Redeeming Capital One miles for Delta Air Lines flights might seem tricky since Delta isn’t a direct Capital One transfer partner. However, it’s definitely possible! There are several clever ways to use your Capital One miles to book those Delta flights you’ve been eyeing. Thanks to Delta’s extensive partner network – some of whom do partner with Capital One – you have options for booking Delta flights without necessarily dipping into your Delta SkyMiles account.
Each method comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on your specific travel goals. This guide will explore the most effective ways to leverage your Capital One points to book Delta flights.
Booking Delta Flights Using Capital One Travel Portal
One straightforward way to use your Capital One miles for Delta flights is through the Capital One Travel portal. While Delta SkyMiles values can fluctuate due to dynamic pricing, using Capital One miles through the portal offers a more consistent value. For instance, One Mile at a Time values SkyMiles at around 1.1 cents each, whereas Capital One miles are typically worth one cent each when redeemed for flights on the portal.
The advantage of booking through the Capital One Travel portal is that you’ll still earn miles and elite status credits through Delta SkyMiles by providing your frequent flyer number during the booking process. When you redeem Delta SkyMiles for flights, you don’t earn miles or elite status credits.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to booking Delta flights using the Capital One Travel portal:
- Go to the Capital One Travel website and click on the “book travel” button.
- Log in using your Capital One account credentials.
- Select the “flights” tab on the travel homepage.
Capital One travel portal
- Enter your flight details (departure city, destination, travel dates, cabin class, and number of passengers).
- On the search results page, use the “Airline” filter and select “Delta” to narrow down your options.
- Choose the Delta flight that works best for you and select your seats (if available).
- Create a traveler profile or select an existing one, making sure to include your Delta frequent flyer number to earn miles and credit for elite status.
- Use your Capital One card as the payment method or apply your Capital One rewards.
- Click “Confirm and book.”
A potential drawback of booking through the Capital One Travel portal is that airlines might consider it a third-party booking (powered by Hopper). This can complicate things if you need to change or cancel your flight, as you might have to navigate between both the airline and Capital One Travel for assistance.
Booking Delta Flights Via Capital One Points Transfer Partners
Even though Delta SkyMiles isn’t a direct Capital One transfer partner, you can still redeem your Capital One miles for Delta flights by transferring them to partner airlines that do partner with Delta. Capital One offers 1:1 transfer partnerships with three airline loyalty programs that collaborate with Delta: Aeromexico Club Premier, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, and Virgin Red. This opens up the possibility of redeeming miles for Delta flights, sometimes at a lower rate than Delta itself might charge.
A significant benefit of these transfer partnerships is that Capital One occasionally offers bonus points for transfers to these partners. This can stretch your miles further and provide even better value on flight redemptions.
Booking Delta flights through Capital One’s transfer partners requires some planning. It’s essential to find award availability before transferring your miles to one of the programs mentioned above. Keep in mind that award space can disappear while the points are being transferred to your account (although transfers are usually instant, delays can happen).
The Best Delta Flights to Book Using Capital One Points
Now that we’ve confirmed that it’s possible to redeem Capital One points for Delta flights using partner programs, let’s explore some of the best options. Flying Blue and Virgin Red are known for offering some excellent “sweet spot” awards, not just for Delta flights but throughout the SkyTeam alliance. Here are a few examples of Delta flight deals you might find using Capital One transfer partners:
- 15,000 Virgin points each way for Delta Main Cabin flights from the East Coast to the UK (off-peak)
- 17,500 Flying Blue miles each way for Delta economy class flights from the West Coast to Hawaii
- 20,000 Virgin points each way for Delta Main Cabin flights from the East Coast to the UK (peak)
- 47,500 Virgin points each way for Delta One (first class) flights from the Central and East Coast to the UK (off-peak)
- 50,000 Virgin points each way for Delta flights between Europe and the U.S.
- 75,000 Aeromexico points each way for Delta One Suites from the U.S. to South America
How point.me Helps You Book Delta Flights with Capital One Miles
Navigating the complexities of booking Delta Air Lines flights with Capital One points can be challenging, especially given the lack of a direct partnership between the two. However, point.me offers a streamlined solution to this problem. This platform simplifies the process of finding and booking award flights, enabling you to maximize the value of your Capital One points for Delta flights.
Besides presenting all available options, point.me locates award availability across partner programs and compares redemption rates to identify the lowest ones. What’s even better? The tool also factors in current point transfer bonuses to pinpoint the most advantageous rates.
This makes it considerably easier to determine which Capital One transfer partner provides the best value for your miles. Moreover, you can compare the lowest transfer partner rate against the cost of booking a Delta flight through the Capital One Travel portal.
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FAQs About Booking Delta Air Lines Flights with Capital One Miles
Can I use Capital One miles for Delta flights?
Yes, you can use Capital One miles to book Delta flights. You can do this either through the Capital One Travel portal or by transferring them to partner airlines like AeroMexico Club Premier, Flying Blue, and Virgin Red. Using a tool like point.me helps compare redemption rates across different programs, guiding you towards the most cost-effective option.
Which airlines partner with Capital One?
Capital One has 16 airline partners. Three of these also partner with Delta Air Lines. You can transfer Capital One miles at a 1:1 ratio to Aeromexico Club Premier, Flying Blue, and Virgin Red. Then, redeem those miles for Delta flights.
Can I partially pay for a Delta flight with Capital One miles?
Yes, you can partially pay for a Delta flight with Capital One points. This can be done through the Capital One Travel portal or by utilizing transfer partners. Capital One’s Delta partners—Aeromexico Club Premier, Flying Blue, and Virgin Red—facilitate one-way award bookings, giving you added flexibility.
Which Capital One credit cards earn transferable points?
Several Capital One credit cards allow you to earn transferable points. These include the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Spark Miles for Business, Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business, Capital One Venture X Business Card, and Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.
