Why I Almost Never Use Delta SkyMiles to Fly Delta Airlines
When I first started earning points for travel, I assumed booking flights with an airline’s own miles was the smartest move. Especially if you’ve been stockpiling Delta SkyMiles—it feels like a win, right? But the more I got into this world, the more I realized those miles aren’t always the best deal. In fact, Delta flights can often be booked for way fewer points through partner programs.
If you’re just getting started with points, I have a full breakdown on how flexible points work and how to get started with the right cards. It’s a game-changer, especially when you're planning trips for a whole family.
Why I Rarely Use Delta SkyMiles to Book Delta Flights
Here’s the problem: Delta uses dynamic pricing for their award flights, meaning the number of miles you need can skyrocket for no good reason. That “deal” you thought you were getting might actually cost you 300,000+ miles roundtrip in business class—and that’s just for one seat.
Instead of using Delta SkyMiles, I usually transfer flexible points from my favorite cards to book Delta flights through Virgin Atlantic or KLM/Air France Flying Blue. These airlines are both part of the same alliance as Delta, and they use distance- or region-based award pricing. That means you can book the same exact Delta flights—sometimes for a quarter of the cost.
Real Example: Booking a Delta One Flight to Europe
Let’s say you’re eyeing a Delta One business class flight from New York to Paris. Here’s how it might shake out:
| Program | Miles Needed |
|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles | 300,000+ miles |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 50,000–75,000 points |
| Flying Blue (KLM/Air France) | Around 55,000 points |
Virgin Atlantic and Flying Blue are both partners with popular flexible points programs, so you can transfer points instantly and book right away. I’ve done this myself, and the savings are huge.
If you're wondering how to rack up flexible points, here’s a list of my favorite travel cards for families that let you earn rewards you can transfer to Virgin or Flying Blue.
This Trick Works for More Than Just Delta
It’s not just Delta where this strategy works. Most major airlines belong to alliances, which means you can book flights through partner programs and sometimes pay fewer points.
A couple of examples:
American Airlines flights can often be booked with British Airways or Qatar Avios for fewer miles, especially for short-haul flights.
United Airlines flights can sometimes be booked with Air Canada Aeroplan or Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles at much lower rates—especially in business class.
I go into more of these examples in this post about booking better flights with airline partners.
Want to earn more points for your next family adventure? Make sure to follow me on Instagram for daily tips or join our private Facebook group to swap ideas with other travel-loving parents.
The Credit Cards That Make This Work
This whole strategy hinges on one thing: earning transferable points instead of locking yourself into one airline’s miles. That’s how I keep my options open—and why I rarely use Delta SkyMiles unless I absolutely have to.
A couple of cards that help with this:
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – One of my go-to cards for building a stash of points that transfer to programs like Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic, and Turkish Airlines. It’s super flexible and also comes with great travel perks.
Other flexible points cards – I also use a few others from different banks that let you transfer points to Virgin, Flying Blue, and Aeroplan. Here’s a list of cards I recommend for earning flexible rewards.
Not sure which one is right for you? Start here with my beginner’s guide to points to see what fits your travel style.
Don’t Let Miles Go to Waste
Look, Delta miles aren’t worthless—they can still be useful, especially if you earn them through flying or promotions. But when you have flexible points in your account, you open the door to better deals and fewer miles spent.
If you’re planning a trip and want your points to stretch as far as possible, make sure you’re checking partner options before locking in a flight. It’s one of the easiest ways to travel more—without blowing through all your points.
Want to dive deeper into this strategy? Check out these other posts:
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
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