I had been trying to book an award DL TATL segment (in Y) connecting to a partner intra-Europe segment.

No low inventory on the TATL segment (not surprising since it is on DL metal). And, as we know, partner awards are available only in low, and the intra-Europe leg was available. It priced as two separate awards -- a Mid TATL (95K) plus an intra-Europe award (25K? can't remember exactly, and don't remember whether YQ was added). So insult to injury: a mid TATL award and more miles for onward travel.

Seems a little crazy. Shouldn't low be a "lesser included award" and included in and controlled by the High/Mid award? Especially since you can't ask to have the the intra-EUR leg priced as Mid (to match the TATL mid). (You can't do this for two reasons: Partner Award travel is only on the partner's code and not the DL shared code (so no chance of DL codeshare mid award) and there are no partner mid or high awards).

I know DL has no incentive to change this and won't. (And pardon if this is old news -- tried to search but couldn't come up with good search terms to describe).

I know, I know: redeem the TATL award and buy the partner intra-EUR flight. I did. But now I'm at the risk for a misconnect. And who knows how the baggage-check-through game will turn out.

Just thought I'd share.