Latest news with #SkyTeam
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Four Airlines Announce Investment in the Future of Travel to India
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Some of the world's leading airlines are investing to build a flight network to better connect India to the rest of the world. IndiGo, Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic this week announced a partnership that aims to link the domestic and international travel markets within and outside of India. IndiGo is a low-cost airline based in Gurugram, India. It is the largest carrier in the country with a 64.1 percent market share in 2025, nearly 20 points higher than their nearest competitor, Air India. IndiGo's primary airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. "IndiGo has embarked on an ambitious journey to become a global airline by 2030. This partnership represents another important milestone to pursue commercial synergies, operational excellence and innovation. This announcement not only expands our relationship with Air France–KLM and Virgin Atlantic but also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we welcome Delta Air Lines as a valued partner," Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, said in a statement. "This strategic partnership enables a compelling combined customer proposition in the form of comprehensive intercontinental connectivity, seamless experience and great loyalty value. It also lays the groundwork for us to exchange best practices in areas of technology, operational excellence and service delivery," he said. The tail of a Virgin Atlantic plane is posed next to one of a SkyTeam alliance-branded plane. The tail of a Virgin Atlantic plane is posed next to one of a SkyTeam alliance-branded plane. Delta Air Lines Delta Air Lines is one of the largest international airlines and part of the SkyTeam, one of the world's three major airline alliances. The Atlanta-based company offers more than 5,400 flights daily on six continents. Air France-KLM serves the international market under the Air France, KLM and Transavia brand names. As of late 2024, Air France-KLM flies 561 planes. The brands are part of the SkyTeam alliance and fly to more than 500 destinations worldwide as part of that network. Virgin Atlantic flies primarily out of London-Heathrow and Manchester, England airports with its 44 planes. It too is part of the SkyTeam alliance. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi told reporters on Monday that India is the world's third-largest domestic aviation market. The country, the world's fifth-largest economy, is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world. Modi noted in his remarks that India's airline industry has already ordered 2,000 new aircraft. IndiGo is expanding its fleet of Boeing 787 aircraft to six later this year and has placed an order for 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, with an option for 70 more. According to a freshly released report from the International Air Transport Association, aviation supports India's tourism industry to the tune of $27.1 billion and employs 5 million people. IndiGo has been linked with Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic since 2022, allowing passengers of those airlines to access 30 of IndiGo's destinations in India. The Indian airline recently started service to Europe, which facilitated the opportunity for partnership with Virgin Atlantic and Delta. Soon, IndiGo customers will be able to book KLM flights from Amsterdam to 30 points within Europe, Delta and KLM flights from Amsterdam to the U.S. and Canada and Virgin Atlantic flights from Manchester to the U.S. In September, KLM will launch a new route, connecting Amsterdam to Hyderabad, India. Those customers will be able to purchase an IndiGo ticket to reach 24 destinations beyond Hyderabad as part of the partnership. Delta plans to relaunch direct flights to India, with direct flights from Atlanta to Delhi possible once government approval has been reached.
Travel Daily News
5 days ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
IATA criticizes Schiphol 's 33% charge hike
Aviation supports more than 400,000 jobs and 3.6% of Dutch GDP. The airport is the essential artery for airlines to bring business, goods, and tourism to and from the Netherlands. It is therefore important that the ariport's tariffs remain reasonable and Schiphol remains competitive. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the Netherlands' primary international gateway and a key hub for the SkyTeam airline alliance. Located approximately 9 kilometers southwest of Amsterdam in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, North Holland, Schiphol ranks among the world's busiest airports. In 2023, it was the third busiest globally for international passenger traffic. In 2019, the airport handled nearly 72 million passengers, making it the third-busiest in Europe by passenger numbers and the busiest in terms of aircraft movements. Spanning 6,887 acres (2,787 hectares), the airport operates under a single-terminal design, segmented into three main departure halls to streamline passenger flow. Schiphol serves as the main hub for KLM and its regional partner KLM Cityhopper, and is also a base for Martinair. Additionally, it is a key operating base for Corendon Dutch Airlines, easyJet, Transavia, TUI fly Netherlands, and Vueling.
