Delta / LATAM Partnership (Consolidated Thread)
Sep 27, 2019, 12:43 pm
#61
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That's pretty unfortunate for me, as Latam is a pretty good carrier overall, and I've relied on them for (AA) mileage earning a lot in the past. This will be a big dissuading factor for me taking Latam flights in the future. Getting zero credit in any FF program for a 10,000+-mile round-trip? Not optimal.
Sep 27, 2019, 12:49 pm
#62
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,710
All good in theory, but just be aware that LA award availability between SCL and IPC has been a bit tough to come by, though not impossible, past couple of years. I ended up just buying a cash ticket SCL-IPC-SCL for my trip last year and prices really weren't too bad if you keep an eye on trends - IIRC I paid around $275 RT. Award seats are more sparse between IPC and PPT but cash prices are fairly high most of the time from what I saw.
Sep 27, 2019, 12:51 pm
#63
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That's pretty unfortunate for me, as Latam is a pretty good carrier overall, and I've relied on them for (AA) mileage earning a lot in the past. This will be a big dissuading factor for me taking Latam flights in the future. Getting zero credit in any FF program for a 10,000+-mile round-trip? Not optimal.
Sep 27, 2019, 12:53 pm
#64
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That's pretty unfortunate for me, as Latam is a pretty good carrier overall, and I've relied on them for (AA) mileage earning a lot in the past. This will be a big dissuading factor for me taking Latam flights in the future. Getting zero credit in any FF program for a 10,000+-mile round-trip? Not optimal.
And then similar to VS/VA there will be some agreement on lounge access based on status for same day travel to South America (would assume access to LATAM lounges in SA plus MIA and then DL lounge access in other locations where no LATAM lounge exists).
Interesting thing will be a place like LAX where the lounge in TBIT is KE -- so LATAM could negotiate with KE for lounge access but a DL flyer on LATAM metal ex-LAX as of now wouldn't have a lounge which seems like a big gap.
Last edited by Duke787; Sep 27, 2019 at 1:08 pm
Sep 27, 2019, 1:05 pm
#65
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OTOH if DL picks of a few of the good oneworld members, I wouldn't mind. CX would be nice since DL doesn't currently serve HKG, although the political situation could cause concern.
Sep 27, 2019, 1:44 pm
#68
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NYC
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Good point - I hadn't considered the possibility of a bilateral relationship like that (have they said this is definitely in the works?)
Sep 27, 2019, 1:48 pm
#69
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Sep 27, 2019, 2:17 pm
#70
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Yes they have — but how expansive and with whom I think remains to be seen. in other words, I think whether IAG remains a partner is yet to unfold.
Sep 27, 2019, 2:19 pm
#71
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As long as CX remains the only China based carrier in OW, it would hard to imagine it ceding any ground. Furthermore, DL already has a strong footprint in interior China thanks to MU and KE (which, is actually more or less on par with KA in terms of mainland destinations).
Sep 27, 2019, 2:40 pm
#72
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Does CX serve any of the Delta hubs? I'd imagine at least JFK? I'd love a one-stop connection from RDU to HKG, I go there every year.
Sep 27, 2019, 2:43 pm
#73
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Sep 27, 2019, 2:50 pm
#74
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It's pretty easy to get between RDU and HKG with CX if you use AA for the domestic legs. There is also the option of flying AA all the way via DFW or LAX.
Sep 27, 2019, 2:52 pm
#75
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I mentioned this over in the AA forum, but I really do wonder what this means for the future of Miami. Historically that has been an AA hub.
The other big thing is that, alongside a statement on HFB that VS will be joining SkyTeam...it seems like SkyTeam morphing into a "Delta equity partner alliance" is bordering on inevitable.
The other big thing is that, alongside a statement on HFB that VS will be joining SkyTeam...it seems like SkyTeam morphing into a "Delta equity partner alliance" is bordering on inevitable.