Originally Posted by
soitgoes
I haven't checked, but there are probably partner ways to get to Manchester. Still, though, this anecdote reinforces the strange phenomenon I have seen lately: it is easier to use DL miles to get a TATL flight on a partner airline (even the notorious CO!) than it is to use DL miles on a DL flight.
It's weird, because you would think it would be cheaper for DL to put its FF pax on its own flights. Unless, as you say, they are trying to convert award pax to paying pax. Interesting thoughts...
Tell me about it.
Most all my DL miles redemptions this year don't involve a single DL flight. Why? Because DL plays crazy with price due to new award routing rules/pricing in place for trips that would include DL for the long-haul segment; and because DL doesn't have standard award seats in coach for this DL Platinum Medallion while even Continental has standard award seats in coach for all Delta SkyMiles members on the desire days. Go figure.