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Travel + Leisure
6 days ago
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
This Airline Route to Europe Was Just Revived After a 16-year Pause—and I Snagged a Seat On the First Flight
On May 21, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) relaunched a long-haul flight connecting Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) with Copenhagen Airport (CPH) after a 16-year-long pause. The flight will operate five days per week during the SAS summer schedule—but I was lucky enough to snag a business-class seat on the first flight. "The Seattle-Copenhagen route has been a highly requested destination," Paul Verhagen, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Scandinavian Airlines, tells Travel + Leisure . "Washington State has deep Scandinavian roots, with many residents tracing their heritage to Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. This creates natural demand for both leisure and family travel." As any business class journey should, my excursion began with a visit to the lounge. While there isn't an SAS lounge in Seattle, the airline is a part of the SkyTeam airline alliance, so I got access to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport's Delta Sky Club. The lounge has views of Mount Rainier and the runway, and you can plane spot while enjoying small bites like clam chowder, chicken sliders, and caprese salad from the buffet or a drink from the bar. Although the Delta Sky Club was located in Concourse A and the flight was scheduled to depart from Concourse S, it was easy to move between terminals, thanks to the SEA Underground—trains leave every three minutes and there was no need to go through security again. The inaugural festivities kicked off with a celebration near the gate, featuring historic pictures of the original inaugural SAS flight from Seattle to Copenhagen. Boarding was quick and easy (admittedly, being in zone one didn't hurt), and we soon found ourselves on an Airbus 350-900, considered one of the best modern wide-body planes. It's much quieter than most other planes in its peer group, and the air pressure is lower. It only ever feels like you're, at most, an altitude of around 5,500 feet. That all means a more comfortable experience with less jet lag. After a send-off from the local fire department and the airport staff, our flight was soon in the air, making its way across the Rocky Mountains, through Canada, and finally across the Atlantic. I've always flown economy so let's just say that in SAS business class, some socks were knocked off. The business class section was in a 1-2-1 formation, and I found myself in the middle aisle. The units were generously sized, and the seat was large and cushy, with buttons that could adjust the height, angle, and level of cushion in the chair. There was plenty of overhead storage, as well as a nifty area to store other items near my feet. I also appreciated having a shelf (with a drink holder, no less) to store odds and ends that I had with me during my flight. Interior of a SAS Business Class seat. Mae Hamilton/Travel + Leisure There were over-the-ear headphones for watching movies on the very deluxe, oversized entertainment console. Entertainment selection was broad, with new movies like "Nosferatu," "A Complete Unknown ," and "The Brutalist" available to watch as well as classic flicks like "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf," "Cool Hand Luke," and "Dumb and Dumber." But perhaps one of the coolest perks of flying in an A350-900 is the tail-view camera, where you can watch mountains, rivers, and oceans pass you by during your flight from the comfort of your seat. The internet service, however, was pretty spotty during this particular flight, and it was hard to load a browser page, much less get work done. In addition to the usual business class swag bag—packed with an eye mask, face cream, a toothbrush, and socks—passengers on this inaugural flight also received a small bag filled with things like Scandinavisk-branded hand cream, white chocolate truffles, and a commemorative luggage tag. Passengers also got a 'boreal forest' soy wax candle by Skog, which did indeed smell like a brisk walk through the pines. As far as airplane food goes, it would be hard to find fault in Scandinavian Airlines' business class fare, which truly goes all out with fresh, Scandi-inspired fare. For each meal, flight attendants began service by 'setting' the table by laying down a napkin on the tray table. Dinner was a four-course event consisting of a starter, a main, a cheese plate, and a dessert. I opted for the burrata salad for a starter, a spring-y arrangement of tomatoes, basil, and burrata with a sweet balsamic reduction on the side. I then had the grilled miso chicken, which was served with piping hot jasmine rice and perfectly cooked radishes and bok choy. There was fresh fruit and a cheese plate for dessert, featuring a generous slice of very nice blue cheese. Breakfast was a simple affair with overnight oats, a smoothie, and a poached egg with shashuka. Bedding down in a comforter from the luxe Swedish linen brand Dux made it easy to catch some shut-eye, too. With the multiple feasts and plenty of movies to watch, I soon found myself in Copenhagen. Since I felt so well-rested from my flight, it was easy to hit the ground running—and that's exactly what SAS intends. Copenhagen Airport is a major hub to other Scandinavian destinations and a gateway to all that northern Europe has to offer. After this flight, I hopped on a couple of short plane rides to Bergen, Norway (a direct route from Copenhagen to Bergen is available), and spent a few days exploring the country's breathtaking fjords by car—the transition from one of the region's most bustling cities to one of the most remote and idyllic areas was smooth and easy. "The route is among the fastest and most seamless transatlantic connections, offering travelers an efficient and smooth journey between North America and Europe," Verhagen says. "Schedules have been designed to maximize connectivity with the rest of the SAS network, offering one-stop access to and from 39 European cities via Copenhagen." For West Coast and Pacific Northwest residents, that means Northern Europe is once again, just one short (and very luxurious) flight away.
