Fun ways to save money on DL
Jun 6, 2019, 1:13 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: SkyMiles 2018 PM, 2019 PM, 2020 PM, 2021 PM, 2022 PM, 2023 PM...
Posts: 314
Fun ways to save money on DL
I enjoy traveling, even IROPS, so I sometimes do things that are crazy to most people, but I travel more and spend less (which is a combination I like as much as chocolate and peanut butter).
So, today when I booked my flight CHA-ATL-PIT r/t to save money over the ATL-PIT route I wondered what are some of the other oddities that people experience?
I'll save about $200 and get an extra 1000 MQMs for an extra 45 minutes (or so) on the road early in the morning and again late at night, and its all worth it because I get to experience CHA for the first time.
What are some fun ways you save money on DL?
So, today when I booked my flight CHA-ATL-PIT r/t to save money over the ATL-PIT route I wondered what are some of the other oddities that people experience?
I'll save about $200 and get an extra 1000 MQMs for an extra 45 minutes (or so) on the road early in the morning and again late at night, and its all worth it because I get to experience CHA for the first time.
What are some fun ways you save money on DL?
Jun 6, 2019, 1:30 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, 1MM
Posts: 3,784
Sometimes the airfares from the US to the major Scandinavian cities are considerable less than those to AMS and CDG. Three or four years ago I planned a two-week trip to Paris but booked MSP-CPH-MSP, with connections in AMS on the outbound and CDG on the return. IIRC, the fare difference was around $800, half of which bought me a rail pass. I enjoyed a couple of days in Copenhagen, then took the train, my favorite kind of transportation, to and from Paris. I probably could have saved more with budget flights, but the train travel was part of the fun.
Jun 6, 2019, 1:51 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: SkyMiles 2018 PM, 2019 PM, 2020 PM, 2021 PM, 2022 PM, 2023 PM...
Posts: 314
Sometimes the airfares from the US to the major Scandinavian cities are considerable less than those to AMS and CDG. Three or four years ago I planned a two-week trip to Paris but booked MSP-CPH-MSP, with connections in AMS on the outbound and CDG on the return. IIRC, the fare difference was around $800, half of which bought me a rail pass. I enjoyed a couple of days in Copenhagen, then took the train, my favorite kind of transportation, to and from Paris. I probably could have saved more with budget flights, but the train travel was part of the fun.
Usually I fly ATL-LAX and then LAX-AMS for about the same price as ATL-AMS, but I do love the European train system.
Jun 6, 2019, 2:18 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,626
Jun 6, 2019, 2:33 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: BNA
Programs: DL GM, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,027
I enjoy traveling, even IROPS, so I sometimes do things that are crazy to most people, but I travel more and spend less (which is a combination I like as much as chocolate and peanut butter).
So, today when I booked my flight CHA-ATL-PIT r/t to save money over the ATL-PIT route I wondered what are some of the other oddities that people experience?
I'll save about $200 and get an extra 1000 MQMs for an extra 45 minutes (or so) on the road early in the morning and again late at night, and its all worth it because I get to experience CHA for the first time.
What are some fun ways you save money on DL?
So, today when I booked my flight CHA-ATL-PIT r/t to save money over the ATL-PIT route I wondered what are some of the other oddities that people experience?
I'll save about $200 and get an extra 1000 MQMs for an extra 45 minutes (or so) on the road early in the morning and again late at night, and its all worth it because I get to experience CHA for the first time.
What are some fun ways you save money on DL?
I did this scenario a while back:
YVR>MSP>DTW>BNA
because it was a little cheaper than
YVR>MSP(or SEA)>BNA
I thought it was fun. Although now my segment count is an odd number, which is weird.
Jun 6, 2019, 4:27 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Somewhere
Programs: Delta Plat
Posts: 3,363
I look at weather patterns for the year and book when I think there is most likely to be a weather waiver. It has saved me and made me money as at my destination SDQ when there is overbooking a lot of people don't volunteer and I've got 800 dollars four times in the past year.
Jun 6, 2019, 4:40 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
Sometimes the airfares from the US to the major Scandinavian cities are considerable less than those to AMS and CDG. Three or four years ago I planned a two-week trip to Paris but booked MSP-CPH-MSP, with connections in AMS on the outbound and CDG on the return. IIRC, the fare difference was around $800, half of which bought me a rail pass. I enjoyed a couple of days in Copenhagen, then took the train, my favorite kind of transportation, to and from Paris. I probably could have saved more with budget flights, but the train travel was part of the fun.
