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Good question: Help redeeming SkyMiles for next summer

 

QUESTION:

Dear Chris: Susan and I are planning to take an anniversary trip (30th) to Europe next summer.  How soon (or late) should we book our air travel to get the best deals using points?  Are there any Delta airports or destinations that are traditionally easier / less expensive to get to?  Any other tips?  Any websites that help with these choices? We have been thinking either Ireland, Benelux, or Italy and are comfortable arriving one airport and leaving another (i.e. Rome/Milan or Amsterdam/Suttgart). Thanks for your help! –Bob

ANSWER:

Hey Bob: Congrats on 30 years! I’d go ahead and look now… usually it’s best to look about 330 days out, and then again about 2-3 months out (that’s when the airlines decide whether or not to put up some extra seats that they don’t expect to sell.)

Best bets would be to smaller, less traveled airports….Stuttgart, Manchester and Brussels should be good choices. London, Paris, Rome, Milan or anywhere in Italy are extremely tight. Also, consider making a stop in NYC if you can’t find nonstops from ATL.

Expect to be disappointed….Delta’s putting VERY few seats up at the lowest award level any more….especially for summer trips to Europe when it’s peak season. If you can go before or after peak summer season (roughly June 15-August 15) you might get lucky.

Finally, don’t rely on what you see online. It’s always best to call and ask a Delta rep to help. You only have to pay the fee if they find and book the award seats you want….which might be worth it!

Hope that helps!

Chris

Does anyone else out there in TICKET-land have some advice for Bob? If so, leave your comments below. What’s been your experience trying to redeem SkyMiles for trips to Europe?

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Comments

  1. Adam says

    If flexible, don’t forget partners: AirEuropa via Madrid, Aeroflot via Moscow, Alitalia via Rome/Florence, Tarom via Bucharest, Jet via Brussels. Might have to connect through JFK, but oh well.

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