AMEX Delta Companion certificate Consolidated Thread
Aug 29, 2017, 5:07 am
#1846
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 69
How do you mean you've found the same?
In my post, I did a search using the actual BOGO cert currently sitting in my SkyMiles account. This is slightly different from just searching and looking for 2 matching LUTXV fares available for sale, since there are some reports that not all LUTXV fares are eligible (though in my experience there hasn't actually been a difference, so YMMV).
My certs have always posted right about when Amex posts the renewal fee to my account. This is not necessarily when the statement closes..usually sometime in the month leading up to that statement.
In my post, I did a search using the actual BOGO cert currently sitting in my SkyMiles account. This is slightly different from just searching and looking for 2 matching LUTXV fares available for sale, since there are some reports that not all LUTXV fares are eligible (though in my experience there hasn't actually been a difference, so YMMV).
My certs have always posted right about when Amex posts the renewal fee to my account. This is not necessarily when the statement closes..usually sometime in the month leading up to that statement.
Aug 29, 2017, 5:12 am
#1847
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 69
I'm not sure the exact anniversary date for my DL Amex Plat card - I've held the card for several years. However, two data points which might be helpful.
My renewal annual fee posted to my Amex account on April 23 this year, as it did the year before.
My Amex Companion cert posted to my DL Skymiles account on April 3. Last year, my companion cert posted on April 4.
What date did your first annual fee post? Based on my experience, you might expect to see your companion cert post to your DL.com wallet about 19-20 calendar days prior to the posting date for the next annual fee.
Hope this helps.
My renewal annual fee posted to my Amex account on April 23 this year, as it did the year before.
My Amex Companion cert posted to my DL Skymiles account on April 3. Last year, my companion cert posted on April 4.
What date did your first annual fee post? Based on my experience, you might expect to see your companion cert post to your DL.com wallet about 19-20 calendar days prior to the posting date for the next annual fee.
Hope this helps.
My fee posted on 11/18, the date of my first statement.
I opened the card on 10/26.
Hopefully the cert becomes available at the end of Oct or early Nov rather than mid to late Nov! Only reason being I want to nab a flight for July...and the sooner the better!
Sep 4, 2017, 8:56 pm
#1848
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: 17,423
Not sure if this is a MU or DL issue (likely mostly MU) but I was disappointed recently to only be able to book 1 J tix for my SO and only a Y for me on a recent MU international flight. J cabin in the end went out 2/3 empty. For whatever reason MU allows only certain # of DL award tix per cabin and once it's gone it doesn't reallocate even if the cabin is empty.
MU agents wouldn't allow me to purchase it during check in, onboard they offered for a reasonable price but not what I wanted to pay.
MU agents wouldn't allow me to purchase it during check in, onboard they offered for a reasonable price but not what I wanted to pay.
Sep 4, 2017, 9:01 pm
#1849
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,205
Not sure if this is a MU or DL issue (likely mostly MU) but I was disappointed recently to only be able to book 1 J tix for my SO and only a Y for me on a recent MU international flight. J cabin in the end went out 2/3 empty. For whatever reason MU allows only certain # of DL award tix per cabin and once it's gone it doesn't reallocate even if the cabin is empty.
MU agents wouldn't allow me to purchase it during check in, onboard they offered for a reasonable price but not what I wanted to pay.
MU agents wouldn't allow me to purchase it during check in, onboard they offered for a reasonable price but not what I wanted to pay.
At first that is what DL itself was doing back years ago, but now of course DL inventory varies widely from 9O to 0O and 1O, 2O, etc. on flights every few days, or a few times a day, so if you search patiently and long enough (for some 6 months or longer, starting at 11 months out), you have a good chance to get the flight you want in O (at normal price). So, other airlines are adopting DL model of 1O/2X on all flights at T-331 until booked and then no more, while DL itself has moved away from it.
Sep 4, 2017, 9:35 pm
#1850
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: 17,423
That seems to be the trend amongst SkyTeam airlines, to offer 1O/2X to other SkyTeam airlines (not just DL, not DL specific). First was KE, then GA, now also MU, and may be (likely) others following the same trend (I suspect also CI, but not yet 100% sure of that - not enough data to back it up).
At first that is what DL itself was doing back years ago, but now of course DL inventory varies widely from 9O to 0O and 1O, 2O, etc. on flights every few days, or a few times a day, so if you search patiently and long enough (for some 6 months or longer, starting at 11 months out), you have a good chance to get the flight you want in O (at normal price). So, other airlines are adopting DL model of 1O/2X on all flights at T-331 until booked and then no more, while DL itself has moved away from it.
At first that is what DL itself was doing back years ago, but now of course DL inventory varies widely from 9O to 0O and 1O, 2O, etc. on flights every few days, or a few times a day, so if you search patiently and long enough (for some 6 months or longer, starting at 11 months out), you have a good chance to get the flight you want in O (at normal price). So, other airlines are adopting DL model of 1O/2X on all flights at T-331 until booked and then no more, while DL itself has moved away from it.
Sep 5, 2017, 11:10 am
#1851
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
CI is still allowing at least 2O, I just booked YVR-TPE-BKK for me +1.
It did take a bit of HUCA. First agent told me CI wasn't available on the route and only offered CZ. I called again and requested specific flights, and the agent put it together without problems.
It did take a bit of HUCA. First agent told me CI wasn't available on the route and only offered CZ. I called again and requested specific flights, and the agent put it together without problems.
Sep 6, 2017, 5:16 pm
#1852
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Singapore
Programs: Show me the points!
