Delta no longer has fees for "close-in" award travel... wait! they got added back...
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,232
Delta no longer has fees for "close-in" award travel... wait! they got added back...
http://www.delta.com/skymiles/use_mi...d_travel_fees/
When did Delta get rid of the fees for booking "last-minute" award reservations online? Great job, Delta. Thanks! ^^
Also, on that same link, when it says "Direct Ticketing", does that mean ticketing via the phone? So, that means there is no fee (for Gold and Platinums) for booking award tickets over the phone, right?
If so, good stuff.
When did Delta get rid of the fees for booking "last-minute" award reservations online? Great job, Delta. Thanks! ^^
Also, on that same link, when it says "Direct Ticketing", does that mean ticketing via the phone? So, that means there is no fee (for Gold and Platinums) for booking award tickets over the phone, right?
If so, good stuff.
#2
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: DL Diamond Medallion, AA Executive Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold VIP
Posts: 564
http://www.delta.com/skymiles/use_mi...d_travel_fees/
When did Delta get rid of the fees for booking "last-minute" award reservations online? Great job, Delta. Thanks! ^^
Also, on that same link, when it says "Direct Ticketing", does that mean ticketing via the phone? So, that means there is no fee (for Gold and Platinums) for booking award tickets over the phone, right?
If so, good stuff.
When did Delta get rid of the fees for booking "last-minute" award reservations online? Great job, Delta. Thanks! ^^
Also, on that same link, when it says "Direct Ticketing", does that mean ticketing via the phone? So, that means there is no fee (for Gold and Platinums) for booking award tickets over the phone, right?
If so, good stuff.
"Direct Ticketing" that was referenced in the link likely refers to the $20 fee over the phone or $35 fee at Ticket Offices http://www.delta.com/help/faqs/reservations/index.jsp (click on direct ticketing link)
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,335
No airline gives up any source of revenue without recouping it elsewhere. So ask yourself, where is DL making up this revenue stream from? I don't know the answer.
Good news about the close-in award fees going away though.
-RM
Good news about the close-in award fees going away though.
-RM
#6
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: DL Diamond Medallion, AA Executive Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold VIP
Posts: 564
There is also the possibility of charging for carry-ons like Spirit Airlines does.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,531
#9
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,572
#11
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
This just went into effect: https://www.delta.com/skymiles/use_m...fees/index.jsp
On Monday DL was still trying to charge the close-in booking fees and doing so.
DL deserves a big ^ for this customer-friendly move.
.... now if only DL were to stop being as miserly with "low" priced award inventory as it is.
On Monday DL was still trying to charge the close-in booking fees and doing so.
DL deserves a big ^ for this customer-friendly move.
.... now if only DL were to stop being as miserly with "low" priced award inventory as it is.
#12
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlántida, Canelones, Uruguay (MVD) and rarely GNV
Programs: AV LifeMiles, CM ConnectMiles, BA Exec Club. Former:ex-ASGold, ex-UA1K, ex-COPlat, ex-NWGold.
Posts: 2,673
Well finally a reason to burn off the last trivial amount of my wife's and my DL miles. We don't always have 21 days notice when we need to travel, and in the current economy have chosen to burn miles even on domestic trips rather than lay out the cash.
Already did the biz award trips to Europe, Asia, S.Amer back in better times - please don't lecture me about "value" - I know that a 25K domestic award is a "waste" - but it's funny money, not real money. Still hurts to book one of these but it's $250-$400 in real money I don't have to spend right now).
I've been using my CO miles (as a Plat no close-in fee - and doing lots of free award changes), and been using my now lowly 2P miles on UA. Including free changes for anyone if same O/D/routing. With all of 145 miles (that's 145, not 145 with zeros after it), the UA well is dry. We've got some DL miles but I sure wouldn't waste them with close-in fees.
Close-in fees are a total scam. If it's a processing fee with any bearing on reality, how come a revenue ticket purchased 3 days out doesn't have another $150 "close in fee" tacked onto it?
Already did the biz award trips to Europe, Asia, S.Amer back in better times - please don't lecture me about "value" - I know that a 25K domestic award is a "waste" - but it's funny money, not real money. Still hurts to book one of these but it's $250-$400 in real money I don't have to spend right now).
I've been using my CO miles (as a Plat no close-in fee - and doing lots of free award changes), and been using my now lowly 2P miles on UA. Including free changes for anyone if same O/D/routing. With all of 145 miles (that's 145, not 145 with zeros after it), the UA well is dry. We've got some DL miles but I sure wouldn't waste them with close-in fees.
Close-in fees are a total scam. If it's a processing fee with any bearing on reality, how come a revenue ticket purchased 3 days out doesn't have another $150 "close in fee" tacked onto it?
#14
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
DL's counting on baggage fees more and also award ticket reissue fees?
#15
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: BOI
Programs: UA Silver, DL, AA, WN, Marriott, IHG Plat, Hertz 5*, National Exec
Posts: 285
Big ^^ to DL on this one! But how did the OP notice this? Word spreads fast on FT . I too noticed award redeposit/reissue is now $150 instead of $100 like it was before, though now in line with the other legacies (except UA for free date changes). Maybe this will bring in more money than the close-in fees? Anyone want to hazard a guess?
Did you all also notice the superscript 1 next to the new close-in fees saying 'subject to change?'