DL/Latam J RT WAS - SCL Less Than $1600
Mar 28, 23, 12:20 pm
#46
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta Diamond Medallion& 2 Million Miler; Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 434
Yeah - i had posted originally about the DCA to LIM $1160 fare. I found it first for the $1450 out of ORD but played a around and found it cheapest out of WAS.
I'm in Atlanta so either DCA or ORD is pretty close and almost about same cost to fly to.
Unfortunately it's on the new Delta A350 and not their flagship A350s (ones they inherited from LATAM), so no private suites and 2x2x2 config (which you're aware by now). . :-(
But i LOVE lima and have been about 17 times. It's been VERY difficult since COVID started to get a decent biz class fare from Atlanta. used to be around $1750 or so when not on sale but during COVID has gone up to $3.8-$5K for some weird reason.
I'm in Atlanta so either DCA or ORD is pretty close and almost about same cost to fly to.
Unfortunately it's on the new Delta A350 and not their flagship A350s (ones they inherited from LATAM), so no private suites and 2x2x2 config (which you're aware by now). . :-(
But i LOVE lima and have been about 17 times. It's been VERY difficult since COVID started to get a decent biz class fare from Atlanta. used to be around $1750 or so when not on sale but during COVID has gone up to $3.8-$5K for some weird reason.
Mar 28, 23, 6:15 pm
#47
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, UA 1k.
Posts: 288
Mar 28, 23, 10:04 pm
#48
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: EZE
Programs: UA Gold,Delta Gold Bonvoy Titanium Elite, HH Diamond , AA Platinum, EENational, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,513
Grabbed a one way DCA-EWR-LIM for $575. Will take the nonstop back to JFK on LA with Mileage Plan.
May 15, 23, 7:22 pm
#49
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DCA
Programs: DL Diamond
Posts: 316
Just returned from this run this weekend. Great fare for those willing to do a one day trip to SCL. I found a private guide who picked us up at the airport on arrival and took us to four wineries in the Casablanca Valley and then back to Santiago for an evening tour before returning to the airport. Beautiful weather and fun experience!
Word to the wise: My routing was DCA>ATL>SCL and SCL>LIM>ATL>DCA. Departure 19:00 Thurs, arrival on return 21:00 Saturday (not what happened--read on). Return SCL>LIM flight operated by LATAM cancelled after we left the gate due to mechanical issue. Then I was faced with a forced overnight layover in LIM (assuming I could get there same day) as the only DL returns (ATL and LAX) depart LIM at 9 AM, and it was now 7 AM and I had never left SCL. SCL>LIM was booked in PE (LATAM premium economy) because there was no business cabin on that flight, so not unusual. Fare basis for the purchased fare was Z. Called the DM line and was told by two reps that my return was booked in PE and I could only be booked in PE or DL premium select for the ENTIRE trip home! I insisted on talking to a supervisor who eventually put me on the DL flight that night at 22:30 SCL>ATL in business, but made me feel like she was doing me a favor. BTW inventory at that time was J9...Z6, so there was no inventory issue. I wish I had a recording of that conversation that I could send to Ed. It was unbelievably ridiculous not to mention infuriating. Any one else have this problem before? Not sure how I could avoid having to argue and HUCA if it happened again. To put icing on the cake ATL>DCA cancelled while was en route and all flights Sunday (mother's day) were zeroed out. I saw my name go to #1 of 67 on the standby list (yes, it was 67), so I got home, but sat in the back in a middle seat. Just wanted others out there to consider the perils of the return routing.
Lounges: SkyTeam lounge in SCL is drab, cold, and on the lower/ground level--almost looks like they took space that could have been used to board passengers that need to be bussed to flights using stairs vs a a gate with a jetbridge. LATAM lounge is amazing. DM/Plat have access to a premium lounge that is right next door to the standard lounge. This was a God-send as I was there for almost 24 hours due to the above circumstances. Great food, sleeping rooms and showers without additional charge, and full bar with staff better than many nice hotels. The standard lounge, which is almost as nice, is open 24 hours. Premium closes from midnight to 5 AM, but you can just move to the other lounge if you are there past midnight, and staff will lead you if that happens. Skip the SkyTeam lounge--you can walk airside to both DL and LATAM international gates from the LATAM lounge.