CNN
25-05-2025
- Business
- CNN
The 5 best ways to redeem Delta SkyMiles in 2025, from Caribbean escapes to domestic adventures
CNN Underscored reviews financial products based on their overall value. We may receive a commission through our affiliate partners if you apply and are approved for a product, but our reporting is always independent and objective. This may impact how links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit to learn more. Airfare can be one of the biggest expenses when planning a trip, but travel rewards can make a serious dent in those costs. Right now, generous welcome offers from Delta Air Lines make that long-overdue vacation more accessible than ever. Even better, you're not limited to flying Delta. As a member of the SkyTeam alliance, Delta allows you to use SkyMiles on partner airlines like Air France, KLM, Aeromexico and more, opening up nearly endless possibilities around the world. With that in mind, here's a closer look at Delta's current credit card offers and five standout ways to redeem SkyMiles for maximum value. Delta currently has seven cobranded credit cards: four personal cards and three business cards. Depending on the one you choose, you can earn between 10,000 and 80,000 bonus SkyMiles with a new welcome offer. Here's a breakdown of the current offers available for Delta's personal credit cards. Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Earn 10,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of opening the account. $0 annual fee (see rates and fees). Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Earn 50,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of opening the account. $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (see rates and fees). Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn 60,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of opening the account. $350 annual fee (see rates and fees). Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of opening the account. $650 annual fee (see rates and fees). And these are the current offers for small business Delta credit cards. Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: Earn 60,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of opening the account. $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (see rates and fees). Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of opening the account. $350 annual fee (see rates and fees). Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of opening the account. $650 annual fee (see rates and fees). Get more value from your SkyMiles with TakeOff 15 Even better, the Delta Amex Gold, Delta Amex Platinum and Delta Amex Reserve cards — and their small business equivalents — are eligible for the TakeOff 15 benefit. This benefit provides a 15% discount on the SkyMiles required for Delta-operated award flights. For example, if you want to book a flight that requires 11,500 SkyMiles, it will only cost 9,700 SkyMiles with the discount. The TakeOff 15 discount will appear automatically in your flight search results if you're an eligible card member and logged into your account. You must pay the flight's taxes and fees with your eligible Delta Amex to receive the discount. Related article What you need to know about Delta checked bag fees and how to avoid them Get great deals on domestic flights Delta doesn't have a fixed award chart, so the cost of a flight using SkyMiles varies by route, date and other factors. For example, a flight from New York to Los Angeles, California, could be a different price depending on the day you book. That said, you can often book flights throughout the US for as few as 4,500 SkyMiles, plus taxes and fees. These deals are even sweeter if you pair them with the TakeOff 15 discount. At the time of writing, you can book a flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Los Angeles (LAX) for 3,800 SkyMiles and $5.60 in taxes if you have an eligible Delta credit card. With up to 80,000 SkyMiles in your account, you could fly this route 10 times round trip. We also found one-way flights from New York-JFK to Atlanta (ATL) on many dates for just 6,300 SkyMiles with the TakeOff 15 benefit, plus $5.60 in taxes and fees. The lowest fares are usually in basic economy, which means you can't pick your seats ahead of time. If you want to guarantee that you and your travel partner or family are seated together, consider spending extra SkyMiles to book a Main Cabin award ticket instead. Keep an eye on Delta's flight deals page If you don't have a specific destination or date in mind, following Delta's flight deals page can help you book a vacation for even fewer SkyMiles. These deals change regularly but often provide excellent value. All you have to do is enter your departure city and all deals on both paid fares and bookings using award SkyMiles will appear. We suggest visiting the page often, as Delta typically populates the page with travel dates for the next three months. There are some excellent deals to be found here. At the time of writing, we found flights from New York-JFK to Madrid (MAD) for just 32,000 miles round trip, plus $51 in taxes and fees. That's before the TakeOff 15 discount. There are also flights from New York-JFK to Taipei, Taiwan (TPE), available for just 68,000 SkyMiles round trip, plus $46 in taxes and fees. Again, that's before the TakeOff 15 discount for eligible card