Senior needs help with using delta frequent flyer miles for booking
Sep 9, 2022, 9:59 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 52
Exactly what we did on a cruise in 2017 Sydney - Auckland. We booked round trip to Sydney on Virgin Australia (they unfortunately no longer have Int'l routes) in Business and a separate one way ticket on Air New Zealand Auckland-Sydney. Might be worth a look, for sure 
Sep 9, 2022, 10:17 pm
#17
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I have a Delta Platinum AMEX card (not business platinum) already.
So are you saying that I can transfer my Delta frequent flyer miles to my credit card and then just charge the flights on the card?
We are on a cruise. And flying out on the 11th gets us there on the 13th which gives us 3 days to tour Sydney and a nice padding in case of delays. The ship leaves on the 16th. It ends up in Auckland which is the reason for the return from there,
So are you saying that I can transfer my Delta frequent flyer miles to my credit card and then just charge the flights on the card?
We are on a cruise. And flying out on the 11th gets us there on the 13th which gives us 3 days to tour Sydney and a nice padding in case of delays. The ship leaves on the 16th. It ends up in Auckland which is the reason for the return from there,
Sep 9, 2022, 10:33 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 172
Thank you so much for your response. So essentially we need to give up on using the frequent flyer miles. Oh boo!
Ive gone to google flights and are tracking the cost of several flights since it looks like we’re going to have to buy the tickets outright. Retirement fund just got a little smaller! Oh well. We’ll have great memories!
Ive gone to google flights and are tracking the cost of several flights since it looks like we’re going to have to buy the tickets outright. Retirement fund just got a little smaller! Oh well. We’ll have great memories!
120K (ATL-ICN) + 75K (ICN-SYD) + 75K (AKL-ICN) + 120K (ICN-ATL) = 390K for one of you, and pay cash for the other.
Another alternative you may consider:
(120K (ATL-ICN) + 120K (ICN-ATL)) x 2 = 480K for 2 persons (earn 50K as a credit card bonus), and pay cash for the rest of the trip.
Last edited by UA Apologist; Sep 9, 2022 at 11:00 pm Reason: *edited to make corrections suggested by guv1976.
Sep 9, 2022, 10:40 pm
#19
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Although your miles may not be enough to cover 2 persons, you may be able to use your miles to "pay" for one of you as follows:
120K (ATL-INC) + 75K (INC-SYD) + 75K (AKL-INC) + 120K (INC-ATL) = 390K for one of you, and pay cash for the other.
Another alternative you may consider:
(120K (ATL-INC) + 120K (INC-ATL)) x 2 = 480K for 2 persons (earn 50K as a credit card bonus), and pay cash for the rest of the trip.
120K (ATL-INC) + 75K (INC-SYD) + 75K (AKL-INC) + 120K (INC-ATL) = 390K for one of you, and pay cash for the other.
Another alternative you may consider:
(120K (ATL-INC) + 120K (INC-ATL)) x 2 = 480K for 2 persons (earn 50K as a credit card bonus), and pay cash for the rest of the trip.
Booking this trip via INC would be most unwise:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yinc...tional_Airport
Sep 10, 2022, 12:02 am
#20
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If you were very flexible with dates American has business class ATL -Auckland for $4k, but availability is very limited…starting in Feb.
https://www.google.com/travel/flight...OYAQE&curr=USD
https://www.google.com/travel/flight...OYAQE&curr=USD
Sep 10, 2022, 12:07 am
#21
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Sep 10, 2022, 2:12 am
#22
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,125
I would consider the shortest routing in economy - spend a few days more on either side with the savings.
You could also look into creative routings - e.g. LAX-AKL via PPT or LAX-SYD via NAN - in economy these can be very inexpensive and for a bit more you can add a stopover. E.g. LAX-NAN (stopover) SYD / AKL - PPT (stopover) LAX for around $1250.
Flights from Europe in business tend to be a lot cheaper (e.g. $3500) with a connection in the US. So that is worth a look but requires a side trip to e.g. Rome.
You could also look into creative routings - e.g. LAX-AKL via PPT or LAX-SYD via NAN - in economy these can be very inexpensive and for a bit more you can add a stopover. E.g. LAX-NAN (stopover) SYD / AKL - PPT (stopover) LAX for around $1250.
Flights from Europe in business tend to be a lot cheaper (e.g. $3500) with a connection in the US. So that is worth a look but requires a side trip to e.g. Rome.
Sep 10, 2022, 5:36 am
#23
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Another option is flying JFK-CGK (Jakarta) in business with Saudia for $2500, and making your way from there…
https://www.google.com/travel/flight...5gBAQ&curr=USD
https://www.google.com/travel/flight...5gBAQ&curr=USD
Sep 10, 2022, 6:29 am
#24
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Another option is flying JFK-CGK (Jakarta) in business with Saudia for $2500, and making your way from there…
https://www.google.com/travel/flight...5gBAQ&curr=USD
https://www.google.com/travel/flight...5gBAQ&curr=USD
Sep 10, 2022, 9:36 am
#25
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Another interesting thread that maybe helpful. I think the OP is a travel agent, they may be able to help.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/prem...-business.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/prem...-business.html
Sep 10, 2022, 1:27 pm
#27
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: UA Plat, 2MM
Posts: 1,860
I think some of the answers here are more confusing than helpful if you do not understand the terms. Call DELTA, they will help you as the best source. You don't need to know all these terms, just tell the agent what you need. It may not work, but they are your best help
Good luck
Good luck
Sep 10, 2022, 3:48 pm
#28
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
I think some of the answers here are more confusing than helpful if you do not understand the terms. Call DELTA, they will help you as the best source. You don't need to know all these terms, just tell the agent what you need. It may not work, but they are your best help
Good luck
Good luck
Sep 10, 2022, 8:19 pm
#29
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Sep 11, 2022, 6:30 am
#30
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Posts: 1,079
Sure, Delta asking more than 1.5 million miles for two J tickets may sound like an outrageous exploitation, but have you considered this....
https://twitter.com/britinidangelo/s...QL_Ovz8cHUQ-SA
https://twitter.com/britinidangelo/s...QL_Ovz8cHUQ-SA