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Old Aug 17, 2010, 11:26 am
  #1  
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Thread to consolidate info. on best way to exit SkyMiles program

There's been a lot of discussion in various threads about the decline in SkyMiles, specifically the lack of low tier awards. This thread is not intended for more of that discussion.

Rather, the idea is for people who've decided to bolt or are strongly considering bolting SkyMiles to discuss here the nuts and bolts of using other programs.

Some topics would include:

- Best way to use up remaining miles, including experiences on using for hotel stays and other non-flight redemptions.

- Info. on maintaining miles so that they don't expire before you've had a chance to redeem them all.

- Info. on status match on other programs.

- Feedback on experiences on other programs from former SkyMilers, especially award availability.

- Info. on affiliate credit cards linked to other programs.

Any other topics involving transitioning to another program would be welcome.

Can we make this a sticky? If not in the SkyMiles forum, then wherever else the moderators think make sense.

But it would seem there would be a lot of interest from SkyMiles members for this so this forum would be the best place for them to find this thread.



ETA: Some useful links contributed from below:


The Definitive “Expiring SkyMiles” Thread

The New Airline Status Match Master Thread

Last edited by wco81; Aug 20, 2010 at 8:11 am
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Old Aug 17, 2010, 1:39 pm
  #2  
 
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Burn the DL miles on partners, as it's easier to find availability than DL itself. If you read between lines in the latest blog posting, award availability will only improve for coach awards, for elite passengers.

Got my parents' accounts close to 0. Mine is around 60k now. We burned off 150k on VA.

- Pat
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Old Aug 17, 2010, 1:56 pm
  #3  
 
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1. Spend the miles (really easy).
2. Write Jeff a note about why you're leaving.
3. Leave.
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Old Aug 17, 2010, 2:27 pm
  #4  
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Originally Posted by mike_plat
1. Spend the miles (really easy).
2. Write Jeff a note about why you're leaving.
3. Leave.
4. Move on with your life.
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Old Aug 17, 2010, 4:25 pm
  #5  
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Originally Posted by mike_plat
1. Spend the miles (really easy).
2. Write Jeff a note about why you're leaving.
3. Leave.
4 to 10: Inform others about the same issue and encourage them to do as suggested in 3.
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Old Aug 18, 2010, 11:30 am
  #6  
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Originally Posted by Wiirachay
Burn the DL miles on partners, as it's easier to find availability than DL itself. If you read between lines in the latest blog posting, award availability will only improve for coach awards, for elite passengers.

Got my parents' accounts close to 0. Mine is around 60k now. We burned off 150k on VA.

- Pat
Problem is finding partner inventory, especially for TATL awards. Everyone keeps touting ExpertFlyer and KVS but it sounds like there's very little AF inventory showing up at the moment, certainly nothing that isn't being displayed on dl.com.
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Old Aug 18, 2010, 11:37 am
  #7  
 
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Originally Posted by wco81
Problem is finding partner inventory, especially for TATL awards. Everyone keeps touting ExpertFlyer and KVS but it sounds like there's very little AF inventory showing up at the moment, certainly nothing that isn't being displayed on dl.com.


Had no problems finding USA-CDG and DTW-LHR on DL metal. I use the AF site to check for AF metal availability - and it can be booked on DL's site.
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Old Aug 18, 2010, 1:28 pm
  #8  
KVS
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Originally Posted by wco81
Problem is finding partner inventory, especially for TATL awards. Everyone keeps touting ExpertFlyer and KVS but it sounds like there's very little AF inventory showing up at the moment, certainly nothing that isn't being displayed on dl.com.
Actually, there is much more AF award availability (which you can easily see via the KVS Tool) than DL is willing to show online. For example:

[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Sabre: Availability/FS/US]
Code:
ATL  Atlanta William B Hartsfield GA US [KATL]
CDG  Paris Charles De Gaulle FR [LFPG]
WED  25 May 2011

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  -----------------------------------------------------------
AF         681     ATL   17:50     CDG   08:10     744      J9 C9 D9 I9 Z8 O0 M0 Y9 B9 K9 H9 T9 V9 R9 L9 Q9 N9 X9 U0 G0
[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - DLM: Awards/SkyTeam]
Code:
ATL  Atlanta William B Hartsfield GA US [KATL]
CDG  Paris Charles De Gaulle FR [LFPG]
WED  25 May 2011 | 1 Seat

