Delta from ATL
Feb 12, 2007, 6:16 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS MVPG, Hyatt Discoverist, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,399
Your best best is monitor the fares on something like www.farecompare.com. ATL is usually an expensive place to fly out of. You would find better deals out of an airport like Charlotte.
Feb 12, 2007, 8:28 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Delta PM/MM, Marriott TE, IHG Platinum
Posts: 481
Previous poster is right. Atlanta can be tough for MR's. I do see some ATL-Washington State fares often that are reasonable...not a GREAT deal though...but not too bad. What kinda mileage are you talking? Budget? Assuming you are looking for MQM's correct? Willing to overnight? Keep NW and CO on your radar as well...as well as flights from BHM/CLT etc...
Feb 12, 2007, 9:05 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: LHR/ATL
Programs: EY Gold, AS MVPG, BAEC Gold, DL PM
Posts: 821
Previous poster is right. Atlanta can be tough for MR's. I do see some ATL-Washington State fares often that are reasonable...not a GREAT deal though...but not too bad. What kinda mileage are you talking? Budget? Assuming you are looking for MQM's correct? Willing to overnight? Keep NW and CO on your radar as well...as well as flights from BHM/CLT etc...
Feb 12, 2007, 9:13 pm
#5
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 24,997
If you are willing to drive a couple of hours each way, I recommend Birmingham (BHM), Alabama.
As an example, go to www.delta.com and price a round-trip flight from Atlanta to San Diego.
Now, using those same dates, replace Atlanta with Birmingham.
Please report back here with the prices that you have found for the exact same dates — and, in many cases, the exact same flights.
If you need further proof, try this same experiment with El Paso as a destination instead of San Diego.
As an additional benefit, Northwest Airlines flights also fit into this equation if you are seeking Delta SkyMiles and Medallion Qualification Miles.
As an example, go to www.delta.com and price a round-trip flight from Atlanta to San Diego.
Now, using those same dates, replace Atlanta with Birmingham.
Please report back here with the prices that you have found for the exact same dates — and, in many cases, the exact same flights.
If you need further proof, try this same experiment with El Paso as a destination instead of San Diego.
As an additional benefit, Northwest Airlines flights also fit into this equation if you are seeking Delta SkyMiles and Medallion Qualification Miles.
Feb 13, 2007, 10:32 pm
#7
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 24,997
I gauge the value of the price based on elite qualifier miles such as Medallion Qualification Miles, not on regular miles. Gold and Platinum Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Medallion elite members earn double miles on every trip, so I look to halve the cost per Delta Air Lines SkyMile. 3.58¢ per Medallion Qualification Mile would qualify as great to me, but it is still not the best.
Feb 14, 2007, 2:39 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: LHR/ATL
Programs: EY Gold, AS MVPG, BAEC Gold, DL PM
Posts: 821
I just did that MR on NWA this past weekend. Try getting the same dates on NWA. You should end up a better cpm ratio (~5.5k for $152 in my case).
Feb 14, 2007, 9:06 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Seattle
Posts: 227
Thanks - interesting points. I really need to build miles in Alaska and United, but I actually want to take that trip to the southeast, so it's too bad AS has higher qualifying levels for partner flights. Kind of tempting to jump to another program, but I'll sit on my hands for now! Still, it's fun to explore the options.