Nonrev Delta RT LAX-SYD
 

Hi all -
Trying to decide whether to buy a RT LAX-SYD ticket for July 2-July 10 or to risk nonreving during the holiday week. I think more people will plan ahead for Australia, but you never know.

Right now, plenty of seats in business, plenty in premium economy and plenty in economy. If I buy a ticket, I won't have to worry about getting on (we are meeting family, so this would be nice), but I would have to cram into economy for sure. If I use my benefits, I could possibly get lie-flat business or possibly miss the flight altogether. Any opinions about trying standby or buying a coach seat up front? Also, how many of the business seats typically get awarded in the last few days before the flight/day of to upgrades? Would I have much shot at all of getting on first? If not, I'd rather just buy a confirmed seat - but that seat is tiny and uncomfortable for such a long flight!

Thanks for advice -
Jen

It's a crapshoot this far out. Non-revving in the summer is always dicey. If you have flexibility, go for it. If you need to be there for certain dates, I'd buy a ticket. Of course, you can always buy a ticket and still list. If you get business, take it.

This is expressly prohibited and if caught you will most likely lose your travel privileges. Do not buy a ticket and list as a nonrev on the same flight.

If you absolutely need to be there on a specific date, buy the ticket. Otherwise, try non-revving.

Good luck.

Thanks to you both. Yeah, on DL you can't buy a ticket on that flight. I could buy a ticket through another airline and then list for DL the day before if it looks good. But the best deals on the other airline are nonrefundable, so I'd lose some $ if I ended up nonreving.

I know buying a tix is safe bet, but like everyone else I like the extra space in business, esp on longer flights. I will be sad to get to SYD and then see that I would have made it . . .

But even sadder if you tried to non-rev and don't make it at all due to a MX cancellation on DL or another carrier and get bumped by hundreds of revenue standbys. Just buy the ticket, take an ambien, 2 shots of Jack and sleep to australia.
Your greed of wanting to fly in business for free may hurt you big time.

I jump seated to SYD in March, getting there was a breeze on United aside from the CO/UA computer changeover issues they were having.

I had planned to take United back to LAX, but a Canceled flight due to MX forced me into buying a ticket on Delta. Purchased the ticket 5 mins before they closed check-in it was cheaper to buy a round trip ticket though non refundable it was $1,200.

To me worth every penny I had a great seat in economy I think it was economy plus or something similar it was a bulkhead with tons of leg room. I can't wait to get back to Australia to see more, I think I will just buy a round trip ticket to start of with next time just for the peace of mind it brings.

Very few people upgrade on international flights, generally it might be 1-2 diamond medallions but they do it well in advance. What you see about 1 week out is what you will most likely end up with on the flight unless there are cancellations. Also remember the no-show factor...on a 777 in LAX it's probably 10-15 people per flight.

Thanks everyone. All good advice. @columbia - I am not trying to be greedy, it's the difference between saving the money toward other parts of the trip AND getting a better seat or spending on a more cramped seat but having peace of mind. Of course, either way I'm pretty lucky to go to Australia.

and yeah, would be much sadder not to get there at all : )

I just pulled up the loads on the 2nd and you're right it does look open, but we're almost 2 months out still. I'm not familiar enough with this route to make a recommendation but I know someone who does the SYD trip all the time...i'll see what he says.