Skymiles are absolute worst
Sep 1, 2012, 11:53 pm
#31
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York and Vienna
Programs: PA WorldPass Platinum, AA, DL, LH. GHA Black, SPG and HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,870
A recent FlyerTalk / Frequent Business Traveler magazine survey put Delta at the bottom in terms of member satisfaction with award redemption.
Read the report and findings if you want to see how other airlines did in comparison.
That having been said, I just redeemd a 100,000 BE award for JFK FRA CDG AMS JFK less than four weeks out and it would have cost $7,800 had I purchased it.
Read the report and findings if you want to see how other airlines did in comparison.
That having been said, I just redeemd a 100,000 BE award for JFK FRA CDG AMS JFK less than four weeks out and it would have cost $7,800 had I purchased it.
Sep 2, 2012, 5:57 am
#32
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Posts: 123
Can someone verify this because I must be missing something:
If I want to fly Delta metal in economy (low award redemption) for 2 tickets, one of the passengers being myself (currently DM):
ATL - PEK (any day in June, 2013)
PEK - ATL (any day in July, 2013)
On Delta.com, I see nothing in the low award bucket. Is that true or am I doing something wrong here?
If I want to fly Delta metal in economy (low award redemption) for 2 tickets, one of the passengers being myself (currently DM):
ATL - PEK (any day in June, 2013)
PEK - ATL (any day in July, 2013)
On Delta.com, I see nothing in the low award bucket. Is that true or am I doing something wrong here?
Sep 2, 2012, 6:55 am
#33
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Meechigan
Posts: 1,006
Can someone verify this because I must be missing something:
If I want to fly Delta metal in economy (low award redemption) for 2 tickets, one of the passengers being myself (currently DM):
ATL - PEK (any day in June, 2013)
PEK - ATL (any day in July, 2013)
On Delta.com, I see nothing in the low award bucket. Is that true or am I doing something wrong here?
If I want to fly Delta metal in economy (low award redemption) for 2 tickets, one of the passengers being myself (currently DM):
ATL - PEK (any day in June, 2013)
PEK - ATL (any day in July, 2013)
On Delta.com, I see nothing in the low award bucket. Is that true or am I doing something wrong here?
I have personally given up on trying to find low awards, the new challenge is to find mediums.
Sep 2, 2012, 7:18 am
#34
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: National Capitol Region
Programs: Delta Dirt Medallion,AA,USairways, WN Rapid Rewards, National Emerald Club
Posts: 3,912
FAIL.
Sep 2, 2012, 7:54 am
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,275
Sep 2, 2012, 8:02 am
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,275
Sep 2, 2012, 8:52 am
#38
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 209
Did a check on United and could find lot of online options for 65K. Two years ago I did Asia with Continental miles for 65K ( ended being RTW via Europe on outbound). DL would never think of allowing this. Too bad I have depleted my UL/Continental miles.
Ended up booking a United paid ticket..... no reason to add any more DL miles to my reserve.
Sep 2, 2012, 9:11 am
#39
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
Have to agree that DL is the worst. Spent a ton of time on the internet and phone trying to get to asia this fall in coach. Best they could do was 170K RT(partners involved). I question my devotion to DL for all those paid miles getting to MillionMiler.
Did a check on United and could find lot of online options for 65K. Two years ago I did Asia with Continental miles for 65K ( ended being RTW via Europe on outbound). DL would never think of allowing this. Too bad I have depleted my UL/Continental miles.
Ended up booking a United paid ticket..... no reason to add any more DL miles to my reserve.
Did a check on United and could find lot of online options for 65K. Two years ago I did Asia with Continental miles for 65K ( ended being RTW via Europe on outbound). DL would never think of allowing this. Too bad I have depleted my UL/Continental miles.
Ended up booking a United paid ticket..... no reason to add any more DL miles to my reserve.
