The Definitive "How To Search for Low Tier Business Awards"
Apr 22, 2013, 8:06 pm
#1848
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Houston
Programs: SW, UA, IHG Plat, Hilton, Marriott
Posts: 91
Just wanted to update everyone on my search for 2 low level business seats from DCA to NRT.
Let me preface, I initially gave up on finding 2 low level award seats on business from DCA to NRT so I decided to just book economy for both my wife and I. Well, turns out when I did this it would put my wife in economy for 70k but when I tried to select the same flights for myself Delta was putting me in low business on the 'over-the-water' flights and economy on all others for 120k. I decided to call Delta and spoke to a great agent who understood my desire to sit with my wife on all the flights. Agent said he could overbook 2 low biz tix to get my my wife on the 'over-the-water' flights at 120k instead of 70k. I said of course!
I know all the legs aren't all business but atleast the 'over the water' flights are on business. So I guess, it is possible to get 2 low level business awards by talking to Delta agents, if their willing to help.
BTW, flights are as follows:
DCA->MSP->NRT
NRT->DTW->DCA
Let me preface, I initially gave up on finding 2 low level award seats on business from DCA to NRT so I decided to just book economy for both my wife and I. Well, turns out when I did this it would put my wife in economy for 70k but when I tried to select the same flights for myself Delta was putting me in low business on the 'over-the-water' flights and economy on all others for 120k. I decided to call Delta and spoke to a great agent who understood my desire to sit with my wife on all the flights. Agent said he could overbook 2 low biz tix to get my my wife on the 'over-the-water' flights at 120k instead of 70k. I said of course!
I know all the legs aren't all business but atleast the 'over the water' flights are on business. So I guess, it is possible to get 2 low level business awards by talking to Delta agents, if their willing to help.
BTW, flights are as follows:
DCA->MSP->NRT
NRT->DTW->DCA
Apr 24, 2013, 5:25 am
#1849
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,214
Hi Guys. New to DL redemption's so need some help.
Looking at doing this routing
USA-CDG (stop two month's) DEL (stop one month) - USA
Tried finding KLM/AF flights with CS+ award seats and picking them one by one on all the routes but it prices up at something like 400k or 290k for a Business return.
What am I doing wrong? Do I need to call it in to get a 120k return ticket? I am allowed one stop on a r/t journey so the stop in CDG should't trigger extra miles?
Looking at doing this routing
USA-CDG (stop two month's) DEL (stop one month) - USA
Tried finding KLM/AF flights with CS+ award seats and picking them one by one on all the routes but it prices up at something like 400k or 290k for a Business return.
What am I doing wrong? Do I need to call it in to get a 120k return ticket? I am allowed one stop on a r/t journey so the stop in CDG should't trigger extra miles?
Apr 24, 2013, 6:29 am
#1851
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,214
So basically I need to find C+ on AF and KLM. Can I also route via DL transatlantic? If so do I need C+ available.
If all reward seats are in C+ will I get it for 120k return? Any chance the website will price this up?
Apr 24, 2013, 6:47 am
#1852
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
What is C+? Are you using KVS? Very few of us use it for finding DL award space because it just pulls from DL.dumb (buggy and with phantom KL space) or AF.us (space not available to DL) or, if you know where to look, the JL website for AF space only.
I'd use ExpertFlyer to find the AF/KL space. The AF space won't be phantom and will be available to DL. Unfortunately, the KL space might still be phantom. Also search DL TATL routes and look for it to price as low (100K is the lowest, since there's no such thing as a one-way priced award on DL). You should then be able to assemble everything via multi-city.
I'd use ExpertFlyer to find the AF/KL space. The AF space won't be phantom and will be available to DL. Unfortunately, the KL space might still be phantom. Also search DL TATL routes and look for it to price as low (100K is the lowest, since there's no such thing as a one-way priced award on DL). You should then be able to assemble everything via multi-city.
Apr 24, 2013, 7:01 am
#1853
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York and Vienna
Programs: PA WorldPass Platinum, AA, DL, LH. GHA Black, SPG and HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,870
I just wanted to share a low-level (100,000), short-notice success story.
JFK-BRU in a few weeks. Non-stop on DL up front. Outbound and return dates were available. I was particularly pleased when I saw the fare would be $6,400 otherwise.
JFK-BRU in a few weeks. Non-stop on DL up front. Outbound and return dates were available. I was particularly pleased when I saw the fare would be $6,400 otherwise.
Apr 24, 2013, 7:08 am
#1854
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,214
What is C+? Are you using KVS? Very few of us use it for finding DL award space because it just pulls from DL.dumb (buggy and with phantom KL space) or AF.us (space not available to DL) or, if you know where to look, the JL website for AF space only.
I'd use ExpertFlyer to find the AF/KL space. The AF space won't be phantom and will be available to DL. Unfortunately, the KL space might still be phantom. Also search DL TATL routes and look for it to price as low (100K is the lowest, since there's no such thing as a one-way priced award on DL). You should then be able to assemble everything via multi-city.
I'd use ExpertFlyer to find the AF/KL space. The AF space won't be phantom and will be available to DL. Unfortunately, the KL space might still be phantom. Also search DL TATL routes and look for it to price as low (100K is the lowest, since there's no such thing as a one-way priced award on DL). You should then be able to assemble everything via multi-city.
What exactly do I need to find? If DL has seat and AF has seat but still its coming up as higher amount?
Apr 24, 2013, 7:42 am
#1855
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
Potential issues are an invalid routing or that the segments aren't actually pricing the way you think they are. Search each segment on its own on DL.dumb as a one-way. If you post the segments and what DL.dumb is pricing them as (including class of service), we can probably figure out what's up. Just saying it's coming up as 400K is not useful.
Apr 24, 2013, 11:15 am
#1856
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,214
Potential issues are an invalid routing or that the segments aren't actually pricing the way you think they are. Search each segment on its own on DL.dumb as a one-way. If you post the segments and what DL.dumb is pricing them as (including class of service), we can probably figure out what's up. Just saying it's coming up as 400K is not useful.
So technically if each segment comes up as a one way then what should I do? Punch it in on the multi segment?
What should a USA-India with a stop in Paris price up in low season as? 120k?
Apr 24, 2013, 12:22 pm
#1857
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
There's no such thing as "low season" for DL. Flights can price as low, medium, or high, but there's no seasonality to it. If all segments are at low and you follow a valid routing, US-India in J will be 120K.
Apr 24, 2013, 4:37 pm
#1858
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
Actually, the KVS Tool has 5 different data sources for AF Award Availability and can display both partner Award Availability (that is accessible to DL SM members), as well as additional Availability that is accessible to FB members.
Apr 25, 2013, 5:11 am
#1859
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,214
I will have a look again and post after giving the above post a shot.