Redeeming Delta miles
 

We have over 300,000 miles accumulated in Amex miles and Delta. We are planning a May trip to Europe and would like to get first class seats with our miles. We rarely use FF miles so we are novices here. My question: If we are TOTALLY flexible with respect to departure dates (i.e. Tuesday thru Thursday) and departure times, what are our chances of getting FC tix WITHOUT using the double miles-no blackout options? (We will be departing from O'Hare and we are even willing to change destinations (G.B. or France) and we're willing to travel on a partner airline (Air France).

Thanks.

I don't remember the specifics, but there are blackouts and restrictions on FF mile usage on Delta to Europe during the peak summer season if you aren't Medallion.

Go to the Delta website, login with your FF number and look for the Award Ticket link under the Skymiles tab. It will show you actual availability and let you book an eticket.

DL no longer offers First Class on international flights. The premium cabin is called BusinessElite, which is half-first, half-business. No flat sleeper seats which is generally the norm nowadays in international F, but excellent recline and pitch, nevertheless.

As you do not have status, attempt to book 1 BusinessElite seat (80K to Europe), navigating outside the blackout dates. It certainly is easier than trying to find 2 premium seats on the same flights. Once you have that seat confirmed, use the double miles (160K) to guarantee a second seat on the exact same itinerary.

I would suggest you move on this very soon. I've used DL several times to fly my mother to Germany. She also has a flexible schedule for early June out, early July return. I've found that if you are within 90 days or so you might be stuck buying a coach ticket and using 40k points to upgrade. The number of 80k Biz seats are limited and go quickly, at least that's what I've been told.

Don't forget to have DL check the alternate airlines: Alitalia, Czech, Singapore, plus Air France. Especially out of Chicago you might do well to get something on Singapore ORD-AMS. Also I think the connecting flights are included on Alitalia/Czech/Air France, and probably allow a stopover (and are probably in business, FWIW). If you do this, be creative on your connecting cities (i.e. ORD/MDW to CVG to PHL/EWR/BOS to CDG, or ORD to JFK to PHL, (etc etc) for example. SOmeone used their DL miles to fly on Czech (and said pretty good things about it) through Montreal, of all places (ORD/MDW to Cincinnati to Montreal to Prague)

JL

A previous poster was correct in that there is no FC award on Delta (or its affiliates) across the Atlantic. Even though AF has a first class cabin, they don't offer any awards there.

I have noticed a couple of times that it is easier to book a coach seat on my BC award, and then just hope for an available seat closer to the departure. It has worked 3 out of 3 times now.

I just booked a BC award trip for a friend, and we had to be VERY flexible, even for an April trip. So, get going and do it FAST!

Good Luck!

This should be on the Delta board.

Thank You.