Delta Update

[Philip Glass]

Always!

I would make sure I had travel insurance to cover if things go south.

 

[Fred Gunner]

American Airlines joins Delta, United and waives change fees
Move will impact First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy and Main Cabin tickets

In addition, Delta will extend the waiver on change fees for newly purchased flights, including international flights and Basic Economy fares through the end of the year. Delta will also extend its expiration on travel credits through December 2022 for tickets booked before April 17, 2020.

 

[markm]

For the life of me I can't figure why people would pay Deltas crazy prices.

American Airlines joins Delta, United and waives change fees
Move will impact First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy and Main Cabin tickets

In addition, Delta will extend the waiver on change fees for newly purchased flights, including international flights and Basic Economy fares through the end of the year. Delta will also extend its expiration on travel credits through December 2022 for tickets booked before April 17, 2020.

 

[wesheltonj]

For the life of me I can't figure why people would pay Deltas crazy prices.

Direct nonstop.

 

[Philip Glass]

I’ve been checking the Delta flights for next year and they are outrageously expensive! My round trip is showing $2400 from SAT! What is the deal? Last year it was like $1400. Are they not filling the planes? Does anyone know what the story is here?
I really don’t want the longer options like Qatar plus they have no bargains now either.
Philip

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I’ve been checking the Delta flights for next year and they are outrageously expensive! My round trip is showing $2400 from SAT! What is the deal? Last year it was like $1400. Are they not filling the planes? Does anyone know what the story is here?
I really don’t want the longer options like Qatar plus they have no bargains now either.
Philip

Philip,
I don't think this is the best time to be looking at flights, especially during the current circumstances. My opinion is that as more flight options open up, the price will come down. Also, the old notion of better deals for booking early has also gone out the window.
About two years ago, I booked my flight to the Dallas Safari Club convention in August, for the upcoming show in January. There was a late, small chance that my wife could join me. I was on the longer route via Europe. I checked flights, and could get a direct flight for my wife via Atlanta for about $250 cheaper than my much longer option.
I think you'll be doing yourself a disservice by booking that flight now.

 

[Philip Glass]

Philip,
I don't think this is the best time to be looking at flights, especially during the current circumstances. My opinion is that as more flight options open up, the price will come down. Also, the old notion of better deals for booking early has also gone out the window.
About two years ago, I booked my flight to the Dallas Safari Club convention in August, for the upcoming show in January. There was a late, small chance that my wife could join me. I was on the longer route via Europe. I checked flights, and could get a direct flight for my wife via Atlanta for about $250 cheaper than my much longer option.
I think you'll be doing yourself a disservice by booking that flight now.

Marius
That can be true but if you wait to book you get to sit in the back. That’s what I don’t like. I’ve read that 6 months out is the best price for airlines. Who knows now.
Philip

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Marius
That can be true but if you wait to book you get to sit in the back. That’s what I don’t like. I’ve read that 6 months out is the best price for airlines. Who knows now.
Philip

I totally agree with you on the flight via Europe. As someone who has flown that route to the USA many times, whether through London or Frankfurt, you simply cannot compare it to the direct flight. I changed over to the direct flight between JHB and JFK for the last two years. Chalk and Cheese.
My only comment on the price would be that I have noticed that even the Qatar Airways prices seem to be roughly 50% up from their normal prices at the moment.
Your $2400 at the moment, is the top price during peak season. I think that you have more to gain by waiting a little, than what you have to lose. Good luck on your decision though.
I'm waiting for more options before booking my flights to Dallas.

 

[buck wild]

I’ve been checking the Delta flights for next year and they are outrageously expensive! My round trip is showing $2400 from SAT! What is the deal? Last year it was like $1400. Are they not filling the planes? Does anyone know what the story is here?
I really don’t want the longer options like Qatar plus they have no bargains now either.
Philip

Delta was $2,400 from Hou to Joberg in 2018 when I checked approx 5 months out from my trip date. Honestly I have never seen a Delta flight between May-Aug any less than $1,800 and that goes back to 2007. I have "heard" of others getting it cheaper but personally have never seen it.

