Best strategies for using skymiles?

[smwf71]

Hi! We are going to Disney for spring break 07. I want to redeem skymiles for four tickets. I'd really prefer the 25,000 point skysaver tickets, of course. What is the best strategy to get these tickets? Any advice? I know I may not be able to do it online and I may have to call and reserve to have them hold seats - what has been your experience? TIA!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It may be impossible for you to get ANY 25,000 RT award ticket from DAY-MCO. I just did a quick check at Delta's website for award tickets for next March 2007 for travel between Dayton and Orlando and ALL flights required 50,000 miles (SkyChoice) for a round trip.

Unfortunately, this happens a lot when you try to redeem frequent flyer miles.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Be EXTREMELY flexible with your plans - chances are the SkySaver seats will NOT be available on the 'best' days or the most convenient times for you. I spent days (granted, not every minute ) trying to redeem SkyMiles for a trip to California last year. By altering my plans from a Sunday-to-Sunday trip, to a Friday morning-to-Thursday redeye itinerary, I was able to make it work
Book as SOON as tickets are available for that time period.
You can actually probably book online; there's a $10 charge for booking SkyMiles through an agent :

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Try 6am flights or late evening flights on non-weekend days. Tuesday is historically the slowest airline travel day and usually your best day for cheap airfare.

If you have enough miles to redeem for that many tickets then you may be a Medallion member. If so then call the Medallion desk and have them help you.

Also ask them to check Northwest and Continental to see if you can use your miles on their flights. I book flights on NW with my Delta miles all the time but you have to do it over the phone.

And yes I echo BE FLEXIBLE. You arent going to be able to fly on a Sunday or a Friday for a Skysaver fare.

Good luck!

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

Delta's FF program stinks -- DH and I have 100,000 miles between us after 7 years and they're virtually useless unless we want to burn them all using SkyChoice at 50,000 ea.

 

[paulmc80]

Skymiles has been good to me here flying out of Honolulu to Atlanta or Orlando. Generally, I've had to fly midweek to use the Skysaver level of redemption and I've had to book it several months out. Once I even changed my flights around new year's day and there was availability. And, to fly from here to Atlanta or Orlando requires 35,000 miles.

The key is to be very flexible with your dates. Be able to fly in the middle of the week, and be able to take anytime during the day. When looking on Delta's website be careful, changing the time of day you're looking for flights seems to affect the listing of flights displayed. I can look for "morning" flights and sometimes it displays a 3:45p.m. flight also, but at other times it only displays the 3:45p.m. flight when I select "afternoon."

 

[shoes99]

When the free dining plan came out, I decided to treat my sister and her youngest son to WDW. She is a single MOM and could never afford a trip to WDW. I got 3 seats on Delta for 25,000 miles each from EWR to MCO. We change planes in CVG on the way down and ATL on the way back. The return flight gets us into EWR after midnight but we can manage. She is so very happy. Delta no longer flys non-stop out of Newark to Orlando. We are going Aug 14th to Aug 17th.

 

[AllyBri]

I have had the best luck using Delta Skymiles. Up untill about a year ago, I would always get my exact date and time, now I have to be a little flexible.
I always use 25,000 and the one thing I have learned, is not to go by what shows up online. Many times I have checked online and nothing, called Delta and the dates were available.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Also if you have to fly on certain days and times check for a First Class seat which is only 45K with SkySavers. Often times I have found that I can fly First Class for less miles than coach since only SkyChoice was left in coach.

 

[smwf71]

Thank you all for your expert advice. The only reason I would not book online is so I could reserve a ticket the first day that date becomes available and then buy a wek later on the date our return flight day would become available. I am looking at the first week of April - actually leaving March 30th. We have a condo from Friday to Friday, so my dates aren't super flexible, but I'd be willing to stay longer. Who wouldn't? Anyway, the other thing is, I'm dealing with the school spring break and I MIGHT start looking in earnest for a teaching job (been home with kids for 8 wonderful years- still have 2 YO - not sure I want to go back) - my point is that teacher's can't usually take a day off the day before a scheduled break - ie. Spring break. You all have been so helpful - I love the idea of northwest or continental - that's awesome! Maybe I'll get lucky! Or, bite the bullet, pay 45 K and surprise my family with first class seats! That's still a lot, but would save 20,000 from paying 50 K / seat! What a silly game we all must play! Keep the tips and advice coming - especially about reserving a week in advance - has anyone done that? Sorry so long! Thanks!