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  ------------
DL         28      ATL   15:20     CDG   06:10 +1  767  0   CX+ YM+
DL         22      ATL   20:35     CDG   11:25 +1  330  0   CX+ YM+
DL         1148    ATL   07:15     CVG   08:43     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     44      CVG   15:50     CDG   06:10 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2147    ATL   07:25     PIT   09:06     M88  0   FX+ YS+
 -> DL     38      PIT   18:15     CDG   08:20 +1  757  0   CM+ YS+
DL         1694    ATL   07:25     PHL   09:29     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     196     PHL   18:35     CDG   08:25 +1  757  0   CM+ YM+
DL         340     ATL   07:30     MSP   09:09     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40     CDG   07:25 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2919    ATL   08:30     MSP   10:18     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40     CDG   07:25 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1494    ATL   08:35     PHL   10:53     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     196     PHL   18:35     CDG   08:25 +1  757  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1842    ATL   09:40     PIT   11:36     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     38      PIT   18:15     CDG   08:20 +1  757  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2794    ATL   09:40     PHL   11:54     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     196     PHL   18:35     CDG   08:25 +1  757  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2998    ATL   09:45     CVG   11:15     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     44      CVG   15:50     CDG   06:10 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1230    ATL   10:15     MSP   12:14     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40     CDG   07:25 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2194    ATL   11:00     PHL   13:12     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     196     PHL   18:35     CDG   08:25 +1  757  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2272    ATL   11:10     PIT   12:59     757  0   FX+ YS+
 -> DL     38      PIT   18:15     CDG   08:20 +1  757  0   CM+ YS+
DL         476     ATL   12:05     CVG   13:29     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     44      CVG   15:50     CDG   06:10 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         400     ATL   12:05     MSP   13:50     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40     CDG   07:25 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         344     ATL   12:15     PIT   13:56     737  0   FX+ YS+
 -> DL     38      PIT   18:15     CDG   08:20 +1  757  0   CM+ YS+
DL         2694    ATL   12:45     PHL   14:49     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     196     PHL   18:35     CDG   08:25 +1  757  0   CM+ YM+
DL         482     ATL   14:45     PIT   16:30     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     38      PIT   18:15     CDG   08:20 +1  757  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2984    ATL   14:50     MSP   16:30     753  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40 +1  CDG   07:25 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         115     ATL   16:00     MSP   17:49     M90  0   CX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40 +1  CDG   07:25 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL/OH      6474    ATL   16:38     CVG   18:07          0   FX+ YA+
 -> DL     44      CVG   15:50 +1  CDG   06:10 +2  767  0   CM+ YA+
DL         1257    ATL   17:30     MSP   19:23     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40 +1  CDG   07:25 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2394    ATL   17:45     PHL   19:59     737  0   FX+ YA+
 -> DL     196     PHL   18:35 +1  CDG   08:25 +2  757  0   CM+ YA+
DL         1039    ATL   18:50     CVG   20:20     319  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     44      CVG   15:50 +1  CDG   06:10 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1296    ATL   18:52     PIT   20:40     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     38      PIT   18:15 +1  CDG   08:20 +2  757  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1094    ATL   18:54     MSP   20:36     737  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40 +1  CDG   07:25 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2994    ATL   18:55     PHL   21:05     757  0   FX+ YA+
 -> DL     196     PHL   18:35 +1  CDG   08:25 +2  757  0   CM+ YA+
DL         2034    ATL   20:15     MSP   22:00     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40 +1  CDG   07:25 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1252    ATL   21:31     CVG   22:59     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     44      CVG   15:50 +1  CDG   06:10 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1794    ATL   21:35     PHL   23:37     757  0   FX+ YA+
 -> DL     196     PHL   18:35 +1  CDG   08:25 +2  757  0   CM+ YA+
DL         300     ATL   21:45     MSP   23:34     M90  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40 +1  CDG   07:25 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1599    ATL   21:56     PIT   23:50     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     38      PIT   18:15 +1  CDG   08:20 +2  757  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2203    ATL   08:25     LAS   09:59     767  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     LAS   09:10 +1  CDG   07:25 +2       1   CM+ YM+
DL         2103    ATL   09:45     LAS   11:18     767  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     LAS   09:10 +1  CDG   07:25 +2       1   CM+ YM+
DL         1105    ATL   07:35     SLC   09:45     767  0   FX+ YS+
 -> DL     170     SLC   16:40     CDG   11:25 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2583    ATL   08:55     SLC   11:05     737  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     170     SLC   16:40     CDG   11:25 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         505     ATL   10:45     SLC   12:59     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     170     SLC   16:40     CDG   11:25 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1507    ATL   12:05     SLC   14:11     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     170     SLC   16:40     CDG   11:25 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1123    ATL   13:55     SLC   16:04     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     170     SLC   16:40     CDG   11:25 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1926    ATL   16:35     SLC   18:50     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     170     SLC   16:40 +1  CDG   11:25 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1333    ATL   18:50     SLC   20:57     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     170     SLC   16:40 +1  CDG   11:25 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1835    ATL   21:30     SLC   23:42     737  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     170     SLC   16:40 +1  CDG   11:25 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1615    ATL   10:45     LAS   12:22     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     LAS   09:10 +1  CDG   07:25 +2       1   CM+ YM+
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Old Aug 18, 2010, 1:46 pm
  #9  
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Originally Posted by Wiirachay


