Help Please - SkyTeam from IAD/DCA/BWI to DOH
Nov 27, 2011 | 2:35 pm
#1
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Help Please - SkyTeam from IAD/DCA/BWI to DOH
Hello FlyerTalkers,
My wife and I are planning a trip for next March to visit a friend in Doha, Qatar. We want to fly Business class on SkyTeam - preferably using miles to upgrade an upgradable fare.
I did some research, and it appears KLM is the only feasible option (IAD-AMS-DOH). Is this the best option as far as SkyTeam is concerned? Or is there something else I'm not considering?
If that is the best option, should I purchase the ticket through Delta (M fare) and upgrade using miles each way (if there is Z fare available)? Or, would it be better to purchase the tickets from KLM?
Thanks for the assistance.
Best,
VB
My wife and I are planning a trip for next March to visit a friend in Doha, Qatar. We want to fly Business class on SkyTeam - preferably using miles to upgrade an upgradable fare.
I did some research, and it appears KLM is the only feasible option (IAD-AMS-DOH). Is this the best option as far as SkyTeam is concerned? Or is there something else I'm not considering?
If that is the best option, should I purchase the ticket through Delta (M fare) and upgrade using miles each way (if there is Z fare available)? Or, would it be better to purchase the tickets from KLM?
Thanks for the assistance.
Best,
VB
Nov 27, 2011 | 2:39 pm
#2
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http://www.skyteam.com/en/your-trip/.../Find-Flights/
Carriers
Departures
Arrival
Duration
Departing Flights
KL 652
Washington Dulles (IAD)
6:10 PM
Amsterdam (AMS)
7:45 AM
7h35m
KL 439
Amsterdam (AMS)
12:55PM
Dammam King Fahad (DMM)
8:45 PM
5h50m
KL 439
Dammam King Fahad (DMM)
9:25 PM
Doha (DOH)
10:25PM
1h00m
Returning Flights
KL 440
Doha (DOH)
11:45PM
Dammam King Fahad (DMM)
0:40 AM
0h55m
KL 440
Dammam King Fahad (DMM)
1:30 AM
Amsterdam (AMS)
6:10 AM
6h40m
KL 651
Amsterdam (AMS)
12:45PM
Washington Dulles (IAD)
3:20 PM
8h35m
Carriers
Departures
Arrival
Duration
Departing Flights
KL 652
Washington Dulles (IAD)
6:10 PM
Amsterdam (AMS)
7:45 AM
7h35m
KL 439
Amsterdam (AMS)
12:55PM
Dammam King Fahad (DMM)
8:45 PM
5h50m
KL 439
Dammam King Fahad (DMM)
9:25 PM
Doha (DOH)
10:25PM
1h00m
Returning Flights
KL 440
Doha (DOH)
11:45PM
Dammam King Fahad (DMM)
0:40 AM
0h55m
KL 440
Dammam King Fahad (DMM)
1:30 AM
Amsterdam (AMS)
6:10 AM
6h40m
KL 651
Amsterdam (AMS)
12:45PM
Washington Dulles (IAD)
3:20 PM
8h35m
Nov 27, 2011 | 2:46 pm
#4
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Remember that SkyTeam upgrades using miles normally require full Y fares.
Exceptions are a few other pretty expensive coach fares on KLM that are cheaper than full Y, which seems to be a result of the close relationship KLM had with NW.
Also, AF lets you use SWUs to upgrade TATL from some of their premium economy fare classes, but I do not think that this would officially help you to get to the MidEast but YMMV as some have gotten AF upgrades this way beyond Europe.
Exceptions are a few other pretty expensive coach fares on KLM that are cheaper than full Y, which seems to be a result of the close relationship KLM had with NW.
Also, AF lets you use SWUs to upgrade TATL from some of their premium economy fare classes, but I do not think that this would officially help you to get to the MidEast but YMMV as some have gotten AF upgrades this way beyond Europe.
Nov 27, 2011 | 2:49 pm
#5
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Remember that SkyTeam upgrades using miles normally require full Y fares.
Exceptions are a few other pretty expensive coach fares on KLM that are cheaper than full Y, which seems to be a result of the close relationship KLM had with NW.
