usvi-on-line
331? WRONG!
331? WRONG!
Oh man...I stayed up late last night to book award tickets on Delta for next summer. The countdown was about to begin.
I got through and Delta told me they had no tickets for my date. It's not even that I missed the window and they had all been scooped in the first 27 seconds they were available; Delta hasn't been issuing award tickets on the ATL-STT flight on several of the weekends next summer.
WTF?
I understand that they can do whatever the heck they want when it comes to making the seats available, but what am I supposed to do with 240,000 miles now?
We could book the tickets and use points at the full rate, but that will use up between 120,000 - 180,000 (if the wee one goes with us) of our points. Half of me says "Well...that's what they're for", but the other says "Come on! I want 30,000 per ticket!"
I'm officially depressed now.
We have 2 other weekends in August when we can take the trip. I was told by Delta to keep trying and to hope for the best.
And, I also tried to get them to codeshare me to Continental, but they're not offering anything either.
CURSES!
Anyone got any secrets to help us get there on miles?
I got through and Delta told me they had no tickets for my date. It's not even that I missed the window and they had all been scooped in the first 27 seconds they were available; Delta hasn't been issuing award tickets on the ATL-STT flight on several of the weekends next summer.
WTF?
I understand that they can do whatever the heck they want when it comes to making the seats available, but what am I supposed to do with 240,000 miles now?
We could book the tickets and use points at the full rate, but that will use up between 120,000 - 180,000 (if the wee one goes with us) of our points. Half of me says "Well...that's what they're for", but the other says "Come on! I want 30,000 per ticket!"
I'm officially depressed now.
We have 2 other weekends in August when we can take the trip. I was told by Delta to keep trying and to hope for the best.
And, I also tried to get them to codeshare me to Continental, but they're not offering anything either.
CURSES!
Anyone got any secrets to help us get there on miles?
I live in ATL so I feel your pain: Delta FF tickets are tough. Have you tried the online "flexible dates" calculator? It will show you when skysavers are available by month. It's a handy tool.
I was lucky enough to get skysavers to Costa Rica for next May (though we're going Thurs-Sun and not the peak Sat-Sat). Island destinations are tough, even 331 days out. If you have 240,000 miles and don't want to buy tickets (which are pretty inexpensive on AA and Spirit) than I'd just pony up with the skychoice miles.
Another option? See if they have skysavers available for first class. Those are 60K too, but at least you're getting "something" for those extra miles. Also, you may need to be flexible if you want to use skysavers - a perfect Sat-Sat may not work out.
I was lucky enough to get skysavers to Costa Rica for next May (though we're going Thurs-Sun and not the peak Sat-Sat). Island destinations are tough, even 331 days out. If you have 240,000 miles and don't want to buy tickets (which are pretty inexpensive on AA and Spirit) than I'd just pony up with the skychoice miles.
Another option? See if they have skysavers available for first class. Those are 60K too, but at least you're getting "something" for those extra miles. Also, you may need to be flexible if you want to use skysavers - a perfect Sat-Sat may not work out.
Thanks everyone. We've done this twice before and I always got the tickets right away. this is vexing.
And, the cost to buy the tickets (knowing that things could drop by next summer) out of RDU is astronomical. I've only rarely seen tickets for much under $500 per person.
I'm thinking Sat-Sat may not work, but getting a villa to rent me a Wed-Wed might also be hard. It's off-season, but that's taking up 2 weeks on their calendar.
Ugh...
And, the cost to buy the tickets (knowing that things could drop by next summer) out of RDU is astronomical. I've only rarely seen tickets for much under $500 per person.
I'm thinking Sat-Sat may not work, but getting a villa to rent me a Wed-Wed might also be hard. It's off-season, but that's taking up 2 weeks on their calendar.
Ugh...
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steveo2916
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Wed Sep 13, 2006 3:02 pm
- Location: san antonio,tx
We just got back on Delta miles. What I ended up finding was that I could get there on SkySaver miles in first class from here (SAT) to SJU via ATL. Friday outbound, saturday return. I booked American Eagle flights from SJU-STT for $200 a piece for the rest. It made for a LOOONG travel day, but we got there!!
It really is all about flexibility of dates. I have booked three trips now with miles on delta. 2 times booking about 300 days in advance having success with the 30k per ticket rate (skysaver), but not flying Sa-Sa either time. One time was Tue - Thur (10 days total) and 1x having to do 45k per ticket for a Thurs-Friday (8days) with a combo of skysaver in one direction and skychoice the other.
This trip I booked our villa for a Thursday - Friday and no one hesitated. Off season, but over thanksgiving Thursday.
