Long Hold Times for Delta Vacations (Consolidated Threads)
#16
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
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You have to look for Advanced Search Options. Link below takes you to the booking to the booking page and at the top there are 3 tabs. Default is flight and hotel, other two options are flight/car and hotel/car.
Looking to book Flights and Car? Traveling with children need more than one hotel room? Advanced Search Options
Looking to book Flights and Car? Traveling with children need more than one hotel room? Advanced Search Options
#17
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
I've booked lots of DL Vacation (hotel + air) over the past few years, they've always counted as "exception" fares.
I recently booked two dl vacation packages, on www.delta.com when I click receipt I see just the aggregate total for the package, there is NO separate airfare listed, would that indicate an "exception" fare or do I have to see how dl actually totals my MQDs after I've flown?
I recently booked two dl vacation packages, on www.delta.com when I click receipt I see just the aggregate total for the package, there is NO separate airfare listed, would that indicate an "exception" fare or do I have to see how dl actually totals my MQDs after I've flown?
#18
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Not sure whether DL would break out the airfare if the vacation package were using published fares either, but will try to find out if there is an indicator of some kind before the trip occurs and MQDs are finally awarded. Packages to traditional vacation spots are more likely to use bulk airfares, generally.
#19
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
When I tried to book LAS on the consumer-facing website, there is no indication of fare type. The TA portal, "WorldAgentDirect", is about 10 years behind in terms of "sizzle" but runs much faster. I think it's based on tech developed by NW. Oddly, it handles the flight options first, then hotels, unlike the consumer site.
I wish I could provide more concrete guidance, other than a travel agent can tell you upfront in the process whether the package uses published fares or bulk/"unpublished" fares. Also, it looks like TAs are able to redeem vouchers for client bookings--did not expect that.
Last edited by NYC Flyer; Apr 21, 2021 at 6:10 pm Reason: clarity
#20
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I did a couple of searches on the DL Vacations travel agent portal. The air itineraries clearly indicated "Published" (LAS) vs "Unpublished" (HNL) from the start of the booking process.
When I tried to book LAS on the consumer-facing website, there is no indication of fare type. The TA portal, "WorldAgentDirect", is about 10 years behind in terms of "sizzle" but runs much faster. I think it's based on tech developed by NW. Oddly, it handles the flight options first, then hotels, unlike the consumer site.
I wish I could provide more concrete guidance, other than a travel agent can tell you upfront in the process whether the package uses published fares or bulk/"unpublished" fares. Also, it looks like TAs are able to redeem vouchers for client bookings--did not expect that.
When I tried to book LAS on the consumer-facing website, there is no indication of fare type. The TA portal, "WorldAgentDirect", is about 10 years behind in terms of "sizzle" but runs much faster. I think it's based on tech developed by NW. Oddly, it handles the flight options first, then hotels, unlike the consumer site.
I wish I could provide more concrete guidance, other than a travel agent can tell you upfront in the process whether the package uses published fares or bulk/"unpublished" fares. Also, it looks like TAs are able to redeem vouchers for client bookings--did not expect that.
When I book a flight through DL Vacations the terms "published", "unpublished" are not in my "vocabulary".
#21
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
"Published" or "Unpublished" I should get MQDs, if it shows $0.00 on the APP and an aggregate total for the entire "package" on www.delta.com wouldn't DL have to use "Method Distance" when computing my MQDs?
#22
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I just tried to call DL Vacations, 4/22 at 11:00 am EDT, the estimated wait time is between 120 MIN and 200 MIN--BUT, they now have a callback option.
#24
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Most annoying: frequently there are busy signals, "your call did not go through", stutter tones, etc. and then a long wait to get connected.
#26
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Radisson Premium
Posts: 6,635
I have found that if I contact Delta Vacations on Facebook or Twitter, they ask for your phone number and they call you back in a much more timely manner. It's impossible to get through anyone through the call center lately
#28
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAH
Programs: UA MM, AA almost MM
Posts: 1,162
This was the case before the pandemic. About 5 years ago, I booked a Delta Vacation trip and wanted to add a car. After on hold for hours, I finally hung up and never got through to an agent. Booked a car separately instead. From that experience, I realized that while Delta Vacation can offer incredible prices, don't expect to talk to any agents unless you are booking a new vacation. I think the prioritize calls for new trips over the ones they already got your money. I would, too.
#29
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This was the case before the pandemic. About 5 years ago, I booked a Delta Vacation trip and wanted to add a car. After on hold for hours, I finally hung up and never got through to an agent. Booked a car separately instead. From that experience, I realized that while Delta Vacation can offer incredible prices, don't expect to talk to any agents unless you are booking a new vacation. I think the prioritize calls for new trips over the ones they already got your money. I would, too.
#30
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I called last night (5/4) at around 10:00 PM EDT, the callback wait time was 2 hours plus 30 min to actually speak with an agent; my issue (partly) was GUC related a "special ticketing agent" was needed = callback tomorrow at 8 am edt (when they open), the wait time is over 3 hours with NO callback option,
[The agent I spoke with last night suggested calling as a new booker...either new or old the wait is over 3 hours.]
[The agent I spoke with last night suggested calling as a new booker...either new or old the wait is over 3 hours.]