Delta was the first to sell a sub-economy cabin class titled Basic Economy in 2012. United followed suit last year, so it should be no surprise that American Airlines has also just jumped on the bandwagon. American Basic Economy fares will go on sale February 10.

As restrictions in Basic Economy vary between the three legacy carriers, today I'm going to go over what Basic Economy is for each of them, as well as how to identify a fare as Basic Economy when searching through various methods.

Delta and Alaska Airlines are ending their partnership May 1, 2017.

There will be no more codeshares, no more mileage earning on each other's flights, no more reciprocal elite benefits, and no more redeeming miles on each other's flights.

There is some grace period if you already booked your flight.
Delta SkyMiles Members will be able to earn and redeem miles on flights operated by Alaska Airlines through April 30, 2017.

Delta is running a flash sale on awards booked by December 14, 2016 (tomorrow night) and flown from January 10 through March 3, 2017, between the United States and Asia.

If you book by 11:59 PMET tomorrow, December 14, you can get up to 30% off award prices between the United States and places like (but not limited to):

• Narita
• Haneda
• Nagoya
• Singapore
• Manila
• Taipei
• Hong Kong
• Beijing
• Shanghai

Unfortunately Delta doesn't list all the destinations the sale applies to, it only suggests the destinations above. You'll have to do

Delta miles can now be redeemed for Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy.

This is the first time miles issued by one of the big three legacy carriers--American, Delta, United--can be redeemed for Premium Economy.

For about a month, the Delta Gold and Platinum cards have had 50,000 to 70,000 point sign up bonuses.

Each day we edge closer to the end of the year, which is significant if earning elite status is on your radar. You've got just under two months to meet elite qualifying requirements if you want status in 2017.

And the American Express Delta credit cards have limited time, enhanced sign up offers that end day after tomorrow--November 9.

On April 24, 2017, Delta will begin service between Washington D.C. (DCA) and Los Angeles (LAX) on a Delta One-configured 757-200. You can book Domestic First Class flying Delta One between the two cities with fully flat beds for 25,000 Delta miles.

Delta has devalued its miles with no notice (again), but this time is even worse than prior instances. While Delta's never announced an award price change, they at least have increased the prices for travel a few months in advance. For example, at the end of this past August, Delta increased the price of a Business Class award to Europe from 62,500 miles to 70,000 miles for travel beginning January 1, 2017 and on.

This time, there's no buffer period whatsoever.

Delta will operate a nonstop flight between New York (JFK) and Honolulu from December 17, 2016 to March 25, 2017 five day a week (not Tuesday or Wednesday.)

Delta doesn't publish its award chart, but it still has a secret award chart. The cheapest awards from the mainland United States to Hawaii are 22,500 Delta miles one way. But we can do a lot better than that.

Every day that Delta offers award space on this route for 22,500 miles one way, we can book it for 25,000 Korean miles roundtrip.

I am re-publishing this post as a reminder that as of October 1, 2016, Delta Skymiles prices for Business Class awards between North American and Australia, Asia, Africa, and South America are becoming more expensive. Economy awards between the United States and South Africa, the Southwest Pacific, and the Middle East are getting cheaper however. 

If you have been saving your Skymiles for a Business Class award to any of those areas, consider booking so your trip is completed before October 1.