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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. Award prices from the United States to the South Asian Subcontinent (eg India) in Business Class are now 97,500 miles instead of 70,000… for travel tomorrow.
Here’s a calendar of award space between New York City and Delhi for the next five weeks.
Delta no longer publishes an award chart, so we know about these changes by comparing the old award charts to prices published on Delta’s award calendars to current prices. This is another blow to the value of SkyMiles, which are already the least valuable of any major mileage currency.
The economy award price to the South Asian Subcontinent has not changed, it is still 40,000 each way.
South Asia Subcontinent
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, British Indian Ocean Territory, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Was: 70k each way in Business
For Travel from now on: 97.5k each way in Business
Change: 27,500 more Delta miles each way in Business Class to Southern Asia
Bottom Line
Delta miles have again gotten less valuable if you like to fly in Business Class. Even worse than usual, Delta not only gave no notice of the devaluation but made it effective for travel starting right now instead of for travel a few months now like they’ve done in the past. Awesome.
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