Delta / LATAM Partnership (Consolidated Thread)
Oct 3, 2020, 12:49 pm
#271
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LATAM is a horrible airline all-around. If you have any convertible mileage currency, I would look on LATAM's web site to see if you can get the flights you want at decent mileage levels (sometimes they do) but make sure to check before you transfer any miles.
Oct 3, 2020, 1:11 pm
#272
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Onboard service, at least in J is good. LATAMs biggest issue is their CS (reservation/ etc) agents. My bank didn't blink an eye when I had to file a chargeback against LATAM. (Refund was due) My local credit union knew to just go ahead and grant me the chargeback. Apparently I wasnt the first at my FCU and LATAM was well known in MC/VI circles for their awful CS and need for chargebacks. Sad considering I always enjoy their onboard service.
Oct 3, 2020, 4:14 pm
#274
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Mexico City, MX
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I sometimes get the feeling TAM part of LATAM is gonna go belly up within next 2 years, and now with Avianca Brazil gone, it will only leave Azul and Gol for domestic Brazilian flights. You can just feel it when you take TAM flights, the old planes, the attendants who don't care, etc
Its as if McDonalds purchased Bob's Burgers, changed all the Bob Burgers location to say McDonalds, but when you go inside its actually still Bob's Burgers other than the branding. Its very confusing for consumers. LAN and TAM in my opinion are still 2 different airlines just operating under one booking system. A whopping *10 full years* after the merger they still haven't even bothered to repaint the livery!
Also agree service in J on LAN flights is solid. I particularly enjoy their refurbed 767. As a matter of fact I think LAN flights offer the best J soft product in Latin America (which I know doesn't say much as Latin airlines are so far behind they even make United look good), good catering even though slightly outdated 2x2x2 seating.
Last edited by PointsPanda; Oct 3, 2020 at 4:19 pm
Oct 3, 2020, 4:42 pm
#275
Join Date: Feb 2002
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I sometimes get the feeling TAM part of LATAM is gonna go belly up within next 2 years, and now with Avianca Brazil gone, it will only leave Azul and Gol for domestic Brazilian flights. You can just feel it when you take TAM flights, the old planes, the attendants who don't care, etc
Argentina (RIP) and Colombia were big money losers
Ecuador and LAN Express (domestic Chile) lost money
Chile international was barely profitable
Oct 4, 2020, 10:29 am
#276
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
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Its as if McDonalds purchased Bob's Burgers, changed all the Bob Burgers location to say McDonalds, but when you go inside its actually still Bob's Burgers other than the branding. Its very confusing for consumers. LAN and TAM in my opinion are still 2 different airlines just operating under one booking system. A whopping *10 full years* after the merger they still haven't even bothered to repaint the livery!
Here's my take, one that's more locally friendly to Rio de Janeiro: It's as if Starbucks took over all of the Cafeina locations and told everyone that their vague, blah bakery items were just as good as Cafeina's!
Mar 14, 2021, 9:34 am
#278
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
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Posts: 7,320
Has anyone figured out a way to get a Delta FF# on a LATAM booking other than at check-in? (I called and DMed LATAM, and they said that's the only way. I also checked both the US and Chile versions of the LATAM booking management, as well as every other random airline.) It seems pointless to have an advanced seating benefit for Medallions that can't be used.
Last edited by Adam1222; Mar 14, 2021 at 10:05 am
Mar 14, 2021, 10:20 am
#279
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Has anyone figured out a way to get a Delta FF# on a LATAM booking other than at check-in? (I called and DMed LATAM, and they said that's the only way. I also checked both the US and Chile versions of the LATAM booking management, as well as every other random airline.) It seems pointless to have an advanced seating benefit for Medallions that can't be used.
As someone who has been flying Lan Chile / LAN / LATAM for the past nearly 20 years, you'll find that holding your breath will only cause you brain damage, but won't kill you. You might even still find agents that tell you DL isn't a partner.
Just a thought - perhaps contact DL and explain that the LA benefit it advertises isn't available because LA won't accept input of the DL #. And maybe DL's people will get to the right department at LA faster than we ever could.
Mar 14, 2021, 11:53 am
#280
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
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Did you call again?
As someone who has been flying Lan Chile / LAN / LATAM for the past nearly 20 years, you'll find that holding your breath will only cause you brain damage, but won't kill you. You might even still find agents that tell you DL isn't a partner.
Just a thought - perhaps contact DL and explain that the LA benefit it advertises isn't available because LA won't accept input of the DL #. And maybe DL's people will get to the right department at LA faster than we ever could.
As someone who has been flying Lan Chile / LAN / LATAM for the past nearly 20 years, you'll find that holding your breath will only cause you brain damage, but won't kill you. You might even still find agents that tell you DL isn't a partner.
