SkyBonus Incentive Program for Small Businesses
Feb 21, 2012, 11:48 am
#496
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: AL
Programs: All of the Above
Posts: 1,374
I think it does help to have an "official" website. I'm listed as my C-Corp name, not my DBA name, but they had dug around and found my DBA name, and it gave me extra street cred with the legitimacy of the account.
Feb 21, 2012, 1:04 pm
#497
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Canada
Programs: AS, DL, UA, Hyatt, SPG
Posts: 2,574
My companies SkyBonus account was closed, but after appeal it was reopened and points reinstated.
Because my company is travel industry related, DL "assumed" (erroneously) that we were a travel agency and airline ticket issuer (we are not) and they wanted proof that the folks whose tickets were being credited were bona fide employees or contractors of the company and that we did not issue airline tickets. We only have a small team, we travel fairly frequently for business, and this proof was easy to provide, so they reopened our account immediately.
I was surprised that someone took the time to audit our account, the benefits of SkyBonus are pretty nominal at best, I think we mostly use redemptions for drink chits or skyclub passes as it's an insane amount of points to get an upgrade or free ticket.
Because my company is travel industry related, DL "assumed" (erroneously) that we were a travel agency and airline ticket issuer (we are not) and they wanted proof that the folks whose tickets were being credited were bona fide employees or contractors of the company and that we did not issue airline tickets. We only have a small team, we travel fairly frequently for business, and this proof was easy to provide, so they reopened our account immediately.
I was surprised that someone took the time to audit our account, the benefits of SkyBonus are pretty nominal at best, I think we mostly use redemptions for drink chits or skyclub passes as it's an insane amount of points to get an upgrade or free ticket.
Feb 21, 2012, 1:23 pm
#498
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
I think it is absurd that they are wasting the time auditing these things (and sounds like they are closing legit accoutns) when the benefits are so small and the points expire in few years anyway regardless of account activity.
Feb 21, 2012, 1:24 pm
#499
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: SPG Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle, Hilton Diamond, US Airways Chairman, Delta Gold
Posts: 59
I have a S-Corp for my consulting (sole employee/owner/etc). I could see how Delta would not want a 1099 using schedule C but if you are a C-corp or an S-corp and have a business EIN then you should qualify.
Feb 21, 2012, 1:57 pm
#500
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,193
Must've been someone in the program that actually got a good deal on a flight using skybonus points, so they have to neuter the program to make up for it.
Feb 21, 2012, 2:07 pm
#501
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New Mexico, USA
Programs: DL Gold, UA (new!) Silver, AA Hater, Marriott Down to Gold, Hilton grunt
Posts: 263
We did snag one of those few and far in-between deals and used it as an employee bennie
Feb 22, 2012, 1:14 pm
#502
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 766
Okay, my question I asked SkyBonus is at the bottom and the response is at the top:
Dear XXX;
Thank you for contacting Delta SkyBonus. As a small business you can enroll in the SkyBonus program as long as you spend upwards of 5,000USD on Delta travel annually for bona fide business travel. Keep in mind if the conferences you attend are purchasing your travel or reimbursing you for your travel then although it is business travel you are not eligible to claim the credit, the organization who hired you or contracted you is. If you have additional questions, please call us at 877-832-5211 (option 2).
Kind Regards,
SkyBonus Service Center
Subject : Program eligibility
Message : I am wondering if my business is eligible for this program? I am a one man consulting firm and a sole proprietorship where I use my Social Security number for my payments. I often do weekend work due to my regular job and the fact this is often the time professional conferences occur (good example is I am travelling to Chicago soon to give a talk at a Cardiology conference) and afraid some will think this is "leisure" travel. Do I quality for the program?
Thank you for your time.
Dear XXX;
Thank you for contacting Delta SkyBonus. As a small business you can enroll in the SkyBonus program as long as you spend upwards of 5,000USD on Delta travel annually for bona fide business travel. Keep in mind if the conferences you attend are purchasing your travel or reimbursing you for your travel then although it is business travel you are not eligible to claim the credit, the organization who hired you or contracted you is. If you have additional questions, please call us at 877-832-5211 (option 2).
Kind Regards,
SkyBonus Service Center
Subject : Program eligibility
Message : I am wondering if my business is eligible for this program? I am a one man consulting firm and a sole proprietorship where I use my Social Security number for my payments. I often do weekend work due to my regular job and the fact this is often the time professional conferences occur (good example is I am travelling to Chicago soon to give a talk at a Cardiology conference) and afraid some will think this is "leisure" travel. Do I quality for the program?
Thank you for your time.
Feb 22, 2012, 1:20 pm
#503
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, DL MM
Posts: 4,245
The nice thing is that you need I or S inventory - which is available on many flights, not like the mileage inventory
Feb 23, 2012, 10:21 pm
#504
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 31
I didn't think it had to be all corporate travel. Seeing your skybonus number is linked into your skymiles account, I don't think anyone is going to take the time to remove the skybonus number from personal travel reservations booked on line ()and in all honesty it never crosses my mind when making a personal reservation).
Do the rules say it has to be a for profit? If not, and you are using the non-profits tax-id you should be fine.
Do the rules say it has to be a for profit? If not, and you are using the non-profits tax-id you should be fine.
Program is poorly designed if they intend to distinguish yet allow more than just the retroactive crediting.
