The Definitive "How To Search for Low Tier Business Awards"
Nov 28, 2012, 4:35 pm
#1441
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Louisville, KY, USA
Posts: 2,583
Question about booking awards. I am looking for 2 or 3 seats PBI-MNL in June and return in August. If I book my tickets now with miles+fee, what happens if I need to cancel or change dates later? Do the miles get redeposited? Do the fees get reimbursed?
I'll need to do a transfer from Amex - so I understand that's one way only cannot be returned to Amex from my Delta account.
I'll need to do a transfer from Amex - so I understand that's one way only cannot be returned to Amex from my Delta account.
Nov 29, 2012, 8:53 am
#1442
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Atlanta, GA Hub Captive
Programs: DL GM, FL A+ Elite, WN A List
Posts: 303
Trying this method and having atrocious issues with DL.dumb... Can find low level econ awards (60K) for my trip from ATL-BCN this coming July but Biz? Finding Mid (at 200K)...
Nov 29, 2012, 9:33 am
#1443
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,874
That's a pretty tough route to get low level biz on. I went to BCN in September with the family in J, so I spent a fair amount of time searching that route. DL only flies two direct routes from USA to BCN, one being from ATL and the other from JFK. I did see some availability out of JFK on the direct flight to BCN while searching, so you might have better luck there if you don't mind the connection.
If you don't mind connections, then start looking for Air France availability or KLM availability routing through AMS or CDG. AF has a lot of flights on CDG-BCN, so it should be easy to get there if you can get to CDG. Alitalia out of JFK through FCO is another good option. I had my sister fly that on her way home, and my parents did it from LAX.
If you don't mind connections, then start looking for Air France availability or KLM availability routing through AMS or CDG. AF has a lot of flights on CDG-BCN, so it should be easy to get there if you can get to CDG. Alitalia out of JFK through FCO is another good option. I had my sister fly that on her way home, and my parents did it from LAX.
Nov 29, 2012, 10:10 am
#1444
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Atlanta, GA Hub Captive
Programs: DL GM, FL A+ Elite, WN A List
Posts: 303
That's a pretty tough route to get low level biz on. I went to BCN in September with the family in J, so I spent a fair amount of time searching that route. DL only flies two direct routes from USA to BCN, one being from ATL and the other from JFK. I did see some availability out of JFK on the direct flight to BCN while searching, so you might have better luck there if you don't mind the connection.
If you don't mind connections, then start looking for Air France availability or KLM availability routing through AMS or CDG. AF has a lot of flights on CDG-BCN, so it should be easy to get there if you can get to CDG. Alitalia out of JFK through FCO is another good option. I had my sister fly that on her way home, and my parents did it from LAX.
If you don't mind connections, then start looking for Air France availability or KLM availability routing through AMS or CDG. AF has a lot of flights on CDG-BCN, so it should be easy to get there if you can get to CDG. Alitalia out of JFK through FCO is another good option. I had my sister fly that on her way home, and my parents did it from LAX.
Nov 29, 2012, 11:49 am
#1445
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: Skymiles Elite
Posts: 3
Using the methodology described in this thread, I found BE award travel for two in January LAX-NRT-BKK on DL and BKK-ICN-LAX on KE at mid and low award levels on DL.dumb. I live in LAS and was unable to get DL.dumb to find these awards when adding LAS to the reservation. I placed the LAX flights on hold and then called the DL Platinum desk and asked them to add LAS-LAX-LAS on to my award reservation. The reservation agent told me it cost 60,000 miles additional for each person.
Is it possible to add a LAS to my reservations without using additional miles??
Is it possible to add a LAS to my reservations without using additional miles??
Nov 29, 2012, 12:04 pm
#1446
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,874
Using the methodology described in this thread, I found BE award travel for two in January LAX-NRT-BKK on DL and BKK-ICN-LAX on KE at mid and low award levels on DL.dumb. I live in LAS and was unable to get DL.dumb to find these awards when adding LAS to the reservation. I placed the LAX flights on hold and then called the DL Platinum desk and asked them to add LAS-LAX-LAS on to my award reservation. The reservation agent told me it cost 60,000 miles additional for each person.
Is it possible to add a LAS to my reservations without using additional miles??
Is it possible to add a LAS to my reservations without using additional miles??