Sep 2, 2012, 9:15 am
#40
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York and Vienna
Programs: PA WorldPass Platinum, AA, DL, LH. GHA Black, SPG and HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,870
The WSJ article findings were based on a theoretical set of trips that the researchers tried to book on each program. It's not a bad way to do it but it's not completely representative of the wide variety of experiences FlyerTalk members and other frequent travelers have had.
In contrast, the FlyerTalk / Frequent Business Traveler magazine survey asked very frequent flyers to rate their own program(s) on award redemption so it is more reflective of real-world experience.
Frequent Flyer Program Award Redemption Satisfaction: Which Airlines Soar Above the Rest?
In contrast, the FlyerTalk / Frequent Business Traveler magazine survey asked very frequent flyers to rate their own program(s) on award redemption so it is more reflective of real-world experience.
Frequent Flyer Program Award Redemption Satisfaction: Which Airlines Soar Above the Rest?
While they may appear to be similar at first glance, not all frequent flyer programs are created equal. If you are trying to decide which frequent flyer program to be loyal to and your primary goal is reward redemption for airline tickets, take note of the following: experienced flyers, i.e. those who know the ins and outs of the various programs, rated Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan the best, and are also quite happy with American, Southwest, JetBlue, and United, in that order.
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Sep 2, 2012, 10:29 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,309
To be fair, I have found many low awards intl lately in biz. But thats because in YYZ we are blessed with AF/KL/AZ. There is absolutely ZERO on Delta.
There is also lots of space on CI JFK-TPE and beyond. Its getting to JFK that can be an issue on DL.
You do have to be creative, and knowledgable, and one can still take advantage of SkyPesos.... Of course you also have to find the right agent amongst the dozens that will insist Aeroflot or China Airlines are not a partner.
Look at USAir - they rank low because on their website, awards are almost impossible, but including partners - you can get anywhere in the world.
There is also lots of space on CI JFK-TPE and beyond. Its getting to JFK that can be an issue on DL.
You do have to be creative, and knowledgable, and one can still take advantage of SkyPesos.... Of course you also have to find the right agent amongst the dozens that will insist Aeroflot or China Airlines are not a partner.
Look at USAir - they rank low because on their website, awards are almost impossible, but including partners - you can get anywhere in the world.
Sep 2, 2012, 12:45 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
The WSJ article findings were based on a theoretical set of trips that the researchers tried to book on each program. It's not a bad way to do it but it's not completely representative of the wide variety of experiences FlyerTalk members and other frequent travelers have had.
In contrast, the FlyerTalk / Frequent Business Traveler magazine survey asked very frequent flyers to rate their own program(s) on award redemption so it is more reflective of real-world experience.
Frequent Flyer Program Award Redemption Satisfaction: Which Airlines Soar Above the Rest?
In contrast, the FlyerTalk / Frequent Business Traveler magazine survey asked very frequent flyers to rate their own program(s) on award redemption so it is more reflective of real-world experience.
Frequent Flyer Program Award Redemption Satisfaction: Which Airlines Soar Above the Rest?
Sep 2, 2012, 12:48 pm
#44
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: DL DM, UA 1K, AA EXP, US G, SPG P, HH D, MR G, NEXUS/GE, DL AMEX Reserve
Posts: 2,035
Originally Posted by StayingHomeIsBetter:19240135
The WSJ article findings were based on a theoretical set of trips that the researchers tried to book on each program. It's not a bad way to do it but it's not completely representative of the wide variety of experiences FlyerTalk members and other frequent travelers have had.
In contrast, the FlyerTalk / Frequent Business Traveler magazine survey asked very frequent flyers to rate their own program(s) on award redemption so it is more reflective of real-world experience.
Frequent Flyer Program Award Redemption Satisfaction: Which Airlines Soar Above the Rest?
In contrast, the FlyerTalk / Frequent Business Traveler magazine survey asked very frequent flyers to rate their own program(s) on award redemption so it is more reflective of real-world experience.
Frequent Flyer Program Award Redemption Satisfaction: Which Airlines Soar Above the Rest?
Sep 2, 2012, 12:48 pm
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,275