Month: June 2017

Delta Announces First A350 Routes & New Suites

Delta has confirmed the first few routes with Airbus A350 service :

Detroit to Tokyo, starting in Nov 2017

Detroit to Seoul, starting mid Nov 2017

Detroit to Beijing, starting Jan/Feb 2018

Note that these new A350s will debut with 32 new DeltaOne Suites as well as 48 of Delta’s new Premium Select seats. These planes will not feature Economy Comfort, but will have 226 Main Cabin seats. They will also have the latest entertainment systems, LED lighting, and 2KU wifi. These modern jets will replace 747-400s across Pacific routes.

https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/onboard-experience/delta-premium-economy.html

Interestingly, Delta announced that if you are booked in DeltaOne Suites, you’ll be automatically bumped to First/Business class on any domestic connections you might have.

Delta Amex Bonuses

Now is a great time to sign-up for one of the Delta Amex cards – these deals expire 7/5/17. In addition to boosting your SkyMiles account, you can work on your 2017 and 2018 Medallion Status with the MQM bonuses. If you fly Delta at all, you should at least have the Gold card, which offers a $50 credit, waived baggage fees, and priority boarding.

 

Gold Delta Amex – 60,000 SkyMiles after spending $3,000 in 3 Months

Platinum Delta Amex – 70,000 SkyMiles & 10,000 MQMs after spending $4,000 in 3 Months

Reserve Delta Amex – 10,000 SkyMiles & 10,000 MQMs after your first purchase

https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/earn-miles/earn-miles-with-partners/credit-card-partners/personal-credit-cards.html#Reserve

What You Get :

Gold : 60,000 SkyMiles, $50 Delta Credit, Priority Boarding (SKY Zone), First Checked Bag Free, 2x Points Earnings on Delta Purchases 1x on everything else, and 20% discount on Delta in-flight purchases

$95 annual fee after the 1st year; Spend $25,000 and you’re eligible for the MQD waiver

 

 

Platinum : 70,000 SkyMiles, annual companion certificate for coach, 10,000 MQMs, $100 Delta Credit, Priority Boarding (SKY Zone), First Checked Bag Free, 2x Points Earnings on Delta Purchases 1x on everything else, and 20% discount on Delta in-flight purchases

$195 annual fee; Spend $25,000 and you’re eligible for the MQD waiver; also eligible for another 10,000 SkyMiles and 10,000 MQMs after spending $25,000, and another 10,000 SkyMiles and 10,000 MQMs after spending $50,000

 

 

Reserve : 10,000 SkyMiles, & 10,000 MQMs, annual companion certificate for coach or first class, Priority Boarding (SKY Zone), First Checked Bag Free, 2x Points Earnings on Delta Purchases 1x on everything else, and 20% discount on Delta in-flight purchases, Delta SkyClub membership, upgrade priority within your status & fare class

$450 annual fee; Spend $25,000 and you’re eligible for the MQD waiver; also eligible for another 15,000 SkyMiles and 15,000 MQMs after spending $30,000, and another 15,000 SkyMiles and 15,000 MQMs after spending $60,000

DeltaONE Deals

A few facts :

The Delta Amex Gold card is now being offered with 60,000 SkyMiles after you spend $3,000

The Delta Amex Platinum card is now being offered with 70,000 SkyMiles after you spend $4,000

Delta offers its first class service, DeltaOne, on only a few domestic flights, generally called TransCon flights : JFK to SFO, JFK to LAX, DCA to LAX, and BOS to SFO.

DeltaONE service includes high-end chef-curated meals and specifically matched wines, lie-flat seating, Westin Heavenly bedding, TUMI amenity kits, and access to the SkyClub. Delta now offers champagne on these flights as well. This is Delta’s premier domestic service, and is equivalent to international business class. You’ll get either a renovated 757 or a 767 wide-body.

Now, some good deals :

Currently, there is significant availability for one-way DeltaOne mileage redemptions at 25,000. This is usually 45,000 and more commonly 55,000 SkyMiles.

The cash price for a one-way flight in DeltaOne is around $540, meaning if you get the deal at 25,000 miles, those miles are worth 2.2 cents. That also means by opening a Delta Amex Gold you’re getting $1,296 worth of value. Not too shabby.

There is only so-so availability at the 25,000 rate, but significant redemptions at 30,000 to 45,000. If you can snag these, its a great value – main cabin redemptions are going for 12,500 (rare) and more commonly 17,500 to 20,000. Why not spend the 6 hour flight in a bed being served fine food and drink?