Just a thought - perhaps contact DL and explain that the LA benefit it advertises isn't available because LA won't accept input of the DL #. And maybe DL's people will get to the right department at LA faster than we ever could.
Mar 19, 2021, 12:48 am
#281
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
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Posts: 3,611
I got Delta Miles on LANTAM
Has anyone figured out a way to get a Delta FF# on a LATAM booking other than at check-in? (I called and DMed LATAM, and they said that's the only way. I also checked both the US and Chile versions of the LATAM booking management, as well as every other random airline.) It seems pointless to have an advanced seating benefit for Medallions that can't be used.
A few weeks ago, I booked UIO-CUE (Quito-Cuenca) and the return. These are cheap and short (about $50 and 55 min) flights, so I did not care about seating or other Delta reciprocal benefits. 500 MQM's, $10 MQD's, and some RDM's posted to my Skymiles account within a few days after flying.
When booking on LATAM's website (country preference = USA), there is a place in the booking process to enter ff airline name (DL) and the ff number. The ff number appears on my boarding passes.
Mar 19, 2021, 4:48 am
#282
Join Date: Jul 2009
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Not sure whether you mean for seat benefits or earning Delta miles.
A few weeks ago, I booked UIO-CUE (Quito-Cuenca) and the return. These are cheap and short (about $50 and 55 min) flights, so I did not care about seating or other Delta reciprocal benefits. 500 MQM's, $10 MQD's, and some RDM's posted to my Skymiles account within a few days after flying.
When booking on LATAM's website (country preference = USA), there is a place in the booking process to enter ff airline name (DL) and the ff number. The ff number appears on my boarding passes.
A few weeks ago, I booked UIO-CUE (Quito-Cuenca) and the return. These are cheap and short (about $50 and 55 min) flights, so I did not care about seating or other Delta reciprocal benefits. 500 MQM's, $10 MQD's, and some RDM's posted to my Skymiles account within a few days after flying.
When booking on LATAM's website (country preference = USA), there is a place in the booking process to enter ff airline name (DL) and the ff number. The ff number appears on my boarding passes.
I'm glad you didn't care about reciprocal benefits. On the flight from JFK to SCL, I would like to reserve the preferred seat I am entitled to in advance for free.
Mar 23, 2021, 6:46 pm
#283
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
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Posts: 7,320
Got a call from a Delta rep today. She got LATAM to add my Skymiles # to the reservation, but she says the LATAM system doesn't recognize DL elite status, so it's unclear how I would get any benefits. But when I pulled up the reservation, it does seem to recognize it and allow me to pick a standard seat for free, and indicates I am allowed one checked bag for free as an elite. (LATAM+ seats are still showing a charge, despite supposedly free "Preferred" seating)
She says that she is following up with the person "in Atlanta" in charge of the LATAM partnership, but mentioned COVID and LATAM's bankruptcy as possible reasons why the benefits aren't as indicated. (???) My flight isn't til November so hopefully they will figure out this issue before then...
Last edited by Adam1222; Mar 23, 2021 at 6:51 pm
Mar 27, 2021, 2:47 pm
#284
Join Date: Jul 2009
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Further update:
Got an email from Delta that seems likely factually incorrect. If it *is* correct, it is hugely problematic. There has never been any indication the LATAM partnership was limited to codeshare flights, and that isn't the case with any of other DL's top partners. I responded informing the agent as much, and saying Deltas website should take down the reciprocal partnership if it isn't available and won't be for years.
Got an email from Delta that seems likely factually incorrect. If it *is* correct, it is hugely problematic. There has never been any indication the LATAM partnership was limited to codeshare flights, and that isn't the case with any of other DL's top partners. I responded informing the agent as much, and saying Deltas website should take down the reciprocal partnership if it isn't available and won't be for years.
I wanted to update you on the Latam/Delta agreement that I've found more info on. On Delta.com, if you go to the bottom of the homepage, there is a section called "News Hub" under "About Delta" that has informative articles on the agreement, specifically articles dated Feb 27, 2020, May 7, 2020 and Feb 24, 2021. In order to receive reciprocal benefits, we have to have codeshare flights with Latam. We have codeshare flights thus far with four countries they serve: Peru, Ecuador, Columbia and Brazil. In fact, Brazil, just gave final approval for the agreement last month. We also need final approval from the governing bodies in each country to roll out much of what we would like to offer. I'm not aware of when codesharing will start with Chilean flights with Latam. Covid, as I previously mentioned, has slowed the pace of what both airlines would like to do for our customers. So, I do have your SkyMiles number in your November trip planned to Chile but it's likely reciprocal benefits will not be available at that time; and your flights were not booked as codeshare flights (as not available at the time of booking). As things progress with the agreement and as Covid evolves/improves, you'll see more improvements in the Chilean market with Delta and Latam.