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Delta is running a flash sale that includes Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and Japan (Thrifty Traveler originally reported the New Zealand fares, but it looks like the lowered pricing extends to other destinations as well). Fares seem to be cheapest, and most available, from LAX, but there are options available from many connecting airports as well. Availability is open from November 2023 – March 2024, smack dab in the middle of spring/summer/fall in the Southern Hemisphere.
Prices start at 50,000 miles roundtrip from Los Angeles (LAX) to Auckland (AKL). Earlier this year, Delta added a 15% discount on award bookings for Delta cardholders. This 15% discount stacks with the sale, making LAX-AKL as low as 42,500 SkyMiles roundtrip for those with a Delta card.
Like most Delta sales these days, there’s a catch – the low pricing and open award availability is for economy class only.
The Deal
- Delta is running an economy award flash sale that includes New Zealand, Australia, Tahiti, Japan and possibly other destination. Prices are for basic economy or economy:
- From Los Angeles (LAX)
- Auckland (AKL) – 50,000 SkyMiles (42,500 for Delta cardholders)
- Tahiti (PPT) – 58,000 SkyMiles (49,300 for Delta cardholders)
- Sydney (SYD) – 60,000 SkyMiles (51,000 for Delta cardholders)
- Tokyo (HND and NRT) – 60,000 SkyMiles (51,000 for Delta cardholders)
- From other US departure points
- Auckland (AKL) – 54,000 SkyMiles (45,900 for Delta cardholders)
- Tahiti (PPT) – 74,000 SkyMiles (62,900 for Delta cardholders)
- Sydney (SYD) – 70,000 SkyMiles (56,000 for Delta cardholders)
- Tokyo (HND and NRT) – 70,000 SkyMiles (56,000 for Delta cardholders)
- From Los Angeles (LAX)
- These fares can only be found when searching roundtrip
Quick Thoughts
Delta’s award pricing to can be astronomical at times, especially to the Asia-Pacific region. For example, if you want to travel in high season, many dates often price out at 150K+ SkyMiles round trip…in economy.
This award sale is therefore significantly better at only 50,000-70,000 SkyMiles round trip, depending on the departure point. The cheapest pricing seems to only be available when flying direct from LAX to Auckland, but it’s fairly open. For example, here’s the availability for a one week trip with at least 4 people in Nov/Dec:
Although the pricing is good, the key thing to be aware that you’ll be flying in economy class. You’re looking at a -13-15 hour flight to Auckland and Sydney, which is a long time in economy. I couldn’t sleep in economy if my life depended on it, so this fare sale isn’t for me. However, I have many friends (including some members of the FM Team) who can sleep for hours like a baby. If that’s you, this could be a heckuva deal.
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Lowest I can find on Delta LAX to AKL is 70,000, and there is only two days at that miles cost. Deal must be dead.
LAX-AKL has sold horribly for DL thus far.
[…] hard to turn down. This flash sale includes Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and Japan as reported by Frequent Miler and Thrifty […]
[…] FM has the full list of pricing. Thrifty Traveler originally posted the deal. […]
Possible to book economy then pay/points/miles to upgrade?
Awesome – Just booked tickets for our daughter to join us in New Zealand next year.
Was thinking of using to book PDX-AMS for a future trip – but lots of options to get to the EU cheaply or with miles.
Air Canada is almost as chea PDX-AKL-PDX 54K – but Delta Skymiles are probably best in this situation -as it is hsrderr to find value from them – Delta One is 500K SM which is insane
But you you have to Stage to LAX for the 42K and hold the Delta card