Best way to redeem miles for family trip to Europe
Jul 15, 2018, 11:05 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 58
Best way to redeem miles for family trip to Europe
I'm a Plat medallion but new to redeeming miles. We want to book flights for our family of 5 to Europe - destinations flexible - looks like BCN and CDG have some decent options for tickets. My question is whether or not I should wait to book the tickets until i can book the round trip or if I should book the flight over now and then book the flight back 3 weeks from now. I thought booking one way tickets would be best but it seems like I would be paying double miles for that option on delta.com.
Am I doing something wrong? Should I just call and book with an agent?
Thanks!
Am I doing something wrong? Should I just call and book with an agent?
Thanks!
Jul 15, 2018, 11:54 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
You can book USA-Europe-USA without incurring the International Origin Surcharge on DL, AF, KL, Alitalia. But if you book two one-ways you will get hit with the surcharge Europe-USA.
You might identify your U.S. origin airport(s) for more specific help.
You might identify your U.S. origin airport(s) for more specific help.
Jul 15, 2018, 12:30 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 58
Thanks. We fly out of AUS. When I look online it looks like the one way flights are more "expensive" 105K miles vs 81K. Plus you have to book a return flight. I just feel like I'm missing something. 
Jul 15, 2018, 12:40 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LAX/BUR, RDU
Programs: DL SM, AAdvantage, SPG
Posts: 1,360
I'm sure LBJ will chime in with specifics, but the some of the cheaper international fares tend to have a round-trip purchase requirement.
Jul 15, 2018, 4:08 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,421
Buying one-way cash tickets to or from the USA can cost nearly as much as a round trip. And finding 5 passengers of awards will be challenging. So my advice is to use points for as many r/t as you can and buy the other tickets cash. Or at least price up a one-way before booking one-way on points! Remember that if yours is cash it will be a bunch of MQM and MQD towards next year's status!
If you have one of the DL Amex cards there's also Pay With Miles at a fixed $0.01/skymile, but they go towards medallion status too and might be necessary if award flights aren't available for all 5.
If you have one of the DL Amex cards there's also Pay With Miles at a fixed $0.01/skymile, but they go towards medallion status too and might be necessary if award flights aren't available for all 5.
Jul 15, 2018, 6:03 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 58
Thanks Gig103. I called Delta and he was able to find 3 seats for my kids going into Milan for 35K each. I'm going to pay for mine and possibly my husbands when we book round trip. Will just call them on the exact day that the flights are released for the return trip home.
Fingers crossed we can get the flights we want for the return!
Appreciate everyones input.
Fingers crossed we can get the flights we want for the return!
Appreciate everyones input.