Help with NWA/Delta miles please

[goodml]

Let me start by saying I know absolutely nothing about the process of using miles to purchase tickets. Here's our scenario:

 

Currently with NWA I have about 22,000 miles and my husband has 17,900. With Delta we each have about 7800 miles. From what I've read, on their own none of these accounts are good for much of anything. I've been getting emails about combining the NWA/Delta accounts and/or the possibility of transferring miles from his NWA account to mine for a fee in order to have enough to actually get a flight somewhere. If I do this transfer prior to April 15th they're offering a 100% bonus on the miles transferred. I can transfer his 17000 miles (which becomes 34000 miles with the bonus) for a fee of $195to my account. I think there may be a $25 admin fee as well. Is it worth paying the fee to do this?

 

Any recommendations with regards to getting some benefit out of these miles would be greatly appreciated.

 

Also, if we are able to combine them so that we get enough together to actually use them, can I use my miles to purchase a flight for my son or can they only be used for the person who owns the account?

 

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

[ab0si]

Yes, you can use the milage for a third person.

 

I would suggest holding on to the milage. Once the companies fully merge, they will probably simply combine the milage accounts for free. No promises, but that is what has happened when other airlines have combined.

[steve20832]

Let me start by saying I know absolutely nothing about the process of using miles to purchase tickets. Here's our scenario:

 

Currently with NWA I have about 22,000 miles and my husband has 17,900. With Delta we each have about 7800 miles. From what I've read, on their own none of these accounts are good for much of anything. I've been getting emails about combining the NWA/Delta accounts and/or the possibility of transferring miles from his NWA account to mine for a fee in order to have enough to actually get a flight somewhere. If I do this transfer prior to April 15th they're offering a 100% bonus on the miles transferred. I can transfer his 17000 miles (which becomes 34000 miles with the bonus) for a fee of $195to my account. I think there may be a $25 admin fee as well. Is it worth paying the fee to do this?

 

Any recommendations with regards to getting some benefit out of these miles would be greatly appreciated.

 

Also, if we are able to combine them so that we get enough together to actually use them, can I use my miles to purchase a flight for my son or can they only be used for the person who owns the account?

 

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

Your questions can be answered by going to nwa.com and click 'NWA joins Delta-learn more and view FAQ's' then click 'view FAQ about the merger'

There is no fee to combine miles. You can donate miles to someone else for a fee but there is a limit how many miles can be transfered per year (that was the 'donate miles' policy as of a year ago but has probably changed with the Delta merger.) FlyerTalker is a Skymember expert and would probably know.

You also have the option of using miles for one-way and buying the return trip home. Keep in mind there are limited flights you can use miles for booking and some flights will be more miles than others.

[goodml]

Yes, you can use the milage for a third person.

 

I would suggest holding on to the milage. Once the companies fully merge, they will probably simply combine the milage accounts for free. No promises, but that is what has happened when other airlines have combined.

 

 

 

Thank you.

 

Right now I believe I can combine the NWA and Delta accounts for free. The fee comes in if we transfer miles from one person to the other. I don't think they'd offer that without a fee after the amalgamation, would they? Looking at the fee right now it seems sort of high to me but again, I have no knowledge of how this works and, whether or not in the long run, that fee will save us $ by being able to use the miles for a flight where we otherwise wouldn't.

[goodml]

Your questions can be answered by going to nwa.com and click 'NWA joins Delta-learn more and view FAQ's' then click 'view FAQ about the merger'

There is no fee to combine miles. You can donate miles to someone else for a fee but there is a limit how many miles can be transfered per year (that was the 'donate miles' policy as of a year ago but has probably changed with the Delta merger.)

You also have the option of using miles for one-way and buying the return trip home. Keep in mind there are limited flights you can use miles for booking and some flights will be more miles than others.

 

:DPretty much any question asked on these boards can be answered by reading an FAQ somewhere. Seriously, I've actually already read the FAQs which lead me to seek some help from some of the very knowledgable people who regularly give such great tips on this board re: reward flights and other airline related questions. I'm wondering if it's worth paying the fee to combine different people's accounts in order to be able to use the miles we have or failing that, what the most efficient way of using them would be.