For example, your LAX-NRT-BKK (medium@120k) and BKK-ICN-LAX (low@60k) would price out at 180k miles. If the agent is telling you that adding on the LAS segment will be 60k more miles, it sounds like that is only available at high level economy (30k each way). Pricing it as a single award would then cause the entire trip to price at high which would be 350k miles per ticket. So booking the high level LAS-LAX ticket separately makes each ticket only 240k miles. Still a lot, but much less than a high level award to Southeast Asia.
Did you search LAS-LAX as a one way award by itself on your outbound date, and then separately search LAX-LAS as a one way award on our return date? Check the mileage requirements for those flights both in economy and first. If you can get a medium or low level award on the outbound, and a low level on the return (either in Y or F), then it should add on without any additional miles.
It also might be economical to save the miles and purchase a revenue ticket on the LAS-LAX portion, if you can get a cheap fare. Also, for the outbound there has been great availability in business on CZ for their LAX-CAN route, and they also fly on to BKK. That might be available around your outbound date and would price at low level if it is available (saves 60k miles per passenger).
Last edited by roknroll; Nov 29, 2012 at 12:09 pm
Nov 29, 2012, 12:38 pm
#1447
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: up front or in a suite!!!!
Programs: all the big ones.. no LCCs for me
Posts: 1,064
I posted this quick guide to Business Award searches in another thread, but after a number of folks mentioned how great it worked for them, I decided to create a separate thread. Also, if anyone else has tips which may be beneficial, please post them as well.
I will be the first to say DL's award engine is horrendous at best, however there are ways around it.
Now for the guide (please note, although this guide was created to assist with travel from the US past AMS/CDG, it is also beneficial for all award bookings):
For awards beyond AMS / CDG in Business, the best way to search is the following:
Search for USA - AMS / CDG ONE WAY in Coach by Mileage.
In the flights displayed, look for those priced at 100,000, with seating in First / Business.
If you cannot find any 100,000 mile flights with First / Business seating, do another search but search for Business this time.
Do this over and over until you find a 100,000 mile one way routing. Generally, it will be Business / First seats within your coach search. I think the problem most have is we tend to search for Business seats by selecting the business drop down. This is a big no no. Always select a coach search first, and seek business within, its often cheaper.
Next, perform another one way search in Businesss for the AMS/CDG - EU. I generally find plenty of EU Business inventory available.
Then, perform the same in reverse for your travel back to the US.
Once you find one way itineraries at the low mileage level, you perform a multi-segment award search. Be sure to select the flights you found earlier in the process at the low tiers.
Sometimes you may have to break down the segments even further such as TPA-ATL, ATL-CDG, CDG-OTP, in order to find the lowest available tiers.
One thing I have noticed is that so long as the DL Award Calendar shows Business available at the low tier, it is, only you have to search to find it.
This is how I book my award travel in Business to OTP. Takes a bit of work, but it can be done.
I am in the middle of packing for my trip tomorrow and will add more details later. Good luck.
Brad...
I will be the first to say DL's award engine is horrendous at best, however there are ways around it.
Now for the guide (please note, although this guide was created to assist with travel from the US past AMS/CDG, it is also beneficial for all award bookings):
For awards beyond AMS / CDG in Business, the best way to search is the following:
Search for USA - AMS / CDG ONE WAY in Coach by Mileage.
In the flights displayed, look for those priced at 100,000, with seating in First / Business.
If you cannot find any 100,000 mile flights with First / Business seating, do another search but search for Business this time.
Do this over and over until you find a 100,000 mile one way routing. Generally, it will be Business / First seats within your coach search. I think the problem most have is we tend to search for Business seats by selecting the business drop down. This is a big no no. Always select a coach search first, and seek business within, its often cheaper.
Next, perform another one way search in Businesss for the AMS/CDG - EU. I generally find plenty of EU Business inventory available.
Then, perform the same in reverse for your travel back to the US.
Once you find one way itineraries at the low mileage level, you perform a multi-segment award search. Be sure to select the flights you found earlier in the process at the low tiers.
Sometimes you may have to break down the segments even further such as TPA-ATL, ATL-CDG, CDG-OTP, in order to find the lowest available tiers.
One thing I have noticed is that so long as the DL Award Calendar shows Business available at the low tier, it is, only you have to search to find it.
This is how I book my award travel in Business to OTP. Takes a bit of work, but it can be done.
I am in the middle of packing for my trip tomorrow and will add more details later. Good luck.
Brad...
my questions are
1. is this first post still accurate?
2. is there a starting point within the 97 pages (at least thats how it shows on my account) that might be a better place to start reading rather than going thru all 97 pages?
