The Definitive "How To Search for Low Tier Business Awards"
Nov 13, 2012, 12:38 pm
#1426
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,874
Thank you for the detailed reply. I think I'm starting to understand now. I see expertflyer showing me inventory for Z for flights that are costing me $3400 in Y fare round trip compared to $2300 in economy. Its not the $5000+ fare but definitely much higher than the economy I was looking at.
I wonder if they let DM upgrades for international travel ?
I wonder if they let DM upgrades for international travel ?
Nov 14, 2012, 6:07 am
#1427
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: JFK/LGA/EWR
Posts: 1,296
Nov 17, 2012, 2:18 pm
#1428
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NY/CT
Programs: DL PM, Marriott PM
Posts: 263
When you say creative routing, are you suggesting one might need a need 3-stops vs. 1-stop?
Is it worth calling to see an agent could find anything? from what I've read, most people do not find this to be successful.
Any tips with regards to searching would be greatly appreciated!
Nov 17, 2012, 2:26 pm
#1429
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
Is there a similar thread on how to search for low tier domestic awards in coach? I'm trying to find two low tier awards next june/july/august from the NY Metro area(nyc, hpn, swf, bdl) to Anchorage and I can't seem to find any low options!
When you say creative routing, are you suggesting one might need a need 3-stops vs. 1-stop?
Is it worth calling to see an agent could find anything? from what I've read, most people do not find this to be successful.
Any tips with regards to searching would be greatly appreciated!
When you say creative routing, are you suggesting one might need a need 3-stops vs. 1-stop?
Is it worth calling to see an agent could find anything? from what I've read, most people do not find this to be successful.
Any tips with regards to searching would be greatly appreciated!
Nov 17, 2012, 2:59 pm
#1430
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NY/CT
Programs: DL PM, Marriott PM
Posts: 263
Domestic awards only allow two connections each direction, as best as I can tell. I'm not sure if there's an exception for Alaska on that. Any space EWR-SEA-ANC on AS? You can search using the alaskaair.com award calendar and look for supersaver space. That should be bookable on DL.dumb via search by schedule.
Nov 17, 2012, 3:44 pm
#1431
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
Great advice - thank you! I searched and found AS mostly has mid-tier availability, except at the end of August/September, which we might be able to do. However, when I tried to put the puzzle together on delta.com multi-city search it tells me there are no flights scheduled between SEA-ANC on the date selected, but I'm able to select it on the AS website.
Nov 17, 2012, 3:49 pm
#1432
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NY/CT
Programs: DL PM, Marriott PM
Posts: 263
Thanks!
Nov 17, 2012, 4:20 pm
#1433
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NY/CT
Programs: DL PM, Marriott PM
Posts: 263
It seems no matter how I search (award vs $$, price vs schedule) the Alaksa flight from SEA to ANC does not appear. Are there certain flights on AS that DL does not have award access to?
Nov 17, 2012, 4:51 pm
#1434
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
Nov 22, 2012, 6:52 am
#1435
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM/MM; Hilton Diamond; National Exec
Posts: 273
Need help trying to get 2 low level J award tickets ATL-SIN for a PM and a DM next Aug/Sep. can find many low level awards for one person, but nothing at the low level for 2 on the same flights. Called DL and they had no options. We have one low level ticket on hold ATL-NRT-SIN; is it wrorth buying that one and hoping a second seat opens up in the next couple of months? Or just travel on different flights and be done with it?
Nov 22, 2012, 7:30 am
#1436
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
Need help trying to get 2 low level J award tickets ATL-SIN for a PM and a DM next Aug/Sep. can find many low level awards for one person, but nothing at the low level for 2 on the same flights. Called DL and they had no options. We have one low level ticket on hold ATL-NRT-SIN; is it wrorth buying that one and hoping a second seat opens up in the next couple of months? Or just travel on different flights and be done with it?
Nov 22, 2012, 7:49 am
#1437
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Louisville, KY, USA
Posts: 2,583
Need help trying to get 2 low level J award tickets ATL-SIN for a PM and a DM next Aug/Sep. can find many low level awards for one person, but nothing at the low level for 2 on the same flights. Called DL and they had no options. We have one low level ticket on hold ATL-NRT-SIN; is it wrorth buying that one and hoping a second seat opens up in the next couple of months? Or just travel on different flights and be done with it?
Nov 22, 2012, 4:31 pm
#1438
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM/MM; Hilton Diamond; National Exec
Posts: 273
Grab seats wherever you can NOW. As a PM or DM miles can be redeposited for free so you then keep searching for one seat on either flight. When available, grab it and release the other seat getting your miles redeposited. That way odds are good that you will fly together but if not at least you eacg have seats. Check the one way arrangements because even if you do not get a round trip together you might fly together one way.
Nov 22, 2012, 8:51 pm
#1439
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,421
Grab seats wherever you can NOW. As a PM or DM miles can be redeposited for free so you then keep searching for one seat on either flight. When available, grab it and release the other seat getting your miles redeposited. That way odds are good that you will fly together but if not at least you eacg have seats. Check the one way arrangements because even if you do not get a round trip together you might fly together one way.
Nov 27, 2012, 5:49 pm
#1440
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 415
Question about booking awards. I am looking for 2 or 3 seats PBI-MNL in June and return in August. If I book my tickets now with miles+fee, what happens if I need to cancel or change dates later? Do the miles get redeposited? Do the fees get reimbursed?
I'll need to do a transfer from Amex - so I understand that's one way only cannot be returned to Amex from my Delta account.
I'll need to do a transfer from Amex - so I understand that's one way only cannot be returned to Amex from my Delta account.