 

Here's another question. If we just combine our NWA/Delta miles (which is free) but keep separate accounts for DH and myself, can we use the miles to each purchase a one way fare for our son?

[greatam]

If you can combine the accounts for free, it appears you would both have over 25,000 miles, enough for a free coach domestic ticket for each of you (or any other two people).

 

I haven't read the fine print on this offer, but if I understand your post, I would combine the NW/Delta accounts in each individuals name. THEN pay the transfer fee to put all miles in one account and get the bonus. You cannot buy a minimum of 17,400 miles for $195.00 + processing fee. Outright purchase of 17,400 NW/Delta miles is about $500.00. The transfer fee is a pretty cheap way to get 17,400 (or more) miles.

 

If all miles were combined/transferred, you should have a total over 60,000 miles-enough for one way coach tickets to Hawaii, South America or Europe. You can plan you next repo cruise.

[greatam]

Here's another question. If we just combine our NWA/Delta miles (which is free) but keep separate accounts for DH and myself, can we use the miles to each purchase a one way fare for our son?

 

Where is your son flying??? 25,000 miles TOTAL for a RT coach fare, domestic ticket including Alaska and Canada but NOT Hawaii. 40,000 miles coach for Hawaii, 35,000 for the Caribbean.

 

IF Delta has one way award tickets available, I can't find anything in the fine print that would prohibit each one of you purchasing a one way ticket for your son.

[goodml]

If you can combine the accounts for free, it appears you would both have over 25,000 miles, enough for a free coach domestic ticket for each of you (or any other two people).

 

I haven't read the fine print on this offer, but if I understand your post, I would combine the NW/Delta accounts in each individuals name. THEN pay the transfer fee to put all miles in one account and get the bonus. You cannot buy a minimum of 17,400 miles for $195.00 + processing fee. Outright purchase of 17,400 NW/Delta miles is about $500.00. The transfer fee is a pretty cheap way to get 17,400 (or more) miles.

If all miles were combined/transferred, you should have a total over 60,000 miles-enough for one way coach tickets to Hawaii, South America or Europe. You can plan you next repo cruise.

 

Thanks so much - that makes sense. My son wants to go to somewhere warm next February for reading week so I was thinking if I could get him a ticket using miles it would make a nice (and cheap:D) birthday gift. Likely looking at Caribbean. One of his friends is from Bermuda so that's an option as well. Nothing's cast in stone yet.

[Jade13]

If you can combine the accounts for free, it appears you would both have over 25,000 miles, enough for a free coach domestic ticket for each of you (or any other two people).

 

I haven't read the fine print on this offer, but if I understand your post, I would combine the NW/Delta accounts in each individuals name. THEN pay the transfer fee to put all miles in one account and get the bonus. You cannot buy a minimum of 17,400 miles for $195.00 + processing fee. Outright purchase of 17,400 NW/Delta miles is about $500.00. The transfer fee is a pretty cheap way to get 17,400 (or more) miles.

 

If all miles were combined/transferred, you should have a total over 60,000 miles-enough for one way coach tickets to Hawaii, South America or Europe. You can plan you next repo cruise.

 

OP must have read my mind because I was going to post a similar question regarding these two programs. I have about 27,000 miles with NWA which up until now has had no expiration date (last flew them in 2006). I also have 3,000 miles with Delta that are set to expire this month (three Delta shuttles during a 2 month period when my company had lost their contract with US Airways).

 

What is the best way to save the 3,000 Delta miles? I have to check but my Dh has around 6,000 NWA miles from a trip to Alaska.

 

Should I put them together, and will the NWA miles now expire within 18 months or whatever Delta is using?

[Jade13]

OP must have read my mind because I was going to post a similar question regarding these two programs. I have about 27,000 miles with NWA which up until now has had no expiration date (last flew them in 2006). I also have 3,000 miles with Delta that are set to expire this month (three Delta shuttles during a 2 month period when my company had lost their contract with US Airways).

 

What is the best way to save the 3,000 Delta miles? I have to check but my Dh has around 6,000 NWA miles from a trip to Alaska.