Had no problems finding USA-CDG and DTW-LHR on DL metal. I use the AF site to check for AF metal availability - and it can be booked on DL's site.
I don't exactly follow this.

So you see flights on another site. How does that permit me to book them as awards on delta.com?

I've called them 2 or 3 times, looking for SFO to PMO for 5/14/11 and 5/29/11. I've checked for SFO-FCO online, even SFO-CDG, so that I would even pay the flight to PMO from FCO or CDG.

Say I find awards on airfrance.us or KVS. Do I call and tell the DL agents that I found these flights on other sites and they will book it?

Compare that to last year, when I could book BE awards to GOA/MXP on dl.com.
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Old Aug 18, 2010, 1:51 pm
  #10  
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Originally Posted by KVS
Actually, there is much more AF award availability (which you can easily see via the KVS Tool) than DL is willing to show online. For example:

[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Sabre: Availability/FS/US]
Code:
ATL  Atlanta William B Hartsfield GA US [KATL]
CDG  Paris Charles De Gaulle FR [LFPG]
WED  25 May 2011

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  -----------------------------------------------------------
AF         681     ATL   17:50     CDG   08:10     744      J9 C9 D9 I9 Z8 O0 M0 Y9 B9 K9 H9 T9 V9 R9 L9 Q9 N9 X9 U0 G0
[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - DLM: Awards/SkyTeam]
Code:
ATL  Atlanta William B Hartsfield GA US [KATL]
CDG  Paris Charles De Gaulle FR [LFPG]
WED  25 May 2011 | 1 Seat

