[mmurad]

I went on the Delta website on Oct 28 to book a trip for my daughter. (I had just added $300 worth of skymiles to my account so we could qualify for the 40,000 miles trips.) I got all the way through until the "Done" page, when Delta's website failed. I never got a confirmation # so I couldn't recover the itinerary.
Went on the website Oct 29 a.m. and guess what? The same flights have now jumped to 50,000 miles required.

I complained to at least 5 CS people and a supervisor but got the same tired message: it's automated and we can't do anything about it.

I am furious. I think it's Delta's way of accepting cash customers but not allowing the loyal ones who rack up skymiles to use their rewards. Have complained to the FAA, but maybe forums like these are more effective.

[PHXFlyer]

Ticket prices can change at any time. Likewise the redemption level for an award itinerary can change too. You waited until the next day to do anything about it so it's not Delta's fault. Were there other flights on the same days that you could get for 40K? The redemption level may have jumped for the same itinerary you tried to book but with award tickets you need to be somewhat flexible.

As far as complaining to the FAA you're barking up the wrong tree. They only get involved with matters of safety. Now the DOT takes consumer complaints about airlines but they don't get involved in matters of how many seats an airlines makes available for mileage rewards.

[mmurad]

My point was that it was their fault I lost out on the 40,000 price. Their website failed me, conveniently, just as I was finishing. As a matter of fact, "Done" was at the top of the page, but nothing happened.

I still believe they do this on purpose. There were NO 40,000 mile award trips available.

Are you a spokesperson for Delta? Sounds like it.

[Silent Bob]

So you attempted to spend 300 bucks just to achieve 40,000 miles only to use the same miles to BUY a new ticket?????????

Am I missing something here? Why not simply buy a new ticket??

[justme]

Originally Posted by mmurad

My point was that it was their fault I lost out on the 40,000 price. Their website failed me, conveniently, just as I was finishing. As a matter of fact, "Done" was at the top of the page, but nothing happened.

I still believe they do this on purpose. There were NO 40,000 mile award trips available.

Are you a spokesperson for Delta? Sounds like it.

I am a Delta employee, but not a spokesperson. I find it appalling that you think the company I work for, or ANY other airline, or huge international company would take the time to purposefully program their website to "crash" after you spend $300 to acquire miles to then use them to buy a ticket. (SB, I agree, sounds like a weird way to go about it.) How would they ever sell any real tickets if the site was just crashing and "stealing" money from people all the time? And one last question, how do you consider yourself a "loyal customer who racks up skymiles" when you are going to the website and buying them?

[jimworcs]

Er, Justme...

The huge international company you worked for ran up huge debts, paid it's executives massive "bonuses".. then filed for bankruptcy and ran away from it's obligations. After ripping off it's staff, pension obligations and some suppliers, it then emerged to try again.

Let's not pretend that Delta is an ethical company...

[mmurad]

To "Airline Sympathizer" -- I bought the extra miles to bring my total up to 40,000. $300 was cheaper than the rdtrip I was trying to buy for my daughter to bring her home for Christmas. Prices jumped to around $600-700 for that particular trip, and I can't afford that. It's probably our last Christmas when we will all be together.

So am I as stupid as you implied?

[PHXFlyer]

Sorry mmurad but yes, you are. Why didn't you just get a Delta Gold Amex? The fee is waived for the first year and after your first purchase you get 25,000 miles. So you make one small purchase of something you would have bought anyway, say gas or groceries, pay off the balance within the month to avoid finance charges, get your 25K miles, get her ticket, then cancel the card before the renewal date so you don't pay the annual fee.

[mmurad]

Why should anyone have to jump through hoops and do such an asinine thing as taking out a credit card and then canceling it. Don't you know it goes on your credit report?

Anyway, it's all moot. Just went on Delta and purchased my 40,000 mile trip for my daughter! Do you think they read these boards? It cost me just $300 to bring her home and I'm done with the miles, hallelujah. Thanks to St. Anthony, who never fails me, and those who wished me well on these boards, daughter #2 will be home with her family for the holidays.

And that's all she wrote.

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by mmurad

Why should anyone have to jump through hoops and do such an asinine thing as taking out a credit card and then canceling it. Don't you know it goes on your credit report?

If you have excellent credit one cancelled card (cancelled by you, not the issuer) isn't going to hurt your credit score.

Originally Posted by mmurad

Anyway, it's all moot. Just went on Delta and purchased my 40,000 mile trip for my daughter! Do you think they read these boards? It cost me just $300 to bring her home and I'm done with the miles, hallelujah. Thanks to St. Anthony, who never fails me, and those who wished me well on these boards, daughter #2 will be home with her family for the holidays.

You never gave the dates of travel nor the routing. Why would you think Delta changed their award inventory just for you? More likely what happened is when you fat-fingered the web reservation it temporarily took that seat out of inventory. Delta's automated system then returned it when there was no ticket issued. It's not rocket science but pretty close.

And that's all she wrote.[/quote]