What can I do with my load of Delta miles??? (210k worth)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NY - AA 1.8MM EXP, DL 1MM---macmedia1_at_yahoo.com
Posts: 42
What can I do with my load of Delta miles??? (210k worth)
I have been having an absolute horrible time for the past 2 years in using my skymiles. I've had 210k for the past 15+ years (well down from 700k) and every time I have a place I need to go, I can't get a ticket for a reasonable amount of miles. For 2 years I've been trying to get a few tickets to asia but seem to never be able to find a normal low rate of 70k miles the advertised. It's always 120k-200k for a ticket.
I mostly fly American these days instead (since I'm lifetime plat.) and I've been able to "trade" tickets with others from time to time with the skymiles but that's not easy to do with so many miles left and no easy avenue to do it safely.
The closest method I've found is using points.com for a couple small transaction but it hardly seems worth it when I have to pay hefty fees to do a trade of miles.
Anyone have any other reasonable suggestions? I'm getting tired of finding ways every year to extend the expiration date...
I mostly fly American these days instead (since I'm lifetime plat.) and I've been able to "trade" tickets with others from time to time with the skymiles but that's not easy to do with so many miles left and no easy avenue to do it safely.
The closest method I've found is using points.com for a couple small transaction but it hardly seems worth it when I have to pay hefty fees to do a trade of miles.
Anyone have any other reasonable suggestions? I'm getting tired of finding ways every year to extend the expiration date...
#4
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,362
If you fly to Asia regularly, I was able to get a ticket S.E.Asia <> ATL BE on DL metal in low (120K). Those will be nearly impossible the other way unfortunately.
Partner airlines are quite easy to get though. You have to miss the blackout dates, but if passing that test they almost always work..You have to call, and even then ask the agent for the specific flights.
As to extending the expiration, I would suggest buying a left handed monkey wrench on DL Sky Market.
Partner airlines are quite easy to get though. You have to miss the blackout dates, but if passing that test they almost always work..You have to call, and even then ask the agent for the specific flights.
As to extending the expiration, I would suggest buying a left handed monkey wrench on DL Sky Market.
#5
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,240
Unfortunately that is not a 'load' of miles anymore. All you can do is keep looking, but if you find a 'decent' deal I would jump on it because they are going to keep devaluing these things. Two years ago you could do a lot more with 210k IMO.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,278
What can I do with my load of Delta miles??? (210k worth)
Far, far less than what you could do with this:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...-aa-miles.html
Of course, as EXP you already know this.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...-aa-miles.html
Of course, as EXP you already know this.
#8
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DTW/FNT
Programs: Delta (nee NW), Hilton Diamond. IHG (PT)
Posts: 4,823
That said, I like to save some for family emergencies .... and
I just used some to rent a car where I got 1.3 cents per mile.
Bob H
#9
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 422
I'd load up Expert Flyer and look to book yourself a nice European vacation for you and a friend or SO. 2 business class tix r/t = 200k Delta Skymiles. Take a trip to Italy (JFK-FCO) (you should be able to find a lot of dates, if they are several months in advance, with 2 business class tix available on a single flight) or go to Paris (JFK-CDG) or both. These are easy redemptions to find and book by using Expert Flyer and calling up Delta. If you're willing to do more work, you can find tons of posts and ideas on FT on what you can do with 200k Skymiles.
#12
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Tri-Cities, WA
Programs: DL GM, Marriott, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 75
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,298
MY SUGGESTION would be to look for space on the HND flights if a trip to Asia is desired. BE seems to be much more open than on the NRT flights and you should be able to find 120K BE tickets, especially around holiday periods.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Far, far less than what you could do with this:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...-aa-miles.html
Of course, as EXP you already know this.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...-aa-miles.html
Of course, as EXP you already know this.