Has Delta lost their minds?

[buck wild]

Although I'm not planning a trip this year, my friend and his family are looking to make their first safari. While at the DSC show, we had a travel agent check a few prices. For late July, she pulled up $3,400 for a coach seat ! Skymiles is over 400,000. That is ludicrous and a $1,000 more than the quoted price last year. At $2,400 last year, I had to make the move to Emirates. I can't see how Delta will keep the plane booked at those prices. Is this what others are seeing for Delta? I know Phil mentioned he is going Qatar this year- but I heard from an SA outfit that flew Qatar over for the shows and they were disappointed. I didn't get to the exact issue they had, but all in the group expressed the same sentiment. I'll be interested in Phil's report later.

On another positive note, Delta did fly over my crate last week that is in transit from Atl to Hou as we speak !! It was only $700- maybe I'll pack myself in a crate next time

 

[sierraone]

Although I'm not planning a trip this year, my friend and his family are looking to make their first safari. While at the DSC show, we had a travel agent check a few prices. For late July, she pulled up $3,400 for a coach seat ! Skymiles is over 400,000. That is ludicrous and a $1,000 more than the quoted price last year. At $2,400 last year, I had to make the move to Emirates. I can't see how Delta will keep the plane booked at those prices. Is this what others are seeing for Delta? I know Phil mentioned he is going Qatar this year- but I heard from an SA outfit that flew Qatar over for the shows and they were disappointed. I didn't get to the exact issue they had, but all in the group expressed the same sentiment. I'll be interested in Phil's report later.

On another positive note, Delta did fly over my crate last week that is in transit from Atl to Hou as we speak !! It was only $700- maybe I'll pack myself in a crate next time

Just ran Delta for 7 Jul to 16 Jul 2019 Little Rock, Atlanta, Jo-burg R/T...$2138 Main cabin, $2626 Comfort +. Big difference.

 

[buck wild]

Yeah that is more in line with what I thought it should be. I questioned the travel agent twice if she qued up the right info.

 

[Patton63]

When I planned my trip to SA two years ago, I wanted to book two seats with miles. Delta wanted 300,000 miles per ticket for economy class. I ended up booking two business class seats on Ethiopian Air for 180,000 miles total. Yes, it added a connection in Addis, and yes, it made the flight time longer. But, the plane was very comfortable, the food was good, and the hassles were minimal.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I am booked on Delta Houston Atlanta Johannesburg. May 27-June 10. Round trip Delta Comfort. Booked 4 months ago and got it for $1745. Jennifer at @Travel Express found me that deal.

 

[Therack]

Did you search the travel dates on Priceline’s website? You can easily see for yourself what Delta charges. Good way to double check a travel agent.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I am booked on Delta Houston Atlanta Johannesburg. May 27-June 10. Round trip Delta Comfort. Booked 4 months ago and got it for $1745. Jennifer at @Travel Express found me that deal.

Mark, I think that is also off season or at least off peak season and that really helps!

 

[Hogpatrol]

If you fly Delta to Joburg, when you check in, regardless of your seat location in economy or comfort, prepare to be bumped to another seat. Happened to me once and never again will I fly Delta anywhere.

 

[postoak]

If the flight you are looking at is almost 100% booked, the airline computers will jack the price way up knowing they can sell those last few seats at the new high price.

 

[JimP]

Two of your big problems is that you are flying both ways on a Monday. For cheaper airfares never fly on weekends or Mondays. The cost can be as much a $1000 each way.

 

[johnnyblues]

Something doesn’t sound right. But then again it’s Delta. They suck. I booked my flight thru Expedia New York to Namibia end of May $1300. SA all the way.

 

[JimP]

When I was planning my flights Delta was always around $1000 more than SAA. It didn't matter what day or times that I picked.

But then I also went with Lori at Travel Express and she got me cheaper flights than I was finding on line which was Delta from Denver to NY then SAA.

 

[Eric Anderson]

I have never paid more than $1250 for round trip tickets to jnb.
Iirc I have flown dulles to fra to jnb twice. Once in June, and once in July. Flown from Durham to jfk to jnb in April iirc.

Some airports are very expensive to fly out of. I don’t fly out of Clt, which is 45 minutes from me. It is cheaper for me to take a train to dulles, and fly out of dulles than to fly out of clt. I also book about 5-6 months in advance.

Another tip is to clear your cookies, or check prices in igcognito mode. If you keep checking prices, the airlines algorithm will slowly keep raising prices.

 

[TRAVEL EXPRESS]

Although I'm not planning a trip this year, my friend and his family are looking to make their first safari. While at the DSC show, we had a travel agent check a few prices. For late July, she pulled up $3,400 for a coach seat ! Skymiles is over 400,000. That is ludicrous and a $1,000 more than the quoted price last year. At $2,400 last year, I had to make the move to Emirates. I can't see how Delta will keep the plane booked at those prices. Is this what others are seeing for Delta? I know Phil mentioned he is going Qatar this year- but I heard from an SA outfit that flew Qatar over for the shows and they were disappointed. I didn't get to the exact issue they had, but all in the group expressed the same sentiment. I'll be interested in Phil's report later.

On another positive note, Delta did fly over my crate last week that is in transit from Atl to Hou as we speak !! It was only $700- maybe I'll pack myself in a crate next time

It can be a problem with availability for your dates is why price was high and July is also peak season. As the inventory of seats starts to fill up then the price increases - just the way the airlines work........... Delta has always been high on award reservations in my opinion but the number of miles required also correlates to the availability of seats. Hope this helps!

 

[jeff]

Travel Express, I always like your input and insight !

 

[CAustin]

Yep Adela Business Class around that time runs 750,000 miles

 

[tarbe]

Two of your big problems is that you are flying both ways on a Monday. For cheaper airfares never fly on weekends or Mondays. The cost can be as much a $1000 each way.

I was just quoted for a Monday departure to Bulawayo from Houston...$1,510 on Delta. This is in August.

Never say never?

 

[wesheltonj]

July 25 to Aug 7. Qatar $1029, Delta $1957.

 

[Goose Cracker]

For my ATL to JNB in business class 27 May to 8 June... wait for it... 930,000 miles. After that flight and two first class seats to Saskatoon in Nov (son's HS grad present) even my Delta account is wiped. 2 million miler.

 

[wesheltonj]

They don't call Delta Sky Miles, Sky Pesos for nothing.