AM: AMS to HAV €160, to LIM €208 rtn a.i., plus other Central/South American cities
Jun 27, 2017, 10:59 am
#46
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: NYC
Programs: DL ✈️
Posts: 638
How are you guys from US positioning to AMS?
Also, I want to make this trip to EZE, so LIM-EZE will be another airline... when do you guys recommend purchasing that leg? 1 week before? Or does the credit card insurance cover it if it gets cancelled?
Sorry for the newbie question above, I usually only do MRs that are immediate turnaround.
Also, I want to make this trip to EZE, so LIM-EZE will be another airline... when do you guys recommend purchasing that leg? 1 week before? Or does the credit card insurance cover it if it gets cancelled?
Sorry for the newbie question above, I usually only do MRs that are immediate turnaround.
Jun 27, 2017, 9:17 pm
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,742
Not so! See the fare rules I posted in the original post.
Jul 17, 2017, 4:09 pm
#48
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: YVR/LAX/PVG/TPE
Posts: 759
more strange things happened while I was on the PAP deal, came back to this situation:
Schipol tickets refunded my GUA flight, and it went through. AM website can no longer see the flight info with PNR. Saudia website shows flight still valid, maybe it has a slight delay to show updated info?
other trips on this deal still show "payment problem"... getting closer and closer to the day, and booking positioning flights is gonna happen
Schipol tickets refunded my GUA flight, and it went through. AM website can no longer see the flight info with PNR. Saudia website shows flight still valid, maybe it has a slight delay to show updated info?
other trips on this deal still show "payment problem"... getting closer and closer to the day, and booking positioning flights is gonna happen
Nov 27, 2017, 10:03 am
#52
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: NYC
Programs: DL ✈️
Posts: 638
HALF TRIP REPORT
Ended up positioning JFK-MSP-AMS with DL, when there was a promotional $320 r/t ai price. Also took LIM-EZE for 25k miles r/t (heh Argentine here)
1) JFK-MSP got upgraded to 1st, just a day before flight. Checked-in via app, used the digital boarding pass to do everything (gate agent at MSP checked my passport.) JFK-MSP ran without delays, but MSP-AMS got a 3hr delay, due to a mechanical problem in one of the wings (saw the technician working on my window haha!) which ended up resulting in an aircraft swap (same aircraft model so we kept our seats)
2) Had an originally 12 hour layover in AMS (just in case, phew! ended up being 9hs) - I decided not to go into the city because I had two heavyish carry-on pieces, and didn't want to spend money leaving it at the airport. Time flew anyway at the Lounge 52 KLM lounge and I got a shower (note: their showers don't offer a toilet, so make sure you go to the toilet before showering if you need to) that really refreshed me. Totally recommended on these long runs. I didn't dare to ask if AMS-MEX was free upgradeable for DL DM, but I will probably do on return. A couple seats on J were empty, and it is very unclear which countries does the free upgrades apply to (I read Spanish and their own Club Premier upgrade rules are also unclear.)
3) Arrived at MEX around 3.30am, customs was obviously empty and pretty fast. I think I was the only one without any checked bags and the security peeps were actually surprised ha! Flight to LIM to leave at 8am, but lounges only open at 5am. By the way, Club Premier lounge is currently under renovation (closed) so had to wait an hour for AmEx Centurion to open (which was also renewed since the last time I was there, a year and a half ago)
Platinum card holders get a free complete breakfast (there are a couple options) and drinks. When boarding for LIM, I went to the gate agent to ask if it was eligible for upgrade to J, given online I only read it was Mexico domestic flights, caribbean and Ecuador that have the upgrade for Delta Diamonds. She told me YES!! (so great DP here) and proceeded to confirm me immediately, giving me a 3B boarding pass. Also, she made me sign a paper saying I would be ok with receiving economy food on the seat, because they weren't in time to get new catering (totally makes sense, I just wanted to sleep for those 6 hours in a more comfy seat.) Ended up receiving a first class breakfast anyway, which was weird (I guess someone didn't want theirs) but took it anyway. Very nice service, since I was sleeping the first 4 hs and it was just 2 hs before landing when the FA offered me the meal (seeing me wake up.)
4) Departed MEX on time, arrived at LIM around 3.30pm and my connecting flight was at 10 that night. The AR1364 flight was 1hr late, so my AR1365 ended up 1hr later. Too tired. But well, I'm visiting friends and family now. Great asado and best flan mixto.
Remember, if you're doing this MR: DO ASK YOUR GATE AGENT FOR UPGRADE TO FIRST IF YOU'VE MEDALLION STATUS!
