No Result
View All Result
Eye of the Flyer
  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
    • Credit Cards
    • Travel Rewards Cards
    • Airline Credit Cards
    • Hotel Credit Cards
    • Cash Back Credit Cards
    • No Annual Fee Credit Cards
    • Small Business Credit Cards
    • 0% Intro APR Cards
    • Balance Transfer Cards
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • αbout US ✉
  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
    • Credit Cards
    • Travel Rewards Cards
    • Airline Credit Cards
    • Hotel Credit Cards
    • Cash Back Credit Cards
    • No Annual Fee Credit Cards
    • Small Business Credit Cards
    • 0% Intro APR Cards
    • Balance Transfer Cards
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • αbout US ✉
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result

A Proud Tradition: SkyMiles Again Named Second Best Frequent Flyer Program. Congratulations, Delta?

Chris Carley by Chris Carley
August 6, 2019 - Updated on February 24, 2021
in Travel Loyalty Programs
7
A Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-300 with the registration N808NW takes off from Amsterdam Airport (AMS) in the Netherlands on April 21, 2015. Delta is one out of the three major American legacy carriers with its headquarters in Atlanta.

A Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-300 with the registration N808NW takes off from Amsterdam Airport (AMS) in the Netherlands. (Photo: ©iStock.com/Boarding1Now)

Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc. has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Eye of the Flyer and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


A Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-300 with the registration N808NW takes off from Amsterdam Airport (AMS) in the Netherlands on April 21, 2015. Delta is one of the three major American legacy carriers with its headquarters in Atlanta. (Photo: ©iStock.com/Boarding1Now)

U.S. News & World Report crowned Delta SkyMiles the first runner-up in the Best Airlines Rewards Programs survey — for the third consecutive year.

.@Delta SkyMiles once again named a Best Travel Rewards Program by @usnews https://t.co/IBwTECnZYd

— Delta News Hub (@DeltaNewsHub) August 6, 2019

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan took top honors in the seventh annual edition of the publication’s Best Travel Rewards Program awards. On the hotel side, Marriott Bonvoy was named the Best Hotel Rewards Program. Yes. That Bonvoy.

“Understanding and delivering on our SkyMiles members’ wants and needs is key – and that’s our focus as we continue to elevate SkyMiles to be a loyalty program that consistently exceeds member expectations. Over the past several years, Delta has strengthened the SkyMiles Program to make it even more rewarding for customers. This is just another example of Delta putting customers first. Loyalty goes both ways and as a leading consumer brand, we are proud to create value and provide the best experience for our customers.”

— Sandeep Dube, Delta’s Senior Vice President – Customer Engagement and Loyalty, and CEO – Delta Vacations

Is SkyMiles Second-Best or First Loser?

I sometimes feel like the SkyMiles suits have a little too much time on their hands. Or can’t help but tinker endlessly with some things that work — only to break them.

Take, for example, the removal of awards charts. Redemptions costing as high as 1.1 million miles. Ending stopovers.

To be fair, they regularly offer good — at least, I think so — flash sales using SkyMiles. But that assumes availability works with your schedule.

And maybe it’s just my luck but I’ve found it’s darn hard to find good redemptions for award flights one would actually like to take. (Yeah, yeah, #FirstWorldProblems, I know.)

Delta loves touting that SkyMiles “don’t expire” — which isn’t 100% true. Your miles die when you do. Sure, you can transfer them to another account — at a rate of a cent each. And a $30 fee. (With those fees, no wonder Delta is pals with Ticketmaster! 😉 )

SkyMiles — or SkyPennies or SkyRubles or SkyPesos or SkyInsertYourFavoriteSlangTermHere — can be used to pay for a bunch of Delta products and services. You can redeem SkyMiles for premium drinks in Sky Clubs. You can buy upgrades to first class. Delta Amex cardholders can Pay with Miles — and earn MQMs for those flights.

Delta Air Lines first class seats.

And credit where it’s due (in my opinion). Delta rollover MQMs are a great perk (I’m terrified they’ll “enhance” those). The Choice Benefits for Diamonds and Platinums can be very valuable — especially the GUCs for Diamonds.

Like most things, SkyMiles has its good and its bad. Redeeming SkyMiles for award travel (what a novel concept) can be very frustrating — and I think that’s what riles a bunch of us. On the other token, I certainly appreciate some of the program’s other qualities (Choice Benefits, rollovers, etc).

What do you think? Is Delta SkyMiles the second-best airline program (or — if you want to make the argument — first?) Or first loser?

Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!

—Chris

Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc. has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Eye of the Flyer and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Related

Tags: Alaska AirlinesAlaska Airlines Mileage PlanDelta Air LinesDelta Air Lines Sky MilesDelta SkyMilesFirst World ProblemsMarriott BonvoySandeep RubeTicketmasterU.S. News & World Report
Previous Post

Review: HayLou GT1 Bluetooth 5.0 Noise Canceling Bluetooth Ear Buds (I love these little puppies)!

