Redeem your Delta Choice Travel Benefits by January 31stl
As 2020 goes in our rear view mirror, all loyalty programs have been reset to zero and benefits have reset. Since we didn’t travel much last year, we completely forgot to redeem our Delta Choice Benefits after we achieved Platinum status.
We got an email from Delta last week reminding us to redeem before the end of the month, so here’s a checklist of things to remember before you lose out on those benefits.
Delta Choice Benefits
Diamond and Platinum members get to choose between a variety of options. Platinum will have one choice while Diamond has three choices.
You can go here to Delta’s page to see your choice benefit options. As a quick reminder, here are the options that you can choose.
Upgrade Certificates
Diamond Members can choose between a mix of global and regional upgrades where Platinum members only get to choose regional upgrades.
Global Upgrades: On Delta and select partner-operated flights, you can use one-way Global Upgrade Certificates on all paid, published Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+®,and Delta Premium Select fares, except on Basic Economy (E Class).
Regional Upgrades: On Delta flights, you can use one-way Regional Upgrade Certificates on all paid, published Main Cabin and Delta Comfort+ fares, except on Basic Economy (E Class). You can use these certificates on the same routes as Medallion Complimentary Upgrades, including all flights with First Class and the domestic Delta One experience.
Individual SkyClub Membership
Available only to Diamond members, you can get a one year Individual membership. I don’t like this option, mostly because of the innuemerable ways that the SkyClub can allow you access.
There are also options to have an Executive Membership or a Guest Pass, but once again, I don’t feel these provide any good value considering the amount of flights people are taking in 2021 and 2022.
Bonus Miles
What I think is the best option, Platinum members earn 20,000 miles and Diamond members earn 25,000 miles.
Travel Voucher or Gift Card
You can choose between a $200 Delta Gift Card or a $200 Tiffany’s gift card. While this sounds great, the miles seem to be a better choice, unless you want a discount off some expensive jewelry…
Gifting Medallion Status
Platinum members can gift Silver Medallion Status but Diamond Members can gift Gold Status. Silver status really doesn’t do much for you other than free baggage, but Gold Status does come with some important benefits, including a higher upgrade priority and Skyteam status, so this is a good option as well.
We chose the Bonus Miles, 20k for each year, to deposit into my account. 40,000 extra miles gets us closer to our next vacation.
January 31, 2021
Good nudge. I’m picking the regional upgrades, (Platinum) They make the most sense for our leisure travel. Also, with the level of future business travel uncertain, they can also be used for mileage runs to faraway domestic locations to keep up my status moving forward: cheap first class when you can find it.