Posts: 1,224
That seems to be the trend amongst SkyTeam airlines, to offer 1O/2X to other SkyTeam airlines (not just DL, not DL specific). First was KE, then GA, now also MU, and may be (likely) others following the same trend (I suspect also CI, but not yet 100% sure of that - not enough data to back it up).
At first that is what DL itself was doing back years ago, but now of course DL inventory varies widely from 9O to 0O and 1O, 2O, etc. on flights every few days, or a few times a day, so if you search patiently and long enough (for some 6 months or longer, starting at 11 months out), you have a good chance to get the flight you want in O (at normal price). So, other airlines are adopting DL model of 1O/2X on all flights at T-331 until booked and then no more, while DL itself has moved away from it.
At first that is what DL itself was doing back years ago, but now of course DL inventory varies widely from 9O to 0O and 1O, 2O, etc. on flights every few days, or a few times a day, so if you search patiently and long enough (for some 6 months or longer, starting at 11 months out), you have a good chance to get the flight you want in O (at normal price). So, other airlines are adopting DL model of 1O/2X on all flights at T-331 until booked and then no more, while DL itself has moved away from it.
I've seen it on CI for Europe -> TPE routes as well as certain routes intra-Asia. I've also seen it on domestic VN routes.
It's not just ST doing this either, I've noticed that MH does it as well.
Sep 6, 2017, 7:22 pm
#1853
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,205
This is absolutely correct. I live in Sydney and have been incredibly frustrated by this fact as I was unable to make SkyMiles work for a trip to Europe next year because of this specific reason.
I've seen it on CI for Europe -> TPE routes as well as certain routes intra-Asia. I've also seen it on domestic VN routes.
It's not just ST doing this either, I've noticed that MH does it as well.
I've seen it on CI for Europe -> TPE routes as well as certain routes intra-Asia. I've also seen it on domestic VN routes.
It's not just ST doing this either, I've noticed that MH does it as well.
Sep 8, 2017, 4:04 pm
#1854
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
First year with the companion pass (got card last summer). Heading to SF for a wedding early next year and prices dropped down today to $367 in U. Easily added in the companion pass and ended up at $413 (including taxes on the companion) for RDU - SEA - SFO - SEA - RDU for 2 people. There initially were more options but those disappeared but upside is price actually dropped further on the SEA connection even after those others disappeared.
No issues here - that weekend was all the way up at $500+/person when I first started looking and dates are fixed. Total value of pass comes out at $322. Also no issues using my AMEX Plat for 5x instead of my DL AMEX at 2x to pay.
No issues here - that weekend was all the way up at $500+/person when I first started looking and dates are fixed. Total value of pass comes out at $322. Also no issues using my AMEX Plat for 5x instead of my DL AMEX at 2x to pay.
Sep 8, 2017, 10:22 pm
#1855
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,463
So I used my PLT cert for a vacation to MCO, well Irma has changed that, was able to change our flights without fee, PHX-JFK-BOS-DTW-PHX for the same dates and zero out of pocket. After everything was done over the phone (BTW, it took an agent over 3 hours to call me back) I went on line and looked at my reservation, and was offered a paid upgrade to C+ or F. Took the C+ offer to BOS, used my Prestige card for the $250 travel credit. On our way home, I took the F offer and used my Amex PLT card for it's $250 travel credit. Thought it was odd that I was able to do this but wasn't going to complain and jumped on it anyone had this happen?
Sep 8, 2017, 10:51 pm
#1856
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: Delta 2M DM, Southwest A List and CP
Posts: 1,102
Overall, there is very good similarity between LUTXV fares offered on delta.com and what is available when you search for certificate travel. The only cases I have found where one cannot use an AmEx certificate for LUTXV fares are (1) there is only one ticket available at that fare, and (2) it is a broken fare (so, XXX-YYY-ZZZ composed of an XXX-YYY fare and a YYY-ZZZ fare). If the two fare classes are the same, they do not show up on the web as a broken fare.
Sep 9, 2017, 9:44 am
#1857
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: 17,423
Oh yes, becoming more and more common. Still most prevalent in SkyTeam. GA, VN and CI didn't used to do it, now they do. KE of course is the worst at that, blocking out some routes entirely every day of the year, on many routes Fri-Sun completely blacked out always, and otherwise 1O/2X. But it has all started from Delta having little to no normal level availability, so now DL and thus DL FFs are getting back at DL not playing well or fairly with other SkyTeam members..
Sep 10, 2017, 3:24 pm
#1858
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
KE never showed in my searches.
Sep 10, 2017, 5:35 pm
#1859
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: 17,423
Even if you find CI segment by segment, tell the agents the itinerary and have them price it out. If pricing isn't good talk to the ST desk. Lots of tips in the booking SM awards with partner airlines thread.
Sep 11, 2017, 8:03 am
#1860
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
Well beware that even though EF shows 2x O, DL may not be able to book. Read up thread about my experience with MU, showed O2 but DL could only sell 1.
Even if you find CI segment by segment, tell the agents the itinerary and have them price it out. If pricing isn't good talk to the ST desk. Lots of tips in the booking SM awards with partner airlines thread.
Even if you find CI segment by segment, tell the agents the itinerary and have them price it out. If pricing isn't good talk to the ST desk. Lots of tips in the booking SM awards with partner airlines thread.
). I transfered in MR points to top off my SM account while I had the agent on the phone.
One of a million reasons I stopped collecting SkyMiles directly years ago...