Award Ticket Success - Post It Here
Feb 11, 2010, 5:48 pm
#1291
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Hopefully on a plane...
Posts: 6,580
Booked on Tuesday for travel Today.
2/11 LGA-MSY
2/16 (Mon) MSY-MEM-ATL-LGA (changed 2/11 from HIGH Y to Saver F, will SDC to MSY-MEM-LGA or MSY-LGA).
2 pax in Saver F for 45K miles. There were NO Y seats for sale on this flight so savings was $1,500++/person.
One other thing to note, this is MARDI GRAS weekend in New Orleans so major, major travel to/from there.
2/11 LGA-MSY
2/16 (Mon) MSY-MEM-ATL-LGA (changed 2/11 from HIGH Y to Saver F, will SDC to MSY-MEM-LGA or MSY-LGA).
2 pax in Saver F for 45K miles. There were NO Y seats for sale on this flight so savings was $1,500++/person.
One other thing to note, this is MARDI GRAS weekend in New Orleans so major, major travel to/from there.
Feb 13, 2010, 12:44 am
#1292
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: CLT
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,551
Wanted 1 Y ticket CLT - GVA in the summer. Talk about a skills challenge!
Using ExpertFlyer, Delta.com Broken Award Calendar, and lots and lots of patience got:
June 25
CLT - JFK - MXP
July 10
CTA (on AZ) - FCO (on AZ) - BOS - DTW - CLT
This was $77 for taxes and fees. I had earlier in the day booked:
June 26
CLT - JFK (su) - SVO (su) - MXP [This would have been a very tight 90 minute connection in SVO!!!
July 10
CTA (on AZ) - FCO (on AZ) - BOS - DTW - CLT
However, the taxes and fees on this were $210
Its doable but quite a challenge to book a TransAtlantic Summer Economy Ticket on DL. I wasn't able to get it to my originally intended destination, GVA, but it was to launch an Italian vacation anyway.
Using ExpertFlyer, Delta.com Broken Award Calendar, and lots and lots of patience got:
June 25
CLT - JFK - MXP
July 10
CTA (on AZ) - FCO (on AZ) - BOS - DTW - CLT
This was $77 for taxes and fees. I had earlier in the day booked:
June 26
CLT - JFK (su) - SVO (su) - MXP [This would have been a very tight 90 minute connection in SVO!!!
July 10
CTA (on AZ) - FCO (on AZ) - BOS - DTW - CLT
However, the taxes and fees on this were $210
Its doable but quite a challenge to book a TransAtlantic Summer Economy Ticket on DL. I wasn't able to get it to my originally intended destination, GVA, but it was to launch an Italian vacation anyway.
Feb 13, 2010, 1:53 am
#1293
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DELTA
Posts: 1,599
Msp-lhr @ 100k rt
I just returned from London where my wife and I pimped our ride for 200K for BE, RT all in on the direct MSP-LHR route. Sweet, considering DL charges 16K cash for the same seats last minute!!! 
-A
-A
Feb 13, 2010, 4:47 am
#1294
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, MTA Rust, Hertz Five Star something or other
Posts: 2,858
2 BE tix JFK-MAD over new years for 100k and ~$30 each. got the dates on the first try. Was so astounded, I booked right away, even though my plans aren't solidified.
Feb 13, 2010, 5:33 am
#1295
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: Delta Skymiles Silver Elite
Posts: 266
I was successful in booking the lowest milage economy award ticket for March 3rd through March 10th.
March 3rd: SNA-SEA-AMS-LUX on Alaska, Delta, and KLM
March 10th: LYS-CDG-SLC-SNA on Air France and Delta
March 3rd: SNA-SEA-AMS-LUX on Alaska, Delta, and KLM
March 10th: LYS-CDG-SLC-SNA on Air France and Delta
Feb 13, 2010, 9:21 pm
#1297
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: JFK,ATL,LGA (the rest of the world follows)
Programs: DL KM/DM/2MM (NH Plat emeritus, CO Plat emeritus, and no place like home)
Posts: 3,190
It is sad that we need to post success instead of failures...
A good golfer remembers his bad shots... (attention, DL insiders...)
But-
NRT-CDG, RT, J, NONSTOP, September, 120K miles.
