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Math is pretty simple: Delta + Awards = Devaluation, and that is precisely what Delta has done again, by raising the cost of their Business Saver Awards to Europe. One-way trips to Europe will now set you back 82,000 SkyMiles plus taxes and fees for an award in Business. This is a 17% increase on the previous price of 70,000 SkyMiles. Bear in mind these are Business Saver Awards, which will be the lowest price you'd pay for business — the bar has been raised — just not the bar we want to see raising.
Keep in mind, these are the rates Delta will charge, but you may find better redemption rates for the same flights redeeming partner miles for the same seats.
The irony of this devaluation is that partner awards for the same routes are somewhat cheaper, with East Coast transatlantic flights still available for 75,000 miles one-way in Business, although this will likely be hiked up since it would be crazy for Delta to charge more for awards on its own metal than on partners’ aircraft.
Our Take
The only thing you can plan for with SkyMiles is unexpected changes. Like all points and miles, we encourage you to engage in an earn and burn strategy. Plan your trips, earn your miles and then redeem (burn) them.
Miles aren't a long-term investment, and even though SkyMiles don't expire, if the prices continuously raise, they'll be regularly worth less.
Source: View From The Wing
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It never ceases to amaze me the different ways Delta finds in devaluing their frequent flier program. No wonder some people are calling their currency Skypesos.
A much needed reminder to everyone that something that can be printed on paper will never be an actual store of value although it keeps getting misconceived as something you could actually call your property. It is not – it is a receivable (that is not even legal tender).
FWIW – I have seen mile requirements for TATL and TPAC flights moving close to 7-digit territory….
I transferred some MR points over to Delta and haven’t found any decent awards to use them on. Now it’s even less likely. That’s a boatload of points for a plane ride.
Glad I burned most of my miles earlier this year! I was on the fence, but now happy I did it.
The no-notice is what really annoying me. Sadly, I am now used to devaluations.
We need to stop flying DL and stop collecting DL miles.
Yes, please do! More seats for me 🙂 🙂 🙂
LOL. Seriously though, surely this is a done-deal. The real question now is: how long will partner awards remain cheaper than redemptions on DL metal?
SHUSH! 🙂
Right Howie! Sorry… my lips are sealed!
honestly, I will get rid of all their miles…not sure, why we should keep them
Because they’re useful at times?
Venezuela: Our currency has dropped 93% in two years.
Delta: Hold my beer.
Another annoying move by Delta. Their operations are keeping them alive because their frequent flyer program has kept going downhill.
exactly! When you’re operationally solid, you can almost do what you want with your mileage program.
This is frustrating that they continue to lower the value… but yet they are the best airline out there 🙁
maybe when compared to AA and UA.
Ugggggh, come on!
Every week, there seems to be a headline starting with “Delta devalues…”. Is there any value anywhere in Skyteam?
Hah, I know your pain. I’d start here: https://awardwallet.com/blog/award-program-sweet-spots/
I hope this is not the beginning of the end for this program. They keep finding ways to devalue the program.
The beginning of the end? That started years ago; we’re well into the path to the end for SkyMiles.
well we all saw that coming. they are devaluing everything lately
Delta takes a lot of bad from our group, but rightfully so in this case.
I’ve considered switching to delta and giving it a try a couple of times but ironically, every time i consider it, something like this happens and i change my mind. I actually have an upcoming Delta flight in J that i’m actually going to credit to Virgin Atlantic as I can see more chance of me using the miles there.
You are not alone, my friend. It’s almost comical. The rare occasions I look at a Delta flight, it’s like they know, and then respond by making a devaluation announcement. I apologize to everyone.
Really didn’t think another devaluation would be coming so soon from Delta.
Wonder if this has to do with rising fuel charges. They were clear they are raising flight prices….may as well raise award flights too I guess they figure.
This is disgusting and shame on Delta for not giving any warning at all. The lack of care for customers/integrity is so angering for what is otherwise a solid inflight/airport product.
Unless this is sarcasm, how is that hard to believe? A transatlantic flight on DL metal used to cost 70k Skymiles. Apparently now it costs 82k, hence points are worth less than they used to be.
It is sarcasm 🙂
I am so shocked. A devaluation. From Delta. lol
Delta (or any other major airlines) devalues the value of miles (or points) you have already earned and have saved. I find that hard to believe.
Not unexpected, but still not cool
82,000 SkyMiles plus taxes and fees for a one way in Business between USA and Europe is crazy.
But it would be also crazy accumulate miles with Skymiles ….
Nowadays only who travel for business reason a lot can accumulate with Skymiles otherwise I don’t see one single reason to do that.
As you say, devaluation is the norm in this game! Earn and burn always.
Should of known Delta would devalue again, time to ditch I think.
Some good tips in This article, I’ve heard of so many people losing out by not burning miles ASAP and devaluation making those miles worth so much less.
Well crap, Delta. well crap
Maybe time to dump SkyMiles as an earning option.
I got a 70K bonus for signing up for the Delta Platinum card. Otherwise, seems to me that Delta’s program does not offer nearly as much value as in the past.
So spot on the earn and burn strategy…
Whatever you call them, Skyrubles or Skypesos, I do not “invest” any time thinking about them or their value because I assume by now or tomorrow they have no value. I live in an area where I have choice so I seek out other carriers other than Delta whenever I can. I wonder if Delta cares about how much business they are losing by having a reputation to devalue their FFM’s on their whim and caprice.
87,000 is a lot of SkyPesos, but the dynamic pricing could make them much more expensive as the flight date approaches.
I hope it’s not a start of a wave of new devaluations all over.
UA, AA, BA, please keep it a Delta issue.
Not happy with this devaluation. Here we go again. 🙁
I never go out of my way to collect Delta miles, I can also say that about my American and United miles.
Uhoh. I have some sky miles I’ve had for a while from when I first opened an Amex. I have a hard time finding available redemptions with 55K
Airlines continue to devalue faster their currencies faster than Venezuela!
Burn as you earn has to be the best approach I think. It’s never a good idea to sit on miles for too long as these devaluations seem to come along too often.
Words to live by!
Gotta love those sky pesos
skypesos getting more peso-ish
What a surprise ( not )
Oh no! Horrible news.
Another day, another devaluation for Delta.
earn and burn, you got that right!
Here we go again 🙁
Don’t know why anyone flies Delta with the constant devaluation of their award miles.