Award Ticket Success - Post It Here
May 4, 2023, 10:50 am
#5506
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Great tips on continuing to check the inventory for MEX - SYD. I was able to snag MEX - SYD so now I've got both directions covered -- will decide later if I keep the trip but at least I've got the structure of it put together.
Now about that RDU - MEX flight...
Now about that RDU - MEX flight...
May 5, 2023, 1:35 pm
#5507
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 85
May 15, 2023, 1:02 am
#5508
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sonoma CA
Programs: DL DM&MM, DL KMwannabe, HH, AA, TG,
Posts: 1,257
I don’t know how far this thread has strayed from the “success with award travel“ theme, but thought I would post a success.
we want to tickets on a rather specific date next February SFO-AKL. Definitely wanted Delta one seats, for two passengers.
Those were fairly easy to find on the nonstop from LAX to Auckland. However, those flights are using the old.Latam planes, with not a terribly comfortable delta one configuration. We have not flown in the D1 suites. We therefore wanted to be routed via Sydney, transferring to.LA800 SYD-AKL. The first several agents couldn’t even see the flight, let alone figure out how to ticket us. We were even willing to pay for that last leg, but wanted to make sure that our baggage could be checked through.Finally, got a wonderful agent who was able to get us the flights that we wanted for all three segments. Unfortunately, we lost the 15% award travel discount as Amexdelta card holders, but for a “mere” 410,000 miles each were able to get exactly the flights we wanted.
Ah, for the days of round-trip first class New York to Bangkok on Singapore airlines for 180,000 miles!
we want to tickets on a rather specific date next February SFO-AKL. Definitely wanted Delta one seats, for two passengers.
Those were fairly easy to find on the nonstop from LAX to Auckland. However, those flights are using the old.Latam planes, with not a terribly comfortable delta one configuration. We have not flown in the D1 suites. We therefore wanted to be routed via Sydney, transferring to.LA800 SYD-AKL. The first several agents couldn’t even see the flight, let alone figure out how to ticket us. We were even willing to pay for that last leg, but wanted to make sure that our baggage could be checked through.Finally, got a wonderful agent who was able to get us the flights that we wanted for all three segments. Unfortunately, we lost the 15% award travel discount as Amexdelta card holders, but for a “mere” 410,000 miles each were able to get exactly the flights we wanted.
Ah, for the days of round-trip first class New York to Bangkok on Singapore airlines for 180,000 miles!
May 15, 2023, 3:14 am
#5509
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,045
I don’t know how far this thread has strayed from the “success with award travel“ theme, but thought I would post a success.
we want to tickets on a rather specific date next February SFO-AKL. Definitely wanted Delta one seats, for two passengers.
Those were fairly easy to find on the nonstop from LAX to Auckland. However, those flights are using the old.Latam planes, with not a terribly comfortable delta one configuration. We have not flown in the D1 suites. We therefore wanted to be routed via Sydney, transferring to.LA800 SYD-AKL. The first several agents couldn’t even see the flight, let alone figure out how to ticket us. We were even willing to pay for that last leg, but wanted to make sure that our baggage could be checked through.Finally, got a wonderful agent who was able to get us the flights that we wanted for all three segments. Unfortunately, we lost the 15% award travel discount as Amexdelta card holders, but for a “mere” 410,000 miles each were able to get exactly the flights we wanted.
Ah, for the days of round-trip first class New York to Bangkok on Singapore airlines for 180,000 miles!
we want to tickets on a rather specific date next February SFO-AKL. Definitely wanted Delta one seats, for two passengers.
Those were fairly easy to find on the nonstop from LAX to Auckland. However, those flights are using the old.Latam planes, with not a terribly comfortable delta one configuration. We have not flown in the D1 suites. We therefore wanted to be routed via Sydney, transferring to.LA800 SYD-AKL. The first several agents couldn’t even see the flight, let alone figure out how to ticket us. We were even willing to pay for that last leg, but wanted to make sure that our baggage could be checked through.Finally, got a wonderful agent who was able to get us the flights that we wanted for all three segments. Unfortunately, we lost the 15% award travel discount as Amexdelta card holders, but for a “mere” 410,000 miles each were able to get exactly the flights we wanted.
Ah, for the days of round-trip first class New York to Bangkok on Singapore airlines for 180,000 miles!
Could've booked SFO-SYD and SYD-AKL separately and then gotten the AMEX discount on SFO-SYD. DL/LA through check across tickets.
May 15, 2023, 7:44 am
#5510
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,063
Actually, one-way D1 awards on SFO-AKL look to start at 410K miles. These are CSH4100 awards and have a 14-day AP. The "Fare Details:" line in email receipt will have award fare component breakdown.
