A friend wants to use Delta miles for the following itin next May: LAX-BEY, IST-LAX.

When he searches for it just like that, just the open-jaw, the mileage requirement for business/first is 260,000 miles. I think that is 100,000 miles for LAX-CDG, 60,000 for CDG-BEY, and 100,000 for IST-LAX. Does that sound right?

Not sure I understand, but it seems that if the low-medium-high options don't appear when that AF segment to BEY is included in the itin.

I also searched as two tickets "open-jaw and one-way". The open-jaw ticket being LAX-CDG, IST-LAX. In that case, the date he chose were both "medium" so that ticket cost the 200,000 miles, like above. Plus the 60,000 for CDG-BEY one-way tucjet

I also searched as two tickets "roundtrip and open-jaw". The roundtrip being LAX-CDG-LAX on "low" days being only 100,000 total. The open-jaw CDG-BEY, IST-CDG would then cost 52,500 miles. The trip adds a stop in CDG but costs over 100,000 miles less per ticket. He could then (almost) afford three of those with the miles he has.

My question is: if he calls Delta to book this trip, can they book this trip for the 152,500 and have it all on one ticket? It would then be LAX-xxx-CDG-BEY, IST-CDG-xxx-LAX, where xxx is MSP/ATL/other NW/DL sonnecting airport.

... it seems that <s>if</s> the low-medium-high options don't appear when that AF segment to BEY is included in the itin.

For partner award availability it's either low or nothing. Mid and high tiers are only applicable to DL/NW operated flights.

Off the top of my head I can't remember what the mileage requirement is to BEY/IST but it shouldn't be more than 120K (maybe even 100K) total provided he can find low availability on the DL/NW segments plus the partner availability he needs. DL online award search doesn't work well for multi-segment itineraries. You can search AF availability on ExpertFlyer. As long as AF O class is available, DL will be able to book it.

I believe there are high tier flights for Air France and KLM flights.

Regardless, the search tool on Delta.com is notoriously bad. I would call customer service to book the ticket.

yes, i have been getting that picture, thanks

This is one of those that needs to be a phone call. He can get one stopover for "free" but it's not going to work on Delta.com

There are times it's worth paying the $25 fee!