That's why I went Emirates in 2018 for $1,300 and just sucked up the extra flying time as a $1k savings and another animal Next time I think I'll do a day lay over in Dubai and check out the sites there as a way to break things up but I do dearly hate to forfeit over a hunting day to do such.

 

[JKS]

One small quip about travel insurance. That does not cover any "known pandemic". Found that the hard way for flights to and from a cruise in November, but I digress.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Marius
That can be true but if you wait to book you get to sit in the back. That’s what I don’t like. I’ve read that 6 months out is the best price for airlines. Who knows now.
Philip

I booked six months in advance on Delta, a bulkhead seat so I would have extra legroom. My buddy booked two weeks before departure. I got bumped back a bunch of rows and he got a bulkhead seat. Go figure. Delta is on my no fly list because they don't guarantee a seat, regardless of how far in advance you book.

 

[Philip Glass]

It looks like DL204 will not be a daily flight anytime soon. It’s showing only 5X per week for late March through October. No ATL-JNB on Sunday and Tuesday and no JNB-ATL on Monday and Wednesday.

Delta brings back travel destinations across Atlantic and Pacific this winter and summer 2021

Customers will see more trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific flights to top business and leisure destinations.

news.delta.com

 

[Hogpatrol]

It looks like DL204 will not be a daily flight anytime soon. It’s showing only 5X per week for late March through October. No ATL-JNB on Sunday and Tuesday and no JNB-ATL on Monday and Wednesday.

Delta brings back travel destinations across Atlantic and Pacific this winter and summer 2021

Customers will see more trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific flights to top business and leisure destinations.

news.delta.com

The footnote says it's with government approval. I assume they mean RSA. Have you run the numbers for the total travel time Delta versus Qatar? From Philly to JNB using Qatar, it's less.

 

[shootist~]

I hope I don't jinx things, but Lori got me booked as of last week. A Thursday for ATL departure and a Tuesday return. July 2021.

 

[Dee S]

One small quip about travel insurance. That does not cover any "known pandemic". Found that the hard way for flights to and from a cruise in November, but I digress.

You have to have the "CANCEL FOR ANY REASON" included. Just call and verify before buying the insurance. It's in my policies for next years trips and I verified with the insurance company before buying. It's called CANCEL FOR ANY REASON for that reason.

 

[Philip Glass]

The footnote says it's with government approval. I assume they mean RSA. Have you run the numbers for the total travel time Delta versus Qatar? From Philly to JNB using Qatar, it's less.

Qatar is about $500 more and 6 hours longer for me. I was hoping to use it as an option. $3000 for coach DFW-JNB for July next year! WTH!
I am not finding ANY good options for next year. It’s looking like about $3000-3500 for round trip coach all in.

 

[Philip Glass]

I hope I don't jinx things, but Lori got me booked as of last week. A Thursday for ATL departure and a Tuesday return. July 2021.

$?

 

[Philip Glass]

You have to have the "CANCEL FOR ANY REASON" included. Just call and verify before buying the insurance. It's in my policies for next years trips and I verified with the insurance company before buying. It's called CANCEL FOR ANY REASON for that reason.

In the past that policy cost about double the standard policy. Do you mind letting us know flight cost and ins cost?
We are all looking at high ticket prices and then insurance in top of that. What a mess!

 

[shootist~]

$?

Pretty close to the Delta App, but it's my first trip over and I'm splurging. Plus I'm a bit over the hill, age wise.
Business Class outgoing and Premium Select on the return. My wife's suggestion, btw.

 

[wesheltonj]

Qatar is about $500 more and 6 hours longer for me. I was hoping to use it as an option. $3000 for coach DFW-JNB for July next year! WTH!
I am not finding ANY good options for next year. It’s looking like about $3000-3500 for round trip coach all in.

Philip, are you trying to fly out of San Angelo? IAH is generally cheaper than DFW. I usually drive to IAH or DFW as the pricing out of SAT makes it worth the 4 or 5 hour drive. That said, I have found cheap fares out of Austin. I realize from San Angelo, that's a lot of extra driving time, but you might find the pricing is worth the effort.