Given that DavidH posted that question in September, 2000, let's hope his trip is over by now. :confused:

I might stll be stuck with the buddy pass :D

DavidH just PMed me. He still hasn't made it home as space hasn't opened up yet.

And the aircraft is a major determinant in this as well...

i hope thats just a joke..right?

It is a joke.

He has hopefully made it back in the last 10 years, I'm guessing. :D

Europe with a Delta buddy pass
 

Hi,
A regular fare return to Europe costs about $1200 ($700 for the ticket and $500 for surcharges, taxes etc). My friend offered to give me a buddy pass. Can someone give me a rough guide as to how much the same ticket is likely to cost with a buddy pass. Trying to do the math before I say yes to the pass as I can buy the same ticket in winter for about have the cost without a buddy pass.
Thank you.

The cost will depend on the route. Your friend can do a quick calculation on TravelNet that will include any taxes, fees and/or surcharges you will incur. He/she can also let you know if there are any alerts for your target cities that may impact your ability to clear on a flight as a standby.

I'm trying to figure out if the JFK-TLV leg of a buddy pass will allow 2 free checked bags or just one. I'd ask the DL employee, but s/he is very busy at the moment. It would also be useful for us all for the proper information to be in this thread.

According to Delta (as of May 16, 2011), this is the general checked baggage policy for buddy passes:

"As a Buddy, you can check up to two
bags on most Delta flights at no charge, as
long as they do not exceed size or weight
limitations. (Note, however, there are a few
routes with a Buddy baggage limit of one
checked bag.)"

Anybody have any idea which routes are 1 bag? Also, has there been a recent update to the checked baggage policy?

Safe travels!

JFK-TLV allows 2 free checked bags but each has a maximum weight of 25 kgs.

Strange that it's not stated as either 50 or 70 pounds.

Generally it's 2 bags, but there are exemptions in the TravelNet embargo list.

This applies to all non-revs, not just Buddy Passes.

Hello, I was hoping someone could be kind enough to give me some advice on the Buddy Pass issue.

I'm stationed in Guam and haven't been home to the States in a little over two years. I'm junior enlisted, which means I don't make a WHOLE lot of money. As you can probably imagine, buying two tickets from Guam to Atlanta is very expensive for me.

Luckily, a friend of my mom's works for Delta and was kind enough to give my wife and I two buddy passes to fly home to see my family. I live near the Atlanta area and the "typical" route that I would probably go is Guam to Narita, and then Narita to Atlanta.

I've gotten my leave request approved and have no time obligations. I can get there whenever I get there...for the money that I'm saving, I don't mind waiting in the airport for a day or two.

My mom's friend informed me about the dress code and has suggested that I wear my uniform at the airport. She says it's possibly that they'd put me in Business or First Class if it's available. I don't really care either way, I'd just be happy to get any seat that I can.

Is this advisable? I'm in the military, but I don't want to look like I'm flaunting it just to get a upgrade.

I *DO* have to be back before the 25th of June, that's when my leave expires. I'm thinking about going to the airport on June 20th as it would give me five whole days to get back to Guam.

This is my plan and I wanted to see if any of the seasoned travelers on this forum could give me some tips or advice.

If I have to be back on the 25th, is leaving on the 20th too late? Or should I try to leave a little earlier?

Thank you in advance.

Your Mom's friend needs to go onto the employee site and let you know what flight availability looks like. There is nothing worse than flying blind on a buddy pass (where you have no idea of seat availability). I'd say getting to the airport on the 20th is very sensible. Again, if you can get some idea of availability closer to your departure dates, that will help you out enormously. You also need to be very flexible, possibly making 2+ connections, or flying into HND instead of NRT.

Know your options beforehand so you don't get stuck, since as a standby passenger you have ZERO recourse if things go south. Buddy passing can be a rough, but ultimately fulfilling game. Make sure you are up for playing.

Regarding Biz seating, it is Delta policy that if there is a seat in J available after all other non-revs have been cleared, you will get it. If only Y is available, then you get a seat in Y. Assuming the GAs for your flight are professionals, your mil uniform will not do anything to influence your position on the list, or where you end up sitting on the plane.

Thank you for your quick reply, I appreciate it.

I'm replying because I don't quite understand what you're saying. I don't know what what "Y" or "J" means, or what GA's and non-revs are.

Would you be kind enough to explain these terms to me? I'm not familiar with the lingo. Sorry to be asking so many of these questions.

Very Respectfully,
Jeff