Skymiles are absolute worst
Sep 1, 2012, 4:14 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: DL BA Amex
Posts: 916
agreed... DL has horrible availability and is a PITA too find low-level awards... but that said, I have redeemed DL miles for many, many international awards to Europe. (both in Y and J, ALWAYS low-level price) You have to know how to use their terrible search engine.
Last edited by bajrbajr; Sep 1, 2012 at 8:32 pm
Sep 1, 2012, 4:22 pm
#17
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: DL BA Amex
Posts: 916
Did you ask for specific partner flights or just ask if there was anything on partners? You literally have to call and say "What's available on flight KE123 from AAA to BBB on 1JAN13?" Checking something like ExpertFlyer or the FlyingBlue engine for CZ space can put you in a position of certitude. The LAX-CAN route shows a tremendous amount of award space once it switches to the A380.
You have to use the same approach when using DL.dumb. search for availability point-to-point for the r/t you want. Write down the available flights for each segment. Then put them all together with a multi-segment search.
Sep 1, 2012, 5:49 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
very true... I have called asked for partner availability... they say "no, sorry. Nothing at all." Then ask for a specific flight on a specific carrier that I know has availability, and wow! suddenly there is space available.
You have to use the same approach when using DL.dumb. search for availability point-to-point for the r/t you want. Write down the available flights for each segment. Then put them all together with a multi-segment search.
You have to use the same approach when using DL.dumb. search for availability point-to-point for the r/t you want. Write down the available flights for each segment. Then put them all together with a multi-segment search.
Sep 1, 2012, 7:10 pm
#20
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: 4,596
I would disagree. DL is worse for low at all times, but better for medium availability at peak times.
e.g.,
KOA in Dec break. WAS-KOA is wide open in F at 135k each. Low at 75k is missing.
see AA, UA - no low either, but "anytime" or "standard " awards available at 150k r/t.
At other times, you can get a lot of AA/UA low awards but not as much DL low awards.
And for the comparison to other FF programs, all US programs are MUCH better at accruals and redemptions than most EU/Asian programs.
e.g.,
KOA in Dec break. WAS-KOA is wide open in F at 135k each. Low at 75k is missing.
see AA, UA - no low either, but "anytime" or "standard " awards available at 150k r/t.
At other times, you can get a lot of AA/UA low awards but not as much DL low awards.
And for the comparison to other FF programs, all US programs are MUCH better at accruals and redemptions than most EU/Asian programs.
Sep 1, 2012, 7:13 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: LAS
Programs: PA FT, TW Gold, NW/CO PE, VK Eagleflyer
Posts: 7,173
What you might have meant to say is: PITA: Pain In The A$$.
Keep Climbing,
Sep 1, 2012, 8:05 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,305
lol... maybe if you just fly around the USA and never look for premium cabin international trips.... even then... skypesos are only good for a low trip to Idaho in February...
US legacy programs are actually some of the best, no YQ is a huge deal, and US programs are almost the last ones left without charging YQ (except for AA/AS on BA with clear communication to the customer, and DL sneakily on various partners without announcing it transparently)
US legacy programs are actually some of the best, no YQ is a huge deal, and US programs are almost the last ones left without charging YQ (except for AA/AS on BA with clear communication to the customer, and DL sneakily on various partners without announcing it transparently)
Sep 1, 2012, 8:12 pm
#24
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Dallas
Programs: AA LTPLT UA1P Hilton Dia Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,183
Sep 1, 2012, 8:23 pm
#25
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,205
The moment DL knows you are looking for a flight, if you don't book it the moment you see it (max availability is usually 1 seat), the mileage required jumps up 4.x fold to high level vs low. That is known as "customized pricing."
Sep 1, 2012, 8:33 pm
#26
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: DTW
Programs: Delta SM, ICH PLAT
Posts: 1,188
Yes, Delta has worst LOW LEVEL-AWARD availability, but as someone else pointed out, they have very decent mid and high award availability. Also, Skyteam is fairly large and going to EU and Asia on Delta or a skyteam partner is quite possible. You just need to do some homework (make that A LOT of homework) to get the ticket.
Sep 1, 2012, 8:37 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
Tell me how easy was it for you to earn your OW miles? I'm willing to bet that if you factor in all the promos from the last 2 years, the "earning cost" vs. the "redemption cost" may not look as bad for Delta.
Yes, Delta has worst LOW LEVEL-AWARD availability, but as someone else pointed out, they have very decent mid and high award availability. Also, Skyteam is fairly large and going to EU and Asia on Delta or a skyteam partner is quite possible. You just need to do some homework (make that A LOT of homework) to get the ticket.
Yes, Delta has worst LOW LEVEL-AWARD availability, but as someone else pointed out, they have very decent mid and high award availability. Also, Skyteam is fairly large and going to EU and Asia on Delta or a skyteam partner is quite possible. You just need to do some homework (make that A LOT of homework) to get the ticket.
Sep 1, 2012, 8:38 pm
#29
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
Unfortunately, KE changed the pricing of their revenue tickets in early July to use a YR surcharge rather than an embedded Q surcharge, and DL now collects this. Your LAX-ICN-AKL (which I just booked, including OMA-SLC-LAX on DL) now comes with $250 each way in fuel surcharges.
Sep 1, 2012, 11:00 pm
#30
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta GM, Marriott Platinum, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,530
What's funny about this statement is that when I post that I have NEVER seen low-tier award availability for ANY domestic flights I am booking, people are quick to say how much better the international availability is (on partners). Even searching connecting flights in the US I find few partners with low awards for even one segment. YMMV, but US domestic awards are definitely no picnic!