First time using miles.
Apr 10, 2010 | 2:07 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 185
First time using miles.
Hope this is the proper place for this. If not, please direct me elsewhere. I have never used frequent flyer miles to book a flight, however I do now have over 30,000 miles. It appears this is good for a flight anywhere in the U.S., including Alaska. This is on Delta. My question is, how much of a hassle should I expect if I decide to use the miles for a Alaska flight? Can I be bumped because I'm using miles instead of a cash fare? Any other restrictions or information I should be aware of? Thanks so much!
Apr 10, 2010 | 2:46 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DEN
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Sonesta Elite, IHG Gold, Frontier Platinum
Posts: 281
Probably this should go in the Delta forum, and I am sure it will be moved by the moderators when they see this. As for redeeming miles, it will be a hassle, and really you need more miles than that to successfully redeem for flights with Delta miles.
Apr 10, 2010 | 3:24 pm
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: back to my roots in Scotland!
Programs: Tamsin - what else is there to say?
Posts: 47,843
I am going to move this over onto the Delta forum, where the regulars there will be able to walk you through the award process.
Jenbel
Co-moderator, Communitybuzz!
Jenbel
Co-moderator, Communitybuzz!
Apr 10, 2010 | 4:57 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Roanoke, VA
Programs: DL Gold Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,455
The more flexible you are on dates, the easier it should be to be able to redeem a domestic round-trip ticket for 25,000 miles.
If you are looking for a very narrow range of time and date options, it may be impossible.
I am not sure if you can pull up Alaska Airlines options online. I hope someone w/ experience in booking award tickets on Alaska will post and give you some advice. Good luck! ^
If you are looking for a very narrow range of time and date options, it may be impossible.
I am not sure if you can pull up Alaska Airlines options online. I hope someone w/ experience in booking award tickets on Alaska will post and give you some advice. Good luck! ^
Apr 10, 2010 | 8:32 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,902
A better option is to look up Alaska.com for award availability.
If you see saver awards, they will be bookable by DL skymiles.
Any more and it will be too many miles for you.
If you see saver awards, they will be bookable by DL skymiles.
Any more and it will be too many miles for you.
Apr 11, 2010 | 6:39 am
#6
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: 17,494
OP, welcome to FT. If you post your planned itinerary many folks are super helpful here. AS is a good award partner and DL has many good routes from the lower 48 up to ANC, and seasonally to FAI.
Apr 11, 2010 | 10:04 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 185
Thanks! I don't have a definite itinerary, but plans are to leave from FSD or MSP for RT to ANC....probably take the Alaska RR trip to FAI and back, then fly back home after seeing some friends. This would probably be in August....Any info and/or tips appreciated.....^
Apr 11, 2010 | 10:25 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Titanium, "Lifetime" DL DM (subject to DL CEO whims)
Posts: 12,801
Thanks! I don't have a definite itinerary, but plans are to leave from FSD or MSP for RT to ANC....probably take the Alaska RR trip to FAI and back, then fly back home after seeing some friends. This would probably be in August....Any info and/or tips appreciated.....^
Apr 11, 2010 | 2:21 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Plat, 1 MM; SPG LT Plat (RIP); Marriott LT Titanium; Fairmont Plat (RIP), DL Kryptonium Medallion
Posts: 1,859
Note also that if you are trying to build an itinerary with both DL and AS flights, DL flights must be the cheap flights (i.e. 25,000 miles in coach). You cannot combine more expensive DL segments with AS segments.
Apr 12, 2010 | 3:33 am
#10
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: 17,494
Thanks! I don't have a definite itinerary, but plans are to leave from FSD or MSP for RT to ANC....probably take the Alaska RR trip to FAI and back, then fly back home after seeing some friends. This would probably be in August....Any info and/or tips appreciated.....^
Feel free to PM me or also PM fti, he's a super expert on AK.