China Eastern and Delta Air Lines: The Definitive Thread
Dec 23, 2012, 11:34 am
#196
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,045
Okay, I'll spill the rest of the "secret" (I've probably done so upthread anyway... I haven't seen this thread in a while): call a CTO, and figure out a way to not get transferred to Singapore. I won't elaborate any further because I don't want to risk bringing too much attention to a good thing.
Dec 23, 2012, 1:32 pm
#197
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
Anyone have recent experience trying to use ExpertFlyer to find availability on MU?
I am showing multiple days with open D class seats departing from JFK-PVG on 3/21/2013 (3/19, 3/20). However, every single time I have called Delta (5 times now) they show zero availability that whole week on MU. One time I called and they said one seat was open, but every other call has been zip.
Is ExpertFlyer inaccurate reporting available award seats now on MU or is Delta just getting even more dismal when trying to book international award travel?
I am showing multiple days with open D class seats departing from JFK-PVG on 3/21/2013 (3/19, 3/20). However, every single time I have called Delta (5 times now) they show zero availability that whole week on MU. One time I called and they said one seat was open, but every other call has been zip.
Is ExpertFlyer inaccurate reporting available award seats now on MU or is Delta just getting even more dismal when trying to book international award travel?
Dec 23, 2012, 2:03 pm
#198
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York
Programs: Delta PM, Hertz FS, SPG Plt, HH Gold
Posts: 105
Okay, I'll spill the rest of the "secret" (I've probably done so upthread anyway... I haven't seen this thread in a while): call a CTO, and figure out a way to not get transferred to Singapore. I won't elaborate any further because I don't want to risk bringing too much attention to a good thing.
EF has frequently been reported to be inaccurate on MU. If you go to ceair.com and switch to English, you can check award inventory right from the revenue search. Under redeem bonus points, if there's a /, there's no award space, If you see an orange check mark, click it, and you'll see award amounts for whichever classes are available. (Unavailable classes will show /.) I don't know for sure that whatever MU makes available to Eastern Miles members can be redeemed by DL, but surely if there's no inventory to MU's own members, DL won't have any access. The dates you cite show no inventory on the MU site.
On a similar note, I thought I would share my resolution. I ended up finding award space on Korean Air. Happened to find a leg that worked schedule-wise: LAX - ICN - PVG -ICN - JFK. Now I just have to find a feeder flight to LAX from JFK which is easy enough.
I appreciate all the tips, and Happy Holidays!
Dec 23, 2012, 5:22 pm
#199
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
EF has frequently been reported to be inaccurate on MU. If you go to ceair.com and switch to English, you can check award inventory right from the revenue search. Under redeem bonus points, if there's a /, there's no award space, If you see an orange check mark, click it, and you'll see award amounts for whichever classes are available. (Unavailable classes will show /.) I don't know for sure that whatever MU makes available to Eastern Miles members can be redeemed by DL, but surely if there's no inventory to MU's own members, DL won't have any access. The dates you cite show no inventory on the MU site.
Jan 24, 2013, 4:43 pm
#200
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York
Programs: Delta PM, Hertz FS, SPG Plt, HH Gold
Posts: 105
Just a quick confirmation. Delta charges YQ on MU redemptions, correct? For instance, JFK-PVG-JFK would be 70k miles and about $400 in taxes/fees and YQ?
EDIT: Yes, Delta does charge YQ for MU redemption. For some reason, I thought they didn't.
EDIT: Yes, Delta does charge YQ for MU redemption. For some reason, I thought they didn't.
Last edited by eyestrain; Jan 24, 2013 at 4:55 pm Reason: Answering my own question
Jan 24, 2013, 9:13 pm
#201
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
Jan 24, 2013, 11:21 pm
#202
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,393
Okay, I'll spill the rest of the "secret" (I've probably done so upthread anyway... I haven't seen this thread in a while): call a CTO, and figure out a way to not get transferred to Singapore. I won't elaborate any further because I don't want to risk bringing too much attention to a good thing.
Jan 25, 2013, 11:15 am
#204
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York
Programs: Delta PM, Hertz FS, SPG Plt, HH Gold
Posts: 105
May 23, 2013, 1:25 am
#205
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: Skyteam: DL SM, One World, Star Alliance
Posts: 16
Finding MU awards and multi-city
It's been helpful having this MU thread. Thank You. I need help finding Business YVR-DEL Sep 26 returning DSP-YVR Oct 15.
I'm planning a trip YVR-DEL, then I'll just buy a flight from DEL to DPS because I don't see a ST partner listed. Then returning from Bali (DSP-YVR) Oct 15 give or take a day on either side. I followed a suggestion to try the CEAIR.com site. I couldn't find multi-city only round trip. So I went with one way, but then saw only prices not award tickets. Under the Frequent Flyer menu, it required passport and registering as an MU member. Is there something else I should be doing?
I am following the best method? Is this the best place to gather information and then phone a DL agent with my preferences?
Paul
I'm planning a trip YVR-DEL, then I'll just buy a flight from DEL to DPS because I don't see a ST partner listed. Then returning from Bali (DSP-YVR) Oct 15 give or take a day on either side. I followed a suggestion to try the CEAIR.com site. I couldn't find multi-city only round trip. So I went with one way, but then saw only prices not award tickets. Under the Frequent Flyer menu, it required passport and registering as an MU member. Is there something else I should be doing?
I am following the best method? Is this the best place to gather information and then phone a DL agent with my preferences?
