DL miles for SFO – PDX and or LAS – SFO in May

[get me outta here]

A friend has 63,000 unwanted DL miles across 2 accounts, currently I’m not even a member. The offer is to sell those miles to me in case I can make use of them for a trip (SFO) - LAS and/ PDX - (SFO) in May.

I don’t know what to offer for them or if it’s the cheapest way for me to go to PDX and LAS ex SFO?

Any thoughts, ideas, and suggestions would really help.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

There is a cost to transferring DL miles which I expect your friend would want you to reimburse. Even if they were to book those flights on your behalf, suspect those rates would be the base they would expect you to pay.

The question really then becomes how much that would cost versus you buying the tickets yourself (and getting the points and status credits with Velocity).

"The rate per mile is $0.01 and the processing fee per transaction is $30.00. Applicable taxes apply." https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/support/faqs/skymiles/transfer-miles-faqs.html

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks, I had a look at the link and to transfer to me I would not qualify as I also need to ... and have earned at least one mile.

I couldn't find anything about the owner of the miles booking for me though.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

"Online Award Tickets let you arrange your travel with real-time availability for SkyMiles Award Travel for yourself and others."

https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/use-miles/award-travel/about-award-travel.html

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A friend has 63,000 unwanted DL miles across 2 accounts, currently I’m not even a member. The offer is to sell those miles to me in case I can make use of them for a trip (SFO) - LAS and/ PDX - (SFO) in May.

I don’t know what to offer for them or if it’s the cheapest way for me to go to PDX and LAS ex SFO?

Any thoughts, ideas, and suggestions would really help.

if you go to googleflights you can enter in your potential dates and find the cheapest fare across a range of carriers. That will give you an idea of what might be an appropriate amount (say 66% of the published airfare)

Taking the miles from a friend is not without risk. Their account could be flagged (ticket redemption in a name unassociated with the traveller).

 

[get me outta here]

I skyped DL and they seemed OK with it. However, of the 3 flts none were direct whereas South West has very cheap flts direct with free baggage. I'll also check google flights too.

if you go to googleflights you can enter in your potential dates and find the cheapest fare across a range of carriers. That will give you an idea of what might be an appropriate amount (say 66% of the published airfare)

Taking the miles from a friend is not without risk. Their account could be flagged (ticket redemption in a name unassociated with the traveller).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I skyped DL and they seemed OK with it. However, of the 3 flts none were direct whereas South West has very cheap flts direct with free baggage. I'll also check google flights too.

you skyped DL to ask about using your friend's miles? Yes it is fine to redeem a ticket, but the terms and conditions expressly prohibit the sale or bartering of points:

Except as set forth below, the sale or barter of mileage credit, vouchers, Award Tickets, Medallion status, Pay with Miles tickets or any other benefit by SkyMiles members, or the attempt of any of the foregoing, is prohibited.

There is a very small risk that your friend's account can be audited, regardless of anything DL tells you over the phone. You just need to be aware of that if they ask you any questions at check-in.

If you are looking at a coach redemption on DL vs paid on Southwest, I'd probably favour Southwest.

 

[get me outta here]

Yes, I said it was my cousin giving me the unwanted miles. Southwest is the way to go I think. I wonder if there's any obvious use for these DL miles(?)

you skyped DL to ask about using your friend's miles? Yes it is fine to redeem a ticket, but the terms and conditions expressly prohibit the sale or bartering of points:



There is a very small risk that your friend's account can be audited, regardless of anything DL tells you over the phone. You just need to be aware of that if they ask you any questions at check-in.

If you are looking at a coach redemption on DL vs paid on Southwest, I'd probably favour Southwest.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes, I said it was my cousin giving me the unwanted miles. Southwest is the way to go I think. I wonder if there's any obvious use for these DL miles(?)

DL is a partner with Virgin Australia - maybe a domestic award here?

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

Another practical limitation is that Delta doesn't allow one-way awards at half the price of a return. This will supposedly change with their new program to be announced for 2015 but hasn't been confirmed yet.

 

[get me outta here]

Yes, they did mention that re o/w flts, but not that it may change. What is the mechanism for using the miles for say an AU flight, need to call someone - DL or VA?

Another practical limitation is that Delta doesn't allow one-way awards at half the price of a return. This will supposedly change with their new program to be announced for 2015 but hasn't been confirmed yet.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

Yes, they did mention that re o/w flts, but not that it may change. What is the mechanism for using the miles for say an AU flight, need to call someone - DL or VA?

You would call DL. Round trip within SW Pacific (which would include Trans-Tasman and to VA's Pacific Island destinations) is 30,000 in Economy or 45,000 in Business. Travel From Southwest Pacific | SkyMiles® Award Travel Mileage Charts | Delta Air Lines

Although that's for flights booked until the end of this year. Rates will change with the 2015 program but that hasn't been announced yet.