Executive Travel SkyGuide

ON BOARD WITH RANDY PETERSEN

CONVERTING WITHIN SKYTEAM AND A WEDDING IN JAMAICA
January 2005
by Randy Petersen

Question:
I noticed that Continental Airlines joined the SkyTeam Alliance with Delta Air Lines and others. Is it possible to convert Delta SkyMiles to Continental OnePass miles?

Answer:
While both airlines just were admitted to the SkyTeam alliance, they have also enjoyed a domestic alliance for well over a year now.

But alliance or not, you are not allowed to mix and match miles between programs. And that's not just with these two airlines. It's also true with other programs, such as those that belong to the Star Alliance or the oneworld alliance. None of them allow members to mix miles from different programs together.

And it does make sense. If members were allowed to mix miles together, it sort of negates the purpose of frequent flyer programs, doesn't it?

Some members "trade" miles with each other to accomplish the same thing. This is an inefficient process, though, since you have to hope the other person remembers what he or she owes you.

In addition, of course, you might be able to use some of the various online currency exchanges to manually merge your miles, subject to some severe devaluation.

Question:
Some members of my family want to attend the wedding in Jamaica of their son. They will be unable to attend unless we can transfer our Delta SkyMiles to them. My husband and I would like to transfer our miles to the mother and father of the groom. I have 24,426 miles and he has 36,352 miles, for a total of 60,778.

Answer:
Free awards from the U.S. to Jamaica in coach are 30,000 miles apiece. But before we get too wrapped up in this, there is something you need to do first. Having miles is one thing. Having free seats is another. The "saver" coach award is 30,000 miles. If there are no seats available at that "price," we're forced to use 60,000 miles per ticket for an "anytime" award. Big difference, huh?

So the first thing you need to do is contact Delta—either online or by phone—and inquire about the availability of two tickets at the time of the wedding. It doesn't matter if they are for you or your friends—we're just trying to find out if it's even worth the effort. If the answer is no, then we're done, because you have nowhere near the number of miles it would take to get to 120,000 for the anytime awards.

But let's assume the answer is yes. Now you would claim an award in your family member's name from your husband's account at the 30,000-mile award level. You would then go online in the SkyMiles section of the Delta.com Web site and visit "Mileage Transfer." Transfer the 6,000 miles left from his account to your account (leaving him with only 352 miles). This will cost you roughly $85. With the 30,426 miles now in your account, you could claim another 30,000-mile Jamaican award for the other family member (leaving you with 426 miles). Everyone is happy, and the wedding goes on as planned.

You can contact Randy Petersen at randy@insideflyer.com.