Don't worry... without a doubt, without question, you will be seated in BizElite. Cannot comment on your AF portion though.

This is not correct. First, Delta has reduced many international flight frequencies, including CDG. This siginficantly reduced the number of seats avaiable. So for starters, you really have to pick the right flight on the right date.

Also, the buddy pass gives you S4 priority. So first, anybody riding on a positive space pass will be cleared. After that, riders using a S1 or S2 priority as well as those DL employees using their standard S3 priority will be cleared onto the flight. Only after that comes the buddy pass with its S4 priority, and then it's still based on the date of employment within all NRSAs using a buddy pass. So you will not necessarily ride in BizElite.

I refer you back to your friend who gave you the buddy pass - if he/she has Deltamatic access, he/she can see how many people have listed for the flight you want to get on and give you more details on the odds that you a) make it onto the flight and b) get seated in the forward cabin.

Please don't pay attention to the misinformation. There are some people on this forum who specialize in spreading rumors and patently untrue statements. Alas, I fear RobertS975 may be joining their ranks.

Read the information sheet that should have been given to you with your ticket - it provides dress codes (important, especially if you're trying to ride up front) and the information for dialing in to check flight loads.

My advice is to always have backup plans A, B, C, and D...even if a flight looks good - things can go wrong.

Air France has never upgraded me on a buddy pass, even when seats in First Class were available.

For your return flight you can check with a Delta office abroad (call the reservations number) and if they have time, a nice agent might provide you with the return flight loads. I've also had my Delta employee friends email me the loads and I stop by an internet cafe and check in the days preceding my departure.

The main advice I have is be flexible, have backup plans, pray to the nonrev business class Gods, and have fun!

When non-revving, it is best to go onto the zen-like state of travel, repeating as your mantra "I am now in the state of...travel. I will arrive when I arrive. Until then, I am in the state of travel." You may have to repeat this for days, but this has helped me a lot.
No expectations, no disappointments.

Let me revise... you will likely be seated in BE ahead of any PMs or GMs travelling on LUTQKH fares, because these fares are not upgradeable at any time. And if there are PMs who are travelling on YBM fares who have not had their upgrades clear prior to departure day, you will seated in BE ahead of them as well. Because DL does not do day of departure upgrades. So if what I stated previously was "misinformation", I hope this clears it up!

You stand a good chance of riding in BE if there are a lot of empty seats on the flight and more specifically in BE.

In my opinion, a buddy pass is the cheapest way to travel in BE transatlantic as long as you are very flexible about travel dates and times.

Aside from the officially provided Deltamatic robotronic machinorrific methods of figuring out loads you should also try this website: www.etour.co.jp/solar/index.html

PS- Are there any F/A willing to date me out there? Sex, age, orientation, physical appearance and intelligence are irrelevant as long as you are willing to share your flight benefits http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Have you checked to see how much your fee would be? Some fees are pretty hefty.

I just checked on the price. Thanks (i think) for suggesting that.

It's going to be $500 and it doesn't take me quite where I need to go, so I still need to buy another ticket.

Looks like I may need to reconsider this "freebie."

Try and go with flights on Delta metal -- especially transatlantic -- as opposed to the Air France codeshare flights because AF will usually not put non-revs in Biz while DL will if space is available.

The unlisted number you were given provides very accurate info for Delta flights. However, the space available on AF code-share flights that the system tells you about is only Delta's block. If you call Air France's main 800 number and tell them you're flying standby they may tell you how it really looks.

Also, avoid checking luggage. This can really complicate things if you have a connection. Additionally, if your bags miss the flight you'll have to go pick them up at the airport or pay to have them delivered to your home.

Like a previous poster said, check to see how much $$$ you're actually saving. Sometimes the number of SkyMiles you would earn is enough not to make the non-rev discount worth it.

If you have additional questions, email me offline.

As a non-rev traveler for 25 years, FoPAA has the best advice. My only advice is to expect the worst and it will (usually) not be as bad as you imagine. Also, dress well, be polite as you are a non-entity, and only pack a carry-on that will fit under your seat if need be-you can always buy clothes at your destination! Make the most of any extra nights you have to spend too.

KLM and NW just put Europe on sale for $252 through the end of May. Unless you're going later than that, a positive space ticket may be a better deal.

Buddy pass FAILED in Bombay!!!!!
 

My friend flew from San Diego to Bombay 3 weeks ago on a delta buddy pass without any problems.

On the return (apr. 6), he was denied boarding with his pass. They said they were not accepting stand-by's.

The next day, the Delta office said that they are not accepting non rev flyers (buddy pass) because of the longer route due to the war. They are taking cargo instead of non-revs.

He was forced to buy another ticket on a different airline in order to get back!

How could they do this? Is there a contact for the buddy pass program which he could use to ask for compensation. He has an unused portion of the pass which should be refunded (at the very least!).

Thanks.

Delta must have some contract between its employees concerning the buddy pass program. I would ask your friend to see if they could find out about that. I am sure DL has something that they do not guarantee buddy passes and the first right of refusal to anyone who is on it. As for refund, I am sure whatever the buddy pass cost was, it won't even be close to the ticket your friend purchased. I think your friend might be at a loss on this one.

Anyone attempting to nonrev out of BOM right now has got to be crazy. The first two weeks of April are traditionally the second highest traffic periods of the year after the first two weeks of January.

This year it is worse because of the payload restrictions for Delta's 763s due to the longer routing skirting the no-fly zones.

Your friend has no recourse whatsoever. Chalk it up to experience and next time don't nonrev to India at this time of the year.