What happened
The article outlines a strategy to reduce the cost of Delta First Class award tickets. Instead of booking directly with Delta SkyMiles, which are often expensive, travelers should search for award availability on Delta metal using SkyTeam partners like Air France/KLM Flying Blue or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Once a partner award is booked (either in economy or first), the traveler can use the Delta app to locate the trip and apply Delta SkyMiles to upgrade to Delta First Class. This method leverages potentially lower partner award rates combined with Delta's upgrade inventory, offering a cheaper alternative to direct Delta first-class awards. The article notes that upgrade availability in the app can be unpredictable and advises evaluating the value based on aircraft type and amenities