AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. Terms Apply to the offers listed on this page. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.
Earlier this week, Scandinavian Airlines (better known as SAS) changed jerseys, leaving Star Alliance to become a member of SkyTeam. One of the implications of a shift in alliance is new mileage redemption opportunities, which are now rolling out. Effective immediately, you can redeem Delta SkyMiles for a limited but growing number of SAS itineraries.
Here's what we know about this brand-new SkyMiles redemption option.
SAS Routes Bookable With Delta SkyMiles
SAS is a big airline and flies to several global destinations from its three hubs in Northern Europe: Copenhagen (CPH), Oslo (OSL), and Stockholm (ARN). You can fly SAS as far west as San Francisco (SFO), as far east as Tokyo-Haneda (HND), and as far north as Longyearbyen (LYR) in the Arctic Circle.
However, if you want to redeem Delta SkyMiles for a SAS ticket, you're currently limited to a much smaller (but quickly growing) route network. A few cursory searches on the Delta website will show you that SAS awards are now widely available for purchase if you're looking for intra-European flights. And generally speaking, the pricing on short-haul routes is very similar to what Delta charges for other SkyTeam partners, such as Air France or KLM.
If you're patient, you can also find long-haul awards and even connecting itineraries. Newark (EWR) to London (LHR) via Copenhagen (CPH) is one such example.
These awards are presently much harder to come by. So, if you'd like to book one of them with SkyMiles, you might find value in waiting a few days for the rollout to progress further.
Related: The Complete Guide to Delta Air Lines' Partners
When Will SAS Awards Become Bookable Through Other SkyTeam Programs?
At AwardWallet, we've harped on the value of SkyTeam frequent flyer programs — including Air France/KLM Flying Blue and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Both programs can provide outsized value for their easy-to-earn mileage currencies. Thus, we're excited to see SAS awards becoming available to partner programs, as this opens up additional avenues to get to Europe using points and miles.
At this time, it's anyone's guess when SAS awards will become bookable via Virgin Atlantic. However, Flying Blue is a bit more clear-cut, as these awards are now bookable online.
Top Off Your Delta SkyMiles Account
If you want to take advantage of this new redemption opportunity, you'll need Delta SkyMiles. The easiest way to build your balance is to transfer points from American Express to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio. Alternatively, you can transfer points from a variety of hotel programs to Delta SkyMiles at less-optimal rates:
You can also buy Delta miles — although we don't recommend it.
If you're playing a longer game, build your Delta SkyMiles balance by getting a Delta credit card. If you're strategic about your applications, you can even earn a bonus on multiple Delta SkyMiles cards.
- Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $150.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
- Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
- Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
- Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- With Send & Split®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- 2X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 2X miles per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets
- 2X miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 1X miles on all other eligible purchases
Final Thoughts
It's always an exciting day when an airline opens the doors to partner redemption opportunities. If you're looking to get to Scandinavia or are just planning on passing through, your Delta SkyMiles can take you there on SAS. In the coming days, it's likely that the rollout will near completion. That means more SAS routes and itineraries will become bookable with SkyMiles.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
