Delta buddy pass question

[mommyofthreeboys]

For those of you who are familiar with Delta's buddy passes, would you use them to fly to Barcelona in May for an 11 night cruise? I know we would be taking a risk of not getting on the plane if the flight is booked so we were thinking of leaving a few days before the cruise departure date (just in case we are bumped).

What do you think? Too risky? Worth the savings of at least $650 per ticket?

What if we never fly out? Does the insurance cover that?

TIA!!!

 

[PrincessParty]

How many are traveling? I might try it if it were 1 or 2, but not for a family wanting to travel together. What does the employee issuing the passes say? My sister sadly would tell me no, not if I "have" to be there.

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

Yep, just 2 of us. DH and I.

Employee says there are 100 seats still available and looks good but you never know when it gets closer.

 

[jugalava]

100 seats still available now...but May is many months away, with the possibility for schedule changes and/or equipment changes. For a big trip like that, I personally wouldn't risk not getting there when I wanted to. Plus, if there's trouble getting TO Barcelona, you'll spend unnecessary time while on the cruise worrying about if you'll make the flight home.

If it were me, I'd start looking for a good deal on positive space.

 

[safetymom]

I wouldn't take the chance. I can't see insurance covering it but I would check with your insurance carrier.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

For those of you who are familiar with Delta's buddy passes, would you use them to fly to Barcelona in May for an 11 night cruise? I know we would be taking a risk of not getting on the plane if the flight is booked so we were thinking of leaving a few days before the cruise departure date (just in case we are bumped).

What do you think? Too risky? Worth the savings of at least $650 per ticket?

What if we never fly out? Does the insurance cover that?

TIA!!!

As an ex airline employee you would be taking WAY to much risk this day and age. Remember you are at the bottom of the totem pole using a buddy pass, employees, pilots dead heading along with flight attendants will be given priority over you. So now if you have to purchase a ticket last minute it will be big $$$.

 

[diane648]

I've flown domestically on Delta Buddy Passes several times and also feel it's way too risky. I doubt your insurance would pay in such a situation.

Sometimes it's worth it to pay the extra money for the peace of mind...

Good luck with your decision!

Diane

 

[delta0413]

I'm a retired Delta employee and I wouldn't risk trying to non-rev to Europe to take a cruise and I have a higher boarding priority than buddy passes. As a matter of fact, when DW and I took our Alaska Cruise last year, we bought tickets just to make sure we would be on board.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[PlaneJoy1]

If you are going in EARLY May, I would probably risk it since its just the two of you. The closer you get to Memorial Day, the more crowded Europe flight become. If you are going to start trying three days out, you would probably give yourself some opportunity to get there. Also, look at the flights at the end of February/early March. This is a good indication of what the loads will be. If has booked significantly - buy tickets. If not, you choose. Sign up for one of the fare watcher sites and if and incredible deal does appear you can buy tickets then.

The other part is, if you can get to a major airport in Europe you can most likely get to Barcelona. Look and see if any of the discounters over there fly to Barcelona and from what airport. That would be your backup plan.

I know, I'm against what everyone else is saying. Most would not risk it. I just fly with a backup plan, knowing that one day I will get myself in trouble.

 

[lmhall2000]

I don't stress about travel, but I try to be practical, like the previous poster stated above, if it's travel before May 15th..I'd go for it, if it's after May 15th you're hitting HIGH summer travel...would not risk it.

Have a great trip!!
Tara

 

[DBBN]

We've flown internationally (4 of us) on Delta buddy passes before and if only 2 of us were traveling I would do it for a cruise so long as our schedule allowed us to start travel at least 2 days before the sail date. Last I looked Easyjet (I've never flown with them) had a generous schedule of flights into Barcelona from some major airports in Europe starting at around 26 Euros PP if you couldn't get to BCN on Delta.

DW and I have flown hundreds of legs on dozens of airlines all without knowing when or how we'd get to our destination and it's always worked out so long as we were flexible.