Is This a Good Deal for Award Travel?
Dec 22, 2011, 7:50 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 9
Is This a Good Deal for Award Travel?
I'm a GM looking to use my relatively small stash of SkyMiles. Travel often, but not as savvy as some of you when it comes to award travel.
I can fly r/t from RDU>SYD in March for 140k miles. Any opinions on if that's fair? More than fair? Bad deal? Just trying to make good decisions. Thanks.
I can fly r/t from RDU>SYD in March for 140k miles. Any opinions on if that's fair? More than fair? Bad deal? Just trying to make good decisions. Thanks.
Dec 22, 2011, 7:52 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The best state in the USA - Florida!
Programs: Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, AS MVP75K, AA PlatPro, UA Premier, Disney AP
Posts: 14,498
I take it that is in coach? I'd say that's not a great deal. If you can get 10k more miles, you might be able to find a business class seat on VAustralia who has much better inventory.
Dec 22, 2011, 8:16 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: USA
Programs: DL PM - IC RA - HHonors Gold - Hertz Gold - AA - US - CO - Choice Privileges
Posts: 1,693
Dates and times are a factor. Assuming the dates and times are ideal price the flights via Delta dot com as a point of reference. Call Deta with specific dates and times for options. The trip is not complicated so the phone agent may find excellent options. Also, the online booking engine appears to be updated recently.
Dec 22, 2011, 9:09 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,439
The 800K ones are "any time" awards- similar to DL's high-tier awards- for travel by their own members only. What you're looking for is availability in the first column- "Reward"- that would match across to DL's low inventory. Then you can book it for 150K using Delta miles.
Dec 22, 2011, 9:58 pm
#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: 17,424
Anything but low is NOT a good deal. To redeem middle and high rewards only encourages them to continue to fleece the program.
Dec 23, 2011, 6:08 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Lots of people use miles - especially to far-flung destinations - for trips they otherwise wouldn't take. The OP's choice may be Medium award band or staying home.
Dec 23, 2011, 8:32 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: WI
Programs: DL Diamond, HHonors Diamond, PC Platinum
Posts: 88
Dec 23, 2011, 4:59 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The best state in the USA - Florida!
Programs: Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, AS MVP75K, AA PlatPro, UA Premier, Disney AP
Posts: 14,498
Dec 24, 2011, 6:07 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 9
That is exactly my position. Thank you for understanding. After reading here, I understand that Delta's SkyMiles program is less than equitable, but I've managed to rack up a decent stash of miles and I just want to make the most of them.
Dec 24, 2011, 6:09 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 9
Dec 25, 2011, 12:37 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: WI
Programs: DL Diamond, HHonors Diamond, PC Platinum
Posts: 88
I am not sure if it will help or not, but here are some Blog posts that may give you some ideas to help with the booking:
http://upgrd.com/blogs/will-fly-for-...lta-miles.html
http://thepointsguy.com/2011/08/how-...elta-skymiles/
http://upgrd.com/blogs/will-fly-for-...lta-miles.html
http://thepointsguy.com/2011/08/how-...elta-skymiles/