Nonrev Delta RT LAX-SYD
#1
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Joined APC: Oct 2009
Posts: 14
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
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
#2
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
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
#3
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Joined APC: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,152
If you absolutely need to be there on a specific date, buy the ticket. Otherwise, try non-revving.
Good luck.
#4
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Joined APC: Oct 2009
Posts: 14
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 . . .
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 . . .
#5
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Joined APC: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,530
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 . . .
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 . . .
Your greed of wanting to fly in business for free may hurt you big time.
#6
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.
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.
#7
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Joined APC: Nov 2008
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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.
#8
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Joined APC: Oct 2009
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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.
#10
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Joined APC: Nov 2008
Position: I'm here, i'm there, i'm everywhere...
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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.
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