The Definitive "How To Search for Low Tier Business Awards"
Jul 25, 2012, 10:50 am
#1201
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
All of them returned no results. So they're not available yet or does dl.com ever show them?
I tried the CDG-FCO pair for 8/5/12, 10/21/12 as well as a couple of other dates next spring and summer. Nothing.
Jul 25, 2012, 11:12 am
#1202
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Delta.com can show AF-operated award flights. Search by schedule. Don't bother looking on delta.com for anything Alitalia-operated.
Last edited by 3Cforme; Jul 28, 2012 at 4:44 am
Jul 25, 2012, 11:21 am
#1203
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
There is no AF inventory for CDG-FCO on 5 AUG 12. I had no problem doing an advanced search (by schedule, not price) for CDG-FCO on 21 OCT 12 and finding multiple flights with inventory. As far as 26 MAY 13 goes, I'm not seeing inventory in ExpertFlyer, at least for AF. AZ has CDG-FCO inventory available for that date, but you'll have to call to get it.
Jul 26, 2012, 12:27 pm
#1204
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Spg Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,578
I have had DL find AF ATH CDG JFK Feb 6 2013
But DL could only book ATH CDG in X class on an award. told to call back before flight to see if Biz opens. All other legs show O biz award even though ticket shows biz all around.
Anyway to force AF or DL to confirm this leg. Was 100K JFK ATH Direct with the AF return.
Jul 26, 2012, 12:58 pm
#1205
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
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I have had DL find AF ATH CDG JFK Feb 6 2013
But DL could only book ATH CDG in X class on an award. told to call back before flight to see if Biz opens. All other legs show O biz award even though ticket shows biz all around.
Anyway to force AF or DL to confirm this leg. Was 100K JFK ATH Direct with the AF return.
But DL could only book ATH CDG in X class on an award. told to call back before flight to see if Biz opens. All other legs show O biz award even though ticket shows biz all around.
Anyway to force AF or DL to confirm this leg. Was 100K JFK ATH Direct with the AF return.
Last edited by 3Cforme; Jul 28, 2012 at 4:51 am
Jul 27, 2012, 6:23 am
#1206
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Spg Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,578
Did and was given some MUMBO jumbo re the ATH CDG flight. Is this what's called a voluntary downgrade and any way to force the issue , or complain to
DL if I don't get Biz seat ?
Jul 27, 2012, 3:57 pm
#1207
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Check online again. IIRC, the later ATH-CDG departure with CDG-JFK the next day also showed as available in low band. My posted image didn't show all offered routings.
Jul 27, 2012, 7:28 pm
#1208
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
Ack. I am at the end of my sanity with DL agents. Trying to ticket OMA-SLC-LAX-ICN-AKL//HKG-PVG(stop)-NRT-ATL-OMA. The lowest I've gotten it (and wow, have I had a mess of quotes) is 230K. KE publishes an OMA-AKL fare routed via ICN (albeit not by LAX, but I've seen reports of people getting routings via ICN authorized despite not using the exact cities). Last agent gave me the MPM story, at which point I told her I had things I needed to do and would call back. Anyone have a suggestion on how to deal with this? It seems if you're starting from a KE gateway this is a lot easier. I'm thinking of just buying OMA-ATL for cash and flying ATL-LAX-ICN-AKL//HKG-PVG-NRT-ATL, as those are 100% valid routings. However, I'd prefer to get the OMA segments included.
Jul 27, 2012, 9:09 pm
#1209
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,874
Ack. I am at the end of my sanity with DL agents. Trying to ticket OMA-SLC-LAX-ICN-AKL//HKG-PVG(stop)-NRT-ATL-OMA. The lowest I've gotten it (and wow, have I had a mess of quotes) is 230K. KE publishes an OMA-AKL fare routed via ICN (albeit not by LAX, but I've seen reports of people getting routings via ICN authorized despite not using the exact cities). Last agent gave me the MPM story, at which point I told her I had things I needed to do and would call back. Anyone have a suggestion on how to deal with this? It seems if you're starting from a KE gateway this is a lot easier. I'm thinking of just buying OMA-ATL for cash and flying ATL-LAX-ICN-AKL//HKG-PVG-NRT-ATL, as those are 100% valid routings. However, I'd prefer to get the OMA segments included.
