Delta, Northwest fliers can combine miles

Delta Air Lines frequent fliers can now transfer miles from their Northwest Airlines frequent flier accounts, and vice versa.

Delta is testing the system before formally announcing the new capability in early February. But the system is fully functional now, said Delta spokesman Kent Landers.

The benefit allows travelers to combine miles to redeem them for flights. It will be especially useful for Delta frequent fliers who have flown Northwest in the past but don’t have enough miles in their Northwest accounts to get a free flight.

Those who link their Delta and Northwest accounts and transfer miles before March 15 get 500 bonus miles in their Delta SkyMiles accounts.

Separately, Continental Airlines set an Oct. 24 date for its exit from the SkyTeam alliance, which includes Delta. Continental had previously announced it will leave SkyTeam and join the Star Alliance, which includes United Airlines and US Airways.

For Delta frequent fliers, this means they can earn and redeem miles on Continental through their Delta accounts up until the end of the day Oct. 24.

Landers said Continental has been a “good partner,” but Delta is “favorably positioned” because of its merger with Northwest and other airline partnerships.