holders. Related article Can't find award space? Use these tips, tricks and tools to find the perfect flight Fly to the Caribbean for under 10,000 SkyMiles With about a dozen destinations in the Caribbean, such as Aruba, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Nassau, San Juan, St. Thomas and others, redeeming SkyMiles for sun and relaxation is incredibly easy. The number of SkyMiles required to redeem a free flight varies based on your destination and the time of the year you want to travel. But as an example, we found flights from New York-JFK to San Juan (SJU) for as few as 7,600 SkyMiles and $5.60 in taxes one-way with the TakeOff 15 discount. Plus, we found flights from Boston (BOS) to Grand Cayman (GCM) via Atlanta (ATL) for as few as 8,500 SkyMiles and $5.60 in taxes and fees with the TakeOff 15 discount. Heading to the beach — all on SkyMiles — might be the perfect opportunity to relax. And with the SkyMiles earned from the welcome offer, it's easy to fly you and a friend or a spouse to the Caribbean and back for a much-needed vacation in the sun. Related article How I booked my $18,584 honeymoon business-class flights for less than $200 Cross the border to Canada Flights to Canada present another great SkyMiles redemption opportunity. You can fly on Delta or its partner WestJet, and flights can often be booked for as few as 8,000 SkyMiles one way. If you're looking to fly to Montréal or Toronto from the East Coast, you might be able to score a flight for minimal miles in Basic Economy. For example, New York (LGA) to Toronto (YYZ) is just 8,000 SkyMiles plus taxes after the TakeOff 15 discount. Meanwhile, you'll find that cross-border flights on WestJet almost always cost 12,500 SkyMiles in Main Cabin, including this flight from Atlanta (ATL) to Calgary (YYC). However, this flight is not eligible for the TakeOff 15 discount, as it's operated by a partner airline. Related article This is the best way to book flights to Canada with credit card points See more of Europe with Air France and KLM If you're planning a tour of Europe, consider redeeming SkyMiles for flights around the region. Intra-Europe flights start at 10,000 SkyMiles on Air France, KLM and other European SkyTeam partners. This can be useful during peak travel times when flights within Europe are expensive. For example, this flight from Amsterdam (AMS) to Prague (PRG) costs just 10,000 SkyMiles plus $79.31 in taxes and fees. Meanwhile, a standard economy ticket costs $208.60 on the same date. Again, this flight is not eligible for TakeOff 15 since it's operated by KLM. You can also find extremely cheap intra-Europe flights on budget carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet. Make sure to compare intra-Europe award tickets with these fares, as it might be a better idea to save your SkyMiles for a more lucrative redemption. Related article The free Points Path browser extension shows you how many reward miles a flight costs in Google Flights If you look in the right places — and at the right routes — you can find true value in redeeming Delta SkyMiles for nearly free flights. And with the current Delta credit card offers, you might be able to turn a single welcome bonus into thousands of dollars' worth of airfare for your next trip. The following FAQs have been answered by CNN Underscored travel editor and credit card expert Kyle Olsen. How much are 100,000 Delta SkyMiles worth? How much are 100,000 Delta SkyMiles worth? Travel website The Points Guy values 100,000 Delta SkyMiles at $1,200. How many Delta miles does it cost for a free round-trip flight to Europe? How many Delta miles does it cost for a free round-trip flight to Europe? A round-trip economy flight to Europe with Delta typically costs 66,000 to 94,000 SkyMiles, though it can dip as low as 42,000 miles during rare promotions. Business-class awards usually start at 220,000 miles, and pricing varies due to Delta's dynamic award system, travel dates and demand. Can I use Delta SkyMiles on Amazon? Can I use Delta SkyMiles on Amazon? You can't use Delta SkyMiles directly on Amazon or redeem them for Amazon gift cards. The best way to use SkyMiles is still for flights. Can I use Delta SkyMiles for anything other than flights? Can I use Delta SkyMiles for anything other than flights? Yes, you can use Delta SkyMiles for vacation packages, seat upgrades, travel extras, Sky Club memberships and even charitable donations. But flights and vacation packages usually offer the best value. Most non-flight redemptions tend to provide a lower value per mile. As with all CNN Underscored articles, our travel and points pieces are grounded in independent, objective reporting backed by real-world travel experience. As a Delta Gold Medallion member and seasoned travel editor, Kyle Olsen brings his firsthand knowledge of the SkyMiles program to ensure recommendations are both accurate and actionable for travelers looking to get the most out of their miles. Click here for rates and fees of the Delta Blue here for rates and fees of the Delta Gold here for rates and fees of the Delta Business Gold Amex.Click here for rates and fees of the Delta Platinum here for rates and fees of the Delta Business Platinum Amex.Click here for rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Amex.Click here for rates and fees of the Delta Business Reserve Amex. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
