✈️ Get easy Delta perks with this trick

Estimated read time: 3 minutes and 54 seconds

Good morning and happy February 14th, a day that has no other significance other than being a Friday (let me have this one, guys).

Anyway, here’s what this Friday’s edition has in store for you:

• ✈️ Status match to SkyTeam Elite Plus

• ⚾️ Redeem miles for cool experiences

• 💳 Current Transfer Bonuses

✈️ Status match to SkyTeam Elite Plus

Status matches are the single best and easiest way to turn one elite status into a bunch of elite statuses.

Essentially, airline and hotel programs will offer free elite status to people who already have elite status with a different program.

Specifically, Vietnam Airlines is offering a status match right now that could be super valuable for U.S. travelers flying on airlines like Delta.

I very briefly mentioned this status match a couple of months ago, but I want to dig in a bit more, especially because there’s now a super cool way to leverage it.

Here’s how it works:

If you have airline status with various major airlines around the world, you can match to corresponding status with Vietnam Airlines, including their top-tier status.

Having status with Vietnam Airlines means you can get elite-like perks with ANY SkyTeam airline, including Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and many more.

When traveling internationally and even on some domestic Delta routes, you’ll be able to access Delta’s lounge network, even when traveling in economy.

You’ll also get priority check-in, priority boarding, checked baggage allowance, and more… so this could be amazing for any type of traveler.

Specifically, here are the U.S. (and other popular) programs and corresponding matching tiers:

As you can see, even having a Southwest Companion Pass can get you top-tier status with Vietnam Airlines (you can see where this is going).

Just this week, I told you about how the airline’s credit card portfolio is offering Companion Pass as part of the welcome offers.

That means that now, by signing up for one of those credit cards, you can get 12 months of Southwest status and then MATCH that status to Vietnam, thus unlocking perks on Delta as well.

It’s what we in the travel business like to call “very good shit.”

Now the big boy caveat here is that this status match comes with a fee, which varies based on the level of status you match to:

• Titanium (the lowest tier of status, weirdly) - $99

• Gold - $159

• Platinum (top tier) - $299

So while both of the lower tiers come with SkyTeam Elite status, getting Elite PLUS status (which comes with the best benefits) will run you $299.

Still, I think that could be well worth it for frequent Delta flyers and those looking to see what it’s like to have Delta status and maybe consider earning it in the future.

To be clear, there are a TON of other international airline programs and TONS of other countries that are eligible. Check out this page to read all of the details and this page to register for the match.

So here’s the bottom line:

Status matches are great. If you unlock one status, it opens the door for even more of them, meaning more options for flying and still getting meaningful perks.

⚾️ Redeem miles for cool experiences

Just yesterday, I saw an interesting announcement from Alaska Airlines, my new best friend.

Specifically, they announced that as of yesterday, you can redeem Alaska miles for experiences, which they’re calling Mileage Plan Unlocked.

This feature is already live on the website, and there are some pretty interesting redemptions.

For example, there are tons of sporting events and concerts that start at just 10,000 Alaska miles and can be redeemed instantly (though some are already sold out).

There are also more unique experiences, like this one for a place called Harry’s Beach House in Seattle.

You can redeem 10,000 miles for a cold plunge, sauna, and tasty-looking brunch.

It’s not the craziest experience ever, but it does sound like a great way to spend a Saturday!

Finally, they have some crazy redemptions that are auctioned off.

These include big ticket items like Coachella VIP passes for two, VERY fancy dinners, and more.

For these items, only one winner will be selected after bidding has ended… and the prices be high, folks.

But still, if you have a ton of Alaska miles, it might well be worth it depending on your interests.

The real reason this is so exciting is that you can still earn Alaska miles SUPER EASILY by simply transferring MR Points from your bank to Hawaiian Airlines and then to Alaska (read more about the details of that process here).

This means that many of the cards we love with massive welcome bonuses can be turned into Alaska miles at a 1:1 ratio.

Personally, I wouldn’t be opposed to shelling out 10,000 MR Points for a cool, fun experience that I was excited about.

This is also only day two of this feature, so I expect more exciting opportunities will continue to pop up over time.

Overall, I’m thrilled to see Alaska keep upping its game and becoming more and more relevant in the points and miles world.

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That’s gonna do it for today, my friends. Thanks to those of you who voted in yesterday’s newsletter about where to send me on my travels.

I’ll take your advice into consideration and update you next week. 😉

Since Monday is a holiday, you won’t be hearing from me. But don’t cry, dear one, I’ll be back in your inbox first thing on Tuesday.

Cheers,

3.1319° N, 101.6841° E