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Message
Help travel w/ CC points
Posted on 8/13/18 at 2:45 pm
Posted on 8/13/18 at 2:45 pm
Alright CC guru’s, I’m looking to book a flight to Germany (Nuremberg) flying out of Jackson in the near future for the wife and I.
And we’d like to travel first class for the first time if possible.
I have 46k skymiles with Delta and I have 128k points on an Amex Platinum.
What’s the best way to do this and how many points will it require?
Book through AMEX portal?
Book through AMEX portal, then upgrade when offer is made?
Transfer points to delta and book through there?
Thanks in advance!
And we’d like to travel first class for the first time if possible.
I have 46k skymiles with Delta and I have 128k points on an Amex Platinum.
What’s the best way to do this and how many points will it require?
Book through AMEX portal?
Book through AMEX portal, then upgrade when offer is made?
Transfer points to delta and book through there?
Thanks in advance!
6
Posted on 8/13/18 at 2:54 pm to Shepherd88
I'd go to Flyer Talk and get their help. No offense to our TD faithful, but that board is on another level for this type of question.
Posted on 8/13/18 at 4:04 pm to Shepherd88
First thing is to set a Google Flights fare tracker so you get a ballpark idea of the flight cost on your desired dates. You can then look at the various ways to book (Amex portal, Delta w/points upgrade, etc) and compare.
Are you willing to fly into Munich or Stuttgart, etc if the price is right? This would involve a train trip, but it might be a more affordable way to swing the upgrade.
Are you willing to fly into Munich or Stuttgart, etc if the price is right? This would involve a train trip, but it might be a more affordable way to swing the upgrade.
Posted on 8/13/18 at 4:13 pm to hungryone
We may look at flying out of Stuttgart as well but we are catching a cruise down the main river for a Christmas trip.
Price isn’t that big of a deal unless it’s saving major $. I’m more concerned about comfort and getting there on time than saving a dollar.
Price isn’t that big of a deal unless it’s saving major $. I’m more concerned about comfort and getting there on time than saving a dollar.
This post was edited on 8/13/18 at 4:19 pm
Posted on 8/13/18 at 4:33 pm to Shepherd88
Here's an article that may help.
LINK
You are very light on miles believe it or not. Also, I would bet money you will not find an award seat from Jackson, MS easily, and may have to pay for a positioning flight.
Flyertalk is a good resource but you'll probably find a blog post on the nose if you Google using Amex MR for award seats to Europe or variations thereof.
Prepare to be overwhelmed. This isn't something that takes 15 minutes to pick up.
LINK
You are very light on miles believe it or not. Also, I would bet money you will not find an award seat from Jackson, MS easily, and may have to pay for a positioning flight.
Flyertalk is a good resource but you'll probably find a blog post on the nose if you Google using Amex MR for award seats to Europe or variations thereof.
Prepare to be overwhelmed. This isn't something that takes 15 minutes to pick up.
This post was edited on 8/13/18 at 4:38 pm
Posted on 8/13/18 at 5:27 pm to Teddy Ruxpin
Would I have better luck flying out if memphis? Also, I wouldn’t care to upgrade that originating flight. Would likely just upgrade the connecting longer leg. (I.e. Atlanta to Nuremberg) and back.
Posted on 8/13/18 at 6:13 pm to Shepherd88
quote:
Would I have better luck flying out if memphis? Also, I wouldn’t care to upgrade that originating flight. Would likely just upgrade the connecting longer leg. (I.e. Atlanta to Nuremberg) and back.
Memphis is bigger than Jackson but both are likely going to connect you in ATL.
Posted on 8/13/18 at 6:18 pm to Shepherd88
Condor Airlines has non stop flights New Orleans to Germany on Thursday & Sunday. Tickets are under $400, Business class flights are $880
Posted on 8/13/18 at 6:40 pm to Shepherd88
If redeeming on DL metal you're better off moving your AMEX points to Flying Club (Virgin Atlantic). Think there is currently a 30% bonus on transfers and you can find transatlantic business class for 50k each way. The award search and booking process is a PITA but you could Google and get some additional info.
