Award schedule changes
 

In October I booked a low level business class award from DCA outbound to KIX, returning from NRT, At the time of booking I had to book DCA-DTW-ICN-KIX outbound to get the low level. The DTW-ICN was on DL, ICN-KIX on KE
Got a schedule change and ticket reissue from DL on Thursday. Now DCA-DTW-NRT-KIX on the outbound. Guess DL would rather not pay KE for the seat from ICN-KIX. 2-3-2 business class on the KE 777 is better than the 757 on DL but the flight is short. At least over the water is still scheduled as a 747 but that can change or course.

When there's a schedule change, DL can force award availability on its own (metal) flights but not on partner operated flights. To keep the KE ICN-KIX routing would have probably required you to remain on the same KE flight on which you were booked originally (as there probably isn't low partner availability at this time on most KE flights) but change the DL segments to coordinate with the connection at ICN.

What, exactly, is your question, mot?

:)

Edited to add:

DCA/DTW/ICN/KIX is 7576 miles

DCA/DTW/NRT/KIX is 7108 miles

Both calculated without 500 mile minimums

I'd say that the new itinerary is more efficient, depending on the length of the layovers, of course.

I would try routing DCA-LAX/SEA/ATL/MSP-HNL-KIX. Two long segments for just about enough sleep and ability to skip domestic transfers at NRT.

NO, USA-HNL is a domestic flight, although the ATL and MSP nonstops have enhanced service. Then HNL-Japan is a beach route so it's business class light. I would never route through HNL and pay TPAC business class prices (in miles especially as the prices in money might be discounted for such routings). The long TPAC flights are so much better as you can enjoy good meals and still get a good night's sleep.

Not so. Actually these are considered ultra premium routes (price-wise, I mean), and both in money and miles are priced much higher than other flights. Usually only way now to get normal cost HNL-JP/KR is to travel via LAX or SEA (which is silly, but that's the only way now as of the major Jan 1 award availability devaluation). The direct flights are always priced through the roof, both in miles (usually at about double to triple normal cost, sometimes at well over quintuple! and that is with the flights 80% or 90% open and empty) and money. DL is way out of touch with the market and is often priced at double+ of others (and hence keeps ceding more and more market to others and downsizing aircraft and frequency).

I also got hit with a cancellation of DL's DTW-ICN route (actually the other direction) on an award flight. There's not much you can do when they cut service. DL should be very reasonable in routing you however you want on their metal, but I honestly think the routing they gave you with the 747 on DTW-NRT is about as good as you're going to find. Since DL can't open space on KE, your only other option, unless you want to add another connection, to keep your ICN-KIX flight would be to route through SEA and fly SEA-ICN on the DL 767. Even then, you'd probably need to add a domestic connection unless you can DCA-SEA space on AS since DL doesn't fly it non-stop.

Here's my thread if you're interested in reading. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...king-help.html

Don't get me wrong. I wasn't complaining. Still on a 747, earlier arrival and I can certainly live with the 75 NRT-KIX.
No question, just offering a data point.