 

Should I put them together, and will the NWA miles now expire within 18 months or whatever Delta is using?

 

I took quick look and it appears I should combine my miles (will have 30,000 and I assume preserve the account for another 18 months) and then by May 31 (I think the deadline) transfer 25,000 to my DH for $275.00 but if any only if I see a flight we can use in the next year, correct?

 

Is there any use with Delta miles to fly from PEK to HGK? The direct flight I see was actually on China Air and I don't believe associated with Delta.

[FlyerTalker]

Longish, but hopefully complete posting here.

 

We are talking about multiple issues/questions here, so let's try to deal with them in order.

 

1) NW miles into DL miles and vice-versa: At this point, you can combine the accounts of a single person together for free. You can then move miles back and forth between the two accounts for free until such time as WP goes away and all are integrated into SM. And important fine print line:

The transfer of miles to a WorldPerks account will reset and extend the mileage expiration date.

Note - this is for a single person and is not referring to any transfer between two different individuals (husband/wife for example).

 

2) Combining miles from two individuals to redeem one award: Still not allowed. All miles for an award much come from one account. So, you can't have a husband with 5000 miles and a wife with 20000 miles and combine those two for one award. However you can:

 

3) Transfer miles from one individual to another: Currently, you can "transfer" miles from your account to another individual for a "per mile charge" + "processing fee". The charges are dependent on the elite level of the individual whose account has the miles going out. (The cost calculation is done for you when you are at the appropriate page on the website) In addition, a 100% bonus is being given on these transfers. There is a limit of 30,000 miles that any one account may receive. You have to crunch the numbers to see if the value of the "bonus" (and of transferring to get to an award number) is worth the cost. My wife and I have no need to get miles from each other. However, at my level, I can transfer 30K miles to my wife (and vice versa)

and the cost for the "bonus" miles works out to less than 2 cents per mile. Perhaps it may be right for me to, in effect, buy those bonus miles with reciprocal transfers back and forth.

 

4) Outright purchase of miles: You can also just purchase miles at any time. However, those miles can be quite expensive for what you receive, so crunch the numbers to see if it makes sense.

 

To keep this post from getting too big, specific issues posed in other posts to be addressed in a separate response.

[greatam]

 

Is there any use with Delta miles to fly from PEK to HGK? The direct flight I see was actually on China Air and I don't believe associated with Delta.

 

China Airlines (flagship carrier of Taiwan, NOT China) and China Southern are both Delta partners in some fashion.

 

But using 25-35000 miles for a short trip like PEK/HKG is a waste of miles unless you absolutely have no other use for them. Have you looked into flying PEK/Shenzhen??? Usually about 1/2 the price of a flight into HKG ($250 vs $450-500). Lots of flights-Air China, China Southern, Hainan (all nonstops out of PEK). You can take the ferry to Hong Kong-about $30.00pp and an hour of your time. May even want to spend the night in Shenzhen before your cruise-I highly recommend the Nan Hai hotel. Ferry is directly next door. View the spectacular fireworks display at the casinos in Macau from the hotel. Watch the harbor. All at about 1/2 price of most HKG hotels.

 

Hong Kong Airlines/Hong Kong Express MAY have cheaper prices from PEK to HKG. Sometimes they have specials. Otherwise, they are as pricey as Dragon Air.

[FlyerTalker]

Currently with NWA I have about 22,000 miles and my husband has 17,900. With Delta we each have about 7800 miles. From what I've read, on their own none of these accounts are good for much of anything. I've been getting emails about combining the NWA/Delta accounts and/or the possibility of transferring miles from his NWA account to mine for a fee in order to have enough to actually get a flight somewhere. If I do this transfer prior to April 15th they're offering a 100% bonus on the miles transferred. I can transfer his 17000 miles (which becomes 34000 miles with the bonus) for a fee of $195to my account. I think there may be a $25 admin fee as well. Is it worth paying the fee to do this?

