Originally Posted by
CPMaverick
I know there can be differences between what Delta offers it's members and what it offers partners. But I've never seen the award miles required to be at low level yet the date is NOT available to partners before.
Since I really wanted my preferred date, I booked it with DL miles, and that also proves it was not 'phantom' space. It booked into just 'N' class (not NV, etc).
I thought I'd see what FT thought. Is it unusual for partner availability to be restricted like this even when DL members can book at the low level? Is this becoming more common?
The fare you booked actually booked into NV class. Looking at either the newest version of the website/trip summary page, or your flight receipt (email or the receipt loadable from My Trips on delta.com) should show NV class. When I just looked up your dates now, it showed me NV class on the final payment page (as well as the fare rules showing the fare basis of YSV450).
ALL Delta awards now use a two letter code if not for inventory purposes only...you'll see NX, NX, NT...all the way up to OJ. They basically have an award price now for each fare class level that's on sale on the revenue side.
What's weird is that NV is available on the Delta side on the day you want and the day before, as you said (but not the day after). If you really wanted to book it with VA miles, I would call VA and see if they could liaise with their internal DL support desk to look into it. Or do a three way call, with you, Delta, and VA to see if there is any hope.
Have I seen this before? Yes. Can it be explained? Sometimes. Is it becoming more common? Not in my experience, but it does happen sometimes, and can be frustrating.