Using GUC to IAS - Jan '19
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,748
Using GUC to IAS - Jan '19
I need to fly OKC-IAS in January 2019 and want to use GUCs for D1 upgrades,
The DL web will not show me flights through to IAS but cuts me off at OTP. Will my best choice land on buying a separate ticket for OTP-IAS-OTP?
If DL can get a through ticket using DL medal to AMS/CDG (likely through MSP to get the 333), will the price be too high for a unified ticket? Will the GUCs apply OTP-IAS-OTP flying AF/KLM out CDG/AMS?
I have never been to IAS and my last OTP trip was over 20 years ago.
The DL web will not show me flights through to IAS but cuts me off at OTP. Will my best choice land on buying a separate ticket for OTP-IAS-OTP?
If DL can get a through ticket using DL medal to AMS/CDG (likely through MSP to get the 333), will the price be too high for a unified ticket? Will the GUCs apply OTP-IAS-OTP flying AF/KLM out CDG/AMS?
I have never been to IAS and my last OTP trip was over 20 years ago.
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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: 100,404
Have you tried calling DL to ask whether the DM agent can put IAS segments on a DL ticket? Tarum is a SkyTeam partner, so this should be possible, although you might need a real live human travel agent to do it, which then leads to its own problems.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,748
I will call DL this morning but I was searching for insights from those who know this route since I was not clear on the options that allow GUCs on a unified ticket to IAS.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,748
DL could not do a unified ticket to IAS which translates into a long layover at OTP for Tarom to IAS . On the return I would spend the night at OTP to catch at 6 am KLM flight to AMS.
#7
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Land of 10,000 Upgrades
Posts: 9,465
Don't believe everything you hear:
https://www.skyteam.com/en/about/tarom/
https://www.skyteam.com/en/about/tarom/
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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: 100,404
I called DL and was told that Tarom is not ST. I was also reminded that I must use KLM ex-AMS not AF-Ex-CDG to use GUCs to OTP.
DL could not do a unified ticket to IAS which translates into a long layover at OTP for Tarom to IAS . On the return I would spend the night at OTP to catch at 6 am KLM flight to AMS.
DL could not do a unified ticket to IAS which translates into a long layover at OTP for Tarom to IAS . On the return I would spend the night at OTP to catch at 6 am KLM flight to AMS.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
I called DL and was told that Tarom is not ST. I was also reminded that I must use KLM ex-AMS not AF-Ex-CDG to use GUCs to OTP.
DL could not do a unified ticket to IAS which translates into a long layover at OTP for Tarom to IAS . On the return I would spend the night at OTP to catch at 6 am KLM flight to AMS.
DL could not do a unified ticket to IAS which translates into a long layover at OTP for Tarom to IAS . On the return I would spend the night at OTP to catch at 6 am KLM flight to AMS.
That GUCs are good on AF only for the TATL portion is not new. It's documented.
I wouldn't go out of my way - and overnight in OTP is out of my way - to fly KL versus AF for the intra-Europe business product on a 2:45 flight. There are same-day returns possible, like IAS-OTP-BRU on Tarom + BRU-ATL-OKC on Delta. (That had a single-component AF fare, actually.) IAS-OTP-MUC-ATL-OKC, too.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,748
Okay, I will be better informed when I call back but the central issue with Tarom was not the lack of using a GUC or getting credit but she was not able to book a unified ticket period. I thought in the past that DL would use the GUC as far as possible but then the fare would bump when they added flying economy to a city like IAS.
I thought the only way to make it back to OKC in one flying day was to fly Tarom IAS-OTP-CDG which is what DL suggested. The 3 hour flight to CDG is long enough that I would prefer to spend the night and might even try and connect with some friends in Bucharest. However, I will look at BRU and other connections.
I thought the only way to make it back to OKC in one flying day was to fly Tarom IAS-OTP-CDG which is what DL suggested. The 3 hour flight to CDG is long enough that I would prefer to spend the night and might even try and connect with some friends in Bucharest. However, I will look at BRU and other connections.
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,748
I bought the ticket and have a new question. I was able to use GUCs on flights I had chosen. Only waitlist is OKC-MSP.
Edited to say my only choice on arrival is a 5:30 pm flight OTP-IAS.
Does anyone know if the VIP lounge in the domestic terminal allows free access for ST elite plus?
Edited to say my only choice on arrival is a 5:30 pm flight OTP-IAS.
Does anyone know if the VIP lounge in the domestic terminal allows free access for ST elite plus?
Last edited by Xeno; Mar 29, 2018 at 1:41 pm Reason: correct flight departure time
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,748
I think there is no PP lounge at OTP, so would the ST lounge let me in while I wait for my economy Tarom flight to ISA? I did use the GUCs so my DL/KLM ticket is D1.
#14
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: Skymiles Gold
Posts: 642
Why can't you use the Tarom lounge at OTP? You'll have access to it.
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,748
So it will not be an issue that I am flying into the international terminal and out of the domestic terminal on a Tarom economy ticket? In other words, is the Tarom lounge in the domestic terminal and if so does it advertise ST?