4 best ways to save money (or miles) on Delta flights
Delta Air Lines is one of the largest airlines in the world, with flights to over 280 destinations across six continents. Despite some major changes coming to how travelers can earn elite status and get into its airport lounges, Delta continues to be a popular choice thanks to perks like free Wi-Fi on most domestic flights and seat-back entertainment screens on most aircraft. Understanding how to get the best deal on Delta flights can go a long way to getting you to your next vacation destination while staying within your budget. Below, CNBC Select shares four tips and tricks that can help you save cash and miles on your next Delta flight.

How to save on Delta flights

Book in advance

Delta has a generous change policy as long as you're ticket isn't in Basic Economy. There are no change or cancellation fees for cash or award tickets in Main Cabin or above when originating from the U.S., Canada, Europe, Africa, India and the Caribbean. Meanwhile, Basic Economy cash and award tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable in most cases — certain Basic Economy tickets originating from a few international markets may be changeable for a fee. Airfare costs (both cash and mile prices) frequently change. By booking your flight as far in advance as possible, you have a longer time to monitor prices and have a better chance to lock in a price drop. According to Expedia's 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report, which analyzed billions of data points through collaboration with the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) and OAG, domestic economy flights should be booked at least a month before to save 24% on average compared to booking at the last minute. Meanwhile, the ideal booking window for international flights is around 60 days out, and no earlier than four months in advance, for optimal availability, selection and savings. Several major online travel agencies (OTAs), including Expedia, Capital One Travel and Google Flights, now offer price drop protections on certain bookings, where you may receive a refund or travel credit if the price of your flight drops after booking. Don't miss: 5 expert travel tips that can help you save money and minimize flight disruptions

Be flexible

If your travel dates are flexible, you can save miles or pay less on your Delta flights by flying during times when there is less demand. You can usually book cheaper tickets during a shoulder season or during the middle of the week, such as a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. According to Expedia's report, Sundays are the most expensive days, on average, to travel. At the time of writing, Delta flights from Detroit to Paris in April 2024 (shoulder season in Paris) are available for under $700 roundtrip or 78,000 SkyMiles plus taxes and fees. But prices jump over $1,200 or 140,000 miles plus taxes and fees on most days by mid-May. As with many other airlines, Delta sometimes also overbooks flights and may offer large sums of cash to passengers who volunteer to take a later flight.

Use credit cards to save on Delta flights

One of the best ways to save on Delta flights is by opening certain travel credit cards and airline credit cards. With a co-branded Delta credit card, you can earn Delta SkyMiles and receive other card-specific benefits, such as Delta Sky Club airport lounge access, discounts on in-flight purchases and a companion certificate, which allows you to book a second ticket on eligible flights for the cost of the taxes and fees. You can also earn Delta miles indirectly with any American Express card that earns American Express Membership Rewards® points because Membership Rewards points transfer to Delta at a 1:1 ratio. So, if you open The Platinum Card® from American Express, for example, and earn its 80,000-point bonus after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, you would then be able to convert those points into Delta SkyMiles. The card also comes with an up to $200 annual airline credit you can use to cover checked bag fees, seat selection fees and other incidentals if Delta is selected as your preferred airline.

The Platinum Card® from American Express Learn More On the American Express secure site Rewards Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 1X points on all other eligible purchases

Welcome bonus Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.

Annual fee $695

Intro APR None

Regular APR See Pay Over Time APR

Balance transfer fee N/A

Foreign transaction fee None

Credit Needed Excellent/Good

See rates and fees, terms apply. Read our The Platinum Card® from American Express review.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Learn More On the American Express secure site Rewards Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and 1X Mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases

Welcome bonus Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Annual fee $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150

Intro APR None

Regular APR 20.99% - 29.99% variable

Balance transfer fee N/A

Foreign transaction fees None

Credit needed Excellent/Good See rates and fees, terms apply.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Learn More On the American Express secure site Rewards Earn 3X miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels; 2X miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets; 1X mile on all other eligible purchases

Welcome bonus Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Annual fee $350

Intro APR None

Regular APR 20.99% - 29.99% variable

Balance transfer fee N/A

Foreign transaction fees None

Credit needed Excellent/Good See rates and fees, terms apply.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Learn More On the American Express secure site Rewards Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.

Welcome bonus Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Annual fee $650

Intro APR N/A

Regular APR 20.99% - 29.99% variable

Balance transfer fee N/A

Foreign transaction fees None

Credit needed Excellent/Good See rates and fees, terms apply.

Delta flash sales

Delta's regular flash sales allow you to book flights for less cash or fewer SkyMiles than usual for a limited time. These sales are some of the best ways to maximize your miles, often featuring round-trip domestic Main Cabin flights for 15,000 miles or less. In the past, there have been Delta SkyMiles deals to the South Pacific from 60,000 miles round-trip, Europe for under 40,000 miles round-trip and the Caribbean for about 10,000 miles. The flash sales are generally for economy awards, but there are sometimes deals for Delta One business class as well. Unlike many other frequent flyer programs, you may also sometimes find better deals when booking round-trip awards, as opposed to two one-ways, particularly for international itineraries. You can search the current award deals here and other Delta flight deals (miles and cash) here.

Bottom line

Delta has an extensive flight network and operates hubs in many major cities such as Atlanta, Minneapolis and Salt Lake City. If you live in or frequently travel to areas Delta serves, it pays to know how to find the cheapest possible Delta flights. To find the best deals, be flexible with when you travel, take advantage of Delta credit card benefits and pay attention to Delta's sales.

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For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, click here. For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Business Gold American Express Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card card, click here. For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, click here. For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Business Platinum American Express Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card card, click here. For rates and fees of the The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.

Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.