Trying to use Delta and US Air miles
May 30, 2010 | 12:27 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 50
Trying to use Delta and US Air miles
Tried to book the caribbean with these two airline miles and saver award availabilty was pathetic. Almost no green (saver, 35K RT PP) seats available for Feb, March, April, 2011 to St. Martin. Maybe it's time to switch credit cards!!! Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Benster
Thanks,
Benster
May 30, 2010 | 1:58 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Wenatchee, WA
Programs: Lifetime AA Gold-1MM
Posts: 4,909
Not surprising since the dates you're looking at are probably about the busiest time of year for that destination. Where are you traveling from? Have you tried different gateways? I'm not sure how switching credit cards will help, you're still going to be dealing with whatever saver inventory the airline offers.
May 30, 2010 | 4:33 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA LT PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,567
May 30, 2010 | 7:48 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus, HH Gold, Hertz PC, National Executive, etc.
Posts: 31,682
According to at least two recent studies, US and Delta are neck-and-neck for the bottom in terms of award availability, well behind everyone else.
May 31, 2010 | 8:04 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: NY "expat" living in BOS
Programs: AA Gold, rif-raf on most others; MBTA "valued customer"
Posts: 375
SXM
Have you tried calling US and/ or trying partner routings? Perhaps they can get you in via CO, UA, AC, etc.
I'm not too familiar with US, but I'm almost positive all DL partner awards come out of the "low" bucket.
I'm not too familiar with US, but I'm almost positive all DL partner awards come out of the "low" bucket.
Jun 1, 2010 | 2:22 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: eastern Europe & NC
Posts: 4,528
One SkyTeam route to the Caribbean that is often overlooked because many, including DL agents, do not seem to know it exists, is AF's Caribbean service out of Miami. Unfortunately, Sint Maarten is not one of the islands it goes to, but it may be helpful for a few other islands. Also, the schedule is not great for DL connections in MIA.
The basic problem, however, is that you have miles on two airlines who seem to enjoy laughing at the suckers who earn difficult-to-redeem miles on their airlines, DL and US. At least with US, you can sometimes find partner availibility. For the Caribbean, the best airline to have miles on is probably AA.
The basic problem, however, is that you have miles on two airlines who seem to enjoy laughing at the suckers who earn difficult-to-redeem miles on their airlines, DL and US. At least with US, you can sometimes find partner availibility. For the Caribbean, the best airline to have miles on is probably AA.
Jun 1, 2010 | 10:58 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 111
Agree with this general statement, but am not ready to give up on them totally.
Just snagged a couple of Biz tickets to Italy on Lufthansa for next year using USAIR miles. If I can get free or cheap airline miles on any airline, I go for them. They always come in handy for something or the other. The main drawback is that the USAIR/Delta miles are not good for travel to ALL destinations, but still okay for some. Of course for accrual, one must pick and choose the type of airline miles according to the award seat availability for the desired destinations.
Just snagged a couple of Biz tickets to Italy on Lufthansa for next year using USAIR miles. If I can get free or cheap airline miles on any airline, I go for them. They always come in handy for something or the other. The main drawback is that the USAIR/Delta miles are not good for travel to ALL destinations, but still okay for some. Of course for accrual, one must pick and choose the type of airline miles according to the award seat availability for the desired destinations.
Last edited by RameshK; Jun 1, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Jun 1, 2010 | 12:56 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 396
Jun 2, 2010 | 12:33 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: SEA
Programs: UA 1P 1MM, Marriott Titanium/LT Platinum, Hyatt Discoverist, IHG Platinum
Posts: 722
Consider using your DL miles to pay for your hotel stay or car rental instead. Generally good availability and reasonable prices in miles.