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Delta has devalued its miles with no notice (again.)
Effective immediately, awards for travel from November 1, 2016 on are going up in price from the United States to the Middle East in Business Class.
USA to Middle East
Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen
Is: 40k/70k each way in economy/Business
For Travel October 1 to October 31: 35k/70k
For Travel November 1 on: 35k/85k
Change: 5,000 fewer Delta miles each way in economy to the Middle East starting October 1, 15,000 more miles each way in Business Class starting November 1
Here is a five week search of Business Class from New York to Dubai that shows the jump from October 31 to November 1.
This is for partner award space, which always prices at the lowest prices. The big difference in the dollar amount is because Delta collects fuel surcharges on these partners.
Delta Award Charts
Delta no longer publishes an award chart, but it still has one that prices its Saver award space and partner award space. Since it’s a secret award chart, Delta doesn’t announce changes to it. We figure out the changes by comparing the old award charts to prices published on Delta’s award calendars.
This devaluation is on the heels of several unannounced Delta devaluations that go into effect October 1 on awards to Asia, Africa, and Australia.
I have updated yesterday’s comparison tables of Delta/American/United award charts with this devaluation.
I burned all my Delta points on a trip to Africa this spring and another to the Olympics in August. Paid more than I “should” have in each case, but just wanted to get some value before calling it quits. All gone, so they can do what they want with the awards and I won’t care personally, though feeling bad for those still stuck with that program.
I don’t want to just dump them. They remain in the lead for some awards. I imagine they will go full revenue based for redemptions at some point with no notice, but even then there will be some deals, so I am not taking as an extreme of a position as you are in regards to dumping the miles. But I understand why you’re doing it for your own sanity.
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