 

First off....combine the NW and DL accounts into one. Now you have 29,800 and 25,700. Those are each good for a domestic RT at the saver rate (who knows what they call them nowdays - I can't keep them straight). Now, see about transferring them between each other for the fee and getting the bonus. You would, in effect, be doubling your accounts for the price of the transfers. Or just transfer into the account of the person who will be doing the bigger "earning" down the road. What you have to do is crunch the numbers as see if the value of the miles is more than the cost of the transfers. IMO, if you get miles for less than 2 cents, it's a good deal. Around a penny a mile, it becomes a great deal.

 

Now, remember that saver level tickets are limited, and awards at prime times are as rare as hen's teeth. Don't think you can always use those miles, and remember to get the best VALUE for your miles. Think of them as a form of currency, and work to get the best "exchange rates" that work for you - just like trading dollars for yen or euros.

 

The fee comes in if we transfer miles from one person to the other. I don't think they'd offer that without a fee after the amalgamation, would they?

Unlikely. In fact, the bonus is a rarity that I can't remember before.

Looking at the fee right now it seems sort of high to me but again, I have no knowledge of how this works and, whether or not in the long run, that fee will save us $ by being able to use the miles for a flight where we otherwise wouldn't.

Actually, the value of the fee comes in the bonus, and the ability to move miles between accounts. You also have to figure out what awards you are looking for, how much is needed, and so on. If you want Europe or Asia tickets, you'll need more than 29K in an account.

Here's another question. If we just combine our NWA/Delta miles (which is free) but keep separate accounts for DH and myself, can we use the miles to each purchase a one way fare for our son?

I don't believe DL is offering one-way awards. You can't have two accounts each paying for half of a round trip. Each award has to come from a single account.

[FlyerTalker]

I also have 3,000 miles with Delta that are set to expire this month (three Delta shuttles during a 2 month period when my company had lost their contract with US Airways).

 

What is the best way to save the 3,000 Delta miles?

See the line above about expiration of miles put into the NW program. Move them to NW - they are doing no good where they are. Also, you should have never put them into DL in the first place - you could have always put them into NW or CO or AS at the time (CO will be going away shortly). Avoid orphan miles.

I took quick look and it appears I should combine my miles (will have 30,000 and I assume preserve the account for another 18 months) and then by May 31 (I think the deadline) transfer 25,000 to my DH for $275.00 but if any only if I see a flight we can use in the next year, correct?

Why the "next year"? There are many ways to keep accounts "alive" without flying. Just do the same kind of analysis on cost per mile and the benefits you are trying to achieve. Also, why transfer 25K? Why not the whole 30K and get the 100% bonus on those other miles. Cost per mile drops as the volume increases (processing cost gets amortized over more miles). Also, what good are those 5k miles going to do sitting in an account by themselves. Better to move them all.

[greatam]

I don't believe DL is offering one-way awards. You can't have two accounts each paying for half of a round trip. Each award has to come from a single account.

 

I don't fly DL or NW, so really don't know. But looking at the Delta award chart, it is done in ONE way segments. And I saw nothing in the fine print with the award chart that stated 'this was based on RT'. And at the top there is a statement you can mix airlines, awards, fare class-ie coach on Delta outbound, business on Singapore back, I think. Am I reading it right???

[FlyerTalker]

It now appears that you have a one-way option on DL. However, if you only buy one direction, the redemption is the same as a R/T (or higher, on some dummies I've run).

 

You can mix and match on the R/Ts....class, redemption level, airlines.

 

FWIW, I have found "errors" on the chart....the booking engine will show what you actually will pay, which sometimes beats the charts.

[FlyerTalker]

Info deleted to correct an error.

[Jade13]

See the line above about expiration of miles put into the NW program. Move them to NW - they are doing no good where they are. Also, you should have never put them into DL in the first place - you could have always put them into NW or CO or AS at the time (CO will be going away shortly). Avoid orphan miles.

 

Why the "next year"? There are many ways to keep accounts "alive" without flying. Just do the same kind of analysis on cost per mile and the benefits you are trying to achieve. Also, why transfer 25K? Why not the whole 30K and get the 100% bonus on those other miles. Cost per mile drops as the volume increases (processing cost gets amortized over more miles). Also, what good are those 5k miles going to do sitting in an account by themselves. Better to move them all.

