester.
#29
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 373
You have to have status or be a DL AMEX cardholder. I just checked another account that didn't have either and the option was not given.
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,425