kippy6

I found a reasonable fare via travelocity flying to Halifax for our family via Delta (6 seats). I need to pay w/FFP and also use a approx $750.00 credit, and the rest cash.

I'd like to do all of this online to avoid extra fees. I'm afraid if I book it via phone, I'll be charged extra. Any suggestions?

kippy6

This is driving me crazy. When I search on Delta.com as if I am going to pay for a flight, I can find seats that are around $350 per person (RT from ATL to Halifax).

But if I search to find seats w/FFP, I found several flights that had 6 FFP seats, which I reserved, however if I want to use my $750 credit on those flights, the seats are over $2000 each.

We REALLY need to use this $750 Delta credit. What am I doing wrong? I called Delta via phone and spoke with the online representative. He had a strong accent, and I couldn't understand him very well.

The 6 of us would like to fly together. Is this impossible? Oh yeah --- the flight sale ends Monday (tomorrow).

rkkwan

If I understand you correctly, you're trying to buy 2-3 tickets with money and 3-4 tickets with FF miles. You're not trying to get 6 tickets with miles.

But anyways, they don't necessary have the same flight with both $350 fares for sale, and 3-4 FF tickets to redeem. So, you just have to split your party.

kippy6

rkkwan - you are correct. We did find 6 tickets RT from ATL to Halifax for 25,000 points each (on hold until Monday). We want to learn how to reserve our flight of 6 seats using a combination of FFP and cash (FFP for 4 tickets and purchase 2 tickets). We really don't want to split our party.

The whole reason I started looking for a trip right now is b/c hubby has the $750 Delta refund (credit) from a flight last year. Maybe we could convert this credit over to points?? Would that be a good idea? The credit expires mid-July.

How do the airlines determine which flights get FF seats? Do the more expensive flights usually end up with more FF seats?

rkkwan

You can never know or predict when there's FF award seats on what flight.

You basically have three choices:

- Buy all 6 tickets together with cash.

- Redeem all 6 tickets together with miles.

- Split the party.

But also search to see on the flights that have seats for sale for $350 each, whether you can claim 3 or 4 FF seats. Not having 6 FF award seats don't mean there's not 3 or 4 FF award seats available.

CarolA

I travel a lot on Delta and you have me totally confused.

As I read this you need six seats and you put all of them on hold using Frequent Flyer Points (FFP)?

Now what you want to do is, change two of them to cash?

That you can't do.

You can book four of your seats on line using your points.

Then you can buy two tickets on the cash side. Now the kicker will be is the credit an "electronic" credit that you can attach to the ticket. AND is the credit transferrable. (Some aren't so only your DH could fly on it)

What I would do is go is go to Delta.com and try to buy the ticket. When you get to the part where you pay you will see a place to "use E-credits" . Try to use your credit there. If it doesn't work you are going to have to pay over the phone.

You might be able to buy miles with your "credit" but you aren't going to get much.

From www.delta.com
The cost is $0.0275 USD per mile plus a 7.5% Federal Excise Tax. An additional 6% Goods and Services Tax (GST) applies to purchases by Canadian residents.

CarolA

OK. I read again....

So your problem is that if you buy tickets on the flights you can get FF tickets on there aren't any $350 fares?

Then your options are more limited.
1. Book the more costly seats
2. Split up.
3. Fly everyone on frequent flyer tickets and save the credit.

And no one knows the logic for FF seats on a plane. Personally I find it amazing that you found ONE flight with six 25,000 seats. The odds seem to be that you got VERY lucky!

dutyfree

I was always under the opinion that one could only use a voucher via the actual airline that issued it.Also,since Delta doesn't fly to Halifax (it is a Delta commuter connection flight) you will run into supply and demand because of how few seats there are on those small planes.

kayd

If I were in your position, I would enlist the aid of a Delta FF expert on the phone, and gladly pay the relatively small fee ($20-30/ticket ?) for these complicated arrangements for six travelers. If you do not understand the first one, hang up and dial again until you reach one you can work with.

BeachBoi

Hmm...just got a HOTP email form my TA....He is saying Delta no longer allows "holds" on ANY frequent flier reservations....interesting....Make your reservation, issue your ticket..

Patty

BeachBoi,
AFAIK the no hold policy applies to telephone reservations but not online reservations. As of this morning, I'm still getting the redeem later button with the message "You can hold this itinerary until Thursday, March 20 at 11:00pm EST" online.

But it does present problems as delta.com is very limited in terms of award searches.

BeachBoi

Of course, he was referring to his customers/would be customers..Against my better judgement, he handels mileage tickets for his corporate clients and some referrals.Fees apply of course, and if you wanna get next years vacation as well..remember his b/d and Christmas..