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  ------------
DL         28      ATL   15:20     CDG   06:10 +1  767  0   CX+ YM+
DL         22      ATL   20:35     CDG   11:25 +1  330  0   CX+ YM+
DL         1148    ATL   07:15     CVG   08:43     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     44      CVG   15:50     CDG   06:10 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2147    ATL   07:25     PIT   09:06     M88  0   FX+ YS+
 -> DL     38      PIT   18:15     CDG   08:20 +1  757  0   CM+ YS+
DL         1694    ATL   07:25     PHL   09:29     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     196     PHL   18:35     CDG   08:25 +1  757  0   CM+ YM+
DL         340     ATL   07:30     MSP   09:09     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40     CDG   07:25 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2919    ATL   08:30     MSP   10:18     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40     CDG   07:25 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1494    ATL   08:35     PHL   10:53     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     196     PHL   18:35     CDG   08:25 +1  757  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1842    ATL   09:40     PIT   11:36     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     38      PIT   18:15     CDG   08:20 +1  757  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2794    ATL   09:40     PHL   11:54     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     196     PHL   18:35     CDG   08:25 +1  757  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2998    ATL   09:45     CVG   11:15     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     44      CVG   15:50     CDG   06:10 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1230    ATL   10:15     MSP   12:14     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40     CDG   07:25 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2194    ATL   11:00     PHL   13:12     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     196     PHL   18:35     CDG   08:25 +1  757  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2272    ATL   11:10     PIT   12:59     757  0   FX+ YS+
 -> DL     38      PIT   18:15     CDG   08:20 +1  757  0   CM+ YS+
DL         476     ATL   12:05     CVG   13:29     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     44      CVG   15:50     CDG   06:10 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         400     ATL   12:05     MSP   13:50     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40     CDG   07:25 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         344     ATL   12:15     PIT   13:56     737  0   FX+ YS+
 -> DL     38      PIT   18:15     CDG   08:20 +1  757  0   CM+ YS+
DL         2694    ATL   12:45     PHL   14:49     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     196     PHL   18:35     CDG   08:25 +1  757  0   CM+ YM+
DL         482     ATL   14:45     PIT   16:30     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     38      PIT   18:15     CDG   08:20 +1  757  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2984    ATL   14:50     MSP   16:30     753  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40 +1  CDG   07:25 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         115     ATL   16:00     MSP   17:49     M90  0   CX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40 +1  CDG   07:25 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL/OH      6474    ATL   16:38     CVG   18:07          0   FX+ YA+
 -> DL     44      CVG   15:50 +1  CDG   06:10 +2  767  0   CM+ YA+
DL         1257    ATL   17:30     MSP   19:23     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40 +1  CDG   07:25 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2394    ATL   17:45     PHL   19:59     737  0   FX+ YA+
 -> DL     196     PHL   18:35 +1  CDG   08:25 +2  757  0   CM+ YA+
DL         1039    ATL   18:50     CVG   20:20     319  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     44      CVG   15:50 +1  CDG   06:10 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1296    ATL   18:52     PIT   20:40     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     38      PIT   18:15 +1  CDG   08:20 +2  757  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1094    ATL   18:54     MSP   20:36     737  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40 +1  CDG   07:25 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2994    ATL   18:55     PHL   21:05     757  0   FX+ YA+
 -> DL     196     PHL   18:35 +1  CDG   08:25 +2  757  0   CM+ YA+
DL         2034    ATL   20:15     MSP   22:00     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40 +1  CDG   07:25 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1252    ATL   21:31     CVG   22:59     M88  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     44      CVG   15:50 +1  CDG   06:10 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1794    ATL   21:35     PHL   23:37     757  0   FX+ YA+
 -> DL     196     PHL   18:35 +1  CDG   08:25 +2  757  0   CM+ YA+
DL         300     ATL   21:45     MSP   23:34     M90  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     MSP   15:40 +1  CDG   07:25 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1599    ATL   21:56     PIT   23:50     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     38      PIT   18:15 +1  CDG   08:20 +2  757  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2203    ATL   08:25     LAS   09:59     767  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     LAS   09:10 +1  CDG   07:25 +2       1   CM+ YM+
DL         2103    ATL   09:45     LAS   11:18     767  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     LAS   09:10 +1  CDG   07:25 +2       1   CM+ YM+
DL         1105    ATL   07:35     SLC   09:45     767  0   FX+ YS+
 -> DL     170     SLC   16:40     CDG   11:25 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         2583    ATL   08:55     SLC   11:05     737  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     170     SLC   16:40     CDG   11:25 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         505     ATL   10:45     SLC   12:59     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     170     SLC   16:40     CDG   11:25 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1507    ATL   12:05     SLC   14:11     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     170     SLC   16:40     CDG   11:25 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1123    ATL   13:55     SLC   16:04     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     170     SLC   16:40     CDG   11:25 +1  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1926    ATL   16:35     SLC   18:50     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     170     SLC   16:40 +1  CDG   11:25 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1333    ATL   18:50     SLC   20:57     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     170     SLC   16:40 +1  CDG   11:25 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1835    ATL   21:30     SLC   23:42     737  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     170     SLC   16:40 +1  CDG   11:25 +2  767  0   CM+ YM+
DL         1615    ATL   10:45     LAS   12:22     757  0   FX+ YM+
 -> DL     220     LAS   09:10 +1  CDG   07:25 +2       1   CM+ YM+
OK, that's great that this data is available.

But doesn't mean DL will book the awards for you. Those are fare classes in the far right column?

How do we know which of these are reserved for AF customers versus those they release to other ST customers?

When I've called, they say they don't see these other awards. So why would they book something that can only be seen from other sources?
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Old Aug 18, 2010, 2:39 pm
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,679
The best way to leave the program?

Two beers and an emergency shoot!
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Old Aug 18, 2010, 3:06 pm
  #12  
KVS
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Join Date: Jan 2004
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Arrow

Originally Posted by wco81
OK, that's great that this data is available.

But doesn't mean DL will book the awards for you
It means that DL can book those awards for you. However, the number of calls you will have to place (and the numbers of res agents/supervisor you will have to talk to) to make that happen will vary...