One thing to know about Delta that I learned the hard way is they are no longer flying on Thursdays (maybe only in the off season) to STT from ANYWHERE. So I had to be rebooked for my upcoming trip onto a Wednesday flight, the other choice was Friday and I would rather add a day than lose a day!
This trip I booked our villa for a Thursday - Friday and no one hesitated. Off season, but over thanksgiving Thursday.
One thing to know about Delta that I learned the hard way is they are no longer flying on Thursdays (maybe only in the off season) to STT from ANYWHERE. So I had to be rebooked for my upcoming trip onto a Wednesday flight, the other choice was Friday and I would rather add a day than lose a day!
I understand the frustration, but I would love to have the problem of how to use free miles! We do not travel enough to accumulate them so we pay the old fashioned way...cash or credit! If I had the chance to get free first class tickets on my preferred date, I would be on it PRONTO. Just my opinion of course.
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StJohnRuth
- Posts: 1989
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:42 pm
- Location: St. John, VI
Re: 331? WRONG!
[quote="pipanale"] Delta hasn't been issuing award tickets on the ATL-STT flight on several of the weekends next summer.[quote]
Is it just Saturday to Saturday that's a problem? I never ever travel on Saturday unless it's New Year's Eve. Can you change the dates back and forth a little and make it work (i.e. Friday to Sunday, 9 days instead of 7. Good excuse to stay a little longer...), or am I missing the Delta point?
You MUST get a countdown going!
-Ruth
Is it just Saturday to Saturday that's a problem? I never ever travel on Saturday unless it's New Year's Eve. Can you change the dates back and forth a little and make it work (i.e. Friday to Sunday, 9 days instead of 7. Good excuse to stay a little longer...), or am I missing the Delta point?
You MUST get a countdown going!
-Ruth
Greetings pipanale!
No magic bullets here on the DL FF miles, but I can share a little experience in the hopes that it might be helpful.
First, sometime this spring, (perhaps when DL came out of bankruptcy more or less), the availability of Skysavers tickets was changed/reduced. Based on looking on a board dedicated to frequent flyers, the Skysavers are more available to those with Medallion status. Those of us mere mortals without status can’t get them. Here is a link to that board.
http://flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=489
I have done the 331 out a few times. Three times to St Thomas, and then last year I was finding no availability to STT so I flew to St. Maarten (we took a ferry and stayed on Anguilla). My requirements sound similar to yours, I wanted to use the “cheap” tickets at 30K miles. In general I was looking at Hawaii and a few Caribbean locations. We live in CVG, which is currently ranked as the most expensive airport in the US, and usually/always? in the top 3 the last few years (data is published quarterly I think). Typical cheapest CVG to STT prices for June/July when we can go are $700-800 way in advance, $1000 if you wait until a couple of months out, any days of the week. This has been the case for the last few years. Many locals drive to neighboring airports within 100 miles to save money, we’ve done it.
Being down to just over 30K miles in each of our accounts (wife and I), I started poking around this spring and discovered the more limited availability. (I used to fly regularly but have not for a few years and I’ve been using them up.) I literally went through all months between now and 331 out checking several destinations on numerous days. Some destinations had ZERO tickets available for the WHOLE year. Some had a day or two, never when we could travel (wife is a teacher), and rarely a coinciding return. Bear in mind these were all popular destinations. You could book a Skysaver to many domestic destinations. I’ve also read that some availability is increasing but still small, haven’t looked into it.
I was checking once or twice a week, but had pretty much gotten to the point of figuring no trip for next year. Then one day late July I logged in to check and Voila! – EVERY day in June had many tickets available to STT! I booked two ASAP! A couple of days later there were none available, I figured there was a glitch in their computer or somebody goofed. Try checking early in the week and early in the month, they seem to do some reloading of things and sometimes there is availability. Last year the flights out of SXM on Saturday were never available, but it happened to be the first Sat. of July I wanted to return and I snagged them. Immediately afterwards a ticket showed as available, a day later it did not, and the rest of July never showed up again for Sat.
Since I have a trip lined up I haven’t continued to check much, but there seems to be a day or two here or there, not ZERO as before. Still, very limited.
Possible solutions:
Get Medallion status (obviously not easy, but if you’re close…) be sure you’re logged in when checking ticket availability if that’s the case.
Check First Class Skysaver, which is the same # miles as Coach Skychoice. These showed some availability. If you’re going to fork over 60K miles per ticket might as well sit up front!