Ended up positioning JFK-MSP-AMS with DL, when there was a promotional $320 r/t ai price. Also took LIM-EZE for 25k miles r/t (heh Argentine here)
1) JFK-MSP got upgraded to 1st, just a day before flight. Checked-in via app, used the digital boarding pass to do everything (gate agent at MSP checked my passport.) JFK-MSP ran without delays, but MSP-AMS got a 3hr delay, due to a mechanical problem in one of the wings (saw the technician working on my window haha!) which ended up resulting in an aircraft swap (same aircraft model so we kept our seats)
2) Had an originally 12 hour layover in AMS (just in case, phew! ended up being 9hs) - I decided not to go into the city because I had two heavyish carry-on pieces, and didn't want to spend money leaving it at the airport. Time flew anyway at the Lounge 52 KLM lounge and I got a shower (note: their showers don't offer a toilet, so make sure you go to the toilet before showering if you need to) that really refreshed me. Totally recommended on these long runs. I didn't dare to ask if AMS-MEX was free upgradeable for DL DM, but I will probably do on return. A couple seats on J were empty, and it is very unclear which countries does the free upgrades apply to (I read Spanish and their own Club Premier upgrade rules are also unclear.)
3) Arrived at MEX around 3.30am, customs was obviously empty and pretty fast. I think I was the only one without any checked bags and the security peeps were actually surprised ha! Flight to LIM to leave at 8am, but lounges only open at 5am. By the way, Club Premier lounge is currently under renovation (closed) so had to wait an hour for AmEx Centurion to open (which was also renewed since the last time I was there, a year and a half ago)
Platinum card holders get a free complete breakfast (there are a couple options) and drinks. When boarding for LIM, I went to the gate agent to ask if it was eligible for upgrade to J, given online I only read it was Mexico domestic flights, caribbean and Ecuador that have the upgrade for Delta Diamonds. She told me YES!! (so great DP here) and proceeded to confirm me immediately, giving me a 3B boarding pass. Also, she made me sign a paper saying I would be ok with receiving economy food on the seat, because they weren't in time to get new catering (totally makes sense, I just wanted to sleep for those 6 hours in a more comfy seat.) Ended up receiving a first class breakfast anyway, which was weird (I guess someone didn't want theirs) but took it anyway. Very nice service, since I was sleeping the first 4 hs and it was just 2 hs before landing when the FA offered me the meal (seeing me wake up.)
4) Departed MEX on time, arrived at LIM around 3.30pm and my connecting flight was at 10 that night. The AR1364 flight was 1hr late, so my AR1365 ended up 1hr later. Too tired. But well, I'm visiting friends and family now. Great asado and best flan mixto.
Remember, if you're doing this MR: DO ASK YOUR GATE AGENT FOR UPGRADE TO FIRST IF YOU'VE MEDALLION STATUS!
Nov 30, 2017, 10:42 am
#54
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: NYC
Programs: DL ✈️
Posts: 638
I don't understand why people would chase status on airlines that don't give upgrades.
Also note, I got the miles of purchased D-fare for the free upgrade. That was a nice bonus. Getting back in total more miles than the ticket costed.
Nov 30, 2017, 11:19 am
#55
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: YVR/LAX/PVG/TPE
Posts: 759
I did MAD-MEX-UIO-MEX-AMS-MEX-MGA-MEX and hopped off there to catch the IPC deal, best place to fuel up for cheap is the restaurant right outside domestic arrival barrier in AM terminal during lunch time, when they offer a full 4 course meal for 120 pesos. They have power plugs and wifi too. (for those folks without lounge access)
I had a lot of rough time in MEX during this trip, glad to hear other people are having better time than I did.
I had a lot of rough time in MEX during this trip, glad to hear other people are having better time than I did.
Dec 16, 2017, 9:33 am
#56
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: NL
Programs: FB Silver - STE, BAEC Bronze - OW Ruby
Posts: 178
HALF TRIP REPORT
Ended up positioning JFK-MSP-AMS with DL, when there was a promotional $320 r/t ai price. Also took LIM-EZE for 25k miles r/t (heh Argentine here)
1) JFK-MSP got upgraded to 1st, just a day before flight. Checked-in via app, used the digital boarding pass to do everything (gate agent at MSP checked my passport.) JFK-MSP ran without delays, but MSP-AMS got a 3hr delay, due to a mechanical problem in one of the wings (saw the technician working on my window haha!) which ended up resulting in an aircraft swap (same aircraft model so we kept our seats)
2) Had an originally 12 hour layover in AMS (just in case, phew! ended up being 9hs) - I decided not to go into the city because I had two heavyish carry-on pieces, and didn't want to spend money leaving it at the airport. Time flew anyway at the Lounge 52 KLM lounge and I got a shower (note: their showers don't offer a toilet, so make sure you go to the toilet before showering if you need to) that really refreshed me. Totally recommended on these long runs. I didn't dare to ask if AMS-MEX was free upgradeable for DL DM, but I will probably do on return. A couple seats on J were empty, and it is very unclear which countries does the free upgrades apply to (I read Spanish and their own Club Premier upgrade rules are also unclear.)