Jun 6, 2019, 4:45 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Somewhere between BHX and HUY
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Eurobonus Silver, ALL Gold
Posts: 1,674
I am doing BHX-AMS-BRU-JFK r/t (EU with KL, TATL with DL) with a 12+ hr stopover in schiphol on both ways. This wouldn't appeal to most people when you can do a direct flight in 7 hours... but:
Firstly I saved $500+ compared to direct flights.
Secondly I get buckloads of flying blue XP, with just 1 trip.
And finally, I have friends to visit in holland and belgium so I actually benefit from the long stopovers.
Even better than win/win, this is win/win/win!
Firstly I saved $500+ compared to direct flights.
Secondly I get buckloads of flying blue XP, with just 1 trip.
And finally, I have friends to visit in holland and belgium so I actually benefit from the long stopovers.
Even better than win/win, this is win/win/win!
Jun 6, 2019, 6:59 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
Programs: DL DM, 1.5MM, NEXUS, Sky Club Lifetime, Admirals Club Lifetime, LowValueCustomer everywhere
Posts: 6,447
Jun 6, 2019, 7:45 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: KATL
Programs: DL, WN, AA, Marriott, Hertz, National, Chic-fil-A
Posts: 234
Also, I have used CHA as my origin on a couple of trips to save at least $200-300 and add a couple segments + 1000 MQM. It’s a nice little airport, but the risk is your CRJ flight gets cancelled and the delays can turn into easily a day lost out of your trip.
Jun 6, 2019, 7:51 pm
#12
formerly jackvogt
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta SkyMiles,
Posts: 822
Seems like just about any kind of routine that involves a TATL leg NOT originating out of ATL is going to save hundreds. I always look at ex-JFK but LAX is a whole new level of saving + mileage running.
Also, I have used CHA as my origin on a couple of trips to save at least $200-300 and add a couple segments + 1000 MQM. It’s a nice little airport, but the risk is your CRJ flight gets cancelled and the delays can turn into easily a day lost out of your trip.
Jun 7, 2019, 3:01 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 556
In November 2001 I was flying from my home in the Midwest US to Eastern Europe. I usually flew from my little local airport to MSP, then either AMS-DESTINATION or DTW-AMS-DESTINATION. One year I was very close to hitting the gold level of Northwest Airlines' frequent flier status. I needed only a couple thousand miles more than this trip would give me. I played around with routes, and I discovered that I could book it as a multi-city trip including ANC for no extra cost. In fact, it was a few dollars cheaper! I don't remember the exact price, but I ended up paying $500-something for the entire trip: Home-ANC-Eastern Europe-Home.
I ended up flying HOME-MSP-ANC-MSP-DTW-AMS-DESTINATION. My layover in Anchorage was about 8 hours. I didn't even have to stay at the airport. I have relatives who lived about an hour away at the time, so my cousin picked me up and showed me around. It was a great little diversion!
I didn't do this to save money, although it was a bit cheaper. I did it for the extra miles.
I ended up flying HOME-MSP-ANC-MSP-DTW-AMS-DESTINATION. My layover in Anchorage was about 8 hours. I didn't even have to stay at the airport. I have relatives who lived about an hour away at the time, so my cousin picked me up and showed me around. It was a great little diversion!
I didn't do this to save money, although it was a bit cheaper. I did it for the extra miles.
Jun 7, 2019, 4:07 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Tahoe
Programs: Delta DM for now
Posts: 474
As a few others have said, it's not always just about saving money, but making those most of the flights without blowing your budget. So if you can save a few bucks and get a few extra MQMs (or whatever you're trying to earn) while your at it or fly a different airline,plane,product, etc... than normal, then why not? If I've got the time, I will certainly look at alternative bookings just to spice it up a little bit.
Jun 7, 2019, 7:43 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: BNA
Programs: DL GM, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,027
As a few others have said, it's not always just about saving money, but making those most of the flights without blowing your budget. So if you can save a few bucks and get a few extra MQMs (or whatever you're trying to earn) while your at it or fly a different airline,plane,product, etc... than normal, then why not? If I've got the time, I will certainly look at alternative bookings just to spice it up a little bit.