Check-in: You can use the app to check in--DL app will take you directly to the LATAM website and check you in with one touch. You do not need to talk to a person or get paper BPs before passing immigration and security--mobile BP was fine. This is helpful if you have the 4 AM LATAM connection mentioned in this thread as check-in may not be open for this flight if you arrive in the late evening after a day in SCL (eg 22:00 arrival is late to end a tour but still 6 hours before the flight and there is no check-in counter assigned to the 4 AM flight yet).
A350: Although DL "suite" is preferable, didn't get to see the J layout on the 350s DL adopted from LATAM with the 2x2x2 J seating (this equipment used on the LIM route but not SCL). Anyone in this forum knows J layouts well, but if you're travelling with someone, go for the center suites or you will never see your travel companion.
Skymiles posting: All posted as expected. MQDs are low on this one since it was sold by DL and not using the 40% X distance calculation, but that was a known shortcoming going in. Found an extra 5,000 miles today due to cancelled flight--although it didn't say which one of the cancelled flights it was for! Maybe I should ask for another 5K? LOL
Overall, good trip--one of the quickest international turns I've done, but had a great time!
Word to the wise: My routing was DCA>ATL>SCL and SCL>LIM>ATL>DCA. Departure 19:00 Thurs, arrival on return 21:00 Saturday (not what happened--read on). Return SCL>LIM flight operated by LATAM cancelled after we left the gate due to mechanical issue. Then I was faced with a forced overnight layover in LIM (assuming I could get there same day) as the only DL returns (ATL and LAX) depart LIM at 9 AM, and it was now 7 AM and I had never left SCL. SCL>LIM was booked in PE (LATAM premium economy) because there was no business cabin on that flight, so not unusual. Fare basis for the purchased fare was Z. Called the DM line and was told by two reps that my return was booked in PE and I could only be booked in PE or DL premium select for the ENTIRE trip home! I insisted on talking to a supervisor who eventually put me on the DL flight that night at 22:30 SCL>ATL in business, but made me feel like she was doing me a favor. BTW inventory at that time was J9...Z6, so there was no inventory issue. I wish I had a recording of that conversation that I could send to Ed. It was unbelievably ridiculous not to mention infuriating. Any one else have this problem before? Not sure how I could avoid having to argue and HUCA if it happened again. To put icing on the cake ATL>DCA cancelled while was en route and all flights Sunday (mother's day) were zeroed out. I saw my name go to #1 of 67 on the standby list (yes, it was 67), so I got home, but sat in the back in a middle seat. Just wanted others out there to consider the perils of the return routing.
Lounges: SkyTeam lounge in SCL is drab, cold, and on the lower/ground level--almost looks like they took space that could have been used to board passengers that need to be bussed to flights using stairs vs a a gate with a jetbridge. LATAM lounge is amazing. DM/Plat have access to a premium lounge that is right next door to the standard lounge. This was a God-send as I was there for almost 24 hours due to the above circumstances. Great food, sleeping rooms and showers without additional charge, and full bar with staff better than many nice hotels. The standard lounge, which is almost as nice, is open 24 hours. Premium closes from midnight to 5 AM, but you can just move to the other lounge if you are there past midnight, and staff will lead you if that happens. Skip the SkyTeam lounge--you can walk airside to both DL and LATAM international gates from the LATAM lounge.
Check-in: You can use the app to check in--DL app will take you directly to the LATAM website and check you in with one touch. You do not need to talk to a person or get paper BPs before passing immigration and security--mobile BP was fine. This is helpful if you have the 4 AM LATAM connection mentioned in this thread as check-in may not be open for this flight if you arrive in the late evening after a day in SCL (eg 22:00 arrival is late to end a tour but still 6 hours before the flight and there is no check-in counter assigned to the 4 AM flight yet).
A350: Although DL "suite" is preferable, didn't get to see the J layout on the 350s DL adopted from LATAM with the 2x2x2 J seating (this equipment used on the LIM route but not SCL). Anyone in this forum knows J layouts well, but if you're travelling with someone, go for the center suites or you will never see your travel companion.
