Award reservation: 1 way available, return not, can I just book one now?
Jul 31, 2008, 4:18 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,238
Thanks though!
Jul 31, 2008, 4:22 pm
#17
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 998
Hi Everyone - I'm new to the forum and would like clarification on this thread (and I'm not savvy to the abbreviations folks are using...). I would like to book 3 tix from Wash DC to Athens for next summer. Outbound is available, but return is more than 331 days out. When I booked this same trip 2 years ago the agent booked one way and left it open for me to book the return with no change fees - but we had added taxes, etc, as was expected when we added the return flights. I understand that it's different now.
When I called Delta Skymiles for help, the agent did not suggest booking one-way and paying a change fee - he said that entire trip must be in the 331 days to book. I also understand that using an agent involves paying fees now, which is not out of the question if an agent can offer me help I can't get from the automated booking system.
I want to make sure that I'm not going to throw away money by booking a one-way now and finding out that I can't make the type of change I want when/if the return becomes available. I've got my outbound one-way on hold right now, until Sat night - so I could book a return with a 2 day stay in Athens when I go back to the site on Saturday. We're booking coach - budget travelers trying to get the most for our miles.
What's the best approach - book a one-way and pay for a change by adding a return when the flights are listed OR book a return with a 2 day stay, and pay for a change on the return when flights are listed.
Thanks for your help!
D
When I called Delta Skymiles for help, the agent did not suggest booking one-way and paying a change fee - he said that entire trip must be in the 331 days to book. I also understand that using an agent involves paying fees now, which is not out of the question if an agent can offer me help I can't get from the automated booking system.
I want to make sure that I'm not going to throw away money by booking a one-way now and finding out that I can't make the type of change I want when/if the return becomes available. I've got my outbound one-way on hold right now, until Sat night - so I could book a return with a 2 day stay in Athens when I go back to the site on Saturday. We're booking coach - budget travelers trying to get the most for our miles.
What's the best approach - book a one-way and pay for a change by adding a return when the flights are listed OR book a return with a 2 day stay, and pay for a change on the return when flights are listed.
Thanks for your help!
D
For your issue, you have 3 choices:
1. what you did. Book one way, costs full value, and hope that return is available when the return 331 d window opens (no guarantees) (also makes sure that return windown is before aug 15 when fuel surchages of $50/ticket go into eefect)...pay change fee.
2. Online, book one way, every 2 days, cancel and rebook immediately (no guarantees will be available again) to hold the outbound flight until return window opens...no change fee
3. wait until return window open and then book whole trip...no change fee
Whatever you choose, have fun.
Last edited by lls138; Jul 31, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Jul 31, 2008, 4:23 pm
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,238
The AMS-PDX looks good for two people.
Now, SMS is saying the flight over isn't working... I know, it sucks.
Jul 31, 2008, 4:26 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 998
You can't have it all.....don't wait for FCO-LAX. Just take the multiple connections with partial coach legs, unless of course, mrs. sorority mikey is a princess who can only have BE, then you need to buy the tix!
Jul 31, 2008, 4:31 pm
#20
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 998
I don't see why you shouldn't be able to find ___italian city-AMS (AMS-PDX)-SAN in some combo or another.....even if it is FCO-AMS-PDX-SEA-SAN or something crazy like that.....
what do you mean no outbound? what happened with LAX-SVO-FCO or SAN-LHR?
Jul 31, 2008, 4:34 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,238
Now, online I can find:
SAN-SEA-LHR
AMS-PDX-SAN
100,000 miles
Before booking, I am gonna try the SMS one more time, see if I get another agent that can find the LAX-FCO and FCO-LAX non-stops on Alitalia.
I really wish we could see the Alitalia flights online somehow. Do they show up on NWA?
Jul 31, 2008, 4:42 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 998
I hope you mean 90,000 for BE seats.
issues: you cannot do LHR-italian cities without connecting through AMS or CDG unless you get alitalia metal
therefore AMS/CDG/milan/PRG are more optimal as they are ST hubs.
Don't settle for buying tickets even if OW LHR-wherever...you should get something to work. you have options. i swear
Jul 31, 2008, 4:46 pm
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,238
I hope you mean 90,000 for BE seats.
issues: you cannot do LHR-italian cities without connecting through AMS or CDG unless you get alitalia metal
therefore AMS/CDG/milan/PRG are more optimal as they are ST hubs.
Don't settle for buying tickets even if OW LHR-wherever...you should get something to work. you have options. i swear
issues: you cannot do LHR-italian cities without connecting through AMS or CDG unless you get alitalia metal
therefore AMS/CDG/milan/PRG are more optimal as they are ST hubs.
Don't settle for buying tickets even if OW LHR-wherever...you should get something to work. you have options. i swear
Also, no, the website is pricing it out at 100,000 miles. I think that is because I am using certain partners, right?
SAN - SEA : Alaska
SEA - LHR : NW
AMS - PDX: NW
PDX - SAN: Alaska
Jul 31, 2008, 5:02 pm
#24
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 998
no....it is wrong. should be 90,000.....call SMS for better quote. It looks like procrastination is wokring against you. maybe you should just do skychoice coach ticket....SAN-JFK-VCE/FCO
Jul 31, 2008, 5:30 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: BNA
Programs: DL PM/MM, Hilton Diamond, *wood plat, UA 1kc
Posts: 921
Jul 31, 2008, 5:47 pm
#26
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist, Marriott LT Titanium, AA Plat Pro/LT Plat
Posts: 1,205
Jul 31, 2008, 5:48 pm
#27
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist, Marriott LT Titanium, AA Plat Pro/LT Plat
Posts: 1,205
I believe CO and NW TATL business is still 5K additional each way. No, you can't see AZ award availability on NWA.
Last edited by PhilC; Jul 31, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Jul 31, 2008, 6:15 pm
#28
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 998
again outbound this time (PM search - though i don't this really changes a friggin thing like they say) outbound 2 tix in BE available NOW:
BOS-CDG (AF 337)-FCO (AF 1204)
BOS-CDG (AF 337)-FCO (AF 1204)
Jul 31, 2008, 6:17 pm
#30
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 998
Well, as of this moment, I can't seem to find anything that gets me closer to VCE on the way there.
Also, no, the website is pricing it out at 100,000 miles. I think that is because I am using certain partners, right?
SAN - SEA : Alaska
SEA - LHR : NW
AMS - PDX: NW
PDX - SAN: Alaska
Also, no, the website is pricing it out at 100,000 miles. I think that is because I am using certain partners, right?
SAN - SEA : Alaska
SEA - LHR : NW
AMS - PDX: NW
PDX - SAN: Alaska