Also, AF lets you use SWUs to upgrade TATL from some of their premium economy fare classes, but I do not think that this would officially help you to get to the MidEast but YMMV as some have gotten AF upgrades this way beyond Europe.
Exceptions are a few other pretty expensive coach fares on KLM that are cheaper than full Y, which seems to be a result of the close relationship KLM had with NW.
Also, AF lets you use SWUs to upgrade TATL from some of their premium economy fare classes, but I do not think that this would officially help you to get to the MidEast but YMMV as some have gotten AF upgrades this way beyond Europe.
Nov 27, 2011 | 2:57 pm
#7
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Is there a DL codeshare into DOH? Also, KLM might have an upgradeable fare that costs less than M. You should check the rules and fares carefully and do not forget to check for upgrade inventory availability before purchasing the ticket, especially if you have any flexibility on dates.
Nov 27, 2011 | 3:12 pm
#8
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This is a well-established thread that describes miles/SWU upgrades on AF/KL. The published rules on delta.com are useful, too.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...rance-klm.html
http://www.delta.com/skymiles/use_mi...x.jsp#upgrades
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...rance-klm.html
http://www.delta.com/skymiles/use_mi...x.jsp#upgrades
Nov 27, 2011 | 3:44 pm
#9
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Is there a DL codeshare into DOH? Also, KLM might have an upgradeable fare that costs less than M. You should check the rules and fares carefully and do not forget to check for upgrade inventory availability before purchasing the ticket, especially if you have any flexibility on dates.
The OP can always fly DL metal to AMS, UG on the M fare, then stick it out in coach from AMS - DOH. flying time is under 7 hours.
Nov 27, 2011 | 3:51 pm
#10
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I think it could be miserable to be in coach for a seven hour flight, especially before and after TATL flights. it also seems like a waste of miles and an expensive fare. I suspect that breaking the fare in AMS from M to cheap coach will save little if any money on the total ticket cost.
Nov 27, 2011 | 3:59 pm
#11
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If it is called KLM with a very high flight number, I would be suspicious that it is not KLM operated, only KLM marketed as their own codeshare. You might not be able to upgrade this and, depending on the operating carrier, might not even get mileage credit from DL unless the operating carrier is in SkyTeam.
I think it could be miserable to be in coach for a seven hour flight, especially before and after TATL flights. it also seems like a waste of miles and an expensive fare. I suspect that breaking the fare in AMS from M to cheap coach will save little if any money on the total ticket cost.
I think it could be miserable to be in coach for a seven hour flight, especially before and after TATL flights. it also seems like a waste of miles and an expensive fare. I suspect that breaking the fare in AMS from M to cheap coach will save little if any money on the total ticket cost.
Its KLM operated. One stop, so its like a 5 hour flight then a 2 hour flight.
Amsterdam, Netherlands to Doha, Qatar
Delta 9313 - Operated by Delta Codeshare Partner, Klm as Klm-Royal Dutch Airlines 439
Carrier
Flight # Departs Arrives Equipment
Type Flight
Duration Miles Performance Data1
From Time To Time
Delta 9313 Amsterdam (AMS) 12:55pm Dammam (DMM) 8:45pm Airbus A330-200 5.50 2926 Retrieving performance data.
One moment please...
On time: n/a
+30 mins: n/a
Cancellations: n/a
Delta 9313 Dammam (DMM) 9:25pm Doha (DOH) 10:25pm Airbus A330-200 1.00 138 Retrieving performance data.
One moment please...
On time: n/a
+30 mins: n/a
Cancellations: n/a
Total miles: 3064
Nov 27, 2011 | 4:02 pm
#12
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You said in the post I quoted that it was KLM #9313, not DL #9313.
Nov 27, 2011 | 6:51 pm
#14
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Thanks for the help. To report, the upgrade to O on KLM was not available on their equivalent of the M fare. They wanted $5000 for their B fare. OY. Apparently KLM is the stingiest with upgrade inventory.
I ended up booking IAD-CDG-DXB on an S fare for $2800. Upgrade was only 15000 SkyMiles each way.
I ended up booking IAD-CDG-DXB on an S fare for $2800. Upgrade was only 15000 SkyMiles each way.
Nov 27, 2011 | 7:04 pm
#15
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Well done. Will you get to try business class on the A380?