CNN
25-05-2025
- Business
- CNN
The 5 best ways to redeem Delta SkyMiles in 2025, from Caribbean escapes to domestic adventures
CNN Underscored reviews financial products based on their overall value. We may receive a commission through our affiliate partners if you apply and are approved for a product, but our reporting is always independent and objective. This may impact how links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit to learn more. Airfare can be one of the biggest expenses when planning a trip, but travel rewards can make a serious dent in those costs. Right now, generous welcome offers from Delta Air Lines make that long-overdue vacation more accessible than ever. Even better, you're not limited to flying Delta. As a member of the SkyTeam alliance, Delta allows you to use SkyMiles on partner airlines like Air France, KLM, Aeromexico and more, opening up nearly endless possibilities around the world. With that in mind, here's a closer look at Delta's current credit card offers and five standout ways to redeem SkyMiles for maximum value. Delta currently has seven cobranded credit cards: four personal cards and three business cards. Depending on the one you choose, you can earn between 10,000 and 80,000 bonus SkyMiles with a new welcome offer. Here's a breakdown of the current offers available for Delta's personal credit cards. Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Earn 10,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of opening the account. $0 annual fee (see rates and fees). Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Earn 50,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of opening the account. $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (see rates and fees). Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn 60,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of opening the account. $350 annual fee (see rates and fees). Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of opening the account. $650 annual fee (see rates and fees). And these are the current offers for small business Delta credit cards. Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: Earn 60,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of opening the account. $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (see rates and fees). Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of opening the account. $350 annual fee (see rates and fees). Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of opening the account. $650 annual fee (see rates and fees). Get more value from your SkyMiles with TakeOff 15 Even better, the Delta Amex Gold, Delta Amex Platinum and Delta Amex Reserve cards — and their small business equivalents — are eligible for the TakeOff 15 benefit. This benefit provides a 15% discount on the SkyMiles required for Delta-operated award flights. For example, if you want to book a flight that requires 11,500 SkyMiles, it will only cost 9,700 SkyMiles with the discount. The TakeOff 15 discount will appear automatically in your flight search results if you're an eligible card member and logged into your account. You must pay the flight's taxes and fees with your eligible Delta Amex to receive the discount. Related article What you need to know about Delta checked bag fees and how to avoid them Get great deals on domestic flights Delta doesn't have a fixed award chart, so the cost of a flight using SkyMiles varies by route, date and other factors. For example, a flight from New York to Los Angeles, California, could be a different price depending on the day you book. That said, you can often book flights throughout the US for as few as 4,500 SkyMiles, plus taxes and fees. These deals are even sweeter if you pair them with the TakeOff 15 discount. At the time of writing, you can book a flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Los Angeles (LAX) for 3,800 SkyMiles and $5.60 in taxes if you have an eligible Delta credit card. With up to 80,000 SkyMiles in your account, you could fly this route 10 times round trip. We also found one-way flights from New York-JFK to Atlanta (ATL) on many dates for just 6,300 SkyMiles with the TakeOff 15 benefit, plus $5.60 in taxes and fees. The lowest fares are usually in basic economy, which means you can't pick your seats ahead of time. If you want to guarantee that you and your travel partner or family are seated together, consider spending extra SkyMiles to book a Main Cabin award ticket instead. Keep an eye on Delta's flight deals page If you don't have a specific destination or date in mind, following Delta's flight deals page can help you book a vacation for even fewer SkyMiles. These deals change regularly but often provide excellent value. All you have to do is enter your departure city and all deals on both paid fares and bookings using award SkyMiles will appear. We suggest visiting the page often, as Delta typically populates the page with travel dates for the next three months. There are some excellent deals to be found here. At the time of writing, we found flights from New York-JFK to Madrid (MAD) for just 32,000 miles round trip, plus $51 in taxes and fees. That's before the TakeOff 15 discount. There are also flights from New York-JFK to Taipei, Taiwan (TPE), available for just 68,000 SkyMiles round trip, plus $46 in taxes and fees. Again, that's before the TakeOff 15 discount for eligible card