Delta used to have one of the most aggressive programs for mileage accumulation. Their constant promotions, either directly inside the Skymiles program or for converting points into Skymiles, made the currency a drug on the market.

While Delta awards can be truly outrageously priced, some would argue that the ease with which miles are accumulated in the program more or less netted that out. In other words, it’s okay to spend double or more miles on an award when accumulate rates are similarly inflated.

This year though Delta has been almost absent in the promotion space. That follows 2012 where the dearth of promotions was similar.

Roughly speaking Delta bonused only a few small things like Hilton stays and responded to major competitor promotions such as offering big miles for full fare and premium cabin tickets to and from London Heathrow. Otherwise they’ve been silent.

My understanding is that they more or less went dark while working on plans for what the program would look like going forward (‘revenue based’). That’s my understanding at least of why they haven’t had transfer bonuses for converting American Express Membership rewards points.

So whenever Delta pops up with a promotion it grabs my attention, even if it’s one they’ve offered up during the past two years.

And indeed they are back with 250 elite qualifying miles for Hilton HHonors stays of two nights or longer between September 30 and December 13.

They’re also doubling the redeemable miles you earn with Delta as your preferred fixed or variable miles double dip partner during the promotion period.

Registration is required.

If you’re short a few elite qualifying miles with Delta, you could give your hotel stays through mid-December to Hilton and possibly avoid the need for a short mileage run. So that’s a decent offer.

I’m surprised we don’t see more elite qualifying offers for activities other than flying, at least outside of US Airways which offers qualifying miles for club memberships. US Airways once ran an ‘everything counts’ promotion where points earned from hotel stays, car rentals, and FTD purchases earned elite qualifying miles. That was the end of 2006, and while earning via credit card spend has gotten more common the broader idea didn’t catch on.

(HT: Loyalty Lobby)

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