Post: #1

I read through the updated rules of the forum and didn't see anything that specifically prohibited this, so here goes:

Delta just announced today that they're going to devalue their already shitty Skymiles program by increasing the prices on their mileage redemption up to 25% on certain routes as well as getting rid of free 3 day holds on awards in September. To me, this is the last straw as Skypesos just keep getting more and more devalued.

I currently already have several international trips already booked in the next six months and I'm looking to have a mutually beneficial transaction with someone. So here's my offer: I'll book you a business class ticket to anywhere in the Americas, Europe or Asia where Delta and its Skyteam partners fly for the cash equivalent of a coach ticket plus any additional fuel surcharges that are included in the itinerary. So for example, you can get a $4500 business class ticket on Korean Air for the $1200 coach price and whatever taxes + fuel surcharges they levy on the award. It differs with every itinerary, so it can be anywhere from $2.50 to $400 depending on location and number of segments.

For those that are unfamiliar with miles redemptions, Delta is a charter member of Skyteam. They partner up with 18 other airlines around the world and you can essentially use Delta miles to fly anywhere their partners go. Here's the website: http://www.skyteam.com/

Requirements:

1. Flexibility: Delta award availability is noted for being the worst in the industry and we will have to work to find a routing that not only works for you, but also with Delta's availability.

2. Trip has to all take place before June 1, 2014, which is the deadline for the old mileage rates before they're increased.

3. Not a strict requirement, but you're probably going to have to live at or be able to have ground transportation to a Delta hub (i.e. ATL, JFK, LAX). Domestic positioning flights are included in these award redemptions, but most of the time, availability is harder to find than the international segments. I'd prefer to work with those that are US based, but if you're international, same thing goes for living at a Skyteam partner hub.

Suggestions:

1. Fly to Asia: Asian airlines tend to offer the best service and amenities and Korean Air and China Southern have great lie-flat business class flying out of LAX and JFK. Seoul and Guangzhou are great hubs to travel from as well and the taxes and fuel surcharges tend to be lower than those going to and from Europe.

2. Don't use this for US domestic flights: Honestly, this is probably one of the worse redemptions you can use miles for, and the availability of domestic flights is usually worse than international flights.

3. I'd really love to help out the senior members that travel a lot, sort of as a sign of respect for all the info they put out. I'm specifically thinking of scotian, Fisto, AliBlahblah, HencredibleCasanova, etc... which isn't to say I won't work with anyone else, but it's nice to work with great contributors.

I used to fly coach all the time and it was a really eye opening experience going on my first premium cabin to Seoul eight years ago. Business class is usually around 3x the cost of coach so if you have good flexibility on dates and a desire to travel, I'd encourage you to get a 66% discount on these flights and help me burn my Skypesos.

PM me if you're interested. I will go in order of responders and award availability. Once I have 10 (if I even get that many responders) I'll note that in this thread and close it to future offers. Thanks, guys.

Post: #2

Full disclosure: Selling miles is technically against the terms and conditions, but I'm so fed up with Delta, I don't really give a shit. And I figure, the demographic on this board would be somewhat like-minded. But note that these types of deals go on all the time (I've been on both sides of the transaction several times) so as long as both parties keep their mouths shut, there's really no risk.

Also, please note that I already think this is a slam dunk deal (I usually book business class flights for 30% off the cash value) and so I'm just going to summarily ignore PM's in the vein of "will you take $500?", etc...

Finally, for those that think this is a scam: you're right to probably be skeptical. However, you should note that I've been on the forum for a year now and although my post count isn't high, I have a good ratio of posts to likes received. I also think I've contributed to the community with my Seoul datasheet and my Yelp Game sheet, so this should add to my legitimacy. We'll work the exact money details out, but it'll be something like $150 down + whatever taxes and fuel surcharges are levied. Then once you call in to Delta to confirm that the flight is booked, you pay me the remainder within 48 hours.

Post: #3

Have you meet anyone else on the forums who can vouch for you?

Post: #4

(08-15-2013 01:04 AM)Irishman Wrote:  Have you meet anyone else on the forums who can vouch for you?

No, I don't. I'm pretty private and although I've talked to a few guys off this forum through emails and Yelp and have exchanged some personal info, I've never met anyone IRL.

That being said, I don't know if he wants to vouch for me, but youngmobileandglobal and I have exchanged some emails about business ideas. Also worked with GManifesto in his reviews "Social Media" biz for 3 turns if that helps.

Post: #5

Would it be possible to book a return flight from Canada to Europe. Any idea of the price you could offer?

Post: #6

Fuck I got 100k on delta that I kept as backup miles guess I need to blow them out. Fuck hope other airlines don't follow. Thanks for the heads up

Post: #7

I'm so glad 2 years ago I cashed in my Delta Skypesos for cash when it was still possible.

Like Sam said, I just hope the other airlines don't follow suit. I still have a ton of miles in Southwest, AA, and BA.

Post: #8

@samsamsam: No worries, guy. Hope you're able to burn your miles ASAP.

@username: Glad to hear you were able to get some value out of Skypesos. To be fair, I've paid $2000-$2500 for deep discount business fares to Asia before, so at 120k Delta miles, I usually get around $0.02 per mile with them. But they've just been nickel and diming the shit out of their program the past 12 months, I'm just ready to put them all away. I feel you about having miles in other programs too, it's best to burn them as quickly as you can before the inevitable devaluations. I guess except for Southwest because they're fixed fare points instead of traditional "miles".

Post: #9

Lol, Skypesos.

Post: #10

(08-15-2013 10:24 AM)reppin_the_847 Wrote:  Lol, Skypesos.

"Sky pesos" were coined by a famous travel blogger to show just how frequently and unexpectedly the currency devalues. I still laugh at the name sometimes.

Post: #11

I'm looking at a one way ticket to either Hkg or Mnl from Yyz leaving on or around the 24th of Sep. I found a nice deal on Eva Air to Mnl via Taipei for 776$. Can you get me an upgrade to biz or first class?

I'm a very frequent flyer with Star Alliance and mostly Air Canada on their routes to Asia and To south America (GRU).

Detroit is also a major Delta hub and I can drive there in 4 hours.

Interested to hear what you can do/suggest for me.

Post: #12

VP,

Keep in mind Delta allows a free stopover. Meaning you fly from YYZ->MNL->Taipei if you wanted for the same amount of miles as a regular roundtrip would be. The only catch is the alliance has to have a direct route between the two middle cities.

Post: #13

(08-15-2013 04:11 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  I'm looking at a one way ticket to either Hkg or Mnl from Yyz leaving on or around the 24th of Sep. I found a nice deal on Eva Air to Mnl via Taipei for 776$. Can you get me an upgrade to biz or first class?

I'm a very frequent flyer with Star Alliance and mostly Air Canada on their routes to Asia and To south America (GRU).

Detroit is also a major Delta hub and I can drive there in 4 hours.

Interested to hear what you can do/suggest for me.

Hey VP,

Air Canada is in a different alliance so I wouldn't be able to use delta miles to upgrade you. And even if it did, upgrades with miles usually require big cash payments + miles, usually 25k miles each way + $500. Most of the time, it's not worth it.

Also delta doesn't allow one ways so it doesn't seem like this would work for your needs. $776 sounds like a reasonable price, I'd just pay cash.