Best use for 20k Delta Skymiles?

[ajd]

I have a huge stash of... 19,924 Delta SkyMiles, all of which were earned on a single SYD-JFK trip over 7 years ago (nice to see Delta has no points expiry!).

I'm not planning to head over to LOTFAP until at least next year (I have a QF 280k to plan...), there's a small possibility of a work trip this year but pretty unlikely, and quite frankly given current events I don't really have much inclination to head to that part of the world right now.

So, for someone whose travel plans are mostly Australia, NZ and Asia, what's the best way to spend these? I also have some Amex MR points that I could use to top these up (via SPG).

 

[Boca68]

I have a huge stash of... 19,924 Delta SkyMiles, all of which were earned on a single SYD-JFK trip over 7 years ago (nice to see Delta has no points expiry!).

I'm not planning to head over to LOTFAP until at least next year (I have a QF 280k to plan...), there's a small possibility of a work trip this year but pretty unlikely, and quite frankly given current events I don't really have much inclination to head to that part of the world right now.

So, for someone whose travel plans are mostly Australia, NZ and Asia, what's the best way to spend these? I also have some Amex MR points that I could use to top these up (via SPG).

A huge stash?

19,924 sounds big, but its not much at all. Delta SkyMiles, (or SkyPesos as I've heard them called) roughly equate to less than a 1c per point , excluding promotions. As far as redemptions, not sure what you cando with them, but the value is less than $200, probably closer to $100 than $200.

As an example, 1 way Virgin Australia LAX-SYD in Y is about 55,000 miles. But do some investigating, perhaps you can find something to add the points to?

 

[ajd]

A huge stash?

As someone with around 500k points in several other programs, I assure you this was sarcasm

 

[Franky]

This probably shouldn't have any effect on your decision on what to do with your points, but you might like to know I read just this morning that Alaska and Delta will cease their code and FF sharing agreement in May. The only joint thing to remain between them is interlining of baggage.

 

[Mattg]

If you can get a few more miles, it seems that any VA flight within Australia/NZ in Y can be had for 22,500 Skymiles. This includes routes like SYD-PER and BNE-AKL, but it seems you can only redeem them for direct flights (e.g. you couldn't fly CBR-MEL-PER for that price).

 

[DaveB]

I have found Delta to be a very useful addition to my FF accounts with 22% of my total points redemptions being DL skymiles. Unfortunately this amount will not get you very far in F.
If you can top up your points, an indication of recent lowish value redemptions made on a per person basis:
AM/DL J/F CUN-LAS & LAS-LAX AM/DL OW 62,500 points;
DL F OW JFK-YYZ 32,500 points;
AM J OW CDG-MEX 65,000 points.
DL F OW LAX-ANC 37,500 points;
DL F OW YYC-LAX DL J 37,500 points.

 

[ajd]

If you can get a few more miles, it seems that any VA flight within Australia/NZ in Y can be had for 22,500 Skymiles. This includes routes like SYD-PER and BNE-AKL, but it seems you can only redeem them for direct flights (e.g. you couldn't fly CBR-MEL-PER for that price).

I might also have some luck on intra-Asia flights in Y, if I'm willing to fly with CI...

 

[Mattg]

I might also have some luck on intra-Asia flights in Y, if I'm willing to fly with CI...

View attachment 87568

That's pretty good. FWIW I've found CI to be fine in Y.

 

[seanpodge]

If you can get a few more miles, it seems that any VA flight within Australia/NZ in Y can be had for 22,500 Skymiles. This includes routes like SYD-PER and BNE-AKL, but it seems you can only redeem them for direct flights (e.g. you couldn't fly CBR-MEL-PER for that price).

Just to be clear, is 22.5k for one-way or return?

 

[Mattg]

Just to be clear, is 22.5k for one-way or return?

It's one way.

 

[ajd]

Looks like you can also redeem for 3K, round trip to/from Singapore to a bunch of Asia destinations for 15k-20k. https://www.delta.com/partnerawards/jetstar/redemption Probably not great value, but better than nothing!