I was under the impression that you can't redeem EasyPass awards on a partner.

I know I can't get SkyChoice (DL's EasyPass) on CO metal - if I want SkyChoice, it needs to be on Delta metal. I'd assume that this is the case for EasyPass on Delta (doesn't happen).

That's what I thought. In that case, whatever DL does with it's double-mileage awards, it will not have a "dumping" effect on CO.

You can get EasyPass coach awards for partners from CO.com.

DL is now limiting availability on their double-mileage awards on "some flights on some routes" whatever that means. Folks on the DL forum are pretty torqued about the announcement. How it will affect alliance/partner airlines will be interesting to see. I wanted to use DL SkySaver miles for two different J trips this summer and DL could offer me nothing. at all. anytime. on their metal. However, they were able to get me the destinations and dates I wanted on CO, AF, and NW. Of course the double-mileage award wasn't an option on the partner airlines, but I would stay home before I would use one of those on a leisure trip anyway. So, DL seems to be "dumping" their J saver awards onto CO et al. I wonder what effect this has on CO flyers both at the Standard and EasyPass level trying to book award travel with OnePass. Is this post coherent/relative at all?

That is how it is, but this is likely to change sometime rather soon.

Notice of the changes before implementation is certainly useful for sending signals to the competition even as it's also useful to some customers.

This makes it easier for me to continue my run with AA.

From AUS, it's a no brainer. More direct flights, more seat pitch, and much better reward value and availability. I will have reached a Million Miles next year, getting LT status as well, mostly through CC purchases.

CO's program is losing its appeal. International upgrades are difficult at best, redeeming international awards is not very easy; Partners are not very good getting to where I need to be (Australia and South Asia). In addition, I just bought a $750 ticket to Canada through my corporate travel agent that is classified as discount economy, so I'll only get 50% EQM for it.

And when you have a chance, check the BF award inventory to TLV, CDG, ATH or anywhere else worthwhile. Almost Nil. I had no problem scoring a last minute business-class ticket on AA to CDG for a couple days out on miles; little problem getting my family from BKK - TLV on El Al using AA miles; and little problem getting from AUS - PER with a stopover in AKL in J using AA miles. I have never, nor will I ever, use an easypass award.

At least you can get some value transferring CO miles into Amtrak and from there somewhere useful..

I have a couple of upcoming international J and F reward trips - but all travel is on partners (nothing on CO) - DL/KE/NW and DL/QF.

On flights to LAX - DL has lots of reward availability from ATL. As they fly several wide bodies a day ATL-LAX - including 777 (with 50 F), 764, 763, and 738's. Lots of F inventory. CO just doesn't have widebodies on domestic flights like DL does. I would prefer to fly DL's 777 with 2-2-2 Business Elite seating from ATL to LAX then say a CO 738 from EWR to LAX for my reward travel.

Can CO miles be used for EasyPass-type redemptions on DL, KE, AF and OK? Last I checked, no such expanded award inventory was available on those carriers when using CO miles. On NW, it was (and presumably still is) a different story than with those SkyTeam carriers.

CO Insider has posted a list of 2008 OnePass program changes. I have moved that to its own thread. Please continue the discussion here.

Xyzzy
CO forum moderator