 

FlyerTalker - Ok, what do I do with 5,900 CO orphan miles? I was going to transfer 5,000 to my Amtrak account since right now they do not expire and can be transfered in increments of 5,000 and with no fee (up to 25,00 per calender year unless you have status with Amtrak). Note that my miles came from Amtrak in the first place (used to fly CO and Delta to BA). I need to move them because I'm sure about 5K were placed there in error...

Is there any other place to move CO miles (with no fee) besides Amtrak?

[6rugrats]

FlyerTalker - Ok, what do I do with 5,900 CO orphan miles? I was going to transfer 5,000 to my Amtrak account since right now they do not expire and can be transfered in increments of 5,000 and with no fee (up to 25,00 per calender year unless you have status with Amtrak). Note that my miles came from Amtrak in the first place (used to fly CO and Delta to BA). I need to move them because I'm sure about 5K were placed there in error...

Is there any other place to move CO miles (with no fee) besides Amtrak?

 

Not that I know of, but I am not well aquainted with CO and their rules.

 

This amount of miles is really not of much use. Have you considered donating them?

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/onepass/donate/donateMiles.aspx?SID=793E933E9C7D4E798BEF1EF41F5195C8

 

You can buy magazines:

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/onepass/magazines/categoryList.aspx?SID=793E933E9C7D4E798BEF1EF41F5195C8

 

You can use them to upgrade if you are flying CO:

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/onepass/rewards/upgrade/charts/chart_0.aspx?SID=793E933E9C7D4E798BEF1EF41F5195C8

[Jade13]

Well, my Amtrak-CO option is no longer any good. Obviously people were transferring the Amtrak miles for CO but not the other way around. You can still move 5,000 CO to 5,000 Amtrak but to go the other way you must be at least a Select member (5,000 points per year - as an example a one way Acela would be 500 points). Now I have the Amtrak credit card as I thought it was a great deal since there is no annual fee and it was a way to get points on to transfer to CO BUT you must NOW spend $200.00 per calender year on Amtrak (using the credit card) and that would never happen because if I am traveling for work I must pay by company AmEx.

 

:(

 

Important Program News:

Amtrak Guest Rewards® is designed to reward Amtrak customers for their travel on Amtrak. Your loyalty as an Amtrak customer is important to us. To ensure the Amtrak Guest Rewards program can continue to provide Amtrak customers with an array of reward options we must implement the following changes to the program, effective May 1, 2008.

Effective May 1, 2008, the option to redeem Amtrak Guest Rewards points for airline miles or hotel points will only be available to:

1) Members with current Amtrak Guest Rewards Select or Select Plus status, or

2) Cardholders of the Amtrak Guest Rewards® MasterCard® issued by Chase Bank with an Amtrak travel spend on the card of over $200 per calendar year.

These groups of members will continue to have access to these redemption options:

 

• Item #4001 – 5,000 points for 10,000 Hilton HHonors points
  
• Item #4013 – 5,000 points for 15,000 Choice Privileges points
  
• Item #5002 – 5,000 points for 5,000 Midwest miles
  
• Item #5003 – 5,000 points for 5,000 Continental OnePass miles
  

As a reminder, eligible members are still subject to the 25,0001 and 50,0002 annual point transfer caps as outlined in the program Terms and Conditions.

Amtrak Guest Rewards continues to offer a diverse range of reward options for all our members, with more on the horizon for 2008! As always, Amtrakguestrewards.com is the place to see all the latest program updates. Thanks for your continued loyalty.

1 Members that are cardholders of the Amtrak Guest Rewards® MasterCard® issued by Chase Bank with an Amtrak travel spend on the card of over $200 per calendar year may redeem up to 25,000 points per calendar year.

2 Members with current Select or Select Plus status may redeem up to 50,000 points per calendar year.

[Jade13]

Not that I know of, but I am not well aquainted with CO and their rules.

 

This amount of miles is really not of much use. Have you considered donating them?