Feb 23, 2012, 10:24 pm
#505
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 31
Okay, my question I asked SkyBonus is at the bottom and the response is at the top:
Dear XXX;
Thank you for contacting Delta SkyBonus. As a small business you can enroll in the SkyBonus program as long as you spend upwards of 5,000USD on Delta travel annually for bona fide business travel. Keep in mind if the conferences you attend are purchasing your travel or reimbursing you for your travel then although it is business travel you are not eligible to claim the credit, the organization who hired you or contracted you is. If you have additional questions, please call us at 877-832-5211 (option 2).
Kind Regards,
SkyBonus Service Center
Subject : Program eligibility
Message : I am wondering if my business is eligible for this program? I am a one man consulting firm and a sole proprietorship where I use my Social Security number for my payments. I often do weekend work due to my regular job and the fact this is often the time professional conferences occur (good example is I am travelling to Chicago soon to give a talk at a Cardiology conference) and afraid some will think this is "leisure" travel. Do I quality for the program?
Thank you for your time.
Dear XXX;
Thank you for contacting Delta SkyBonus. As a small business you can enroll in the SkyBonus program as long as you spend upwards of 5,000USD on Delta travel annually for bona fide business travel. Keep in mind if the conferences you attend are purchasing your travel or reimbursing you for your travel then although it is business travel you are not eligible to claim the credit, the organization who hired you or contracted you is. If you have additional questions, please call us at 877-832-5211 (option 2).
Kind Regards,
SkyBonus Service Center
Subject : Program eligibility
Message : I am wondering if my business is eligible for this program? I am a one man consulting firm and a sole proprietorship where I use my Social Security number for my payments. I often do weekend work due to my regular job and the fact this is often the time professional conferences occur (good example is I am travelling to Chicago soon to give a talk at a Cardiology conference) and afraid some will think this is "leisure" travel. Do I quality for the program?
Thank you for your time.
This makes no sense either. If you allow people to put skybonus in profile...
Feb 24, 2012, 8:31 am
#506
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: PBI
Programs: DL 2.8 MM/PM, AA MM/GLD, Marriott LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,746
Okay, my question I asked SkyBonus is at the bottom and the response is at the top:
Dear XXX;
Thank you for contacting Delta SkyBonus. As a small business you can enroll in the SkyBonus program as long as you spend upwards of 5,000USD on Delta travel annually for bona fide business travel. Keep in mind if the conferences you attend are purchasing your travel or reimbursing you for your travel then although it is business travel you are not eligible to claim the credit, the organization who hired you or contracted you is. If you have additional questions, please call us at 877-832-5211 (option 2).
Kind Regards,
SkyBonus Service Center
Subject : Program eligibility
Message : I am wondering if my business is eligible for this program? I am a one man consulting firm and a sole proprietorship where I use my Social Security number for my payments. I often do weekend work due to my regular job and the fact this is often the time professional conferences occur (good example is I am travelling to Chicago soon to give a talk at a Cardiology conference) and afraid some will think this is "leisure" travel. Do I quality for the program?
Thank you for your time.
Dear XXX;
Thank you for contacting Delta SkyBonus. As a small business you can enroll in the SkyBonus program as long as you spend upwards of 5,000USD on Delta travel annually for bona fide business travel. Keep in mind if the conferences you attend are purchasing your travel or reimbursing you for your travel then although it is business travel you are not eligible to claim the credit, the organization who hired you or contracted you is. If you have additional questions, please call us at 877-832-5211 (option 2).
Kind Regards,
SkyBonus Service Center
Subject : Program eligibility
Message : I am wondering if my business is eligible for this program? I am a one man consulting firm and a sole proprietorship where I use my Social Security number for my payments. I often do weekend work due to my regular job and the fact this is often the time professional conferences occur (good example is I am travelling to Chicago soon to give a talk at a Cardiology conference) and afraid some will think this is "leisure" travel. Do I quality for the program?
Thank you for your time.
Feb 24, 2012, 8:38 am
#507
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BOS
Programs: DL PM, Hertz Gold Plus, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,049
Feb 25, 2012, 9:03 am
#508
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MCO
Programs: DL DM/MM, Marriott Plat Premier, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,081
Think DL could have worded this better. In all liklihood, there is no way DL would ever know any airfares were reimbursed unless the reimbursing company also tried to claim the same ticket for their own SkyBonus account. Personally never heard of this happening but guess it is possible.
Feb 25, 2012, 9:59 am
#509
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SRQ
Posts: 2,168
Disagree completely. We book a lot of business class flights and at 30 points per $1 we have been able to use the points for international business class rewards.
The nice thing is that you need I or S inventory - which is available on many flights, not like the mileage inventory
The nice thing is that you need I or S inventory - which is available on many flights, not like the mileage inventory
Qualifying Fares: Y/B/M
Upgraded Booking Class:
For travel prior to 6/1/2011, Y fares upgrade to I or A booking class, B/M fares upgrade to Z or G booking class. For travel on or after 6/1/2011, Y fares upgrade to S or A booking class, B/M fares upgrade to Z or G booking class.
Upgraded Booking Class:
For travel prior to 6/1/2011, Y fares upgrade to I or A booking class, B/M fares upgrade to Z or G booking class. For travel on or after 6/1/2011, Y fares upgrade to S or A booking class, B/M fares upgrade to Z or G booking class.
Feb 25, 2012, 11:26 am
#510
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: IND
Programs: HH Diamond, Hyatt Diamond, SGC Gold, IHG Plat, Delta Diamond, Cont Gold, US Air Chairmans
Posts: 206