Paul
May 23, 2013, 1:48 am
#206
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: Skyteam: DL SM, One World, Star Alliance
Posts: 16
Where/who to call
Moondog,
I'm not quite following you as to where to call.
You said:
"For MU and CZ, manual sells still work wonders. The trick is finding an agent that is willing to do them (hint: avoid the call centers, both US and Singapore)."
So that means use a CTO.
What number do you phone to avoid them or what do you ask for instead?
You said "Call a City Ticket Office and ask to get transferred to Singapore."
"There is a CTO there [in SIN], but more importantly that's where their call center is. Those people are very by the book."
Is "very by the book" bad, since they do not offer to help with long sells, etc. In which case why would I call the CTO in SIN, if they are not going to help.
Sorry, but I am confused. What's the best place to call or to request to be transferred to?
Paul
I'm not quite following you as to where to call.
You said:
"For MU and CZ, manual sells still work wonders. The trick is finding an agent that is willing to do them (hint: avoid the call centers, both US and Singapore)."
So that means use a CTO.
What number do you phone to avoid them or what do you ask for instead?
You said "Call a City Ticket Office and ask to get transferred to Singapore."
"There is a CTO there [in SIN], but more importantly that's where their call center is. Those people are very by the book."
Is "very by the book" bad, since they do not offer to help with long sells, etc. In which case why would I call the CTO in SIN, if they are not going to help.
Sorry, but I am confused. What's the best place to call or to request to be transferred to?
Paul
May 23, 2013, 2:19 am
#207
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,045
I wouldn't deal with anyone in SIN (call center or CTO). Beijing is my favorite CTO, but unless you manage to escape their phone bot, your call will end up in SIN anyway.
Moondog,
I'm not quite following you as to where to call.
You said:
"For MU and CZ, manual sells still work wonders. The trick is finding an agent that is willing to do them (hint: avoid the call centers, both US and Singapore)."
So that means use a CTO.
What number do you phone to avoid them or what do you ask for instead?
You said "Call a City Ticket Office and ask to get transferred to Singapore."
"There is a CTO there [in SIN], but more importantly that's where their call center is. Those people are very by the book."
Is "very by the book" bad, since they do not offer to help with long sells, etc. In which case why would I call the CTO in SIN, if they are not going to help.
Sorry, but I am confused. What's the best place to call or to request to be transferred to?
Paul
I'm not quite following you as to where to call.
You said:
"For MU and CZ, manual sells still work wonders. The trick is finding an agent that is willing to do them (hint: avoid the call centers, both US and Singapore)."
So that means use a CTO.
What number do you phone to avoid them or what do you ask for instead?
You said "Call a City Ticket Office and ask to get transferred to Singapore."
"There is a CTO there [in SIN], but more importantly that's where their call center is. Those people are very by the book."
Is "very by the book" bad, since they do not offer to help with long sells, etc. In which case why would I call the CTO in SIN, if they are not going to help.
Sorry, but I am confused. What's the best place to call or to request to be transferred to?
Paul
Aug 12, 2013, 2:23 pm
#209
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 3,359
I've booked two award tickets between the US and China on Delta metal in BusinessElite. The Plat line was also able to book first class tickets within China on Shanghai Airlines (FM) as part of these award tickets.
Has anyone else had experience with Delta awards on Shanghai Airlines? Based on other peoples experiences with different SkyTeam partners, I am very worried that the tickets are NOT booked or that Shanghai Airlines will cancel them as being reserved but never ticketed, or there will be some other issues....
I wanted to contact Shanghai Airlines directly but they are owned by Chine Eastern and I was directed to China Eastern's US website. That website gives two customer service numbers, one for their LA office and one for the NY office. I've tried both and just been on hold a LONG time before getting disconnected....
Has anyone else had experience with Delta awards on Shanghai Airlines? Based on other peoples experiences with different SkyTeam partners, I am very worried that the tickets are NOT booked or that Shanghai Airlines will cancel them as being reserved but never ticketed, or there will be some other issues....
I wanted to contact Shanghai Airlines directly but they are owned by Chine Eastern and I was directed to China Eastern's US website. That website gives two customer service numbers, one for their LA office and one for the NY office. I've tried both and just been on hold a LONG time before getting disconnected....
Aug 12, 2013, 3:37 pm
#210
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,045
I've booked two award tickets between the US and China on Delta metal in BusinessElite. The Plat line was also able to book first class tickets within China on Shanghai Airlines (FM) as part of these award tickets.
Has anyone else had experience with Delta awards on Shanghai Airlines? Based on other peoples experiences with different SkyTeam partners, I am very worried that the tickets are NOT booked or that Shanghai Airlines will cancel them as being reserved but never ticketed, or there will be some other issues....
I wanted to contact Shanghai Airlines directly but they are owned by Chine Eastern and I was directed to China Eastern's US website. That website gives two customer service numbers, one for their LA office and one for the NY office. I've tried both and just been on hold a LONG time before getting disconnected....
Has anyone else had experience with Delta awards on Shanghai Airlines? Based on other peoples experiences with different SkyTeam partners, I am very worried that the tickets are NOT booked or that Shanghai Airlines will cancel them as being reserved but never ticketed, or there will be some other issues....
I wanted to contact Shanghai Airlines directly but they are owned by Chine Eastern and I was directed to China Eastern's US website. That website gives two customer service numbers, one for their LA office and one for the NY office. I've tried both and just been on hold a LONG time before getting disconnected....