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Let me begin with some private, insider info you may find most interesting. Many years ago, when Delta was switching over to revenue-based Skymiles (see EOS) those inside Delta were in a total state of panic that we flyers would determine that the value of a SkyMile was way too low.
They had to keep just enough value in SkyMiles to keep folks from jumping ship and go to a “cash back” card vs. a Delta Amex card. Thus the “hard work” to convince folks, by hiding award charts and making award searches a total mess, that Skymiles really were much more valuable than a cash back card.
Well, just look at today (see this post).
It is clear that Delta has completely given up. It was my sincere hope that, during COVID, Delta would get back to what they once were — and return SkyMiles to a real value position. We now know that Delta is going to, not only continue to decimate the value of SkyMiles, but also keep making things worse than before. I am NOT playing along and if Delta does not change course soon my choice to keep ANY type of Delta Amex card may be a simple one.
With that out of the way, as I talked about in this post, I made the once unthinkable choice to redeem my Platinum 20,000 Skymiles Choice Benefit for 2020 for a Tiffany & Co. gift card. I did not do this to buy anything from Tiffany’s — but to flip it for a Lowe’s card (via Cardcash) as I am in the middle of some really big projects and Lowe’s has been my go-to store for what I need. Getting almost 9/10th of a cent value for my Skymile in 2020 is sadly what passes for value this year!
Most times, when I buy some kind of a gift card, it comes either via e-mail (quick, smart, and cheap for the issuer) or via a letter in the mail. Take a look at the ridiculous wasted packaging that enclosed my Delta Choice Benefit Tiffany’s card:
After opening up the 1 pound box, that was turned inside out for some reason, I pull out a tissue-wrapped bag.
Packing list. Check. Tiffany bag. Check. Thank you card. Check. Let’s see what it says:
Awww…. I really did not need this since I got an e-mail in moments of my selection on Delta.com but whatever.
Inside the bag is a box. Oh, this is getting exciting. Is it silver-plated goodness? I can hardly wait!
The amount of cardboard and packaging, again for a gift card, is remarkable. But wait – there is more…
At long last, after FIVE, yes FIVE layers of packaging (including the shipping box) I am at long last able to attain this:
Now I get that, just maybe, the “idea” behind all this incredibly eco-unfriendly packaging is that a Delta frequent flyer can give someone special a “wow whiz-bang boom” Tiffany Gift bag/box/ card that will say how much they love you.
The 1950s are over, Delta! Grow up.
I guess I really should be happy that after Delta has shut down the ability to get reasonable value from SkyMiles by locking in value with Delta eGift cards is gone, the horrid value of SkyMiles marketplace is gone, the equally worthless value of SkyMiles experiences is gone that, since it is clearly not safe or fun to fly right now (to the very limited places you CAN fly), there is one last thing to extract some value from Skymiles in 2020? – René
Advertiser Disclosure: Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc., is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers. Compensation may impact how and where card products appear on the site. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some of the links on this page are affiliate or referral links. We may receive a commission or referral bonus for purchases or successful applications made during shopping sessions or signups initiated from clicking those links.
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.
Obviously you are not a Tiffany’s shopper or you would know the packaging is brand-aligned and revered usually as much as the contents inside.
@Mary – 🙂
I’m with you Mary. The Tiffany brand is all about opulence, pizzazz, quality and “that wow-factor”. Nice job Tiffany…and Delta.
Is this ridiculous “incredibly eco-unfriendly packaging” really worse for our earth than your mileage runs for the sake of more miles?
But who I am to judge? I do the same! 🙂
@DL – The planes will fly with or without me (or did back then). I have not been a run since last year nor will I again till COVID is gone and maybe not even then if Delta keeps going the way they are with Skymiles.
But back to the post – yes it was a TON of paper for a gift card.
Save the box and bag sell on eBay
I guess I don’t get it. With everything going on in the world, this person is upset about packaging. Seems like first world problems. Look around , be thankful and let it go. SMH
@Dee – Best comment on this post HANDS DOWN! Thanks.
Have you never shopped at Amazon to see the 12” boxes they use for 2” items?
If you want to talk about waste just take a look at the amount of plastic DL is generating right now. The SkyClub food setup is ridiculous with the amount of plastic everywhere. And the silly bags on board. And all those water bottles? Just ridiculous. Of course it’s for your safety right ? Haha, righhhht
This is 100% Tiffany. My guess is you do not shop at Tiffany & Co.!
Why pay retail? 🙂
Yes this is quite typical for a luxury brand – is this the first time you ever bought/received a gift from Tiffany?
@Jack – As mentioned in the post, normally I get MUCH higher value out of my Choice Benefit selection that a sub-par gift card. But with flying not safe, or fun, for the foreseeable future I selected for the first time ever a Tiffany’s gift card yes.
Agree with other posters. This is to be expected from Tiffany.
They are trying to make this GRAND. I mean it is Tiffany’s and all.
Reminds me of the movie “Love Actually” when Rowan Atkinson takes his time to pack a small item bought by Alan Rickman as a gift.
How long did it take for the card to arrive?
Thanks!
@plarbear – About two weeks.