Nov 29, 2012, 1:02 pm
#1448
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Melbourne, Florida, USA
Posts: 2,983
this (above ) is the 1st thread in this post, now 97 pages later I'm entering this thread to burn some miles
my questions are
1. is this first post still accurate?
2. is there a starting point within the 97 pages (at least thats how it shows on my account) that might be a better place to start reading rather than going thru all 97 pages?
my questions are
1. is this first post still accurate?
2. is there a starting point within the 97 pages (at least thats how it shows on my account) that might be a better place to start reading rather than going thru all 97 pages?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...er-thread.html
Nov 29, 2012, 1:30 pm
#1449
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,874
this (above ) is the 1st thread in this post, now 97 pages later I'm entering this thread to burn some miles
my questions are
1. is this first post still accurate?
2. is there a starting point within the 97 pages (at least thats how it shows on my account) that might be a better place to start reading rather than going thru all 97 pages?
my questions are
1. is this first post still accurate?
2. is there a starting point within the 97 pages (at least thats how it shows on my account) that might be a better place to start reading rather than going thru all 97 pages?
Nov 29, 2012, 3:14 pm
#1450
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: Skymiles Elite
Posts: 3
Was able to finally get DL to add the LAS-LAX-LAS to my BE itinerary without using additional miles. The seats are in EC, not FC, not a problem for the short hop. I can still look to upgrade if seats become available.
Persistence is the key - called the DL Platinum line 4 separate times before finding an agent that was able to help me with my request. Thanks to agent Lisa in Cincinnati!!
Persistence is the key - called the DL Platinum line 4 separate times before finding an agent that was able to help me with my request. Thanks to agent Lisa in Cincinnati!!
Nov 30, 2012, 3:45 am
#1451
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,419
this (above ) is the 1st thread in this post, now 97 pages later I'm entering this thread to burn some miles
my questions are
1. is this first post still accurate?
2. is there a starting point within the 97 pages (at least thats how it shows on my account) that might be a better place to start reading rather than going thru all 97 pages?
my questions are
1. is this first post still accurate?
2. is there a starting point within the 97 pages (at least thats how it shows on my account) that might be a better place to start reading rather than going thru all 97 pages?
Dec 1, 2012, 1:36 pm
#1452
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM. 1MM
Posts: 2,045
Looking to travel home for Christmas. NYC to CHA preferred. Open to flying into ATL and driving home from there but would rather fly into CHA.
I'm looking at 12/21 outbound and 12/27 return. So far lowest award level (coach) has been 60k miles. I'm willing to pay these miles but would prefer to find this at 40k or 50k level. So I'm waiting...
As of now flights are $800 plus with only Q fares and up available. I'd rather spend 60k miles than spend that $$.
My question is... Is there any problem with waiting to book my award ticket? Mostly I'm waiting for the award level to drop to 40/50k or price to dip closer to $500. If I wait another 7-14 days will I always be able to book award travel at max 60k level for the flights that I want?? Or is it possible for delta to turn off award travel for certain days/flights/times??
Thanks m
I'm looking at 12/21 outbound and 12/27 return. So far lowest award level (coach) has been 60k miles. I'm willing to pay these miles but would prefer to find this at 40k or 50k level. So I'm waiting...
As of now flights are $800 plus with only Q fares and up available. I'd rather spend 60k miles than spend that $$.
My question is... Is there any problem with waiting to book my award ticket? Mostly I'm waiting for the award level to drop to 40/50k or price to dip closer to $500. If I wait another 7-14 days will I always be able to book award travel at max 60k level for the flights that I want?? Or is it possible for delta to turn off award travel for certain days/flights/times??
Thanks m
Dec 1, 2012, 7:54 pm
#1453
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Ann Arbor
Programs: HHonors Gold , National Emerald Exec, Hertz Presidents, Delta Gold
Posts: 2,604
Was able to finally get DL to add the LAS-LAX-LAS to my BE itinerary without using additional miles. The seats are in EC, not FC, not a problem for the short hop. I can still look to upgrade if seats become available.
Persistence is the key - called the DL Platinum line 4 separate times before finding an agent that was able to help me with my request. Thanks to agent Lisa in Cincinnati!!
Persistence is the key - called the DL Platinum line 4 separate times before finding an agent that was able to help me with my request. Thanks to agent Lisa in Cincinnati!!
The other way around your problem would have been to have a stopover and use a low F return from LAX to complete another trip you are taking to LA.
Not sure if you have plans like that, but it would have got you up front if you were already planning it.
Dec 7, 2012, 12:25 am
#1455
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,419