Are you positive that ATL-LAX-ICN-AKL works, since the first leg would be on DL metal? ATL is a KE gateway and they do a KE operated ATL-ICN-AKL. That would help clarify if the first flight needs to be on KE, or if it just needs to be from a KE gateway.
Edit:
Found this post with someone who ran into a similar problem, and all he was trying to do was add on LAX-SAN after the KE flight. Perhaps it does indeed need to either start or end at the KE gateway.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...l#post18107316
Edit2: lol, looks like you had responded to that post a few posts down
Last edited by roknroll; Jul 27, 2012 at 9:26 pm
Jul 27, 2012, 10:29 pm
#1210
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
I've seen people report BNA-SLC-LAX-ICN-SYD/MEL/AKL (I'm having a hard time finding the reference), and the SLC connection is not one of the published KE routes. LAX is listed as a valid connection point, but only if using AA to get from BNA to LAX. ATL-LAX-ICN-AKL should work out since the KE ATL-AKL rule contains "ATL-DL-LAX-TYO/HNL-SPK/OSA/NGO/FUK-SEL-AKL".
In terms of pricing, I found an agent who could actually read the fare breakdown before issuing the ticket. We started at something like 435K. Then we got it down to 390K, but she kept seeing medium Y for OMA-SLC since low Y was part of enhanced elite inventory. (390K = 40K medium domestic Y + 120K SLC-ICN in J + 110K ICN-AKL in J + 120K HKG-OMA in J/F) I didn't realize that until I had to leave for a lunch gathering, so I got the next agent to fix that. It then dropped to 230K, which is US-Asia in low J plus Asia-SW Pacific in low J.
In terms of pricing, I found an agent who could actually read the fare breakdown before issuing the ticket. We started at something like 435K. Then we got it down to 390K, but she kept seeing medium Y for OMA-SLC since low Y was part of enhanced elite inventory. (390K = 40K medium domestic Y + 120K SLC-ICN in J + 110K ICN-AKL in J + 120K HKG-OMA in J/F) I didn't realize that until I had to leave for a lunch gathering, so I got the next agent to fix that. It then dropped to 230K, which is US-Asia in low J plus Asia-SW Pacific in low J.
Jul 27, 2012, 11:08 pm
#1211
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
From the "It just gets curiouser and curiouser" department, I have this update. I noticed that the hold until date on my reservation had moved from something like 1 August (tickets originating in Asia get seven-day hold, and I'd initially just held NRT-ATL) to 29 July to 27 July, but it was saying 27 July 2013 tonight. I thought I'd click through to see what DL.dumb came up with for the mileage requirement, and what do I see? 135K + $712.90. I cringe at the erroneous tax/fee calculation, but I figured I should ticket it and get them to fix the taxes/fees later. Ticket now issued successfully and will call later to have them fix the fuel surcharge, as I can't even figure out how they're coming up with it. If anyone can figure them out, I'd appreciate it:
Routing is OMA-DL-SLC-DL-LAX-KE-ICN-KE-AKL//HKG-MU-PVG-DL-NRT-DL-ATL-DL-OMA. The YR of $250 is definitely KE's surcharge. However, I cannot figure out how on earth they came up with YQ of $321.80. The rest appear to be legitimate taxes/airport fees, although the fare of NZ$6.00 is odd. I think $1.80 of the YQ is KE, as ITA reports that LAX-ICN-AKL on KE has YR of $250 and YQ of $1.80.
Routing is OMA-DL-SLC-DL-LAX-KE-ICN-KE-AKL//HKG-MU-PVG-DL-NRT-DL-ATL-DL-OMA. The YR of $250 is definitely KE's surcharge. However, I cannot figure out how on earth they came up with YQ of $321.80. The rest appear to be legitimate taxes/airport fees, although the fare of NZ$6.00 is odd. I think $1.80 of the YQ is KE, as ITA reports that LAX-ICN-AKL on KE has YR of $250 and YQ of $1.80.
Jul 28, 2012, 1:27 am
#1212
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
Could the YQ be from MU?
