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Note: This post was published on February 2, 2023. Card details and benefits may have changed since then.
In this article
Take 15% Off Delta Award Flights
If you have any of the credit cards from the suite of Delta Amex cards (except for the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card), you now have a new discount on Delta operated flights (so all flights on partner airlines are excluded, even if only as part of your itinerary).
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Called TakeOff 15, the discount will show right in your search results as you can see below:
Note that the discount is currently identical whether you have a Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card or a Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (both personal and business qualify).
However, the terms clearly say ‘up to’ 15% so I wouldn’t be surprised if they later move to a tier system where the discount is tiered (I.e. 15% for Gold, 20% for Platinum and 25% for Reserve).
Terms and Conditions
This is what you’ll find in your cardmember agreement:
Basic Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum and Reserve American Express Card Members, as well as Basic Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum and Reserve Business American Express Card Members (each, an “Eligible Card”), can get at least a fifteen percent (15%) discount off the mileage portion of an Award Ticket (the “TakeOff 15” benefit). Additional Card Members are not eligible.
Available only if entire itinerary is on Delta and Delta Connection® carrier-operated and ticketed flights booked at delta.com or the FlyDelta app. Not available on flights operated by other carriers. Not available for Pay with Miles, Miles + Cash, seat upgrades purchased after the initial flight booking, or other Delta products or services. Discount only applies to the mileage portion of the Award Ticket fare and does not apply to applicable taxes and fees which must be paid using the Eligible Card. Card Member must be logged-in to a SkyMiles account linked to an Eligible Card to receive the TakeOff 15 benefit discount. Mileage discount will be greater than or equal to 15% of the overall miles portion for the Award Ticket. An Award Ticket is a ticket issued by Delta pursuant to the SkyMiles Program Rules, by which SkyMiles members may redeem miles and pay applicable government-imposed taxes and fees in exchange for air transportation. All Award Ticket rules apply, as set forth on delta.com and in the specific terms incorporated into your Award Ticket. Award Travel is defined as travel using an Award Ticket. Award Travel seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or in all markets.
SkyMiles account balance must have sufficient miles for the entire Award Ticket(s) being purchased. TakeOff 15 benefit is not combinable with certificates, Delta eCredits, Delta Gift Cards, vouchers, or with any other discounts or promotional offers.
My Take
One major caveat is that you must pay your taxes and fees on the award ticket with your SkyMiles card.
That means you cannot put it on a card with great trip protection like a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
Additionally, we can’t ignore the page at which award rates have risen over the last several years, with business class awards to Europe going from 50,000 miles to, in most cases, 375,000 miles or more. In that sense it feels like raising prices and then giving a discount. However, that’s not entirely fair to tie to this discount as I don’t think they actually raised prices to introduce this they were raising award rates regardless, so this will provide some nice relief.
Thoughts?
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