syrwhizzy

The cheapest SYR-SYD last night in coach I could find was $1050 now it's $925. Better. Because while Delta was $1050 UA was at $950.

However, I wasn't really complaining much about the bargain basement coach fares. They haven't touched the M fares from when they jacked those up almost two weeks ago. Still $3400 versus $2400 a few weeks back.

Seems to be a fare rollercoaster. These people are just ridiculous. How are you supposed to plan a trip when the fares change depending on which way the wind blows.

nfg05

I noticed the "cannot be combined with other offers" language in the T&C as well.

However, I received different information when I e-mailed Delta to confirm a couple weeks ago. Delta rep said he wasn't familiar with Amex double flown miles promotion so he put me in touch with an Amex rep:

Stacking Amex Double Flown Miles & Delta Picture Perfect

"Mr. nfg05,

I manage Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express. I recently launched 2x flown miles promotion and I want to thank you for registering. Regarding your question around earning bonus miles from Picture Perfect as well as 2x flown campaign and the answer is yes. You will earn double flight miles for any trips taken between 7/1 – 12/31. Picture perfect and 2x flown are independent of each other. Two very rich offers in the market for you. You should definitely take advantage of it.

Let me know if you have any other questions."

Qualifying for Delta Picture Perfect Promotion using connecting flights

"Hi nfg05,

As long as you fly on the LAX-SYD-LAX flights, it does not matter where you originate travel on your ticket. Bottom line, yes - you will get the bonus.

Hope this explanation helps."

MikeMpls

Welcome to "pricing chicken". When you think the price is right, pull the trigger.

DLdweeb

^, and after the 24 hour cancellation period ends, stop checking the price for a while, or you'll drive yourself nuts. Trust me, it will probably never drop enough to justify the change fee.

sbagdon

If they could sell a reasonable amount of rev in J, probably what they're charging now. All the news stories I'm reading is that the loss of business travel is killing their finanicials, and they can't raise the prices enough in Y to cover the spread. To break even in Y, I'd presume they'd need to sell out at the short-term price you just saw.

I wouldn't be suprised if they could break even, using accounting tricks, if they could fill the J cabin on redemptions... given the prices I saw were in the 300,000 RDM range. Considering I could get down there in UA in award F, at 160,000, as a UA nobody, I didn't jump on that one.

Because they can. The cheapest fare, either rev or award, always includes the first/last flight of the day. If it's international, the same model will follow. The cheapest fare will always be the most painful legal connection.

Winkdaddy

[QUOTE=sbagdon;12183235]If they could sell a reasonable amount of rev in J, probably what they're charging now. All the news stories I'm reading is that the loss of business travel is killing their finanicials, and they can't raise the prices enough in Y to cover the spread. To break even in Y, I'd presume they'd need to sell out at the short-term price you just saw.

I wouldn't be suprised if they could break even, using accounting tricks, if they could fill the J cabin on redemptions... given the prices I saw were in the 300,000 RDM range. Considering I could get down there in UA in award F, at 160,000, as a UA nobody, I didn't jump on that one.

QUOTE]

Yeah, I would have to imagine that the number of people redeeming at the 300,000+ level for BE to SYD has got to be very minimal. Medium BE tickets are 240,000k and everyone is complaining about those and the LOW BE awards at 150,000k are virtually non-existant. Its odd that Delta would rather fill the FC cabin with non-revs then release tons more inventory at the 150,000k level which I think many, many people would probably jump on. (I would!)

3Cforme

These remarks speak to completely different issues. The direct effect of award redemptions is small: a trivial reduction (just hundredths of a cent per mile) in balance sheet liability. Filling either cabin with frequent flyers doesn't make a flight profitable, although it may add to the joy of those traveling.

Public data on average cost per mile are available, but ticket prices are always about marginal revenue - since marginal costs for that incremental passenger are pretty close to zero.

syrwhizzy

Perhaps if you complain more via the Email/TTU options they'll listen to us

I know I did.

DMIrishFlyer

Why the shock? THis happens all the time, day to day, week to week, heck even hour to hour. I have a golden rule for this too, if it looks like a good deal - take it cause it won't be there tomorrow!

DL2SXM

i just pulled some $800 RT fares (with tax) jfk to syd for november. layover is 2 hr and 40 min going (just enough time to hit In n Out) and 1 hr and 40 min on the return.

SLC777RES

Anyone else notice VAustrlaia is nolonger displaying SYDLAX after Aug11 ???????

gustoj820

Might be an error on whatever search engine you're using. I see LAX-SYD for late August and afterwards on vaustralia.com.

syrwhizzy

Notice all the itnerest to fly to SYD calmed down when DL screwed up and randomly raised fares? Great way to lose business