Delta one-way award from AMS more miles/taxes than a round trip from US???
 

I purchased Norwegian's half-as s Valentine's day sale from NY-AMS, one-way only, so I looked into getting back by redeeming Delta one-way awards, which were 100K miles plus hundreds in taxes. I tried this and that, but ended up cancelling Norwegian's flight. But I still have my mind set on visiting keukenhof and eating krokets, so today I went looking for NY-AMS rt award on Delta for and was surprised. It is priced at 45K miles plus $50 tax, while a ow award for the same return flight prices at 105k miles plus €179.


the OW:


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4a7c1a5b40.jpg


The RT:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...917d9fc053.jpg

Delta has had awards (at lower levels) that require a roundtrip purchase since about October, 2017. This is nothing new. Numerous threads on this topic. There are also award levels that are specific to certain travel days (like Tue/Wed/Sat). If you click on the "Fare Rules" link for the award, you can see all the requirements (like advance purchase, minimum stay, and day of travel requirements if any). The awards which require roundtrip purchase have an 'R' in the middle of their fare basis codes (which are shown in the Fare Rules).

Thanks for the explanation, I did not know that.

Delta also passes on the taxes/fees/surcharges on all ex-EU award flights and has for a long time (really annoying that they do). You are better of using UA miles (if you have) for ex-EU one ways since they still only pass on the genuine taxes (not the BS fuel surcharges)

It's not a fuel surcharge.

It's a Europe origination surcharge. It applies to one ways starting in Europe and they charge it because AFKLM and many other FF programs in Europe charge such a fee.

Agree that it's really annoying.