Next Post

Rookie Wednesday: What Are Some Rules and Tips About the Delta Amex Companion Certificates/Passes?

Chris Carley

Chris Carley

Chris Carley is the owner, editor, and lead writer of Eye of the Flyer (formerly known as Rene's Points).

Next Post
What are the best Delta seats in Coach or Comfort Plus on a A330-200? Take a look at a few!

Rookie Wednesday: What Are Some Rules and Tips About the Delta Amex Companion Certificates/Passes?

Comments 7

  1. René says:
    3 years ago

    @Chris – Just checked for a pal to fly from midwest to Australia in Delta One. Price in SkyPennies…

    A tiny 930,000 RT! <-AAGGGGGGGGGGGGGG (to be fair, with flexible dates, it drops all the way down to 610,000)! 🙁

    Reply
    • Chris Carley says:
      3 years ago

      @Rene: Gross.

      Reply
  2. Marcos says:
    3 years ago

    I am very surprised that anyone who “hides award charts” can qualify for the list. It makes me wonder beyond the obviously better Southwest program how bad are the others? I don’t use every competitor but they must be even worse. It is hard to believe they make the top ten under any circumstances. It is very hard to find reasonable redemption rates and access to seats with Delta.

    Reply
  3. Nick says:
    3 years ago

    The Delta Flash sales are useless to me as well as to anyone else who has a normal job. They know this…

    Reply
    • Chris Carley says:
      3 years ago

      @Nick: It’s like they don’t want people to use them. Wait a minute… 😉

      Reply
  4. Rand says:
    3 years ago

    I’ve used the flash sales several times and I think they are an awesome value. One example of use was 90k miles round trip to CDG this spring. I’m always excited when I get those flash sale emails. Keep them coming Delta?

    Never burn them for regular flights since the value is awful. I have used a few times for upgrades but not often.

    Reply
  5. Barry Graham says:
    3 years ago

    I used a flash sale to go round trip to London in Delta One on the exact dates that I was already planning to go. It was great. The award charts are not hidden, there are no charts any more. It is annoying but they are still the best airline in the USA and so is their program.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

➤ Search Eye of the Flyer

No Result
View All Result

Subscribe

Subscribe To Our NewsletterJoin our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

GREAT Travel and Cash Back Card Offers!

Eye of the Flyer May Receive a Commission from the links below. See our Privacy Policy

See CardRatings’ Top Credit Cards for This Month!

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card travel rewards credit card

Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in purchases within three months of card membership approval on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card! Learn here how to apply.

IHG Business Premier Rewards Credit Card

IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

BRAND NEW CREDIT CARD! Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases within three months of card membership approval. Plus, complimentary Platinum elite status, great points bonuses, and more! Learn now how to apply!


Capital One Venture X Credit Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

A must-have “it” card for travel lovers! Earn 75,000 bonus points (worth at least $750 in travel) after spending $4,000 in purchases within three months of card membership approval. Plus, enjoy up $300 annually in statement credits for travel purchased through Capital One AND 10,000 bonus points every year, after the first anniversary. The $395 annual fee can EASILY be earned back — and then some! Learn now how to apply!

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

NEW WELCOME OFFER! Earn 1.5 bonus points on top of the other points you earn during the first year of card membership. (A $20,000 spending cap applies.) Learn now how to apply!

IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card

IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card

REFRESHED CARD! Earn 140,000 bonus points plus a free night after spending $3,000 on purchases within three months of account opening. Plus, earn 5X points on travel, gas stations, and restaurants. 3X on everything else. Learn now how to apply!


The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express

THE classic travel benefits card! Earn 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases within six months of being approved. See rates and fees. Terms apply. Learn now how to apply!

American Express Business Platinum

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Earn 35% Membership Rewards rebates when paying with points for an eligible flight booked through Amex Travel! (Capped at 1,000,000 points a year, enrollment may be required.) Terms apply. Learn now how to apply!

  Earn cash back with Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) Earn cash back with TopCashback! RebatesMe Earn cash back with DOSH!

✍ Editors Disclaimer | lock, login, protection, secure icon Privacy Policy | $ Advertisers Disclosure

 

Subscribe

Subscribe To Our NewsletterJoin our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • αbout US ✉

Copyright © 2021 Eye of the Flyer

No Result
View All Result
  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
    • Credit Cards
    • Travel Rewards Cards
    • Airline Credit Cards
    • Hotel Credit Cards
    • Cash Back Credit Cards
    • No Annual Fee Credit Cards
    • Small Business Credit Cards
    • 0% Intro APR Cards
    • Balance Transfer Cards
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • αbout US ✉

Copyright © 2021 Eye of the Flyer

Cleantalk Pixel

Subscribe To Our Newsletter


Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!