It’s been a long time since Delta’s international business class award prices competed favorably with competitors like AA or United, but until a few years ago it was possible to find awards that were less than double the competition. For example, where AA would charge fewer than 60K miles for a one-way business class flight to Europe, Delta would sometimes charge fewer than 100K. In recent years, even that value has quickly evaporated for most flights.
At first, it was only Delta’s own business class flights that started at over 200,000 miles one-way. Partner awards of under 100K each way were still available. Last year, though, they seemingly killed even those opportunities (see: Delta devalues SkyMiles again). Is anything left? Actually, yes. Most partner awards where neither the origin or destination touch the U.S. or Canada are still pricing with reduced rates when compared to the “SkyHigh” rates starting or ending in the US/Canada. Below you’ll find a number of examples. Note that all examples are for one-way prices.
Mexico to/from Australia business class for 120K
Example: Mexico City to Sydney via LAX
Mexico to/from South Africa business class for 110K
Example: Mexico City to Johannesburg on Air France
Mexico to/from Europe business class for 105K
Example: Mexico City to London via Paris on Air France
Example: Amsterdam to Mexico City via Paris on Air France
South America to Europe business class for 105K
Example: Colombia to Paris on Air France
Example: Brazil to Paris on Air France
Europe to/from Asia business class for 80-90K
Example: Paris to Seoul on Korean Air
Example: Seoul to Amsterdam on Korean Air
Example: Vienna to Taipei via China Airlines business class
Fly within Europe for 10K economy or 20K/25K business
For a better deal, but with Virgin Atlantic miles, see: Air France & KLM across Europe for less.
Example: Amsterdam to Bucharest for 10K economy or 25K business
Example: Paris to Lyon for 10K economy or 20K business
South Korea to/from Japan business class for 15K
Example: Seoul to Tokyo on Korean Air business class
Many, many more…
The image above shows airports around the world that are served by SkyTeam airlines. Since Delta is a SkyTeam member, you theoretically have the ability to use SkyMiles to book any/all of those flights. And that image doesn’t even include Delta’s non-alliance partners like Virgin Atlantic. As long as the route doesn’t begin or end in either the United States or Canada, and if awards are available, you should be able to find more reasonable prices like the many examples shown above. Use Delta.com to do your searches and make sure to click the “Shop with Miles” box.
Happy hunting!
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