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Delta TakeOff 15 is a useful benefit for eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express cardholders because it reduces the number of miles required for qualifying Delta award flights.
The concept is simple: eligible cardholders receive at least 15% off the mileage portion of qualifying Award Travel booked through Delta.com or the Fly Delta app. The discount does not apply to taxes and fees or partner-operated flights.
Because Delta uses dynamic award pricing, a 15% reduction can save a few thousand SkyMiles on a domestic trip or tens of thousands on an expensive premium-cabin redemption. Before booking, check the Flightpoints Delta Air Lines Reward Flight Finder to compare SkyMiles pricing across dates.
What Is Delta TakeOff 15?
Delta TakeOff 15 is a cardmember benefit attached to eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express cards. When an eligible cardholder logs into the SkyMiles account linked to the card and searches for qualifying Award Travel, Delta automatically applies a discount of at least 15% to the mileage portion of the award. You do not need to enter a promotional code.
For example, Delta gives an illustrative award price of:
33,000 miles → 28,000 miles after TakeOff 15
That represents a saving of 5,000 SkyMiles on that example itinerary. Actual award prices vary because Delta uses dynamic pricing.
Which Cards Get Delta TakeOff 15?
The Delta TakeOff 15 benefit currently applies to Basic, or primary, cardmembers holding these U.S. Delta SkyMiles American Express cards:
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card.
- Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card.
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card.
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card.
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card.
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card.
Additional cardmembers are not eligible for the benefit on their own accounts. The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card is not included in the current eligible-card list.
How Does Delta TakeOff 15 Work?
Using the Delta SkyMiles discount is straightforward.
1. Log Into Your SkyMiles Account
Your SkyMiles account must be linked to an eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express card.
2. Search Using Miles
On Delta.com or the Fly Delta app, choose the option to shop with miles. You can also start with Flightpoints’ Delta award search to compare award availability and mileage pricing across dates before completing the booking with Delta.
3. Choose an Eligible Delta Flight
The entire itinerary must be operated and ticketed by Delta or Delta Connection to qualify. Partner-operated flights do not receive the discount.
4. Check the Discounted Price
Delta TakeOff 15 should appear automatically during the booking process when you are signed into an eligible account.
5. Pay the Taxes and Fees
The discount applies only to the mileage portion. Applicable taxes and fees must still be paid, and Delta’s terms require them to be paid with the eligible card.
How Much Can Delta TakeOff 15 Save?
The saving depends on the original award price.
Here are simple examples:
| Regular Award Price | Approx. Price After 15% Off | Approx. Miles Saved |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 miles | 8,500 miles | 1,500 |
| 20,000 miles | 17,000 miles | 3,000 |
| 40,000 miles | 34,000 miles | 6,000 |
| 80,000 miles | 68,000 miles | 12,000 |
| 150,000 miles | 127,500 miles | 22,500 |
Delta’s terms say the actual mileage discount will be greater than or equal to 15% of the mileage portion of the qualifying Award Ticket, so displayed totals may not always match a simple 15% calculation exactly. The higher the original award price, the larger the numerical mileage saving. However, that does not mean an expensive award suddenly becomes a good redemption simply because Delta TakeOff 15 applies.
Does Delta TakeOff 15 Apply to Partner Flights?
No. This is one of the most important restrictions. The entire itinerary must consist of Delta and Delta Connection-operated and ticketed flights. The Delta TakeOff 15 benefit does not apply to flights operated by partner airlines.
That means an itinerary involving a Delta partner such as Air France, KLM, Korean Air, or another SkyTeam carrier can fall outside the benefit. If your trip has several options, compare both Delta-operated and partner awards.
The Flightpoints SkyTeam page can help you explore different SkyTeam award possibilities rather than assuming the discounted Delta price is automatically the cheapest choice.
Does Delta TakeOff 15 Work on Every Type of Miles Booking?
No. The current terms exclude:
- Pay with Miles.
- Miles + Cash.
- Partner-operated flights.
- Seat upgrades purchased after the original booking.
- Other Delta products and services.
- Taxes and fees.
The benefit is specifically designed for qualifying Award Tickets booked with SkyMiles. It also cannot be combined with certificates, Delta eCredits, Delta Gift Cards, vouchers, or other discounts and promotional offers under the current terms.
Delta TakeOff 15 vs Pay With Miles
These are two different benefits.
Delta TakeOff 15
You are booking an Award Ticket using SkyMiles. The eligible mileage price receives a discount of at least 15%.
Pay with Miles
Eligible Delta Amex cardholders can use miles toward the cash price of certain Delta tickets. Pay with Miles has its own rules and redemption structure, but Delta TakeOff 15 does not apply to Pay with Miles bookings.
For most award travelers, it is worth comparing the standard SkyMiles award after TakeOff 15 against the cash fare rather than automatically choosing Pay with Miles. Use the Flightpoints Points or Cash Calculator to compare both approaches.
Is Delta TakeOff 15 Good for Delta One?
It can be. There is no separate rule excluding eligible Delta One Award Tickets. If the itinerary satisfies the TakeOff 15 conditions, the mileage discount can apply to qualifying Delta-operated premium-cabin awards.
