Community
Wiki Posts
Search

Buddy pass experience?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 11, 2014 | 3:54 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
500k
60 Nights
50 Countries Visited
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX oriented World Digital Nomad
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt Globalist, MLife/Cosmo Identity Gold, Other Vegas too...
Posts: 1,466
Buddy pass experience?

Ive flown quite a good bit with Delta, and others, but this is my first time of many times using a friend's buddy pass this summer as he is an FA with Delta

He has been super busy flying though to explain any weird tricky perks to me, if any, and/or he doesn't know any perhaps

Anyone have any experience and have any tips/tricks at all?

Either being first on the stand by list, somehow earning miles or at least MQDs (ATL to LAX and return tomorrow morning is still costing me $330 AND I am on standby and quite possibly a middle seat??) -- though I do get free bags and my tickets SAY first class on them but my friend assured me I will definitely not be flying that... hmmm?? Lounge access? I know, begging for benefits without paying for them... but if anyone knows any hints I am all ears

Thanks in advance!
Carolina2Cali is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2014 | 3:57 pm
  #2  
10 Countries Visited
1M
40 Nights
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: GEG
Programs: Marriott Titanium (Lifetime Platinum,) Lifetime SkyClub, AS Atmos Platinum
Posts: 2,515
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...ut-travel.html

I don't think we're the right group to ask --- see the discussion above.
dgreen12 is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2014 | 4:05 pm
  #3  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: DL DM 2MM, BA Bronze, Various Hotels
Posts: 10,188
Extensive buddy pass discussion:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...ve-thread.html

rwoman is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2014 | 4:40 pm
  #4  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 18,346
Here is the first thread you need to read:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...uddy-pass.html

Second.

No PQD, No miles, no lounge access, don't ask for anything, First on the upgrade list? try bottom. Yes you could be in a middle seat, that's if you get on the flight. You might as well buy a flight now if that's how much the buddy pass costs. If your "Friend" is not readily available you may be looking for trouble
CDKing is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2014 | 4:41 pm
  #5  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM, SPG PPG
Posts: 81
My SO is an FA. Unless your buddy is super senior and you value saving a few hundred bucks over your time/sanity don't do it. There's no benefit unless you have nowhere to be and the price difference is big enough that you wouldn't be able to go otherwise.

We've been together over 7yrs and I've always just bought the ticket. It's good enough if she can get somewhere w/ me. I've even considered using miles so she doesn't have to go standby and her priority is still far higher than buddy passes. I used one once for a routine weekend trip to DCA while I was between jobs and due to a single AM cancellation, we wound up spending the entire day at the airport and still had to buy a hotel room to spend the night (which cost more than the ticket). Her friend used one, got stuck in Germany for a week and had the gall to write a negative review of it to the local paper.
Mishap is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2014 | 5:28 pm
  #6  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAS HNL
Programs: DL DM, 5.7 MM, UA 3.1 MM, MARRIOTT PLATINUM, AVIS FIRST, Amex Black Card
Posts: 4,480
This is what I posted on another thread:

To the OP, when I was on a DL buddy pass several years ago, I was given a brochure from the DL employee about what to do and how to handle yourself when using a buddy pass. One of the things it said (I have since lost the brochure) is do not discuss this subject on a public forum, brag about what you paid, etc.

I did a google search and found this:

http://travelinfo.delta.com/dlnonrev/Buddy_quette.pdf

READ "HAPPY LANDINGS PORTION" ABOUT POSTING ON PUBLIC FORUMS.

This is from DL, and it does not state everything the brochure said, but it is something. Again, talk to the employee that gave you the pass.
As stated upthread, NO miles, NO lounge, S4 priority (lowest), FC or C very low chance, Middle or NO Y seat very probable. You need to talk to the DL employee that gave you the buddy pass.

And for that Buddy Pass rider that talked garbage to the local paper badmouthing DL, the DL employee that gave the buddy pass could be in serious trouble with DL. That was in the brochure I had. I would just buy a ticket. But that is me. I've done it - never again, unless I was retired and liked hanging around airports for hours or days, weeks. Also, check out the embargo's on certain routes/days. Good luck.
kettle1 is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2014 | 5:40 pm
  #7  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAS HNL
Programs: DL DM, 5.7 MM, UA 3.1 MM, MARRIOTT PLATINUM, AVIS FIRST, Amex Black Card
Posts: 4,480
This was another gem:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...eturn-u-s.html

Good read!
kettle1 is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2014 | 7:54 pm
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta DM/1.3MM, Marriott PP/LTP, Natl EE, Etihad Guest, FT FNG
Posts: 662
Originally Posted by Carolina2Cali
Ive flown quite a good bit with Delta, and others, but this is my first time of many times using a friend's buddy pass this summer as he is an FA with Delta

He has been super busy flying though to explain any weird tricky perks to me, if any, and/or he doesn't know any perhaps

Anyone have any experience and have any tips/tricks at all?

