Oct 28, 2014, 4:43 pm
Last edit by: fti
We now know the facts:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta-air-lines-skymiles/1629493-offical-delta-award-stopovers-open-jaw-gone-skymiles2015.html
Official update from Delta CORP folks to me (Delta Points):
“There are no changes to stopovers. A recent change in IT at Delta.com discontinued the ability to book intl. stopovers online. You could still book them via reservations agents. We [Delta] are working with the res agents (who handle the bulk of the bookings already) to ensure they are properly assisting customers who might.” – DELTA CORP
Also see unconfirmed brand new FTer - DLMiddleSeat post #38
Hello, I am a DL employee and was formerly in the Skymiles department before moving to a new position. I can tell you I still keep tabs on Skymiles and there is a memo that says award stopovers are still allowed but there was a glitch when they filed the fares. You have to call in to get it ticketed manually though. If the CSR say not possible refer them to the res policy update on the dlnet homepage.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta-air-lines-skymiles/1629493-offical-delta-award-stopovers-open-jaw-gone-skymiles2015.html
Official update from Delta CORP folks to me (Delta Points):
“There are no changes to stopovers. A recent change in IT at Delta.com discontinued the ability to book intl. stopovers online. You could still book them via reservations agents. We [Delta] are working with the res agents (who handle the bulk of the bookings already) to ensure they are properly assisting customers who might.” – DELTA CORP
Also see unconfirmed brand new FTer - DLMiddleSeat post #38
Hello, I am a DL employee and was formerly in the Skymiles department before moving to a new position. I can tell you I still keep tabs on Skymiles and there is a memo that says award stopovers are still allowed but there was a glitch when they filed the fares. You have to call in to get it ticketed manually though. If the CSR say not possible refer them to the res policy update on the dlnet homepage.
stopover/open jaw no more on US-Europe redemption?
Oct 28, 2014, 4:45 pm
#47
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Look up - On a ✈ DELTA ✈ jet NOW!
Programs: Blogger & Delta Diamond Medallion Million Miler
Posts: 4,174
Oct 28, 2014, 4:53 pm
#48
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Oct 28, 2014, 7:02 pm
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45° North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
From Delta CORP to me:
http://deltapoints.boardingarea.com/...thing-changed/
“There are no changes to stopovers. A recent change in IT at Delta.com discontinued the ability to book intl. stopovers online. You could still book them via reservations agents. We [Delta] are working with the res agents (who handle the bulk of the bookings already) to ensure they are properly assisting customers who might.” – DELTA CORP
http://deltapoints.boardingarea.com/...thing-changed/
“There are no changes to stopovers. A recent change in IT at Delta.com discontinued the ability to book intl. stopovers online. You could still book them via reservations agents. We [Delta] are working with the res agents (who handle the bulk of the bookings already) to ensure they are properly assisting customers who might.” – DELTA CORP
Oct 28, 2014, 7:09 pm
#50
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,205
The message here is unmistakably this: make any last award bookings while you can still now in 2014, before the next massive round of devaluations come Jan 1, 2015. Namely, no more stopovers or open-jaws (instead, all additive one-way pricing), higher mileage at still unannouanced for 11/12ths - i.e., vast majority - of the routes, rates, unknown non-DL flight (i.e. the bulk of the award booking) award rates, and likely massively reduced earning for non-DL/non-006 flights/tickets.
The only reason why DL has released pracrically no useful or relevant info about the 2015 SkyMiles program (namely, the vast majority of redeeming and earning details are still completely unknown, as are the award routing rules) to this date is because the changes are big, many, and very bad.
The only reason why DL has released pracrically no useful or relevant info about the 2015 SkyMiles program (namely, the vast majority of redeeming and earning details are still completely unknown, as are the award routing rules) to this date is because the changes are big, many, and very bad.
Oct 28, 2014, 7:48 pm
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45° North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
The only reason why DL has released pracrically no useful or relevant info about the 2015 SkyMiles program (namely, the vast majority of redeeming and earning details are still completely unknown, as are the award routing rules) to this date is because the changes are big, many, and very bad.
With AA releasing their 2015 plan (and it largely looks positive) it will be interesting to see if Delta has pressure now to release the details.