Obviously quite high, unless they are collecting KE YQ and YR? DL is certainly crazy.
Obviously quite high, unless they are collecting KE YQ and YR? DL is certainly crazy.
From the "It just gets curiouser and curiouser" department, I have this update. I noticed that the hold until date on my reservation had moved from something like 1 August (tickets originating in Asia get seven-day hold, and I'd initially just held NRT-ATL) to 29 July to 27 July, but it was saying 27 July 2013 tonight. I thought I'd click through to see what DL.dumb came up with for the mileage requirement, and what do I see? 135K + $712.90. I cringe at the erroneous tax/fee calculation, but I figured I should ticket it and get them to fix the taxes/fees later. Ticket now issued successfully and will call later to have them fix the fuel surcharge, as I can't even figure out how they're coming up with it. If anyone can figure them out, I'd appreciate it:
Routing is OMA-DL-SLC-DL-LAX-KE-ICN-KE-AKL//HKG-MU-PVG-DL-NRT-DL-ATL-DL-OMA. The YR of $250 is definitely KE's surcharge. However, I cannot figure out how on earth they came up with YQ of $321.80. The rest appear to be legitimate taxes/airport fees, although the fare of NZ$6.00 is odd. I think $1.80 of the YQ is KE, as ITA reports that LAX-ICN-AKL on KE has YR of $250 and YQ of $1.80.
Routing is OMA-DL-SLC-DL-LAX-KE-ICN-KE-AKL//HKG-MU-PVG-DL-NRT-DL-ATL-DL-OMA. The YR of $250 is definitely KE's surcharge. However, I cannot figure out how on earth they came up with YQ of $321.80. The rest appear to be legitimate taxes/airport fees, although the fare of NZ$6.00 is odd. I think $1.80 of the YQ is KE, as ITA reports that LAX-ICN-AKL on KE has YR of $250 and YQ of $1.80.
Jul 28, 2012, 5:57 am
#1213
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
I suspect KE YQ and YR are both being collected, but that's still only $251.80…unless they're collecting the YR as both YQ and YR.
Jul 28, 2012, 2:47 pm
#1214
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Melbourne, Florida, USA
Posts: 2,983
From the "It just gets curiouser and curiouser" department, I have this update. I noticed that the hold until date on my reservation had moved from something like 1 August (tickets originating in Asia get seven-day hold, and I'd initially just held NRT-ATL) to 29 July to 27 July, but it was saying 27 July 2013 tonight. I thought I'd click through to see what DL.dumb came up with for the mileage requirement, and what do I see? 135K + $712.90. I cringe at the erroneous tax/fee calculation, but I figured I should ticket it and get them to fix the taxes/fees later. Ticket now issued successfully and will call later to have them fix the fuel surcharge, as I can't even figure out how they're coming up with it. If anyone can figure them out, I'd appreciate it:
Routing is OMA-DL-SLC-DL-LAX-KE-ICN-KE-AKL//HKG-MU-PVG-DL-NRT-DL-ATL-DL-OMA. The YR of $250 is definitely KE's surcharge. However, I cannot figure out how on earth they came up with YQ of $321.80. The rest appear to be legitimate taxes/airport fees, although the fare of NZ$6.00 is odd. I think $1.80 of the YQ is KE, as ITA reports that LAX-ICN-AKL on KE has YR of $250 and YQ of $1.80.
Routing is OMA-DL-SLC-DL-LAX-KE-ICN-KE-AKL//HKG-MU-PVG-DL-NRT-DL-ATL-DL-OMA. The YR of $250 is definitely KE's surcharge. However, I cannot figure out how on earth they came up with YQ of $321.80. The rest appear to be legitimate taxes/airport fees, although the fare of NZ$6.00 is odd. I think $1.80 of the YQ is KE, as ITA reports that LAX-ICN-AKL on KE has YR of $250 and YQ of $1.80.
Jul 28, 2012, 5:52 pm
#1215
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,874
Add together one way low to S. Pacific and one way low from asia to N. America. The open jaw breaks apart the NZ and HKG. 75k+60k=135k. I also made the same mistake when I first looked at it, assuming it should be 150k.