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/onepass/donate/donateMiles.aspx?SID=793E933E9C7D4E798BEF1EF41F5195C8

 

You can buy magazines:

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/onepass/magazines/categoryList.aspx?SID=793E933E9C7D4E798BEF1EF41F5195C8

 

You can use them to upgrade if you are flying CO:

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/onepass/rewards/upgrade/charts/chart_0.aspx?SID=793E933E9C7D4E798BEF1EF41F5195C8

 

5,900 miles should be good for something. Even on other airlines you can get a $50 gift card for 5,000 miles. Or maybe I should just transfer to Amtrak and use for the train.

[6rugrats]

5,900 miles should be good for something. Even on other airlines you can get a $50 gift card for 5,000 miles. Or maybe I should just transfer to Amtrak and use for the train.

 

They are good for something, I guess just not for something you want. You can find more suggestions if you go to the links I posted. You can also transfer them to another OnePass member's account.

[Jade13]

China Airlines (flagship carrier of Taiwan, NOT China) and China Southern are both Delta partners in some fashion.

 

But using 25-35000 miles for a short trip like PEK/HKG is a waste of miles unless you absolutely have no other use for them. Have you looked into flying PEK/Shenzhen??? Usually about 1/2 the price of a flight into HKG ($250 vs $450-500). Lots of flights-Air China, China Southern, Hainan (all nonstops out of PEK). You can take the ferry to Hong Kong-about $30.00pp and an hour of your time. May even want to spend the night in Shenzhen before your cruise-I highly recommend the Nan Hai hotel. Ferry is directly next door. View the spectacular fireworks display at the casinos in Macau from the hotel. Watch the harbor. All at about 1/2 price of most HKG hotels.

 

Hong Kong Airlines/Hong Kong Express MAY have cheaper prices from PEK to HKG. Sometimes they have specials. Otherwise, they are as pricey as Dragon Air.

 

I have been to Macau.

 

Btw, I just checked on NWA and right now I can use 15,000 miles for China Southern for a Business/First class non-stop from PEK to Hong Kong on the exact morning that I want. I am just hesitant not having the rest of the trip booked, but it seems a good use of those miles. Do you agree?

[Jade13]

I have been to Macau.

 

Btw, I just checked on NWA and right now I can use 15,000 miles for China Southern for a Business/First class non-stop from PEK to Hong Kong on the exact morning that I want. I am just hesitant not having the rest of the trip booked, but it seems a good use of those miles. Do you agree?

 

This was an error because I found out trying to book that NWA does not allow one way award travel even though they price it out that way. I said something and was told by someone at "Worldperks", "that is not the only thing wrong with our web-site".

 

In order to book the 15,00 Businsss/First class PEK to HKG, I would have to book from the US and from Singapore as well. Those flights are 30,00 points each way. So, if I had 75,000 I could do the open jaw coach and PEK to HKG in Business class for one ticket.

[goodml]

First off....combine the NW and DL accounts into one. Now you have 29,800 and 25,700. Those are each good for a domestic RT at the saver rate (who knows what they call them nowdays - I can't keep them straight). Now, see about transferring them between each other for the fee and getting the bonus. You would, in effect, be doubling your accounts for the price of the transfers. Or just transfer into the account of the person who will be doing the bigger "earning" down the road. What you have to do is crunch the numbers as see if the value of the miles is more than the cost of the transfers. IMO, if you get miles for less than 2 cents, it's a good deal. Around a penny a mile, it becomes a great deal.

 

Now, remember that saver level tickets are limited, and awards at prime times are as rare as hen's teeth. Don't think you can always use those miles, and remember to get the best VALUE for your miles. Think of them as a form of currency, and work to get the best "exchange rates" that work for you - just like trading dollars for yen or euros.

 

Unlikely. In fact, the bonus is a rarity that I can't remember before.

Actually, the value of the fee comes in the bonus, and the ability to move miles between accounts. You also have to figure out what awards you are looking for, how much is needed, and so on. If you want Europe or Asia tickets, you'll need more than 29K in an account.

I don't believe DL is offering one-way awards. You can't have two accounts each paying for half of a round trip. Each award has to come from a single account.

 

Thanks so much for the detailed response. It helps immensely and is exactly what I was looking for.