But-
NRT-CDG, RT, J, NONSTOP, September, 120K miles.
Feb 14, 2010, 6:45 am
#1298
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Florida
Programs: Delta 3MM/DM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 351
Just changed return for 4 Aug AMS -> MCO (via MSP) to make a nice open jaw holiday. Still for 100,000 each. No issues at all on the phone in using one of the PM "waivers". Low reward BE are out there...
Feb 16, 2010, 2:22 am
#1299
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
PHX-CGKoHKGoPHX Biz award 120k
I had called in a couple of weeks ago for a PHX-CGKoHKGoPHX biz award, but the return dates were more than 331 days out. The agent at that time was helpful, and I was tempted to book what they had, and use my last free change when the dates rolled around.
I held off, and called tonight, after midnight, since I figured they shouldn't be so busy. I did mention that I had called before and the basic routing they had found.
However, I let the Plat agent find what she could and go from there she looked PHX-DTW-AMS-CGK, which I didn't think was a legal routing, but you never know. Nothing available in Biz.
She then tried PHX-MSP-NRT-ICN-CGKoHKG-NRT-MSP-PHX, and actually found Biz seats on all segments. It was, however, a "Delta" version, of 320k. I've never paid more than 220k for an award in my life, and that was a RTW, so I wasn't going to start now.
I then start suggesting the original routing I mentioned, and giving flight numbers from EF. After a lot of time on hold, and not being able to see a lot of KE flights, she came back with 160k. Not great, but closer.
I finally suggest a CI flight from CGK-HKG. Agent swears that is a codeshare. I double check EF, and say I think she's mistaken. I give her the flight numbers, etc, and finally she sees it. Only a coach seat in the date range I want, but it is 120k total. I'm pondering it, and tell her to check a bit outside the dates I told her. She finds one biz seat 4 days before, or 2 days after, so I take the 4 days before.
Since I'll have Gold elite status on DL this upcoming year, I want to take the miles out of my kids account, so pull the 120k out there, and pay the $20 booking fee. Less than $45 in taxes.
So, overall a good outcome. Without EF, and a lot of patience, it would have never happened. The total time spent was 82 minutes. The only time I've ever spent that much time on the phone with an award agent was booking a RTW.
I think the real tip here is not to fly DL on any of the legs. I'm flying AS, KE and CI on the trip. A forced overnight in ICN, but that's not so bad.
I last booked something similar (without HKG stopover) on nwa.com online. I think it took about 3 or 4 minutes.
I held off, and called tonight, after midnight, since I figured they shouldn't be so busy. I did mention that I had called before and the basic routing they had found.
However, I let the Plat agent find what she could and go from there she looked PHX-DTW-AMS-CGK, which I didn't think was a legal routing, but you never know. Nothing available in Biz.
She then tried PHX-MSP-NRT-ICN-CGKoHKG-NRT-MSP-PHX, and actually found Biz seats on all segments. It was, however, a "Delta" version, of 320k. I've never paid more than 220k for an award in my life, and that was a RTW, so I wasn't going to start now.
I then start suggesting the original routing I mentioned, and giving flight numbers from EF. After a lot of time on hold, and not being able to see a lot of KE flights, she came back with 160k. Not great, but closer.
I finally suggest a CI flight from CGK-HKG. Agent swears that is a codeshare. I double check EF, and say I think she's mistaken. I give her the flight numbers, etc, and finally she sees it. Only a coach seat in the date range I want, but it is 120k total. I'm pondering it, and tell her to check a bit outside the dates I told her. She finds one biz seat 4 days before, or 2 days after, so I take the 4 days before.
Since I'll have Gold elite status on DL this upcoming year, I want to take the miles out of my kids account, so pull the 120k out there, and pay the $20 booking fee. Less than $45 in taxes.
So, overall a good outcome. Without EF, and a lot of patience, it would have never happened. The total time spent was 82 minutes. The only time I've ever spent that much time on the phone with an award agent was booking a RTW.
I think the real tip here is not to fly DL on any of the legs. I'm flying AS, KE and CI on the trip. A forced overnight in ICN, but that's not so bad.
I last booked something similar (without HKG stopover) on nwa.com online. I think it took about 3 or 4 minutes.
