How to book Delta’s new Brisbane-LA flights using points

Flights between Australia and the United States are steadily growing – a move that should help bring fare prices down for travellers. Delta is the latest airline to make a move, with seasonal direct flights launching between Brisbane and Los Angeles from later this year.

For many years, Sydney had been Delta’s sole Australian port. But along with the recent addition of Auckland to Delta’s network, Brisbane will soon come online too. With Delta being a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, there are also some interesting opportunities for booking Delta flights using miles.

Delta’s flight schedule for Brisbane and Sydney

Delta’s Brisbane flights begin on 6 December 2024. They’ll start by running as a seasonal service three times a week, through until 28 March 2025. Sydney, on the other hand, currently has double-daily flights to Los Angeles.

Here’s a look at Delta’s flight schedule and timings.

Flights are all currently scheduled as Airbus A350-900 services.

Which points programs can book Delta’s Sydney and Brisbane flights?

While Delta has a partnership with Rex in Australia, the agreement doesn’t extend to frequent flyer earn and burn. But there are several other ways you can book Delta’s flights from Brisbane and Sydney using points.

The most obvious path is Delta SkyMiles – Delta’s home frequent flyer program. It’s not easy to earn Delta miles in Australia, but there’s one path you should keep on your radar. From time to time, American Express runs promotions for transfers from Membership Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy. And then onwards from Marriott, those points can be converted across to Delta SkyMiles. When Amex is running a 50% bonus to Marriott, this can be quite lucrative.

On dates we’ve searched, redemptions across the Pacific begin at 64,000 miles one-way for Basic Economy. For Delta One (Business Class), rates can be up to 410,000 Delta miles.

Another option is to book through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Virgin Points are a bit easier to earn down under, given that Flying Club is a direct points transfer partner of Amex Membership Rewards. Transfers use a 2:1 rate, and you’ll need 65,600 Virgin Points for an Economy ticket to LA, one-way. Availability in Delta One is tight – but if you can find it, it’s 165,000 Virgin Points one-way.

Further afield, those with a CommBank Awards credit card could also transfer points to Air France/KLM Flying Blue. Transfers here use a 2.5:1 rate from CommBank Awards. There’s no set award chart in Flying Blue, but I’ve seen Brisbane-LA flights from 49,500 miles in Economy. From Sydney, I’ve spotted the same from 52,000 miles on Delta. Where Delta One is available, I’ve seen reward seats from 141,500 miles through Flying Blue.

It’s also worth pointing out that Flying Blue counts Qantas as a partner too. The Roo’s Sydney-LA flights are bookable for 50,000 miles, for example – and can have a little more availability.

Summing up

For many years, Delta’s partnership with Virgin Australia allowed the airline to sell flights from LA to Brisbane and Melbourne. (And Sydney, too, of course – but that was a route that Delta was flying itself). Now that Delta stands alone across the Pacific, having a new route into Brisbane creates more opportunities to earn and spend points.

Many Aussies might default to Qantas given the attachment to Qantas Frequent Flyer. And for Virgin Australia loyalists, United is the new go-to for mainland USA. But for those who are a little more strategic, Delta presents an interesting option for flights to the United States.

We’ve previously ranked the carrier’s Delta One Business Class as the second-best Business Class seat flying from Australia. Trumped only by Qsuite, Delta’s experience offers closing privacy doors in a modern cabin. And if you’ve never tried it, well, what are you waiting for?

Also read: Delta 360° offers Porsche tarmac transfers for the airline’s most elite flyers

Feature image courtesy of Delta.