Originally Posted by wco81
Those are fare classes in the far right column?
Yes: http://Help.KVSTool.com/#Classes

Originally Posted by wco81
How do we know which of these are reserved for AF customers versus those they release to other ST customers?
The only AF awards, which are restricted to AF's own FFP members, are F awards.
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Old Aug 18, 2010, 5:31 pm
  #13  
KVS
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
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Originally Posted by wco81
I've called them 2 or 3 times, looking for SFO to PMO for 5/14/11 and 5/29/11. I've checked for SFO-FCO online, even SFO-CDG, so that I would even pay the flight to PMO from FCO or CDG.

Say I find awards on airfrance.us or KVS.
There is no point in calling when there is no AF award availability on those dates:

[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Sabre: Availability/FS/US]
Code:
SFO  San Francisco Int'l CA US [KSFO]
CDG  Paris Charles De Gaulle FR [LFPG]
SAT  14 May 2011

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  -----------------------------------------------------------
AF         83      SFO   15:30     CDG   11:00     744      O0 X0
[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Sabre: Availability/FS/US]
Code:
CDG  Paris Charles De Gaulle FR [LFPG]
SFO  San Francisco Int'l CA US [KSFO]
SUN  29 May 2011

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  -----------------------------------------------------------
AF         84      CDG   10:40     SFO   12:50     744      O0 X0
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Old Aug 19, 2010, 5:22 am
  #14  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: FLL
Programs: DL ♦M MM|HH♦|Marr Slvr|CO UA AA US|Pri Cub Plat|SPG|Avis 1st|Htz 5*
Posts: 5,044
Originally Posted by wco81
This thread is not intended for more of that discussion.
Yet it turned into that pretty quickly.
Originally Posted by wco81
- Best way to use up remaining miles, including experiences on using for hotel stays and other non-flight redemptions.
I have had happy returns by using Marketplace for hotel stays. Car rentals have not proven to be a very savvy way of using miles IMHO. I have also redeemed A LOT of miles for gift cards. While the card selection isn't stellar just about every hallmark event (weddings, anniversaries, graduations, etc) can be covered with at least one of the choices.
Originally Posted by wco81

- Info. on maintaining miles so that they don't expire before you've had a chance to redeem them all.
We have a thread on that and really don't need another one - The Definitive “Expiring SkyMiles” Thread
Originally Posted by wco81
- Info. on status match on other programs.
Check out the MilesBuzz forum - The New Airline Status Match Master Thread
Originally Posted by wco81
Can we make this a sticky? If not in the SkyMiles forum, then wherever else the moderators think make sense.
Please no. We currently have 6 on the DL forum front page.

While I understand the OP's intention with this very thread I think any thread that addresses so many different topics is really just a forum within a forum.

Leaving a program for another one involves burning miles so check out the sticky The Definitive "How To Search for Low Tier Business Awards".

It also involves choosing another program. It would be best to check out the other airline forums to get the best information. MilesBuzz! has some good threads that compare various programs. A typical thread title might be "Should I choose UA or AA?".
Evan! is offline  
Old Aug 19, 2010, 5:51 am
  #15  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: |QF Platinum|DL Platinum|HH Gold|ALL Silver|
Posts: 1,738
Originally Posted by mike_plat
1. Spend the miles (really easy).
2. Write Jeff a note about why you're leaving.
3. Leave.
Originally Posted by pbarnette
4. Move on with your life.
Originally Posted by GUWonder
4 to 10: Inform others about the same issue and encourage them to do as suggested in 3.
11. If lifetime status is important to you, credit to KE (Lifetime Skyteam Elite Plus after 500,000 miles)
12. Otherwise, credit flights to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
13. Follow Evan!'s links to keeping SkyMiles active and status matching to other programs.
14. Donate remaining Skymiles to a charity (http://www.delta.com/skymiles/use_mi...iles/index.jsp)
15. Book Asia-NA return in First Class using 135,000 AAdvantage miles to remind yourself why you didn't accrue 370,000 Skymiles to do the same in Business on them. Realise you could have achieved similar using US Air or Aeroplan miles.
16. Re-watch Jeff's blog-post in October 2008 (http://blog.delta.com/2008/10/15/new...ard-structure/) to reinforce how many more redemption options you have (on other SkyTeam airlines or other alliances) thanks the Delta's new 3 tier award structure.
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