Skymiles posting: All posted as expected. MQDs are low on this one since it was sold by DL and not using the 40% X distance calculation, but that was a known shortcoming going in. Found an extra 5,000 miles today due to cancelled flight--although it didn't say which one of the cancelled flights it was for! Maybe I should ask for another 5K? LOL
Overall, good trip--one of the quickest international turns I've done, but had a great time!
Last edited by funflier; May 16, 23 at 7:44 pm Reason: typo
May 17, 23, 11:01 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 37,753
Just returned from this run this weekend. Great fare for those willing to do a one day trip to SCL. I found a private guide who picked us up at the airport on arrival and took us to four wineries in the Casablanca Valley and then back to Santiago for an evening tour before returning to the airport. Beautiful weather and fun experience!
Word to the wise: My routing was DCA>ATL>SCL and SCL>LIM>ATL>DCA. Departure 19:00 Thurs, arrival on return 21:00 Saturday (not what happened--read on). Return SCL>LIM flight operated by LATAM cancelled after we left the gate due to mechanical issue. Then I was faced with a forced overnight layover in LIM (assuming I could get there same day) as the only DL returns (ATL and LAX) depart LIM at 9 AM, and it was now 7 AM and I had never left SCL. SCL>LIM was booked in PE (LATAM premium economy) because there was no business cabin on that flight, so not unusual. Fare basis for the purchased fare was Z. Called the DM line and was told by two reps that my return was booked in PE and I could only be booked in PE or DL premium select for the ENTIRE trip home! I insisted on talking to a supervisor who eventually put me on the DL flight that night at 22:30 SCL>ATL in business, but made me feel like she was doing me a favor. BTW inventory at that time was J9...Z6, so there was no inventory issue. I wish I had a recording of that conversation that I could send to Ed. It was unbelievably ridiculous not to mention infuriating. Any one else have this problem before?...
Skymiles posting: All posted as expected. MQDs are low on this one since it was sold by DL and not using the 40% X distance calculation, but that was a known shortcoming going in. Found an extra 5,000 miles today due to cancelled flight--although it didn't say which one of the cancelled flights it was for! Maybe I should ask for another 5K? LOL
Overall, good trip--one of the quickest international turns I've done, but had a great time!
Word to the wise: My routing was DCA>ATL>SCL and SCL>LIM>ATL>DCA. Departure 19:00 Thurs, arrival on return 21:00 Saturday (not what happened--read on). Return SCL>LIM flight operated by LATAM cancelled after we left the gate due to mechanical issue. Then I was faced with a forced overnight layover in LIM (assuming I could get there same day) as the only DL returns (ATL and LAX) depart LIM at 9 AM, and it was now 7 AM and I had never left SCL. SCL>LIM was booked in PE (LATAM premium economy) because there was no business cabin on that flight, so not unusual. Fare basis for the purchased fare was Z. Called the DM line and was told by two reps that my return was booked in PE and I could only be booked in PE or DL premium select for the ENTIRE trip home! I insisted on talking to a supervisor who eventually put me on the DL flight that night at 22:30 SCL>ATL in business, but made me feel like she was doing me a favor. BTW inventory at that time was J9...Z6, so there was no inventory issue. I wish I had a recording of that conversation that I could send to Ed. It was unbelievably ridiculous not to mention infuriating. Any one else have this problem before?...
Skymiles posting: All posted as expected. MQDs are low on this one since it was sold by DL and not using the 40% X distance calculation, but that was a known shortcoming going in. Found an extra 5,000 miles today due to cancelled flight--although it didn't say which one of the cancelled flights it was for! Maybe I should ask for another 5K? LOL
Overall, good trip--one of the quickest international turns I've done, but had a great time!
If it makes you feel any better, LA is only 30%x on all but the highest fares, so you aren't out as much as you think!
May 17, 23, 11:39 pm
#53
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DCA
Programs: DL Diamond
Posts: 316
Wow. I've booked a couple of joint DL/LA tickets (one on LA stock with mixed flights, and an upcoming one on DL stock with mixed flights) - not the MR that this post is about, but it does give me concern in the case of IROPS. All with a Z fare basis, and in the Premium Economy cabin on the South America shorter hops.
If it makes you feel any better, LA is only 30%x on all but the highest fares, so you aren't out as much as you think!
If it makes you feel any better, LA is only 30%x on all but the highest fares, so you aren't out as much as you think!