Either being first on the stand by list, somehow earning miles or at least MQDs (ATL to LAX and return tomorrow morning is still costing me $330 AND I am on standby and quite possibly a middle seat??) -- though I do get free bags and my tickets SAY first class on them but my friend assured me I will definitely not be flying that... hmmm?? Lounge access? I know, begging for benefits without paying for them... but if anyone knows any hints I am all ears

Thanks in advance!
This has got to be a troll thread, and I'm calling b/s on this one. See bolded items. This doesn't even make any sense.

0/10
DYKWIA2014 is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2014 | 8:26 pm
  #9  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAS HNL
Programs: DL DM, 5.7 MM, UA 3.1 MM, MARRIOTT PLATINUM, AVIS FIRST, Amex Black Card
Posts: 4,480
Originally Posted by DYKWIA2014
This has got to be a troll thread, and I'm calling b/s on this one. See bolded items. This doesn't even make any sense.

0/10
I tried to help, but I agree this seems like 100% B.S.

I sure hope this is not legit, as that Male FA picked the wrong "Buddy".

I have many friends that work at airlines (DL, UA, AA, WN), they all say they are careful who they give buddy passes to.

To the OP: Where are you flying to/from and what dates? I'll ask my "buddy" the odds of making the flt (female). If legit (which I doubt): Better discuss this with the DL FA. He can check the load, but your "buddy" should do it for you with DELTANET.

This sounds like B.S. Sorry I wasted my time trying to help.
kettle1 is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2014 | 8:32 pm
  #10  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
40 Countries Visited
60 Nights
5M
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
I think we should encourage the OP to demand miles, MQMs, and SC access based on the FC ticket.
MSPeconomist is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2014 | 8:33 pm
  #11  
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York and Vienna
Programs: PA WorldPass Platinum, AA, DL, LH. GHA Black, SPG and HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,872
Originally Posted by DYKWIA2014
This has got to be a troll thread, and I'm calling b/s on this one. See bolded items. This doesn't even make any sense.

0/10
+1 it reminds me of drunk texting actually

Only someone who was in that state would ask about getting MQDs and mileage credit.

Besides, I'm fairly certain that people using pass travel privileges are NOT supposed to discuss any aspects of the pass travel experience in public (at least that is the rule at most airlines).
jspira is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2014 | 8:37 pm
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta DM/1.3MM, Marriott PP/LTP, Natl EE, Etihad Guest, FT FNG
Posts: 662
Originally Posted by kettle1
I tried to help, but I agree this seems like 100% B.S.

I sure hope this is not legit, as that Male FA picked the wrong "Buddy".

I have many friends that work at airlines (DL, UA, AA, WN), they all say they are careful who they give buddy passes to.

To the OP: Where are you flying to/from and what dates? I'll ask my "buddy" the odds of making the flt (female). If legit (which I doubt): Better discuss this with the DL FA. He can check the load, but your "buddy" should do it for you with DELTANET.

This sounds like B.S. Sorry I wasted my time trying to help.
I especially liked the part where he/she said that this was the first of many trips this summer using their FA buddy's pass, like it's a card or something.
DYKWIA2014 is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2014 | 8:39 pm
  #13  
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York and Vienna
Programs: PA WorldPass Platinum, AA, DL, LH. GHA Black, SPG and HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,872
Originally Posted by DYKWIA2014
I especially liked the part where he/she said that this was the first of many trips this summer using their FA buddy's pass, like it's a card or something.
Wait, you mean this is not the Delta equivalent of AAirPass?
jspira is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2014 | 8:52 pm
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 797
Originally Posted by MSPeconomist
I think we should encourage the OP to demand miles, MQMs, and SC access based on the FC ticket.
...and insist on getting the upgrade ahead of any DYKWIA medallions.
Panam Clipper is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2014 | 9:01 pm
  #15  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,685
$330 in fees sounds like a great deal! Have fun, OP!
Doc Savage is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.