Consider alternative destinations. I have always tried to look for destinations that get me the most expensive $$$ ticket for the least miles to a location I’m interested in. These have been Caribbean and Alaska (open jaw with a one way cruise – good deal!). Watched for Hawaii but never got it on Delta. Would rather get two trips elsewhere in the Caribbean than one to STT.
Check with partner airlines. There is a thread on how to do this on-line on the flyertalk link above. There are numerous reports of tickets being available on partners when not on Delta. You can also call the partner desk and have them look. Warning – be prepared to spend some time!!! FWIW – I looked at STT on partners with no success for next June as I was trying to get a trip set up.
Finally, be flexible and if you find something that fits in, GRAB IT!
It can be worth it! Not only did I get the Skysavers for next June, but we’re going to stay for two weeks, one of which will be a freebie at the Marriott thanks to about 10 years of points. The other we’ll do a villa on STJ. Obviously not a “cheap” trip, but good value for the money!
Good Luck!
irbgolfin
No magic bullets here on the DL FF miles, but I can share a little experience in the hopes that it might be helpful.
First, sometime this spring, (perhaps when DL came out of bankruptcy more or less), the availability of Skysavers tickets was changed/reduced. Based on looking on a board dedicated to frequent flyers, the Skysavers are more available to those with Medallion status. Those of us mere mortals without status can’t get them. Here is a link to that board.
http://flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=489
I have done the 331 out a few times. Three times to St Thomas, and then last year I was finding no availability to STT so I flew to St. Maarten (we took a ferry and stayed on Anguilla). My requirements sound similar to yours, I wanted to use the “cheap” tickets at 30K miles. In general I was looking at Hawaii and a few Caribbean locations. We live in CVG, which is currently ranked as the most expensive airport in the US, and usually/always? in the top 3 the last few years (data is published quarterly I think). Typical cheapest CVG to STT prices for June/July when we can go are $700-800 way in advance, $1000 if you wait until a couple of months out, any days of the week. This has been the case for the last few years. Many locals drive to neighboring airports within 100 miles to save money, we’ve done it.
Being down to just over 30K miles in each of our accounts (wife and I), I started poking around this spring and discovered the more limited availability. (I used to fly regularly but have not for a few years and I’ve been using them up.) I literally went through all months between now and 331 out checking several destinations on numerous days. Some destinations had ZERO tickets available for the WHOLE year. Some had a day or two, never when we could travel (wife is a teacher), and rarely a coinciding return. Bear in mind these were all popular destinations. You could book a Skysaver to many domestic destinations. I’ve also read that some availability is increasing but still small, haven’t looked into it.
I was checking once or twice a week, but had pretty much gotten to the point of figuring no trip for next year. Then one day late July I logged in to check and Voila! – EVERY day in June had many tickets available to STT! I booked two ASAP! A couple of days later there were none available, I figured there was a glitch in their computer or somebody goofed. Try checking early in the week and early in the month, they seem to do some reloading of things and sometimes there is availability. Last year the flights out of SXM on Saturday were never available, but it happened to be the first Sat. of July I wanted to return and I snagged them. Immediately afterwards a ticket showed as available, a day later it did not, and the rest of July never showed up again for Sat.
Since I have a trip lined up I haven’t continued to check much, but there seems to be a day or two here or there, not ZERO as before. Still, very limited.
Possible solutions:
Get Medallion status (obviously not easy, but if you’re close…) be sure you’re logged in when checking ticket availability if that’s the case.
Check First Class Skysaver, which is the same # miles as Coach Skychoice. These showed some availability. If you’re going to fork over 60K miles per ticket might as well sit up front!
Consider alternative destinations. I have always tried to look for destinations that get me the most expensive $$$ ticket for the least miles to a location I’m interested in. These have been Caribbean and Alaska (open jaw with a one way cruise – good deal!). Watched for Hawaii but never got it on Delta. Would rather get two trips elsewhere in the Caribbean than one to STT.
Check with partner airlines. There is a thread on how to do this on-line on the flyertalk link above. There are numerous reports of tickets being available on partners when not on Delta. You can also call the partner desk and have them look. Warning – be prepared to spend some time!!! FWIW – I looked at STT on partners with no success for next June as I was trying to get a trip set up.
Finally, be flexible and if you find something that fits in, GRAB IT!
It can be worth it! Not only did I get the Skysavers for next June, but we’re going to stay for two weeks, one of which will be a freebie at the Marriott thanks to about 10 years of points. The other we’ll do a villa on STJ. Obviously not a “cheap” trip, but good value for the money!
Good Luck!
irbgolfin
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designbyroe
- Posts: 1348
- Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:27 pm
- Location: Chilaxin on White Bay at least in my mind
