15% off all SkyMiles awards for Amex cardholder
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 22,925
Okay, it's fair to say there is wider variability in the long-haul awards. Although there's some pretty significant diminishing returns in your above example as you get into the higher classes (PS is 1.37 CPM and D1 is only 1.17 CPM).
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,883
#33
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 51
An FO with a DL Amex would be getting 10x points on a revenue ticket, so you are at $0.10/mile cashback already. Multiply that by whatever CPM award flight you can book, and award flights don't seem so bad
And now Amex/Delta want to give us another $0.15 per mile? Yes, please.
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 22,925
Depends on how you view the miles. People tend to focus solely on the redemption value, while I choose to account for the acquisition value, as well.
An FO with a DL Amex would be getting 10x points on a revenue ticket, so you are at $0.10/mile cashback already. Multiply that by whatever CPM award flight you can book, and award flights don't seem so bad
And now Amex/Delta want to give us another $0.15 per mile? Yes, please.
An FO with a DL Amex would be getting 10x points on a revenue ticket, so you are at $0.10/mile cashback already. Multiply that by whatever CPM award flight you can book, and award flights don't seem so bad
And now Amex/Delta want to give us another $0.15 per mile? Yes, please.
#35
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 251
I think this discussion is a bit trivial, whether SkyMiles gives 1.1 or 1.5; for destinations that I want to go to, I really can't do better than 1.2-1.3 cpm, barring the Flash sales (which needs to happen more often like pre-pandemic to during pandemic, please).
You guys are overlooking the best news for this; the 1,000,000 SkyMiles needed for D1 ATL-JNB would now be 850k, that's a whopping 150k SkyMiles savings, what deal!!!
You guys are overlooking the best news for this; the 1,000,000 SkyMiles needed for D1 ATL-JNB would now be 850k, that's a whopping 150k SkyMiles savings, what deal!!!
#36
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,102
I think this discussion is a bit trivial, whether SkyMiles gives 1.1 or 1.5; for destinations that I want to go to, I really can't do better than 1.2-1.3 cpm, barring the Flash sales (which needs to happen more often like pre-pandemic to during pandemic, please).
You guys are overlooking the best news for this; the 1,000,000 SkyMiles needed for D1 ATL-JNB would now be 850k, that's a whopping 150k SkyMiles savings, what deal!!!
You guys are overlooking the best news for this; the 1,000,000 SkyMiles needed for D1 ATL-JNB would now be 850k, that's a whopping 150k SkyMiles savings, what deal!!!
#37
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 51
I think this discussion is a bit trivial, whether SkyMiles gives 1.1 or 1.5; for destinations that I want to go to, I really can't do better than 1.2-1.3 cpm, barring the Flash sales (which needs to happen more often like pre-pandemic to during pandemic, please).
You guys are overlooking the best news for this; the 1,000,000 SkyMiles needed for D1 ATL-JNB would now be 850k, that's a whopping 150k SkyMiles savings, what deal!!!
You guys are overlooking the best news for this; the 1,000,000 SkyMiles needed for D1 ATL-JNB would now be 850k, that's a whopping 150k SkyMiles savings, what deal!!!
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 22,925
Cheapest D1 fares are currently around $8K roundtrip on LAX-AKL, while cheapest D1 award levels are 650K roundtrip. So, as on many routes you can do somewhat better than 1 CPM if you are flexible, but getting anything near 2 CPM or more is unlikely.
#40
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: New York City
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,125
Every second January I pay the IRS $245,000 plus a 1.89% fee on my Reserve card and immediately file a tax return for a refund. I get 1.5 SM on the amount over $150,000 plus 60,000 MQMs plus 2 FC companion certs. Then I put the card in a drawer for 2 years. This gives me 2 years of DM status but CBs only every second year. This has been the best way for me to maintain my DM status and not having to stress over getting 40,000 MQDs (20,000 MQDs per year).
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 26,947
The post doesn't make sense to me either. The waiver is annual, and you get CB (Choice Benefits) every year you make DM.
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 22,925
You are earning status for the 2024 status year right now (which is good through 1/31/2025). But since they give you DM status as soon as you earn it, you can have DM status from Jan 2023 through Jan 2025 via a single DM Amex Spend Waiver. Repeat process again in Jan 2025. You will only have one set of DM Choice Benefits (CBs) though because they will be 2024 CBs (you won't also get 2023 CBs).
#43
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: Delta Platinum; Hilton Diamond; Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,108
If OP pays 245,000k + fee in January of 2023, that counts for 2024 status. They would have that through the end of January 2025.
Then in January 2025, they would do it again and have it count for 2026 status (which would end in January 2027).
Then in January 2025, they would do it again and have it count for 2026 status (which would end in January 2027).
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 26,947
You are earning status for the 2024 status year right now (which is good through 1/31/2025). But since they give you DM status as soon as you earn it, you can have DM status from Jan 2023 through Jan 2025 via a single DM Amex Spend Waiver. Repeat process again in Jan 2025. You will only have one set of DM Choice Benefits (CBs) though because they will be 2024 CBs (you won't also get 2023 CBs).
#45
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: Flying Blue, Hilton Honors, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 2,337
You are earning status for the 2024 status year right now (which is good through 1/31/2025). But since they give you DM status as soon as you earn it, you can have DM status from Jan 2023 through Jan 2025 via a single DM Amex Spend Waiver. Repeat process again in Jan 2025. You will only have one set of DM Choice Benefits (CBs) though because they will be 2024 CBs (you won't also get 2023 CBs).