When we tell you that Delta SkyMiles are not, in fact, worthless, this is why.
That's right: Just 25,000 SkyMiles can get you to Marrakech (RAK) in Morocco and back this fall or winter on Delta's brand-new nonstop flight. And this isn't just available from one or two big hubs on the East Coast: It's bookable at those rates from more than 100 U.S. airports, big and small.
Delta is out with an advertised SkyMiles sale, touting some cheap domestic SkyMiles redemptions. But as usual, we dug even deeper for our Thrifty Traveler Premium members and found this record-low rate to Marrakech.
At 25,000 SkyMiles (and change) roundtrip, it's less than half of what other airlines will charge you to get to Morocco and back … and a fraction of the usual Delta rates! Safe to say this is one of the best Delta SkyMiles flash sales of the year.
Delta hasn't even begun flying to Marrakech just yet: After announcing its first-ever nonstop route to Morocco earlier this year, the first flight is set to take off later this week. Clearly, the airline knows the best way to build a buzz and fill seats on a new route is to cut travelers a killer deal.
And the deals don't get much better than this.
You can hop on the nonstop from Atlanta (ATL) for that ultra-low rate – a welcome surprise, as Delta's hub penalty often means its biggest airports miss out on its best deals. But most importantly, you can also book a one-stop trip to Morocco at the same rate from more than 100 airports, near and far all across the country.
Got a Delta SkyMiles card like the *delta skymiles gold card* in your wallet? You're in luck: You'll get the best deal thanks to the TakeOff 15 benefit. That 15% discount brings roundtrip fares from all these cities (and many, many more) to 25,400 SkyMiles total.
Marrakech has emerged as a tourist hotspot in northwestern Africa – a showcase of stunning architecture and a melding of both African culture with the French influence from colonization, from the dusty streets of the Medina (old town) to the palaces and the cuisine. It's on countless travelers' bucket lists … and rightfully so! And now, you won't need many SkyMiles to cross it off your list.
See more: 10 Photos that Showcase the Incomparable Beauty of Marrakech, Morocco
Unfortunately, the lowest rates in this deal are on Delta's pesky basic economy award fares. That means you won't be able to pick a seat for free, you'll forfeit a sizable 19,900 SkyMiles if you decide to cancel your ticket later on, and you won't earn Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) towards elite status. It could be well worth the extra 17,000 to 20,000 miles or so to book a main cabin fare, getting free seat selection and cancellation to get all your SkyMiles back if plans change.
Get the next discounted Delta deal and other points and miles alerts with Thrifty Traveler Premium!
Don't have the SkyMiles you need to book these flights? You might: Delta is an Amex transfer partner, so you can send points to your SkyMiles account from cards like the American Express Platinum Card® or the American Express® Gold Card instantly to your Delta account and book minutes later.
Thrifty Tip #1: Got Amex airline fee credits to burn on cards like the Amex Platinum? Use your card to book this fare and cover those fees!
Thrifty Tip #2: Make sure to use Delta’s “Price Calendar” feature when searching for award rates to find the best deals over a five-week span.
SkyMiles Sale to Europe Details
- Travel November – February
- To book these fares, visit Delta.com and search from your airport – be sure to select “Shop with miles.”
- Get 15% off award rates with a co-branded Delta Amex card in your wallet thanks to the TakeOff 15 benefit
To begin, do a normal search for flights at Delta.com and be sure to check the box that says “Shop with Miles.” On the next page, you'll see this grid full of fares.
For the best results, click the “Price Calendar” button to get the clearest view of what's available over a five-week span. From there, just choose the dates with the best deal and book!
Bottom Line
These sales are one of the main reasons why we value SkyMiles more than most. They're truly the best way to use your SkyMiles.
Locking in a trip to Morocco for 25,000 SkyMiles on one of Delta's newest routes is unbeatable.
