The Definitive "How To Search for Low Tier Business Awards"
Nov 29, 2014, 2:30 pm
#2371
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Delta PM/MM, Marriott TE, IHG Platinum
Posts: 481
Dec 13, 2014, 2:41 am
#2372
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
OK, thought I would check some availability 330 days out for Oceania out of SFO.
Nothing lower than 240k for business/first, in late October/early November.
So when are people seeing availability for Saver awards?
Or with the new award search, have those disappeared?
Award chart lists Level 1 BE to Southwest Pacific at 80k each way.
Have people been able to get BE awards to Australia or NZ at 160k under the "new and improved" DL charts?
Nothing lower than 240k for business/first, in late October/early November.
So when are people seeing availability for Saver awards?
Or with the new award search, have those disappeared?
Award chart lists Level 1 BE to Southwest Pacific at 80k each way.
Have people been able to get BE awards to Australia or NZ at 160k under the "new and improved" DL charts?
Dec 13, 2014, 6:27 am
#2373
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Yes, there is some, although SYD is a lot easier than AKL because of total frequency of DL+partner flights as searched for award inventory by delta.com. (Recall there's only one carrier on USA-NZ, and it's not in SkyTeam.)
I still use one-way searches because the flex date search doesn't simultaneously allow flex departure date and variable stay duration.
I still use one-way searches because the flex date search doesn't simultaneously allow flex departure date and variable stay duration.
Dec 13, 2014, 10:15 am
#2374
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
OK, but not so much say in October or November?
And probably likely the case for the peak months of December, January and February?
The routings to AKL all go through SYD so availability for LAX-SYD seems to be the key?
And probably likely the case for the peak months of December, January and February?
The routings to AKL all go through SYD so availability for LAX-SYD seems to be the key?
Dec 13, 2014, 11:28 pm
#2375
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 3,359
Korean Air flies to AKL from ICN, you can try checking specifically for ICN-AKL flights. Unfortunately KE does have several blackout dates for award tickets so you need to make sure the dates you want to travel aren't in one of their blackout periods
Dec 14, 2014, 1:19 am
#2377
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 3,359
Dec 16, 2014, 8:49 am
#2378
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
Programs: DL DM, 1.5MM, NEXUS, Sky Club Lifetime, Admirals Club Lifetime, LowValueCustomer everywhere
Posts: 6,447
Yes. I understand that and have seen the chart. I guess I was not clear. What am really trying to understand is what is typically considered a good deal from others that have booked this route around that time. I am seeing 200K per seat on the low end - to 365K per seat on the high end. Using the DL award calendar. Just trying too see what others have gotten. Mostly seeing direct ATL-MAD with the return through JFK.
I saw MANY dates available in Sept at the 125,000 level.
Dec 24, 2014, 5:42 pm
#2380
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: DL MM, Marriott LT Titanium, AA EXP, Avis Chairmans
Posts: 1,399
I've flown both VA and DL in J to Sydney from the US. DL has the better hard product. Much better seats than VA. VA is lie flat, but not all seats are isle access like on DL. DL seats are also more private. I still enjoy VA, and usually fly them since DL is stingy with their J saver seats. I can still get a good night's sleep on VA's J seats.
Dec 24, 2014, 6:24 pm
#2381
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Melbourne, Florida, USA
Posts: 2,983
I've flown both VA and DL in J to Sydney from the US. DL has the better hard product. Much better seats than VA. VA is lie flat, but not all seats are isle access like on DL. DL seats are also more private. I still enjoy VA, and usually fly them since DL is stingy with their J saver seats. I can still get a good night's sleep on VA's J seats.
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...lass-unveiled/
Dec 25, 2014, 10:49 am
#2383
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Melbourne, Florida, USA
Posts: 2,983
Did you not read the OP? If you want SFO-SYD, search each segment separately, SFO/OAK-LAX and LAX-SYD. This is not United, you can't rely upon the website finding the best deal for you.
Dec 26, 2014, 7:22 pm
#2384
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: CLT
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,551
Just successfully booked for my parents in April:
2x 125k + $154 taxes/FEES for business on Delta, AL Italia, and Virgin
ATL - YYZ - FCO-CTA (DESTINATION)
CTA- FCO (STOPOVER)
FCO - LHR (12 hour layover)
LHR - ATL (return)
Pickings over to Europe were very scarce during this time and of course KLM and Air France transatlantic flights showing available on flying blue were being blocked by delta
Also convincing the agent a stopover was allowed without pricing in an extra 20 thousand SkyMiles was a big pain
2x 125k + $154 taxes/FEES for business on Delta, AL Italia, and Virgin
ATL - YYZ - FCO-CTA (DESTINATION)
CTA- FCO (STOPOVER)
FCO - LHR (12 hour layover)
LHR - ATL (return)
Pickings over to Europe were very scarce during this time and of course KLM and Air France transatlantic flights showing available on flying blue were being blocked by delta
Also convincing the agent a stopover was allowed without pricing in an extra 20 thousand SkyMiles was a big pain
Dec 30, 2014, 3:34 pm
#2385
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: AA, SPG, UR
Posts: 329
Good Samaritan who has been helpful to others here helped me with numerous hints and after a pulling my hair for past few days, I was able to book the following:
July '15 trip (140K*4 + about $350)
PHX-LAX (4 economy)
LAX-ICN (4 biz prestige KE) *** trying to add stop here **
ICN-LAX (4 biz prestige KE)
LAX-PHX (4 economy)
I am unable to convince them to add stop at ICN then ICN-DPS (dest) and make my return trip connecting DPS-ICN on day of my original return. They say it will need more miles that I dont have
I have until tomorrow night. Please suggest what to say to them. I have found flights with 4 economy ICN-DPS-ICN where DPS-ICN connects with small layover in ICN to my confirmed ICN-LAX flight. thanks!
July '15 trip (140K*4 + about $350)
PHX-LAX (4 economy)
LAX-ICN (4 biz prestige KE) *** trying to add stop here **
ICN-LAX (4 biz prestige KE)
LAX-PHX (4 economy)
I am unable to convince them to add stop at ICN then ICN-DPS (dest) and make my return trip connecting DPS-ICN on day of my original return. They say it will need more miles that I dont have
I have until tomorrow night. Please suggest what to say to them. I have found flights with 4 economy ICN-DPS-ICN where DPS-ICN connects with small layover in ICN to my confirmed ICN-LAX flight. thanks!