Delta One LAX-SYD
Nov 1, 2016, 7:21 am
#61
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Auckland, NZ/New York, NY/ATL
Programs: DL DM MM, BIS 2.4MM, EK Gold, SQ Gold, Marriott Gold, HH Gold,
Posts: 5,225
The seats will not be refreshed on the 77Ls by then.
Nov 1, 2016, 10:45 am
#62
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Omaha, NE
Programs: Marriott Gold, Delta, AMEX Membership Rewards
Posts: 140
Nov 1, 2016, 11:55 am
#64
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Well I paid 160k miles for a round-trip redemption which included the LAX-SYD segment. Wasn't too impressed with D1. Actually though the VA TPAC back (BNE-LAX) was better and it wasn't even their upgraded business cabins.
I thought the lowest J award to Australia was like 185k these days?
I thought the lowest J award to Australia was like 185k these days?
Nov 1, 2016, 12:09 pm
#65
Join Date: May 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 822
Well I paid 160k miles for a round-trip redemption which included the LAX-SYD segment. Wasn't too impressed with D1. Actually though the VA TPAC back (BNE-LAX) was better and it wasn't even their upgraded business cabins.
I thought the lowest J award to Australia was like 185k these days?
I thought the lowest J award to Australia was like 185k these days?
I actually thought the lowest level was 190k but to be honest I'm not sure why I think that. I probably read something on here about it since, you know, Delta chooses not to publish the award charts anymore. In any event, I never have seen one price at either 185k or 190k, and I've done a lot of searching. That being said, all my habitual searching stopped in July when I finally got mine booked.
Nov 1, 2016, 1:19 pm
#67
Join Date: May 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 822
I should also add I was always searching for 2 seats, not 1, so that could impact why I was never seeing the lowest levels. Earlier this year I was able to constantly see 2 J awards available at 160k RT, but always super last minute bookings. For grins I just took a look and I did find a 190k award, LAX-SYD Nov 1 - Nov 7th, so I'm guessing that may be the lowest level. Want to stay longer than 6 days? No prob, just pay >400k pp and you're good to go.
edit: the 190k awards are VA, LAX to BNE, and then connect to SYD. hah.
edit: the 190k awards are VA, LAX to BNE, and then connect to SYD. hah.
Nov 1, 2016, 1:23 pm
#68
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Orange County, CA (SNA)
Programs: Delta - PM , MM; Hilton - Diamond, Marriott - Peon
Posts: 911
The DL 777s on this route are getting a bit dated but otherwise fine. I've always had good service and a reasonable product.
Get the front section if you can. Definitely avoid the D1 seat in the second section which is right in front of the lavatory door. I had this seat on my return leg earlier this year and the in / out drove me nuts the whole time.
Get the front section if you can. Definitely avoid the D1 seat in the second section which is right in front of the lavatory door. I had this seat on my return leg earlier this year and the in / out drove me nuts the whole time.
Nov 1, 2016, 1:31 pm
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,070
I should also add I was always searching for 2 seats, not 1, so that could impact why I was never seeing the lowest levels. Earlier this year I was able to constantly see 2 J awards available at 160k RT, but always super last minute bookings. For grins I just took a look and I did find a 190k award, LAX-SYD Nov 1 - Nov 7th, so I'm guessing that may be the lowest level. Want to stay longer than 6 days? No prob, just pay >400k pp and you're good to go.
edit: the 190k awards are VA, LAX to BNE, and then connect to SYD. hah.
edit: the 190k awards are VA, LAX to BNE, and then connect to SYD. hah.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...-1-2016-a.html
Book a one-way to SYD and then wait until you are within the 7 day window to book your return flight.
Nov 1, 2016, 3:27 pm
#70
Join Date: May 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 822
Best wishes to anyone willing to gamble on that. I'm totally a gambling man but not with major travel like this!! And, in my specific case, I'm coming from the east coast so I needed more than just LAX-SYD. But yep, if one is willing to take a chance that is probably the best (and one of the very few) ways to get the saver level.
Nov 1, 2016, 7:03 pm
#71
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Former PM now a kettle :(
Posts: 289
If you can squeeze and extra day or two, flying up to the great barrier reef and snorkling is awesome!! We have also done the blue mountains and Junolan caves and thought it is just ok but that is us.
Have fun!
Nov 1, 2016, 7:19 pm
#72
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Former PM now a kettle :(
Posts: 289
One thing I forgot in the last post is a place about 2hr drive south of Syd. It's called Pebbly beach and you can feed the kangaroos and Parrotts out of your hand on the beach. IIRC it is a state park or something. Just search google.
Nov 1, 2016, 7:24 pm
#73
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: DL PM, 1.1MM
Posts: 409
Nov 2, 2016, 10:22 pm
#74
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: DL DM 1MM; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 225
I did this. Booked an economy award on VA months in advance and noticed this quirk of availability opening up a week out. So just patiently waited, booked at T-minus 7 days and then cancelled the economy award to get the miles back (DM/PM benefit). The VA product had just been refreshed days earlier. It was super sweet.
Nov 5, 2016, 8:44 am
#75
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Omaha, NE
Programs: Marriott Gold, Delta, AMEX Membership Rewards
Posts: 140
I did this. Booked an economy award on VA months in advance and noticed this quirk of availability opening up a week out. So just patiently waited, booked at T-minus 7 days and then cancelled the economy award to get the miles back (DM/PM benefit). The VA product had just been refreshed days earlier. It was super sweet.