Save Thousands of SkyMiles on Delta One Award Bookings With This Trick That Just Came Back

Updated: January 15, 2026, 1:57pm CST

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Save Thousands of Miles on Delta One Award Bookigns
Final Thoughts

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This is a travel hack you’ll actually want to know about.

Delta One points redemptions are notoriously eye-wateringly expensive. We’re talking hundreds of thousands of miles for a one-way flight. Thankfully, we’ve been made aware of an old loophole that has resurfaced: start your itineraries from cities in Mexico and save as much as 76%!

Let’s dive in.

Save Thousands of Miles on Delta One Award Bookigns

For savvy travelers who want to maximize the value they get from their points and who have flexibility in their travels, starting a trip in Mexico to save hundreds of thousands of miles shouldn’t be an issue. Thanks to our friends over at Thrifty Traveler for spotting the return of this great sweet spot.

Of course, flying to Mexico would require additional cash or points spend. This is known as a positioning flight. However, the points saved overall should more than make up for this.

Here are some of the best examples I found.

Japan is a destination everyone wants to visit these days, so I’ll start by showcasing these excellent 115,000-mile redemptions. Owners of a cobranded Delta credit card would get an automatic additional 15% off, bringing the total down to 97,750 SkyMiles. Wow.

You can fly from Puerto Vallarta (PVR) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) via either Los Angeles (LAX) or Seattle (SEA). Delta operates the Airbus A350-900 from both U.S. airports to Haneda.

Puerto Vallarta to Tokyo Delta redemption — Image Credit: Delta

Nonstop one-way redemptions from both Seattle and Los Angeles clock in at a hefty 410,000 SkyMiles.

Seattle to Tokyo Delta redemption — Image Credit: Delta

In this case, starting the trip in Mexico would represent a saving of 76% for Delta credit card holders and 72% for those without.

Similar savings can be found on Delta’s high-demand nonstop flights across the Pacific to Australia.

Starting the journey in Mexico City can bring the total cost of a one-way redemption down to just 120,000 SkyMiles. While 2 stops were included in the options I found, I’m sure more research can turn up one-stop options.

Mexico City to Sydney Delta redemption — Image Credit: Delta

Again, nonstop one-ways from Los Angeles to Sydney start at 410,000 SkyMiles.

LAX to Sydney Delta redemptions — Image Credit: Delta

Don’t worry if Australia and Japan aren’t on your to-visit list. There are savings to be made across Delta’s entire long-haul network.

It’s highly likely that this sneaky loophole won’t stay open for long, so act fast if you want to bag a SkyMiles bargain.

Hot Tip:

The additional 15% discount for Delta credit card holders doesn’t apply to itineraries that include flights between the U.S. and Mexico that are operated by Aeromexico. It only applies to itineraries flown by Delta and its subsidiaries.

Final Thoughts

This is your chance to get some excellent value out of your stash of Delta SkyMiles. All that’s between you and discounts of up to 76% on lie-flat Delta One itineraries is a quick positioning flight down to Mexico — and yes that means you’ll hop ont a flight right back to the U.S. before heading over the ocean.

You could even do a double-destination vacation and tag a few days in Mexico onto either end of your trip!