AirTheory

I'm on a MR LGA-ATL-SEA-HNL-SEA-JFK. On my first leg, LGA-ATL-SEA-HNL, ATL-SEA is oversold. I think there was an equipment swap at somepoint.

Continuing on, HNL-SEA-JFK is on a separate PNR. What I'm thinking:

DL has already solicited for VDB at OLCI (yes I know this doesn't mean anything). I'm incredibly flexible (seeing as I'm flying circles in the sky), so I would gladly give up my seat ATL-SEA, thus moving to the 5pm departure. This would cause me to miss my HNL connection, as SEA-HNL is a once daily flight. I would be more than happy to do ATL-SEA-JFK, and hopefully qualify for ORC of the SEA-HNL-SEA.

Would I qualify to get ORC? I'd be ok to skip the HNL leg completely. I'm sure any DL Agent would be puzzled as to why I wouldn't want to go to Hawaii and instead go home.. Has anyone had any experience skipping complete "legs" or turns and getting ORC?

rylan

Not likely to get original routing credit for this, especially since the V in VDB is voluntary.

sethb

You don't get ORC for VDB, as a general rule. You might be able to negotiate it with the GA, but be sure to get it in writing if you do.

In your case, the fact that you're on multiple PNRs messes everything up. Missing the HNL-SEA flight will cause the SEA-JFK flight to be canceled and you're stuck in SEA.

davetravels

Yup, all the above is true. In your case in particular, because it's 2 different itineraries, I feel certain that you'd NEVER get ORC for the return trip.

That said, how long is your layover in HNL before you head back? I'd be sure to get some kind of new routing from ATL that gets you to HNL in time to get your departure. I wonder if they would change your return for you, to a little later. My guess would be that, they'd look for someone to VDB that has a less complicated situation.

edited to add . . . .

My concern with this situation would be, getting a decent seat at the last minute all the way to HI.

StuckOnSegments

Why try to get put on ATL-HNL? You'll have more time in HNL(and maybe get on an earlier return). In this case, you could request ORC for ATL-SEA-HNL, and it would be granted.

sbagdon

Talk about gutsy. Seperate PNRs for an MR, with a turn. Not bad, just... risky.

davetravels

You probably forgot. That important-looking guy we alwayz see . . . . He has our backs!

AirTheory

Just landed in ATL, the HNL direct left an hour ago. Otherwise would have gone for that

AirTheory

Update: flight was over by 7, VDB went as high as $800. The red coat at the gate didn't seem to like my ORC idea and and told me he didn't really know how to handle it. Offered to bump me but warned ORC would be at the discretion of DL HQ. Not worth it. Ended up snagging an upgrade despite it being F0 Y-7, thanks to a no show. Can't complain!

davetravels

Well, if ORC was more important to you than an $800 ECV, you did the right thing. I've read a number of reports here, where, a GA / RedCoat <supposedly> assured the FlyerTalker that they would get ORC, - - and <supposedly> notated such, in the record, and DL HQ wouldn't budge and the pax got screwed.

You hafto decide which is more important. VDB/ECV credit or ORC. If you get both, play the lottery that day!

oldgoldflyer

Any assurances by anybody at the gate, whether a GA or RedCoat, about mileage or ORC is pure nonsense. They really have nothing to do with it.

fti

If they put it in writing, I disagree. I would think DL would honor it if their employee stated it in writing.

sethb

Wouldn't $800 buy you a MR for more miles?

Beckles

Agreed, they have no authority for such an assurance.

Anecdotally it seems Delta has gotten stingy with ORC. IMHO the best way to get ORC now is to get re-routed on a non-partner airline.

AirTheory

I've read too many threads of people getting screwed on ORC to gamble. This MR will put me over the DM threshold and will get me my GUCs which I wanna use for an upcoming trip to Asia. No more MR this year after today!