holders. Related article Can't find award space? Use these tips, tricks and tools to find the perfect flight Fly to the Caribbean for under 10,000 SkyMiles With about a dozen destinations in the Caribbean, such as Aruba, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Nassau, San Juan, St. Thomas and others, redeeming SkyMiles for sun and relaxation is incredibly easy. The number of SkyMiles required to redeem a free flight varies based on your destination and the time of the year you want to travel. But as an example, we found flights from New York-JFK to San Juan (SJU) for as few as 7,600 SkyMiles and $5.60 in taxes one-way with the TakeOff 15 discount. Plus, we found flights from Boston (BOS) to Grand Cayman (GCM) via Atlanta (ATL) for as few as 8,500 SkyMiles and $5.60 in taxes and fees with the TakeOff 15 discount. Heading to the beach — all on SkyMiles — might be the perfect opportunity to relax. And with the SkyMiles earned from the welcome offer, it's easy to fly you and a friend or a spouse to the Caribbean and back for a much-needed vacation in the sun. Related article How I booked my $18,584 honeymoon business-class flights for less than $200 Cross the border to Canada Flights to Canada present another great SkyMiles redemption opportunity. You can fly on Delta or its partner WestJet, and flights can often be booked for as few as 8,000 SkyMiles one way. If you're looking to fly to Montréal or Toronto from the East Coast, you might be able to score a flight for minimal miles in Basic Economy. For example, New York (LGA) to Toronto (YYZ) is just 8,000 SkyMiles plus taxes after the TakeOff 15 discount. Meanwhile, you'll find that cross-border flights on WestJet almost always cost 12,500 SkyMiles in Main Cabin, including this flight from Atlanta (ATL) to Calgary (YYC). However, this flight is not eligible for the TakeOff 15 discount, as it's operated by a partner airline. Related article This is the best way to book flights to Canada with credit card points See more of Europe with Air France and KLM If you're planning a tour of Europe, consider redeeming SkyMiles for flights around the region. Intra-Europe flights start at 10,000 SkyMiles on Air France, KLM and other European SkyTeam partners. This can be useful during peak travel times when flights within Europe are expensive. For example, this flight from Amsterdam (AMS) to Prague (PRG) costs just 10,000 SkyMiles plus $79.31 in taxes and fees. Meanwhile, a standard economy ticket costs $208.60 on the same date. Again, this flight is not eligible for TakeOff 15 since it's operated by KLM. You can also find extremely cheap intra-Europe flights on budget carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet. Make sure to compare intra-Europe award tickets with these fares, as it might be a better idea to save your SkyMiles for a more lucrative redemption. Related article The free Points Path browser extension shows you how many reward miles a flight costs in Google Flights If you look in the right places — and at the right routes — you can find true value in redeeming Delta SkyMiles for nearly free flights. And with the current Delta credit card offers, you might be able to turn a single welcome bonus into thousands of dollars' worth of airfare for your next trip. The following FAQs have been answered by CNN Underscored travel editor and credit card expert Kyle Olsen. How much are 100,000 Delta SkyMiles worth? How much are 100,000 Delta SkyMiles worth? Travel website The Points Guy values 100,000 Delta SkyMiles at $1,200. How many Delta miles does it cost for a free round-trip flight to Europe? How many Delta miles does it cost for a free round-trip flight to Europe? A round-trip economy flight to Europe with Delta typically costs 66,000 to 94,000 SkyMiles, though it can dip as low as 42,000 miles during rare promotions. Business-class awards usually start at 220,000 miles, and pricing varies due to Delta's dynamic award system, travel dates and demand. Can I use Delta SkyMiles on Amazon? Can I use Delta SkyMiles on Amazon? You can't use Delta SkyMiles directly on Amazon or redeem them for Amazon gift cards. The best way to use SkyMiles is still for flights. Can I use Delta SkyMiles for anything other than flights? Can I use Delta SkyMiles for anything other than flights? Yes, you can use Delta SkyMiles for vacation packages, seat upgrades, travel extras, Sky Club memberships and even charitable donations. But flights and vacation packages usually offer the best value. Most non-flight redemptions tend to provide a lower value per mile. As with all CNN Underscored articles, our travel and points pieces are grounded in independent, objective reporting backed by real-world travel experience. As a Delta Gold Medallion member and seasoned travel editor, Kyle Olsen brings his firsthand knowledge of the SkyMiles program to ensure recommendations are both accurate and actionable for travelers looking to get the most out of their miles. Click here for rates and fees of the Delta Blue here for rates and fees of the Delta Gold here for rates and fees of the Delta Business Gold Amex.Click here for rates and fees of the Delta Platinum here for rates and fees of the Delta Business Platinum Amex.Click here for rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Amex.Click here for rates and fees of the Delta Business Reserve Amex. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