Roundtrip D1 awards on SFO-AKL start at 325K miles each way (650K miles total) before Amex discount. These are CSVR3250 awards and have a 90-day AP and roundtrip booking requirement. Fare rule screenshot below. The 'R' in the middle of the fare basis code indicates a roundtrip booking requirement for fare (can be open jaw). The min stay requirement (if any) will be listed in the fare rules.
With Amex discount for DL metal, total price for roundtrip awards would drop from 650K miles to 552,400.
Roundtrip D1 awards on SFO-AKL start at 325K miles each way (650K miles total) before Amex discount. These are CSVR3250 awards and have a 90-day AP and roundtrip booking requirement. Fare rule screenshot below. The 'R' in the middle of the fare basis code indicates a roundtrip booking requirement for fare (can be open jaw). The min stay requirement (if any) will be listed in the fare rules.
With Amex discount for DL metal, total price for roundtrip awards would drop from 650K miles to 552,400.
Last edited by xliioper; May 15, 2023 at 8:53 am
May 15, 2023, 9:18 am
#5511
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,045
Actually, one-way D1 awards on SFO-AKL look to start at 410K miles. These are CSH4100 awards and have a 14-day AP. The "Fare Details:" line in email receipt will have award fare component breakdown.
Roundtrip D1 awards on SFO-AKL start at 325K miles each way (650K miles total) before Amex discount. These are CSVR3250 awards and have a 90-day AP and roundtrip booking requirement. Fare rule screenshot below. The 'R' in the middle of the fare basis code indicates a roundtrip booking requirement for fare (can be open jaw). The min stay requirement (if any) will be listed in the fare rules.
With Amex discount for DL metal, total price for roundtrip awards would drop from 650K miles to 552,400.
Roundtrip D1 awards on SFO-AKL start at 325K miles each way (650K miles total) before Amex discount. These are CSVR3250 awards and have a 90-day AP and roundtrip booking requirement. Fare rule screenshot below. The 'R' in the middle of the fare basis code indicates a roundtrip booking requirement for fare (can be open jaw). The min stay requirement (if any) will be listed in the fare rules.
With Amex discount for DL metal, total price for roundtrip awards would drop from 650K miles to 552,400.
May 15, 2023, 10:10 am
#5512
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
I don’t know how far this thread has strayed from the “success with award travel“ theme, but thought I would post a success.
we want to tickets on a rather specific date next February SFO-AKL. Definitely wanted Delta one seats, for two passengers.
Those were fairly easy to find on the nonstop from LAX to Auckland. However, those flights are using the old.Latam planes, with not a terribly comfortable delta one configuration. We have not flown in the D1 suites. We therefore wanted to be routed via Sydney, transferring to.LA800 SYD-AKL. The first several agents couldn’t even see the flight, let alone figure out how to ticket us. We were even willing to pay for that last leg, but wanted to make sure that our baggage could be checked through.Finally, got a wonderful agent who was able to get us the flights that we wanted for all three segments. Unfortunately, we lost the 15% award travel discount as Amexdelta card holders, but for a “mere” 410,000 miles each were able to get exactly the flights we wanted.
Ah, for the days of round-trip first class New York to Bangkok on Singapore airlines for 180,000 miles!
we want to tickets on a rather specific date next February SFO-AKL. Definitely wanted Delta one seats, for two passengers.
Those were fairly easy to find on the nonstop from LAX to Auckland. However, those flights are using the old.Latam planes, with not a terribly comfortable delta one configuration. We have not flown in the D1 suites. We therefore wanted to be routed via Sydney, transferring to.LA800 SYD-AKL. The first several agents couldn’t even see the flight, let alone figure out how to ticket us. We were even willing to pay for that last leg, but wanted to make sure that our baggage could be checked through.Finally, got a wonderful agent who was able to get us the flights that we wanted for all three segments. Unfortunately, we lost the 15% award travel discount as Amexdelta card holders, but for a “mere” 410,000 miles each were able to get exactly the flights we wanted.
Ah, for the days of round-trip first class New York to Bangkok on Singapore airlines for 180,000 miles!
What would it have cost on the direct? Not sure that the D1 suites are worth the connection or extra cost.
May 15, 2023, 10:48 am
#5513
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,063
With AMEX 15% discount, this gets reduced to 348,500 miles as can be seen below.
Last edited by xliioper; May 15, 2023 at 11:06 am
May 15, 2023, 12:33 pm
#5514
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
325K miles each-way is the lowest level roundtrip D1 award SFO-AKL route (CSVR3250 fare basis code). OP booked a one-way award and thus would not qualify for a roundtrip award level. Lowest level for SFO-AKL route as a one-way D1 award is 410K miles (without Amex discount).