ETA: I would also look into business going and a premium economy product coming back if you want to make it work with only miles. Some of those can be had for as few as 17,500 miles each way and are closer to US domestic business class. Don't let a European business class leg (Ex. LHR to Germany be a deal breaker. Their inter-europe biz class is just SW with an open seat in the middle.)
Also, pay attention to the Peak and Off Peak charts for the European Carriers when planning. It can save you quite a bit and they are all different.
ETA: I would also look into business going and a premium economy product coming back if you want to make it work with only miles. Some of those can be had for as few as 17,500 miles each way and are closer to US domestic business class. Don't let a European business class leg (Ex. LHR to Germany be a deal breaker. Their inter-europe biz class is just SW with an open seat in the middle.)
Also, pay attention to the Peak and Off Peak charts for the European Carriers when planning. It can save you quite a bit and they are all different.
This post was edited on 8/13/18 at 6:47 pm
Posted on 8/14/18 at 6:29 am to Shepherd88
Awardhacker.com is where I start. It gives you the blue sky redemption rate - which I've heard for premium class to Europe, you're going to need to be booking 11 months out.
Posted on 8/15/18 at 6:44 am to Shepherd88
#1
business/1st class flights on to germany in the next 6 months...cost ~9,000USD each on with delta skyteam members. (via quick check on google flights)
you have a total 174,000 miles to use.
obtaining 2 premium tickets means to pull this off you would need to redeem those mile at almost 10 cents each.
not impossible.....but rather ambitious.
#2
delta does not officially publish their award charts.
it can even flutuate during the day..
#3 you'll need to do your own legwork but..the sweetspot you seek is with korea air. you can book round trip korean air skypass via delta. (edit: may need to book flight directly via korean skypass)
is possible to find round trip business/1st class for ~80,000 round trip (but they pass along excess fees)
LINK /
business/1st class flights on to germany in the next 6 months...cost ~9,000USD each on with delta skyteam members. (via quick check on google flights)
you have a total 174,000 miles to use.
obtaining 2 premium tickets means to pull this off you would need to redeem those mile at almost 10 cents each.
not impossible.....but rather ambitious.
#2
delta does not officially publish their award charts.
it can even flutuate during the day..
#3 you'll need to do your own legwork but..the sweetspot you seek is with korea air. you can book round trip korean air skypass via delta. (edit: may need to book flight directly via korean skypass)
is possible to find round trip business/1st class for ~80,000 round trip (but they pass along excess fees)
LINK /
quote:
At just 80,000 miles round-trip from the U.S. to Europe in business, this is one of the cheapest miles prices anywhere to cross the Atlantic. In comparison, Delta SkyMiles now charges 125,000 miles for the same ticket. The difference? You’ll pay several hundred dollars in fuel surcharges, so decide whether you value miles or cash more. Economy is 50,000 frequent flyer miles compared to the typical 60,000, but fuel surcharges quickly overwhelm the mileage savings here.
This post was edited on 8/15/18 at 10:31 am
Posted on 8/15/18 at 11:13 am to Shepherd88
Amex points convert to British Airways Avios. A couple of times a year there is a bonus on the conversion of Amex points to Avios. Avios can be used on several partner airlines without a fuel surcharge.
For example. I’m flying business class from Madrid to JFK in September for 34000 Avios. Fly on off peak times or days. The redemption is much better then.
As was mentioned you’re going to want to get a ticket to a larger hub airport so you have more options.
For example. I’m flying business class from Madrid to JFK in September for 34000 Avios. Fly on off peak times or days. The redemption is much better then.
As was mentioned you’re going to want to get a ticket to a larger hub airport so you have more options.
This post was edited on 8/15/18 at 2:41 pm
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