Using frequent flyer miles Delta - help

[lpandorf]

I have 50,000 frequent flyer miles on Delta. Enough for maybe 2 tickets if I'm lucky or at least one ticket and I can buy the other. I keep searching for fares I can use the miles on and have a tough time. Some flights have shown up for 25,000 points but when I try to book 2 of them it says the flight recently sold out and try again. This has happened about 5 different flights. Then I figure ok, we'll just use 35,000 miles for a more expensive flight and buy the other ticket full price. But when I go to buy the 35,000 flights they show up as first class, not coach. If it was just me I'd be excited about first class but I'll also have a child with me (well actually two, but I've got the 3rd ticket all taken care of) and want the kids with me. (DD8and DS4).

Has anyone ever successfully booked a flight using Delta FF miles? Any tips and tricks? I'm beginning to get discouraged. Esp since every time I try to book a lower mile flight it says it has just sold out.

Thinking right now I may just get the 1st class ticket using FF, buy myself a full price coach ticket (and already have DS ticket covered). I need to be in coach with my DS4 as he is too young to leave on his own. However, DD is a good kid and I could put her in first class for a 2 hour direct flight and expect she'd behave and be fine, although not love being away from Mom and brother. Or I could see if the person who has the other seat in our row would want to swap with my daughter in first class.

Anyway, just looking for some insight. Trip is not till June. Should I wait a bit to see if things change on the frequent flyer schedule with Delta?

Thanks!

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

I use SkyMiles as often as I can, and that's correct...the experience is not terribly rewarding!

I find it much easier to call them (800 323 2323) when I'm redeeming SkyMiles. I give up on the website for SkyMiles redemption.

 

[AllyBri]

I agree with calling, also be very flexible, with airport, times and dates.
The more choices you can go with the better chance you have of using the miles. Maybe you can fly a day or two before or after, morning, afternoon, evening etc.
I always was able to use my DL miles and I had every possible date, time, writtin down on a sheet of paper in front of me and then I would call Delta.

 

[QT Pooh]

Yes, I use Delta FF miles all the time through the website. The website is not the easiest thing to deal with and it might be worth the money to place a call to Delta instead. I agree that you should try to be as flexible as possible with dates & times to get the best deal. The 25K flights are hard to come by.
The last time I was able to get them was January 2007. I would not wait to see if the schedule changes...because there are people out there with hundreds of thousands of miles to burn that won't think twice about spending 50K on a ticket.

 

[uva185]

I have 50,000 frequent flyer miles on Delta. Enough for maybe 2 tickets if I'm lucky or at least one ticket and I can buy the other. I keep searching for fares I can use the miles on and have a tough time. Some flights have shown up for 25,000 points but when I try to book 2 of them it says the flight recently sold out and try again. This has happened about 5 different flights. Then I figure ok, we'll just use 35,000 miles for a more expensive flight and buy the other ticket full price. But when I go to buy the 35,000 flights they show up as first class, not coach. If it was just me I'd be excited about first class but I'll also have a child with me (well actually two, but I've got the 3rd ticket all taken care of) and want the kids with me. (DD8and DS4).

Has anyone ever successfully booked a flight using Delta FF miles? Any tips and tricks? I'm beginning to get discouraged. Esp since every time I try to book a lower mile flight it says it has just sold out.

Thinking right now I may just get the 1st class ticket using FF, buy myself a full price coach ticket (and already have DS ticket covered). I need to be in coach with my DS4 as he is too young to leave on his own. However, DD is a good kid and I could put her in first class for a 2 hour direct flight and expect she'd behave and be fine, although not love being away from Mom and brother. Or I could see if the person who has the other seat in our row would want to swap with my daughter in first class.

Anyway, just looking for some insight. Trip is not till June. Should I wait a bit to see if things change on the frequent flyer schedule with Delta?

Thanks!

Are you going from CVG-MCO? What are your dates of travel?

 

[seashoreCM]

Are you sure that one frequent flyer ticket and one full coach ticket don't together cost more dollars than zero frequent flyer tickets and two economy class tickets?

Another advantage of booking via phone or travel agent, despite the added fee, is to ensure doing an all or none booking if that is what you are concerned about. Seems like a human agent can "claim" one seat while pricing out the next for you, even if the seats are on different flights, whereas on-line you have to finish one purchase before starting another.

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