Yikes - blowing 720,000 miles!
Oct 8, 2012, 3:10 pm
#61
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Did 2MM BIS on DL. Hoping they'll fire the bums at the top, and DL will go back to being a good airline for international travelers. Figure it's the least I can do for the other wretched inmates who haven't escaped yet.
Oct 8, 2012, 7:53 pm
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
Also when they fix the award calendar.
Oct 8, 2012, 8:00 pm
#63
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 866
Oct 8, 2012, 8:22 pm
#64
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
Go for it
Location and time are fixed, flying comfort (seating/shortest flying time/etc) is also essential. I am sensing a need to reaffirm that flying Delta is still the best option, albeit, higher miles than others.
I say go for it.
those miles can be earned back reasonably quickly.
I say go for it.
those miles can be earned back reasonably quickly.
A couple of things
The availability may be better if you search for 1 at a time or 2 at a time
If you have KVS that tells you availability as well in medium and low, but you can get the same info on DL.
AS flights may (?will) not show on DL at times when there is a DL flight (even though miles cost is 3 times)
Search Segment by segment on DL or open an AS acct and search on AS and look at the flights and book the same ones on DL using the multicity options
180k DL IS much cheaper than 150k AA (due to better earn rates).
Don't compare numbers in pesos to numbers in $
We are going as a family of 4 to HI in Dec over the holidays and the 135k were what was available on the dates we want, to the places we want (KOA).
AA and UA had 75k/80k each way available, so were MUCH more expensive considering the ease of earn and the cost itself.
I would conserve your AA for intl trips to Asia on CX but do it soon.
150k AA will get you F class on Cx from JFK to HKG (done that- one of the best flights in my life) with about 15k left over.
so that 500k AA will get you 4 seats in F (not that Cx releases all 4 at the same time) but you can book 2 in F and 2 in C and still have a great time.
Even at a cost of 1 cpm for the miles, you are getting a great deal at 1800$ (F will be 3k, so you are getting at least 1.5c value on it)
and keep searching for lower levels and pay 150$ if needed to change for 135 or 90k DL awards.
Oct 8, 2012, 8:26 pm
#65
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
When KE and CZ are factored in, they may find that 120k DL may take them to China / Asia but not to HI on the dates in question.
Oct 9, 2012, 3:37 am
#66
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Maryland
Programs: Marriott Platinum, SPG Gold, DL Silver
Posts: 514
Buying a ticket from HNL to OGG may be an option - it's usually pretty cheap. But you may have to get your bags and recheck unless they can interline.
Oct 9, 2012, 3:40 am
#67
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Maryland
Programs: Marriott Platinum, SPG Gold, DL Silver
Posts: 514
My suggestions, in no particular order of preference:
1. For the ATL-HNL A330, fly DL coach in EC on the outbound and try to find F for the inbound. I find EC acceptable for the westbound, and the return in F will give you the opportunity for a lie-flat.
2. Look into using AS or DL in coach both ways. On the return, however, you can break up the return by overnighting in one of the AS/DL gateways (SEA, SFO, LAX, SAN, etc). You can put your head on a real pillow, get a real night's sleep and then continue your journey home the next day.
3. Look into AS F RT. If needed, break up the trip using suggestion #2.
4. Look into combining DL and HA. HA usually has F availability from JFK, PDX, and LAX and has the 4 seats you require. Get a trial subscription to Expert Flyer and search HA availability for your required dates.
Good Luck.
1. For the ATL-HNL A330, fly DL coach in EC on the outbound and try to find F for the inbound. I find EC acceptable for the westbound, and the return in F will give you the opportunity for a lie-flat.
2. Look into using AS or DL in coach both ways. On the return, however, you can break up the return by overnighting in one of the AS/DL gateways (SEA, SFO, LAX, SAN, etc). You can put your head on a real pillow, get a real night's sleep and then continue your journey home the next day.
3. Look into AS F RT. If needed, break up the trip using suggestion #2.
4. Look into combining DL and HA. HA usually has F availability from JFK, PDX, and LAX and has the 4 seats you require. Get a trial subscription to Expert Flyer and search HA availability for your required dates.
Good Luck.
May look into stopping on the way home, or if we use Amex points to transfer to HA and use them, we have friends in Phoenix we could see (sort of) for a night on return. Then just buy tix on SW or something (HA won't get us from our area to PHX but does nonstop from there to HNL).
Decisions decisions......
Oct 9, 2012, 3:44 am
#68
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Maryland
Programs: Marriott Platinum, SPG Gold, DL Silver
Posts: 514
My suggestion. Fly on a different airline.
We're doing 15 of us from the East Coast to Phuket and Bali over Christmas. All in international F. No problem getting UA Saver awards (DL low equivalent) at 130k to 140k each for RT.
I can't believe anyone still flies DL. It's kind of like competing for the Darwin Award.
We're doing 15 of us from the East Coast to Phuket and Bali over Christmas. All in international F. No problem getting UA Saver awards (DL low equivalent) at 130k to 140k each for RT.
I can't believe anyone still flies DL. It's kind of like competing for the Darwin Award.
Don't have any UA miles.
For the most part, trying to make this a free trip - saving up for special things while there (like possibly going to Lanai for a night alone and having the kids stay on Oahu with our friends for our 20th anniversary! That will cost a lot!).
Oct 9, 2012, 4:58 am
#69
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MEL
Programs: DL, QF, QR Gold, MR Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,003
DL won't sell OW awards but the outbound and inbound are still priced independently. I've flown to HI (from Europe!) twice in Y on the way there and J/F on the return. You can combine at low level provided there is availability. The best chance at getting F to/from HI using SkyPesos is with AS.
Oct 9, 2012, 6:53 am
#72
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SRQ
Posts: 2,168
Oct 9, 2012, 7:19 am
#73
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Maryland
Programs: Marriott Platinum, SPG Gold, DL Silver
Posts: 514
DL won't sell OW awards but the outbound and inbound are still priced independently. I've flown to HI (from Europe!) twice in Y on the way there and J/F on the return. You can combine at low level provided there is availability. The best chance at getting F to/from HI using SkyPesos is with AS.
Oct 9, 2012, 7:25 am
#74
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Maryland
Programs: Marriott Platinum, SPG Gold, DL Silver
Posts: 514
I don't think I need to worry since my kids will be 14 and 16. If they were really much younger, I'd keep them by me anyway - my son has adhd and food allergies (he's the older one), so I watch him (well, probably hover is the correct word) when we travel, to make sure he is on his best behavior!
Oct 9, 2012, 7:38 am
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
I don't think I need to worry since my kids will be 14 and 16. If they were really much younger, I'd keep them by me anyway - my son has adhd and food allergies (he's the older one), so I watch him (well, probably hover is the correct word) when we travel, to make sure he is on his best behavior!