This can create larger numerical savings because Delta One awards can require significantly more SkyMiles than Economy awards. For example, a qualifying award priced at 120,000 SkyMiles would save at least 18,000 miles with a 15% reduction.
But Delta uses dynamic award pricing, and premium-cabin prices can vary widely. Flightpoints currently shows broad long-haul Delta One award pricing that can range from around 90,000 to 250,000 SkyMiles or more depending on the route and demand.
Read How to Search Delta Award Flights With Points before accepting a high dynamic price.
Does the Discount Make Every Delta Award a Good Deal?
No. This is where travelers can make a costly mistake. Suppose two Delta One awards are available:
Flight A
- Regular price: 100,000 SkyMiles.
- After Delta TakeOff 15: about 85,000 SkyMiles.
Flight B
- Regular price: 220,000 SkyMiles.
- After Delta TakeOff 15: about 187,000 SkyMiles.
Both receive the same percentage discount. But Flight A is still dramatically cheaper.
A discount should therefore be treated as the final layer of savings, not as proof that the underlying award price is good.
Use the Flightpoints CPP Calculator to compare the discounted mileage requirement with the equivalent cash fare.
Can You Use Delta TakeOff 15 When Changing an Award?
Yes, when the new award remains eligible. Delta says qualifying cardmembers can receive the TakeOff 15 saving when changing an Award Ticket through Delta.com or the Fly Delta app. The cardmember must still hold an eligible card when the ticket is changed.
If the new award costs more miles, the additional miles are deducted. If it costs fewer, the difference is redeposited into the SkyMiles account. Delta Main Basic award tickets have separate restrictions and are not eligible for voluntary changes.
What Happens If You Cancel?
Cancellation follows the normal rules of the underlying Award Ticket. For eligible refundable awards, miles are generally redeposited into the cardmember’s SkyMiles account after cancellation.
Delta Main Basic awards are different. Delta can assess a cancellation charge in miles, and the TakeOff 15 discount does not apply to that cancellation charge. Any remaining eligible miles are then redeposited. Always check the fare conditions before booking solely because a low mileage price appears.
How to Get More Value From Delta TakeOff 15
The benefit works automatically, but a few strategies can make it more useful.
- Search multiple dates. Delta’s dynamic pricing can change considerably from one day to another.
- Compare nearby airports. Another departure airport can sometimes have a lower base award price.
- Find the lower price first. A 15% discount on 50,000 miles beats the same discount on 100,000.
- Compare cash fares. Cheap paid tickets can sometimes be better than using SkyMiles.
- Check partner options. TakeOff 15 does not apply to partner flights, but a partner award could still require fewer miles overall.
- Recheck after booking. If your qualifying award drops in price and your fare rules permit a change, compare the new discounted amount.
Start with the Flightpoints Delta Air Lines Reward Flight Finder, then calculate the final redemption through the CPP Calculator.
Is Delta TakeOff 15 Worth It?
Delta TakeOff 15 is straightforward: eligible Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, and Reserve consumer and business primary cardmembers receive at least 15% off the mileage portion of qualifying Delta-operated Award Travel.
For someone who regularly redeems SkyMiles, those savings can add up quickly. Three 40,000-mile awards, for example, would ordinarily require 120,000 SkyMiles. A 15% reduction brings the theoretical total down to around 102,000 miles, saving roughly 18,000 miles.
But the best strategy is still to start with a good award price. Search across dates with Flightpoints, compare the discounted award against cash, and use Delta TakeOff 15 as an extra saving rather than a reason to book an overpriced redemption.
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Get Flightpoints ProFAQs
Q: What is Delta TakeOff 15?
A: Delta TakeOff 15 is a benefit that gives eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express primary cardmembers at least 15% off the mileage portion of qualifying Delta Award Tickets.
Q: Which cards qualify for Delta TakeOff 15?
A: Eligible cards currently include the Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, and Reserve American Express consumer cards and their respective Business versions. Additional cardmembers are not independently eligible.
Q: Does Delta TakeOff 15 apply automatically?
A: Yes. Log into the SkyMiles account linked to your eligible card and search using miles on Delta.com or the Fly Delta app. The qualifying mileage discount should appear automatically.
Q: Does Delta TakeOff 15 work on Air France or KLM flights?
A: No. The entire qualifying itinerary must be Delta or Delta Connection-operated and ticketed. Partner-operated flights are excluded.
Q: Does Delta TakeOff 15 reduce taxes and fees?
A: No. The benefit only discounts the mileage portion of the Award Ticket. Taxes and fees remain payable separately with the eligible card.
Q: Can Delta TakeOff 15 be used with Miles + Cash?
A: No. Delta’s current terms specifically exclude Miles + Cash and Pay with Miles bookings.
Q: Can I use Delta TakeOff 15 on Delta One?
A: A qualifying Delta-operated Delta One Award Ticket can receive the benefit as long as the itinerary meets the program requirements.
Q: How can I find cheaper Delta awards before applying the discount?
A: Use the Flightpoints Delta Air Lines Reward Flight Finder to compare SkyMiles pricing across dates, then check your final redemption with the CPP Calculator.
