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A Kiplinger writer reported using Delta SkyMiles to cover flights and hotel stays for a nine-day trip to Florence, Pisa and Rome with a partner. The writer said the redemptions returned 1.5 cents per mile based on the same bookings’ cash prices at the time, with an American Express card discount and other card benefits adding savings.
A Kiplinger writer says Delta SkyMiles covered flights and hotel stays for a nine-day trip to Florence, Pisa and Rome with a partner, while the travelers paid cash for food, museums and some purchases. The writer reported a 1.5-cent-per-mile redemption rate based on the bookings’ cash prices at the time, illustrating how an award deal and credit-card benefits can reduce a trip’s out-of-pocket travel costs.
The writer said the trip was booked after monitoring Delta’s changing award deals for a couple of months. When a Rome offer appeared for travel at the end of October, the writer booked it, preferring an off-peak period and remaining flexible about when and where to travel. The itinerary also included Florence and Pisa. The source does not give the number of miles spent or a full cash budget for the trip.
The writer compared the value of the redemption with an estimated 1.2 cents per Delta mile listed on The Points Guy’s monthly valuations page. That figure was the writer’s personal threshold, not a guaranteed value for other travelers. Based on the cash price of the same flight and hotel bookings at the time, the writer calculated a return of 1.5 cents per mile.
The report says an American Express card discount reduced the cost of bookings made with miles by 15%. On the day of departure, the writer also received a complimentary upgrade to Delta Comfort, which the report valued at $299 per person based on the price to buy that upgrade that day. The card’s checked-bag benefit and rideshare credits also helped reduce trip expenses, according to the writer.
What The Redemption Shows
The account highlights a practical trade-off for travelers with a large rewards balance: miles can help cover travel, but the value depends on the specific award price, cash fare, dates and benefits available to the cardholder. The writer said the calculated return exceeded their chosen benchmark, but that result reflects one trip and the prices available when it was booked. It does not establish what another traveler would receive on a different route or date.
The report also shows how award bookings can be combined with card-linked perks. The writer attributed the 15% discount, checked-bag benefit, seat-upgrade priority and rideshare credits to an American Express card. Those benefits may affect the total cost, but the source does not provide a complete accounting of annual card fees or all spending associated with earning the miles. Readers would need to compare those costs with the benefits they can actually use.
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How The Miles Were Earned
The writer said the miles came mainly from welcome bonuses on two Delta SkyMiles American Express cards: an 80,000-mile bonus after opening a Platinum card and a 100,000-mile bonus after opening a Reserve card the following year. The writer also reported earning roughly 120,000 miles through flights and everyday spending, bringing the balance to more than 300,000 miles before the Italy trip.
Rather than booking a fixed holiday itinerary, the writer watched for award availability and waited for a destination that fit the preferred travel window. The article contrasts that approach with seeking flights home for Christmas, when the writer expected options and redemption value to be more limited. The trip also challenged the assumption that travel in autumn would mean few crowds: the writer recalled a Vatican tour guide pointing out that the site was packed despite the season.
“The only money we spent was on food, museums and a few impulse purchases.”
— Kiplinger writer describing the trip
What The Report Does Not Detail
The source does not state the exact number of miles used, the cash prices for each flight and hotel, or the full value of the rewards redeemed. Its 1.5-cent-per-mile estimate uses the cash price for the same bookings at the time; it is not a cash payment received or a guarantee of equivalent value on another trip. The article also does not specify the year of travel.
It is also unclear how the writer accounted for card annual fees, taxes and fees on award bookings, or other costs beyond the spending categories described. The report gives a personal account, not a comparison of every available booking option or an independent audit of the claimed savings. Award availability, card offers and program terms can change.
How Travelers Can Compare Awards
The writer’s account points readers toward checking current award availability and comparing it with the cash price of the same itinerary before booking. Travelers considering a similar redemption can also review the card’s terms, applicable fees and benefits, and calculate whether those perks offset costs they would otherwise pay. The article does not announce a future booking or a change to Delta’s program; it describes one completed trip and the writer’s approach to using miles.
Key Questions
Did miles cover every expense on the Italy trip?
No. The writer said miles covered flights and hotels. The travelers paid for food, museum visits and some purchases, and also used rideshare services.
How did the writer calculate a 1.5-cent-per-mile return?
The writer compared the miles used for flights and hotels with the cash price of those same bookings at the time. The reported rate is a trip-specific calculation, not a guaranteed value for future redemptions.
Where did most of the miles come from?
The writer said most came from welcome bonuses on Delta SkyMiles American Express Platinum and Reserve cards. Additional miles came from flights and everyday spending.
Does the report say how many miles the trip cost?
No. It says the writer had accumulated more than 300,000 miles before deciding to redeem some, but does not state the exact number used for the trip.
Source: kiplinger.com