Has UA released their 2015 program details?
Oct 28, 2014, 7:52 pm
#52
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,205
That's a good one but it's also true. The EOS (End of SkyMiles), as DL had internally dubbed the project, is not Jan 1, 2015 quite yet, but it certainly is a major step in that direction that we all know DL wants to take so very much.
I don't think that anyone who knows anything about DL believes that major devaluation to award travel routing rules is not in store come Jan 1, 2015. I'd love to be proven wrong though!
*Someone should replace the "END" in this image with "EOS" (for End of SkyMiles). That would be a fitting image for the likely future theme of this forum.
As for AA, a number of real devaluations over 2014: elimination of stopover (which was already limited to NA gateway only) and elimination of OneWorld "Explorer" awards (which means that longer trips and RTW end up costing now easily 2+ fold more than before).
I don't think that anyone who knows anything about DL believes that major devaluation to award travel routing rules is not in store come Jan 1, 2015. I'd love to be proven wrong though!
*Someone should replace the "END" in this image with "EOS" (for End of SkyMiles). That would be a fitting image for the likely future theme of this forum.
As for AA, a number of real devaluations over 2014: elimination of stopover (which was already limited to NA gateway only) and elimination of OneWorld "Explorer" awards (which means that longer trips and RTW end up costing now easily 2+ fold more than before).
Oct 28, 2014, 8:33 pm
#53
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: UA- 1K, DL-DM, AA-G, BON-T
Posts: 337
I could understand a no stop over rule for domestic but on international??? You cant pick the worst of all FF programs and combine them into Skymiles. AA doesn't allow stop overs but they have many other plus points that make AAdvantage attractive. My issue with this change (coupled with all the other downgrades and the total lack of LOW availability) means that Skymiles just keeps giving less and less to those of us who fly for work on paid business. Will Delta shift to 8 GUC's for DM in 2015? Will they add extra aviability of low awards for international J for DM? I would much rather get less miles but ones that you can use for real trips.
Oct 28, 2014, 9:16 pm
#55
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,205
And stopovers on domestic are some of the best values out there now, if that is gone then 25,000 and 40,000 mi awards will become 37,500 and 60,000 overnight. Ugh.
Oct 29, 2014, 2:13 am
#56
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Look up - On a ✈ DELTA ✈ jet NOW!
Programs: Blogger & Delta Diamond Medallion Million Miler
Posts: 4,174
Oct 29, 2014, 7:01 am
#57
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
I've been using stopovers to help obtain award availability. There have been times when I spend a few days in places like NRT or AMS because I can't find both segments on the same day. Also, if I must take an overnight connection, often I prefer to pick flights that make it something like 30 hours rather than only 13. If I must overnight along the way, I'd rather have a day to enjoy the place versus dragging myself into an airport hotel after an evening arrival and then struggling back to the airport for an early flight.
Oct 29, 2014, 7:13 am
#58
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
Anyone tried to price out an int'l itin with a stopover in coach? I've tried a few between MIA/LHR/CDG, and I keep getting the dreaded "one of your flights has just sold out" message.
Oct 29, 2014, 7:52 am
#59
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 766
While he is a Delta ripper, I find little to disagree with in Gary's post on this:
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....4/10/28/delta/
If Delta has any HONOR whatsoever, they will post a prominent alert on their web-site warning of the miss pricing, telling customers to call reservation agents to handle all stopovers, AND promise to waive all booking fees in that instance.
That is not an unreasonable expectation, Delta, and if you do not do that, you are as bad as the old "company stores."
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....4/10/28/delta/
If Delta has any HONOR whatsoever, they will post a prominent alert on their web-site warning of the miss pricing, telling customers to call reservation agents to handle all stopovers, AND promise to waive all booking fees in that instance.
That is not an unreasonable expectation, Delta, and if you do not do that, you are as bad as the old "company stores."
Last edited by THEsocalledfan; Oct 30, 2014 at 6:33 am
Oct 29, 2014, 3:57 pm
#60
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Look up - On a ✈ DELTA ✈ jet NOW!
Programs: Blogger & Delta Diamond Medallion Million Miler
Posts: 4,174
Just had a reader email me that the "internal memo" reps are to read said there will be a fix in place by NOV in the computers.