First, and most importantly, this partnership could lead to lucrative SkyMiles redemptions on Virgin

According to Delta s press release and media outlets such as the New York Times , Delta Airlines and Virgin Atlantic are forming a new strategic partnership. Delta is acquiring a 49% stake in Virgin that was previously held by Singapore Airlines, who cozied up with Virgin in 2000.
On a pure deal standpoint, Delta got a cheaper price than Singapore. Singapore initially invested over $900 million to acquire the 49%. Delta is paying $360 million for that same stake. The two actually haggled over the same 49% stake two years ago but could not agree on a price.
Anti-trust approval needs to be given by the US government, budget rental cars hawaii promotional codes so the agreement probably won t be officially finalized until the end of 2013. With that being said, this is potentially exciting news for travelers to Europe.
Delta is clearly trying to benefit from Virgin Atlantic s coveted slots at London-Heathrow, which is now operating at full capacity. With that being said, it s probably North American frequent flyers who will benefit the most from this venture.
budget rental cars hawaii promotional codes First, and most importantly, this partnership could lead to lucrative SkyMiles redemptions on Virgin Atlantic and vice-versa. Virgin s route map to London from the United States is far more comprehensive than Delta. Right now, Delta only offers nonstop service to London-Heathrow from five cities: Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis, and New York-JFK.
Virgin, on the other hand, really expands Delta s coverage. They fly nonstops from Washington-Dulles, Miami, Orlando, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas, to name a few. FlyerTalkers in the Delta forum are already excited .
As Tashir wrote in his post, Delta Still Not Charging Surcharges on Virgin Australia Awards and Space to Australia over Christmas , Delta SkyMiles redemptions on Virgin Australia (Virgin America s sister airline) are a great value. The award space to Australia is surprisingly ample, even during peak travel times like Christmas and New Year s.
If Delta can translate this availability to Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia s sister airline, then getting to Europe from the United States could be quite a bit easier . More nonstops to London budget rental cars hawaii promotional codes will be possible and the value of your SkyMiles should budget rental cars hawaii promotional codes be a bit higher, depending on how much award inventory is released and the taxes and fees associated with the tickets.
Also mentioned in the press release, budget rental cars hawaii promotional codes Delta and Virgin will have reciprocal frequent flyer benefits and shared access to Delta Sky Clubs and Virgin budget rental cars hawaii promotional codes Atlantic Clubhouses for elite members. Virgin s Clubhouses are well known for their food and upscale atmosphere. I m pretty excited at the potential to test out the Clubhouse at Washington-Dulles. For a complete list of Clubhouses in North America, check out the list here .
It s still unclear, though, how the reciprocal agreement will work. Will Delta Medallion members have Clubhouse access when flying on Virgin Atlantic flights? Do they need to be flying Upper Class? Will SkyClub members have access anytime? We need to know more before calling this a definitive win for SkyMiles members.
Actually, yes.  In my recent post, AMEX/Virgin Atlantic Transfer Bonus , I discussed the 35% bonus on Membership Rewards points transferred to Virgin Atlantic s frequent flyer program through December 29th. Sadly, this wasn t a great deal. Virgin imposes the dreaded sky-high fuel surcharges on all award flights, so your ticket booked with miles could end up costing over $1,000!
Scott actually wrote how to avoid this in his post, Redeem for Virgin Atlantic Upper Class without Surcharges , by instead transferring Membership Rewards to Hawaiian miles. budget rental cars hawaii promotional codes However, this work around isn t really a loophole anymore. As Scott detailed in his recent post,  Hawaiian's Virgin Atlantic Chart Devalued , the substantial increase in the amount of Hawaiian budget rental cars hawaii promotional codes miles required to book Virgin awards really turns this into a poor use of Hawaiian miles.
With the newly announced partnership between Delta and Virgin Atlantic, I can see both frequent flyer programs miles getting a slight boost in value. Those with substantial Membership Rewards balances in particular stand to benefit, budget rental cars hawaii promotional codes as they retain the flexibility to transfer to either budget rental cars hawaii promotional codes airline depending on which will offer the better reciprocal redemption options.
Delta has acquired a 49% stake in Virgin America. Details are still being hammered out and the whole deal probably won t be finalized until the end of 2013. That shouldn t stop us from speculating on how this impacts frequent flyers, though.
Delta SkyMiles budget rental cars hawaii promotional codes members stand to benefit in a big way. SkyMiles are currently bringing up the rear on the Mile Value Leaderboard , but redemptions on Virgin Atlantic using SkyMiles could be big news for Delta loyalists.
The announcement of reciprocal lounge access for elites shouldn t be overlooked, either. Virgin Atlantic elites budget rental cars hawaii promotional codes are probably getting the short end of the stick in this deal. Delta Sky Clubs are decent but nothing to write home about. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses, on the other hand, are renowned for their food, cocktails, and overall atmosphere.
Airline partnerships like this mean less industry competition, budget rental cars hawaii promotional codes which almost always equates to higher airfares. budget rental cars hawaii promotional codes However, I m cautiously optimistic that Delta SkyMiles members will see better award redemption options to Europe.
I need to go from ORD to LHR on Aug. 30 and my return flt .CDG to ORD Sept. 8 I have prices of $1200 cash from AA and $700 cash plus my points a Citithankyoucard . Should wait till jan. when everyones broke or what ???
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