Rundown of Delta Air Lines’ SkyMiles for Canadians

With the discontinuation of the Capital One Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards, as well as multiple devaluations, Delta Air Lines’ SkyMiles program can easily fall out of favour as a top frequent flyer program. That being said, below are some of the factors to consider if you do choose to continue using this program.

I would like to say that personally, I will continue earning points with my accounts, because I do not fly with many SkyTeam airlines in general. So having a no points expiry policy gives me a lot less headache. The only times I would fly with SkyTeam airlines is when I need to pay for a flight and they offer a cheaper option than to fly with either Star Alliance or Oneworld members, as I favour those two airline alliances instead.

Earning Miles

Aside from flying with one of SkyTeam’s alliance members, you can also set your hotel and/or car rental loyalty program to earn SkyMiles.

SkyMiles is also a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards. You need to transfer a minimum of 1,000 Membership Rewards, which will give you 750 Delta SkyMiles.

Redeeming Miles

Delta SkyMiles actually have a pretty bad redemption schedule, which unfortunately isn’t even published. You actually need to select your specific route before knowing how many miles it would cost for a reward flight.

That being said, below is an example of a pretty decent reward flight option for 30,000 miles + $77 in taxes and fees:

Direct Destinations

Having airlines from the United States, operate out of Canada can really help reduce the cost of travel. Not only because it is generally cheaper to fly with airlines from the United States, they help the competition. Furthermore, there is a double benefit when an airline is a member of an airline alliance, as Delta Air Lines is a member of SkyTeam. With Delta Air Lines, you can earn SkyMiles, which can be used on reward tickets with other SkyTeam members.

Below is an updated list, from last time, of Delta Air Lines flights that depart from Canadian airports (recent changes are in brackets or struck-through):

Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

• Delta Air Lines: Atlanta
• Delta Air Lines (Seasonal): Detroit (added)
• Delta Connection: Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK

Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

• Delta Air Lines (Seasonal): Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis/St Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City
• Delta Connection: Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City, Seattle/Tacoma

Calgary International Airport (YYC)

• Delta Air Lines (Seasonal): Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul
• Delta Connection: Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City, Seattle/Tacoma

Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)

• Delta Air Lines: Atlanta
• Delta Air Lines (Seasonal): Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul
• Delta Connection: Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK, New York-LaGuardia

Edmonton International Airport (YEG)

• Delta Air Lines (Seasonal): Minneapolis/St. Paul
• Delta Connection: Minneapolis/St. Paul, Seattle/Tacoma (to be added on December 19, 2015)

Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW)

• Delta Connection: Detroit
• Delta Connection (Seasonal): Atlanta

Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)

• Delta Connection: New York-LaGuardia
• Delta Connection (Seasonal): Atlanta, Detroit

Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG)

• Delta Air Lines Minneapolis/St. Paul (to be added on January 5, 2016)
• Delta Connection: Minneapolis/St. Paul

Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)

• Delta Connection: New York-JFK

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (YXE)

• Delta Connection: Minneapolis/St. Paul

Regina International Airport (YQR)

• Delta Connection: Minneapolis/St. Paul