Delta SkyMiles rarely have much value for international business class travel. They charge 4-6 times more than their partners do for the same flights. And flights to Asia are usually even more expensive than to Europe.
If you want a good deal using Delta miles, you usually have to avoid flying to or from the United States (though you can connect through the United States).
Right now, though, there is amazing business class availability on their Seattle – Taipei flight. You can get 9 or more passengers in business on many flights. And pricing starts at just 146,200 miles roundtrip.
- “Regular price” is 172,000 miles roundtrip + $39, however if you have a Delta co-brand American Express card your price is 15% lower or 146,200 miles.
- You can fly from other destinations in the U.S. for slightly more miles, although this may got much more expensive if searching for 9 passengers.
- Beyond Taipei Delta partners with China Airlines which has a good business product.
- Seats are available most days through end of August.
Service is on board Delta’s Airbus A330-900neo which offers a good business had product. Taipei is a good jumping off point – it gets you to Asia – and is worth it if only for the dumplings and to get a good first-hand sense of how the people feel day to day, living with tensions with China.
(HT: Frequent Miler who credits Cards and Points)
Is there a way to take advantage redeeming just one way for 1/2 of the round trip price?
Very interesting that one way price is more than round trip price. Pricing glitch? I don’t see how you can make it price one way for 1/2 price. 172k for rount trip and 255k for oneway!!! go figure. sorry.
Other than that, this is really crazy deal for me as I often find my self in envy of all these business class mileage deals from JFK and other east coast hubs. Even LAX and YVR but never from SEA and especially to Asia… for little over 70K Skypeso one way for Delta One (after 15% discount)? you kidding me? for a family of 4? heck yeah. I accumulated over a million pesos with no good use. By the way, I recenly closed my Delta Reserve card so I didn’t get 15% off but delta offered me to apply for a Delta Gold card on the spot so I did knowing that I won’t get the welcome bonus but it promised I would get 15% miles back as rebate one I applied and approved on the spot. that’s 103k miles I would get 4-6 weeks later. So if you don’t have an Amex Delta cards, it’s not too late to apply now during the booking process and get discounted miles back later. I believe this only works if you apply for the card from Delta.com while booking this.
A Premium RipOff by a mediocre airline.
Very hot in summer in Taipei so likely that’s why they are dumping award inventory. Smart move.
“A Premium RipOff by a mediocre airline.”
Care to support your claim with some evidence?
@tjp74 — This is also how cash tickets are often priced for international flights.
I booked from Detroit for 166,000 miles. Every day in August was virtually 100% empty in business-class. Will use Taipei to position for elsewhere in Southeast Asia. I imagine Delta is losing a tremendous amount of money on this route. They offer inferior catering compared to competing airlines flying this route. Worse, the flight times are awful for anyone who doesn’t live in Seattle. Like 1-hour or less connection times.
Is this a sign that the DL flight will struggle in the face of all the other airlines flying the route?