3) Arrived at MEX around 3.30am, customs was obviously empty and pretty fast. I think I was the only one without any checked bags and the security peeps were actually surprised ha! Flight to LIM to leave at 8am, but lounges only open at 5am. By the way, Club Premier lounge is currently under renovation (closed) so had to wait an hour for AmEx Centurion to open (which was also renewed since the last time I was there, a year and a half ago)
Platinum card holders get a free complete breakfast (there are a couple options) and drinks. When boarding for LIM, I went to the gate agent to ask if it was eligible for upgrade to J, given online I only read it was Mexico domestic flights, caribbean and Ecuador that have the upgrade for Delta Diamonds. She told me YES!! (so great DP here) and proceeded to confirm me immediately, giving me a 3B boarding pass. Also, she made me sign a paper saying I would be ok with receiving economy food on the seat, because they weren't in time to get new catering (totally makes sense, I just wanted to sleep for those 6 hours in a more comfy seat.) Ended up receiving a first class breakfast anyway, which was weird (I guess someone didn't want theirs) but took it anyway. Very nice service, since I was sleeping the first 4 hs and it was just 2 hs before landing when the FA offered me the meal (seeing me wake up.)
4) Departed MEX on time, arrived at LIM around 3.30pm and my connecting flight was at 10 that night. The AR1364 flight was 1hr late, so my AR1365 ended up 1hr later. Too tired. But well, I'm visiting friends and family now. Great asado and best flan mixto.
Remember, if you're doing this MR: DO ASK YOUR GATE AGENT FOR UPGRADE TO FIRST IF YOU'VE MEDALLION STATUS!
Ended up positioning JFK-MSP-AMS with DL, when there was a promotional $320 r/t ai price. Also took LIM-EZE for 25k miles r/t (heh Argentine here)
1) JFK-MSP got upgraded to 1st, just a day before flight. Checked-in via app, used the digital boarding pass to do everything (gate agent at MSP checked my passport.) JFK-MSP ran without delays, but MSP-AMS got a 3hr delay, due to a mechanical problem in one of the wings (saw the technician working on my window haha!) which ended up resulting in an aircraft swap (same aircraft model so we kept our seats)
2) Had an originally 12 hour layover in AMS (just in case, phew! ended up being 9hs) - I decided not to go into the city because I had two heavyish carry-on pieces, and didn't want to spend money leaving it at the airport. Time flew anyway at the Lounge 52 KLM lounge and I got a shower (note: their showers don't offer a toilet, so make sure you go to the toilet before showering if you need to) that really refreshed me. Totally recommended on these long runs. I didn't dare to ask if AMS-MEX was free upgradeable for DL DM, but I will probably do on return. A couple seats on J were empty, and it is very unclear which countries does the free upgrades apply to (I read Spanish and their own Club Premier upgrade rules are also unclear.)
3) Arrived at MEX around 3.30am, customs was obviously empty and pretty fast. I think I was the only one without any checked bags and the security peeps were actually surprised ha! Flight to LIM to leave at 8am, but lounges only open at 5am. By the way, Club Premier lounge is currently under renovation (closed) so had to wait an hour for AmEx Centurion to open (which was also renewed since the last time I was there, a year and a half ago)
Platinum card holders get a free complete breakfast (there are a couple options) and drinks. When boarding for LIM, I went to the gate agent to ask if it was eligible for upgrade to J, given online I only read it was Mexico domestic flights, caribbean and Ecuador that have the upgrade for Delta Diamonds. She told me YES!! (so great DP here) and proceeded to confirm me immediately, giving me a 3B boarding pass. Also, she made me sign a paper saying I would be ok with receiving economy food on the seat, because they weren't in time to get new catering (totally makes sense, I just wanted to sleep for those 6 hours in a more comfy seat.) Ended up receiving a first class breakfast anyway, which was weird (I guess someone didn't want theirs) but took it anyway. Very nice service, since I was sleeping the first 4 hs and it was just 2 hs before landing when the FA offered me the meal (seeing me wake up.)
4) Departed MEX on time, arrived at LIM around 3.30pm and my connecting flight was at 10 that night. The AR1364 flight was 1hr late, so my AR1365 ended up 1hr later. Too tired. But well, I'm visiting friends and family now. Great asado and best flan mixto.
Remember, if you're doing this MR: DO ASK YOUR GATE AGENT FOR UPGRADE TO FIRST IF YOU'VE MEDALLION STATUS!