Originally Posted by hikouki

Thanks for that quick reply!

I think I might go with booking on the DL web site since I can at least get all of my money back albeit in e-credits in case I have to cancel. On the KE web site, there will be a couple hundred dollars penalty, at the very least.



I tried plugging in the booking codes on the skymiles calculator web app and it gave me the same mileage earn for either KE booked on 'R' and DL booked on 'Z' for my itinerary.

In actuality, the flights are all operated by KE, with booking displaying as KE 'R' (3-digit) on the intra-Asia segments, and with the long segments as a 4-digit (beginning with 9-) DL. (Mock) Booking on the DL web site showing the itinerary as 27K miles, but only 20K MQM. Perhaps the intra-Asia on KE flights accounts for the less 7K?

There was one option where the long segment flight on the way back is on DL metal, and the total mileage on the DL website was the same as when it was all on KE, as above.

At any rate, if I were to go with all-DL metal on the long segments, the price would be over twice the cost (8K!!! vs 3.5K, which is already expensive!). This itinerary with both DL long segments, gives 50K miles but only 20K MQM!?!?

I figured that I'll just go with all KE for better service and food, even if it means a 10- or 22-hour layover in ICN.