Redeeming SkyMiles LAX <-> PPT
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 6
Redeeming SkyMiles LAX <-> PPT
Hi all,
Short version: Been banking SkyMiles for a few years for my 40th Birthday to Bora Bora in Nov '18. I have ~800k miles and I'm Gold Medallion status wise. Looking to go around Nov 17-25, 2018 (flexible). I thought being 300+ days out I would have better success. I've been dealing with Delta representatives for several hours this morning and haven't made much progress. I've tried all the various tips/tricks I've found on the interwebs, but no luck.
Any tips, tricks, suggestions for getting to PPT using SkyMiles? or am I SOL and just need to find a better way.
Thanks,
Nico
Short version: Been banking SkyMiles for a few years for my 40th Birthday to Bora Bora in Nov '18. I have ~800k miles and I'm Gold Medallion status wise. Looking to go around Nov 17-25, 2018 (flexible). I thought being 300+ days out I would have better success. I've been dealing with Delta representatives for several hours this morning and haven't made much progress. I've tried all the various tips/tricks I've found on the interwebs, but no luck.
Any tips, tricks, suggestions for getting to PPT using SkyMiles? or am I SOL and just need to find a better way.
Thanks,
Nico
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45 North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
Welcome to FT!
Where are you starting? As mentioned, Delta doesn't fly to Tahiti but Air France and Air Tahiti Nui do - both from LAX. A quick look at Expertflyer indicates that there aren't any seats on either airline on your dates +/-3 days. I imagine it's a popular time given the holiday.
You can keep checking on Delta.com for Air France awards. Air Tahiti Nui isn't available on Delta.com so you will need to call or use Expertflyer to find space and then call.
Where are you starting? As mentioned, Delta doesn't fly to Tahiti but Air France and Air Tahiti Nui do - both from LAX. A quick look at Expertflyer indicates that there aren't any seats on either airline on your dates +/-3 days. I imagine it's a popular time given the holiday.
You can keep checking on Delta.com for Air France awards. Air Tahiti Nui isn't available on Delta.com so you will need to call or use Expertflyer to find space and then call.
#4
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,217
Until a few years ago you could have booked this LAX-HNL-PPT on DL + HA, when DL still had redemptions for HA (other than from US49-HI). But, that is no more.
PPT award flights are probably like award hotels there. You need to book it right at the release time and you only have a few second window (if even that) to book it, as it's a battlefield and many others are trying to do the same. I know it is so for hotels. You need to load it up and book right away the moment it appears. If you are a minute late, it's gone - booked by someone else, and no more availability ever comes up. Not sure if it is so for AF flights (it is so for many other airlines, and definitely for hotels). You may be had a chance at the timeframe when AF releases availability, but 300 days out is too close in. You needed to do it at 331 days, at specific time of day (or night) when availability is released.
As the saying goes, "you snooze, you lose."
PPT award flights are probably like award hotels there. You need to book it right at the release time and you only have a few second window (if even that) to book it, as it's a battlefield and many others are trying to do the same. I know it is so for hotels. You need to load it up and book right away the moment it appears. If you are a minute late, it's gone - booked by someone else, and no more availability ever comes up. Not sure if it is so for AF flights (it is so for many other airlines, and definitely for hotels). You may be had a chance at the timeframe when AF releases availability, but 300 days out is too close in. You needed to do it at 331 days, at specific time of day (or night) when availability is released.
As the saying goes, "you snooze, you lose."
Last edited by RealHJ; Jan 14, 2018 at 5:13 pm Reason: fixed typo
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 6
Thanks all. I'm flying from LAX (I'm in SEA but can get to LAX easily enough so didnt want to complicate that part).
Yes, this is the end of November (22nd is Thanksgiving + my 40th).
I'll continue to keep my eye on flights in Expert Flyer and see if something pops up.
This is mostly my fault for assuming I wouldnt have any issues booking an award flight w/my SkyMiles.
Frustrating, because for 80k Flying Blue miles, I can easily book a RT flight LAX<->PPT on AF. I should have just focused on that. Oh well, hindsight 20/20.
Yes, this is the end of November (22nd is Thanksgiving + my 40th).
I'll continue to keep my eye on flights in Expert Flyer and see if something pops up.
This is mostly my fault for assuming I wouldnt have any issues booking an award flight w/my SkyMiles.
Frustrating, because for 80k Flying Blue miles, I can easily book a RT flight LAX<->PPT on AF. I should have just focused on that. Oh well, hindsight 20/20.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,098
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fa%27a...tional_Airport.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45 North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
Setup an alert in Expertflyer for award space on either TN or AF.
Looks like award space on AF is only available for Flying Blue elites.
If you are willing to spend money, LAX-PPT in AF Premium Economy on those dates is relatively reasonable ($1600), just $300 more than economy.
If you are willing to spend money, LAX-PPT in AF Premium Economy on those dates is relatively reasonable ($1600), just $300 more than economy.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 6
I definitely did this already, thanks for the recommendation.
Yeah, I'm leaning towards doing this and then figuring out what to do with my 817,351 Delta miles instead. :-
Thanks again for the feedback.
If you are willing to spend money, LAX-PPT in AF Premium Economy on those dates is relatively reasonable ($1600), just $300 more than economy.
Thanks again for the feedback.
#11
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...ith-miles.html
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 6
I have both the Platinum Amex + Platinum Business Amex Delta cards. However, you can't "pay with miles" on codeshare flights is what I was told by multiple Delta CS individuals. Also doesn't allow it when booking online.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45 North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
Do you have a Delta Amex, or are you open to getting one? When you have one of the cards attached to your Skymiles account, you unlock the ability to pay-with-miles at $0.01:Skymile and you'll earn MQM/RDM for the long flight.
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...ith-miles.html
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...ith-miles.html
Eligible only on Delta and Delta Connection carrier-operated and ticketed flights booked at delta.com. Not available on other codeshare flights.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Partner flights are saver awards or unavailable, as is common across other U.S. FF programs. With fixed dates - and other financial commitments to make, so making flight plans within a week of desired travel is nail-biting - this is going to be a tough one.
#15
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422