Low level SFO-LAX-AKL is same 410K miles (CSH4100 fare basis code) without discount. This is the same award OP got as they booked him a low-level SFO-AKL award.
With AMEX 15% discount, this gets reduced to 348,500 miles as can be seen below.
Low level SFO-LAX-AKL is same 410K miles (CSH4100 fare basis code) without discount. This is the same award OP got as they booked him a low-level SFO-AKL award.
With AMEX 15% discount, this gets reduced to 348,500 miles as can be seen below.
May 15, 2023, 1:10 pm
#5515
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,063
May 15, 2023, 1:18 pm
#5516
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
Actually all of last year was lucky. Managed to snag 3 trans-Atlantics and use GUCs both ways on all of them.
May 15, 2023, 1:35 pm
#5517
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,315
akl-lax-mex for 95k in J.
are those old Latam seats bad for a couple? Are the seats fully lie flat and level?
are those old Latam seats bad for a couple? Are the seats fully lie flat and level?
May 15, 2023, 2:00 pm
#5518
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,205
Full flat rectangular non-angled, no coffin effect bed that is wide without any narrowing at head or feet.
Enjoy these superior seats before DL Deltifies the cabin.
May 16, 2023, 3:20 pm
#5519
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BUR
Programs: AA, DL Platinum, AS, AF/KL, UA, VS, HA, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 1,788
Hate to admit the inflated mileage amount but I didn’t know what else to to.
LAX-JFK-MXP in PS 125,000 SMs ONE-WAY.
Returning from LIN (Milan Linate) using 90,000 AF/KL FB miles on KL in Premium Comfort.
This was the most miles per flights I’ve ver blown. But it was either the miles or at least $2600 total for PS/PE and that’s absurd. And I tried almost everything. Different city pairs, flying into other “cheaper” airports like LHR, FRA and BRU and then looking into cheap Ryanair/EasyJet/Wizzair one-ways (to LHR involves changing airports - ugh!). I even looked into flying ex-MEX. Nothing brought up moderately priced itineraries. It’s just a very expensive summer.
I need to get to Rome. LAX to FCO in PS one-way was over 200k SMs! So I’m taking a train from Milan to Rome for 50 Euro.
Considering I paid 90k SMs total round-trip in PS/PE for LAX-AMS, LHR-LAX in the winter, it’s a bit disheartening.
LAX-JFK-MXP in PS 125,000 SMs ONE-WAY.
Returning from LIN (Milan Linate) using 90,000 AF/KL FB miles on KL in Premium Comfort.
This was the most miles per flights I’ve ver blown. But it was either the miles or at least $2600 total for PS/PE and that’s absurd. And I tried almost everything. Different city pairs, flying into other “cheaper” airports like LHR, FRA and BRU and then looking into cheap Ryanair/EasyJet/Wizzair one-ways (to LHR involves changing airports - ugh!). I even looked into flying ex-MEX. Nothing brought up moderately priced itineraries. It’s just a very expensive summer.
I need to get to Rome. LAX to FCO in PS one-way was over 200k SMs! So I’m taking a train from Milan to Rome for 50 Euro.
Considering I paid 90k SMs total round-trip in PS/PE for LAX-AMS, LHR-LAX in the winter, it’s a bit disheartening.
May 16, 2023, 4:37 pm
#5520
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,063
Award levels vary based on season, route, and roundtrip vs one-way bookings. A summer one-way award is generally always going to be much higher than roundtrip bookings in shoulder/offseason (roundtrip booking and seasonality requirements are listed in the award fare rules).
With Amex discount, low-level seasonal roundtrip PS awards from LAX to MXP start at 85K each-way in the shoulder season and 68K miles each-way in the offseason (Oct 30th - Mar 15th travel requirement with exclusions around holidays). A 7 day minimum stay is required for these levels in addition to roundtrip booking. Open jaw bookings also qualify for the lower roundtrip booking levels. There are 54.4K each-way (with Amex discount) roundtrip PS awards on LAX-LHR valid for travel from Sep 19th through May 18th.
With Amex discount, low-level seasonal roundtrip PS awards from LAX to MXP start at 85K each-way in the shoulder season and 68K miles each-way in the offseason (Oct 30th - Mar 15th travel requirement with exclusions around holidays). A 7 day minimum stay is required for these levels in addition to roundtrip booking. Open jaw bookings also qualify for the lower roundtrip booking levels. There are 54.4K each-way (with Amex discount) roundtrip PS awards on LAX-LHR valid for travel from Sep 19th through May 18th.
Last edited by xliioper; May 16, 2023 at 4:52 pm