Feb 16, 2010, 8:07 am
#1300
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Naples, Florida, USA
Programs: DL Diamond, 2MM; Hilton Diamond; IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 791
Slightly off topic of pure award seats, but I picked up the phone on Friday night and had no problem booking the following using PMU's to upgrade to BE:
MEM-ATL-SYD-ATL-MEM for December 2010
TUP-ATL-LHR-ATL-TUP for July 2010
I was able to do this getting the exact flights I wanted on the exact days I wanted for all legs.
Before folks point it out, I of course realize that I am very lucky that I can make arrangements to use PMU's far in advance, and that my plans are very unlikely to change once made. In other words, I realize that I am exactly the type of flyer for whom PMU's are a great benefit. Indeed, for the past six years or so, I am 100% booking upgraded int'l BE tickets, and I always use all of my PMU's for that purpose.
MEM-ATL-SYD-ATL-MEM for December 2010
TUP-ATL-LHR-ATL-TUP for July 2010
I was able to do this getting the exact flights I wanted on the exact days I wanted for all legs.
Before folks point it out, I of course realize that I am very lucky that I can make arrangements to use PMU's far in advance, and that my plans are very unlikely to change once made. In other words, I realize that I am exactly the type of flyer for whom PMU's are a great benefit. Indeed, for the past six years or so, I am 100% booking upgraded int'l BE tickets, and I always use all of my PMU's for that purpose.
Feb 16, 2010, 8:26 am
#1301
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,904
3 economy Al Italia tickets for some family members around Memorial Day. BOS-FCO, FLR-FCO-BOS. Tax $62.10 each, plus $20 phone booking fee. Required calling a 2nd agent as the first claimed nothing was available. I was a little surprised at 3 seats on the same plane.
Feb 16, 2010, 9:46 am
#1302
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
Programs: United1K, AA ExPlAAt, DL MM/Gold, Hilton Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 13,316
Slightly off topic of pure award seats, but I picked up the phone on Friday night and had no problem booking the following using PMU's to upgrade to BE:
MEM-ATL-SYD-ATL-MEM for December 2010
TUP-ATL-LHR-ATL-TUP for July 2010
I was able to do this getting the exact flights I wanted on the exact days I wanted for all legs.
Before folks point it out, I of course realize that I am very lucky that I can make arrangements to use PMU's far in advance, and that my plans are very unlikely to change once made. In other words, I realize that I am exactly the type of flyer for whom PMU's are a great benefit. Indeed, for the past six years or so, I am 100% booking upgraded int'l BE tickets, and I always use all of my PMU's for that purpose.
MEM-ATL-SYD-ATL-MEM for December 2010
TUP-ATL-LHR-ATL-TUP for July 2010
I was able to do this getting the exact flights I wanted on the exact days I wanted for all legs.
Before folks point it out, I of course realize that I am very lucky that I can make arrangements to use PMU's far in advance, and that my plans are very unlikely to change once made. In other words, I realize that I am exactly the type of flyer for whom PMU's are a great benefit. Indeed, for the past six years or so, I am 100% booking upgraded int'l BE tickets, and I always use all of my PMU's for that purpose.
The problem is not your plans changing but DL's. I would just keep a close eye on those flights for legal connection times and seat assignment. Congrats on the UG..even for a PMU the Aussie leg is tough.
Feb 16, 2010, 10:37 am
#1304
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
Some countries may have higher taxes, so it really depends on your flight. In the past 5 years I've had taxes as low as $0, and as high as $300 on a RTW.
Feb 16, 2010, 10:38 am
#1305
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: BRI
Programs: UA Premier Gold, DL FO, DL MM, Marriott Gold, Hyatt platinum
Posts: 914
MCO-DTW-NRT-BKK in J* on Delta in November, returning HKG-KUL-LAX-MCO in J* on Malaysia/Delta in December. Low award level, two passengers (*domestic segments in Y).
After days of seraching on delta.com and calling Delta, I took a stab at calling the Northwest awards desk in its waning days. The agent spent nearly 45 minutes making it work. It seemed almost miraculous after all the preceding frustration.
After days of seraching on delta.com and calling Delta, I took a stab at calling the Northwest awards desk in its waning days. The agent spent nearly 45 minutes making it work. It seemed almost miraculous after all the preceding frustration.