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YVR-HKG $487 on Delta and impact of 2015 revenue-based SkyMiles

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  • December 21, 2014
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There is a low $479 fare flying Air Canada from Seattle to Hong Kong via Vancouver for flights February through April 30, 2015. Delta Airlines has a similarly low fare flying Vancouver via Seattle to Hong Kong with fares as low as $483.

Delta and United move to revenue-based miles earning in 2015.

GCM SEA-HKG

Seattle – Hong Kong is 6,500 miles one way. This would be a good earning flight for miles in a frequent flyer program based on miles flown.

Unfortunately, Delta moves to revenue-based Skymiles earning beginning January 1, 2015. Delta operated YVR-HKG flights are in booking codes V and X. These are labeled Deeply Discounted Economy fares and a general member earns 5 miles/$1.

DL YVR-HKG

So, instead of earning 13,000 Skymiles for this type of flight in 2014, a Delta SkyMiles general member earns 5 miles per dollar in airfare for flights in 2015.

$487 minus government imposed taxes is the rate miles are earned for this fare. Taxes are about 21% of the fare. $487 x .79 x 5 miles/$1 = 1,927 miles earned..

DL YVR-HKG price

The new 2015 Delta Skymiles miles earning rules mean this sub-$500 ticket flying 13,000+ miles earns fewer than 2,000 Skymiles for base members and around 4,000 Skymiles for top SkyMiles Diamond Medallion elite members.

Credit miles to Air France/KLM Flying Blue and you earn 25% miles for V and X class. That is still only 3,250 miles for a 13,000 mile trip from Seattle to Hong Kong, but 50% more miles than crediting to Skymiles.

Question for Delta Skymiles and Skyteam flyers: Which Skyteam partner offers the best miles earning opportunity in 2015 for Delta flights in V and X booking class? I checked Vietnam Airlines and it does not look like these booking codes earn any frequent flyer miles.

I have not been to Asia since 2006. The recent low fares to Hong Kong and Vietnam have me looking at Asia trip planning.

The Air Canada deal flying SEA-YVR-HKG offers better miles earning potential since United Mileage Plus earns miles in 2015 by distance flown for Star Alliance partners. Air Canada Seattle-Hong Kong $479 to $509 Jan-April 2015.

From Hong Kong, I like the Vietnam Airlines special December deals available for booking over the next five days.

More on those Vietnam Airlines deals in the next post.

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5 Comments

  • Brad December 21, 2014

    Oops, I accidentally flipped YVR and SEA when I was calculating. The total should be 500 + 3235 + 3235 + 500 = 7470 miles

  • Andy December 21, 2014

    Does it have to be sky team? 50 percent earnings on Alaska airlines, comes out to around 7k Alaska miles

  • Srq December 21, 2014

    Saudi airline gives youall 100% miles on fare classes of delta economy. Can later redeem ALFURSAN MILES for one way or roundtrip on Delta. Hope this helps.

  • Andrew December 21, 2014

    All Delta economy flights still post at 100% to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

  • Dan December 23, 2014

    I though united converts on March 1st to money based points from miles

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