Delta SkyMiles are known for high prices and unpredictable award costs. The good news? You don’t have to use SkyMiles to fly Delta.

Thanks to airline partnerships, you can often book Delta-operated flights using partner airline miles — frequently for far fewer points.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to book Delta flights using:

• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
• Flying Blue (Air France/KLM)

I’ll also cover real examples, beginner tips, transfer strategy, and what to do when flights don’t show up. And I’ve used these partner strategies repeatedly for my own family’s flights during peak school travel periods.

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Why Delta SkyMiles Are Often a Bad Deal

Why Book Delta Flights Through Partners?

Delta uses dynamic pricing, which means the number of SkyMiles required can jump dramatically — even for short domestic flights.

Partner airlines, on the other hand:

• sometimes use fixed or semi-fixed award pricing
• may show availability Delta hides from SkyMiles users
• often price the same flight for far fewer points

This is one of the most powerful airline booking strategies for families.

If you want a long-term plan that protects your points and keeps options open, this pairs especially well with smart card downgrade and upgrade timing (see: how downgrading protects your points long-term).

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Start Here: Quick Glossary (Beginner-Friendly)

Award availability
Seats airlines make available for booking with miles.

Transferable points
Points from credit card programs that can be moved to airline partners.

Dynamic pricing
Award prices that change based on demand, route, and timing.

Partner airline
An airline that allows you to book its flights using another program’s miles.

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Option 1: Book Delta Flights With Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Virgin Atlantic partners with Delta and often offers excellent pricing for nonstop Delta flights, especially within the U.S.

Step-by-Step

1. Go to virginatlantic.com
2. Select Reward Flights
3. Log into your Flying Club account
4. Enter route, dates, passengers, and cabin
5. Select Delta-operated flights
6. Book with points and pay taxes/fees

Real Example

• Route: Atlanta (ATL) → Salt Lake City (SLC)
• Cost: 12,500 Flying Club points (one-way, economy)
• Taxes: $5.60

That same flight priced at 42,000 Delta SkyMiles.

How to Earn Virgin Points

You can transfer from:

• American Express Membership Rewards
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Citi ThankYou Points
• Bilt Rewards
• Capital One Miles (via Virgin Red)

Transfers are usually instant. Always confirm availability before transferring.

Important Considerations

• Partner award space is limited
• Each flight segment costs additional points
• Virgin change/cancel rules apply
• You cannot book Delta SkyMiles flights through Virgin

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Option 2: Book Delta Flights With Flying Blue (Air France/KLM)

Flying Blue also partners with Delta and uses dynamic pricing, but availability is often broader — especially for connections or international routes.

Step-by-Step

1. Create a Flying Blue account at airfrance.com or klm.com
2. Log in and select Book with Miles
3. Search your route
4. Choose Delta-operated flights
5. Transfer points if needed
6. Book and pay taxes/fees

Real Example

• Route: Minneapolis (MSP) → San Francisco (SFO)
• Cost: 17,500 Flying Blue miles
• Taxes: ~$20

Pricing varies, but this is often still far less than SkyMiles.

How to Earn Flying Blue Miles

Transfer partners include:

• American Express Membership Rewards
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Capital One Miles
• Citi ThankYou Points
• Bilt Rewards

Transfers are usually instant or near-instant.

Tips for Flying Blue

• Prices change frequently — flexibility helps
• Monthly Promo Rewards can offer discounts
• One-way searches often price better
• Stopovers in Paris or Amsterdam are possible (call to book)

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Virgin vs. Flying Blue: Quick Comparison

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

• Pricing: Fixed (on many routes)
• Best for: Nonstop domestic Delta flights
• Fees: Low
• Stopovers: No

Flying Blue

• Pricing: Dynamic
• Best for: Connections & international flights
• Fees: Varies
• Stopovers: Yes (by phone)

Both programs frequently run 15–30% transfer bonuses, which can stretch your points even further.

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Transfer Tips (Read This Before You Move Points)

• Link airline accounts ahead of time
• Confirm award availability first
• Transfers are usually one-way and irreversible
• Start with one passenger to test space

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What If You Don’t See Any Flights?

Try:

• Searching one-way instead of round-trip
• Checking nearby airports
• Looking at flexible dates
• Comparing both Virgin and Flying Blue
• Using tools like point.me or seats.aero

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Booking Strategy for Families

• Search for 1 seat first, then scale up
• Book one-ways separately
• Mix programs if needed
• Be open to connections for better availability

This strategy pairs well with family trips to places like Mexico all-inclusive resorts or Europe, where flights are often the biggest cost.

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FAQ

Can I book one-way flights?
Yes. Both programs allow one-way awards.

Do I earn SkyMiles or elite credits?
No. Partner award tickets generally do not earn Delta status credit.

What happens if I cancel?
Change and cancellation rules follow the partner airline’s policy.

Can I book for other people?
Yes, you can book flights for friends or family using your miles.

Are lap infants allowed?
Yes, but policies vary. Virgin often charges ~10% of adult points; Flying Blue policies differ by route.

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Final Takeaways

• Always check Virgin Atlantic and Flying Blue before using SkyMiles
• Partner bookings can save thousands of points
• Transfer bonuses amplify value
• This strategy works especially well for families booking multiple seats

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Need Help Choosing the Right Setup?

If you’re deciding whether to keep, downgrade, or replace a card — or which points ecosystem makes the most sense for your travel goals — I help families map this out step by step.

I can’t publish credit card application links directly on my blog, but I’ll send you the correct options based on your situation.

👉 Message me on Instagram @pointsandmilesteachers
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