tom_MN

I am looking at flights to Italy for next year and was a little put off by the fare from MSP, $1700, so I played around and found that if I make Italy a stopover between MSP and CAI then the fare would be $375 less. And I get to see the pyramids.

Anyway, I am looking at starting out MSP>>NAP and it shows up easily on travelocity or ita matrix software with 2 legs as MSP>>CDG>>NAP but delta.com will only show MSP>>YYZ>>CDG>>NAP for this fare, 3 flights including a CRJ instead of the itinerary I want which is 2 flights, 4 hours shorter. If I try to force the MSP>>CDG>>NAP itinerary on delta.com the fare jumps $1000.

I always prefer to buy from the airlines since I feel it gives me more rights, more ticket accuracy and greater flexibility for the same price. Maybe this time that is not an option?

javabytes

Can you get it to pull up on Google flights? If so, you should be able to click through to DL.com to purchase.

TTT

You can try this method:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...gs-006-dl.html

fti

Call?

dd1612

Second the suggestion to call in to Customer Service, give them the routing, dates and even the fare codes as seen on ita.matrix and they should be able to get you the exact booking.

Have done this many times .... so yes it is possible.

g50

As long as you are not doing a flight/hotel package, you will get the same benefits booking direct with the airline. Actually for airlines that don't offer 24hr cancellation, Travelocity does. If you book with Travelocity Amex you will get 6% back toward travel.

tom_MN

Google flights brings up no link, just this:

$1,360
Call Alitalia to book: 1‑800‑223‑5730
Marketed as AF 9301, AF 1178, AZ 896, DL 8623, DL 8510
Price includes an estimated airline phone service fee of $25.

$1,360
Call Air France to book: 1‑800‑237‑2747
TTY number: 1‑800‑210‑6508
Marketed as AF 9301, AF 1178, AZ 896, AF 503, AF 694

$2,217
Call Delta to book: 1‑800‑221‑1212
TTY number: 1‑404‑209‑3434
Marketed as DL 171, DL 8688, AZ 896, AF 503, AF 694
Price includes an estimated airline phone service fee of $25.

Note that the Delta fare is $950 more.

After trying to navigate airfrance.com and alitalia.com, I won't complain about delta.com again. The other 2 are worthless, not showing all the skyteam partners or showing ludicrous itineraries as a first choice, like FCO>>MUC>>AMS>>CAI.

tom_MN

This is an idea, 6% of 5 tickets is $400 which is something. I didn't like the fare warnings on travelocity, "name changes not allowed, other changes $300."

tom_MN

Additional questions:

1. The itinerary that I want has only a 60 min layover in CDG, so is it reasonable to do the Schengen thing and switch from T2E to T2F in this time span? And will checked luggage make it (Delta to AF)? Conversely, is a connection with 75 (or 95) minutes enough? All choices are the same price.

2. We have an unpaid traffic violation (speed camera) from France earlier this year. We only know the time of the infraction and since we were driving 9 hours that day are unsure of the jurisdiction of the violation. We have not been billed for this except for a $45 "administrative fee" from the rental agency (thanks, Budget). Is it possible that the French authorities are so with it they could flag this at passport control and stop that person? As far as I know there is no way for us to pay the violation.

3. If we buy tickets from Delta.com for flights on Air France or Alitalia, who takes care of us if there is a strike on either of those airlines?

ScatterX

+2

If you have the flights/fares and it's a legal booking, the customer service folks will usually make it work. My results are near 100% (being DM may have something to do with that, but it shouldn't).

The only better option than calling is: call back (repeat as necessary). @:-)