Delta announced some positive SkyMiles changes yesterday, which isn’t something we see every day.
Among those changes is that Delta is adding more partner airlines to the SkyMiles award search on delta.com. While Delta’s website is still far from perfect, they started by adding a functional award calendar to delta.com late last year, whereby you can actually see partner airline award availability for a month at a time.
Then they started adding more partner airlines to the award search on delta.com, including:
- In early January, China Eastern and China Southern awards became bookable through delta.com
- In late February, China Airlines awards became bookable through delta.com
- In early March, Gol awards became bookable through delta.com
It looks like that trend is continuing, as Aerolineas Argentinas and Garuda Indonesia awards are now bookable on delta.com as well.
Aerolineas Argentinas awards on delta.com
In mid-2012, Aerolineas Argentinas was added as a Delta SkyMiles partner. As I’ve written about in the past, their Club Condor Class (business class) looks downright amusing, down to their onboard fax machine.
Who needs Wi-Fi when you can fax onboard?!
Aerolineas Argentinas flies from Miami and New York to Buenos Aires, and award availability is extremely inconsistent. Sometimes they have nothing in the off season, but then during peak season there’s tons of business class award availability.
Ultimately I’d say Aerolineas Argentinas is a great option given how weak SkyTeam is for longhaul travel to/from Latin America.
Garuda Indonesia awards on delta.com
Garuda Indonesia has turned themselves around as an airline, after having a horrible reputation for a long time. Garuda Indonesia joined SkyTeam in March 2014, making them a great option for redeeming SkyTeam miles for travel to/from Southeast Asia.
Garuda Indonesia’s 777s look downright amazing, with a great first and business class product.
Unfortunately first class is more or less unattainable with miles, though their business class is quite available.
Garuda Indonesia 777-300ER business class
For example, here’s their award availability between Singapore and Jakarta:
While Garuda Indonesia doesn’t fly to the US, they serve destinations all over Asia, and even fly to Amsterdam, with connecting service to London. As a matter of fact, you can fly Garuda Indonesia exclusively between London Gatwick and Amsterdam, which is a pretty cool route on which to sample them.
The problem is that Garuda Indonesia is really inconsistent about releasing award space. Sometimes they make a ton of space available, while other times there’s nothing. So if you can find award space on them I definitely think they’re worth trying.
Now if only I could find a practical way to fly them in first class…
Bottom line
Kudos to Delta for adding all these SkyMiles partners to their online award search. I do find the timing a bit interesting, though. Am I the only one that suspects they’re basically adding them to the website 1-2 at a time to draw out the process and make us feel better about the program for longer? 😉
Now if only they’d add Aeroflot, Kenya Airways, Saudia, and Vietnam Airlines to the online award search tool (goodness, SkyTeam is a first rate alliance!).
(Tip of the hat to Mac)
@lucky - One more thing, AR just took delivery of a brand new A330-200 on 2/28/2015 tail # LV-FVH. They are getting a total of 4 of these new planes (2 in 2015 and 2 in 2016). They are supposed to use them on JFK, MIA and MAD routes. Business class is supposed to have lie-flat seats and a Panasonic eX3 on demand video system. Sorry, no fax machine was installed .... :)
@ Angel -- Thanks for the heads up! But no fax machine?! That's disappointing. ;)
@AJK
thanks, do you know of a good post somewhere of how to gook Garuda F with TYP? Thanks.
@Kelly D
I assume LHR-JNB is on VA? are there still no YQ?
BTW, Delta.bomb is still somewhat broken. It won't combine DL flights with AR flights. I can find lower level seats on DL from DCA to JFK and JFK to EZE on AR but when I look up DCA-EZE nothing is available....I'm guessing an agent can put it together and hopefully waive the phone fee....
@Lucky - Not to brag about Aerolineas Argentinas, but a quick reminder that they operate a new(er) Airbus 330-200 on the EZE-JFK route (and sometimes to MIA) that used to be leased by AF. It has a decent business class configuration and service is supposed to be good. I'd say you should go for it!
Here is a short trip report with pics http://www.discoverbuenosaires.com/aerolineas-argentinas-business-class-review
@ Angel -- Heh, I love how they take over planes from other airlines and don't do anything to change the interiors.
Skyteam: 'the best of what's left'
*your should be you
The only thing I want to know: when are your going to fly Aerolineas Argentinas? I so want to read about the 12 audio channels and 5 different types of beverages available!
Actually, I flew them several years ago. They're a pretty decent airline, but even then their hard product was outdated.
Quite timely as well since they eliminated their award charts. I'll admit I have never looked at the United award chart since I felt their award calendar tool is quite comprehensive despite missing a few partners. For redeeming AAdvantage awards, on the other hand, I always look at the award chart since you have to call to book most partner awards.
I hope they don't announce any further devaluations specially with respect to redemptions after putting these partners on delta.com
Thanks Man! Just bagged SYD-CGK-AMS-LHR-JNB in J for 90K!
@ Kelly D -- Holy crap, that's a hell of a deal!
I really hope you find a way to fly Garuda in First. I read a trip report that was amazing and I'd love to see your take on it!
Could be useful for that diving trip to Raja Ampat...
Can't you book London-Amsterdam using Korean miles?
@ Denis -- You can, but only in economy or business class.
While I'm sure you're aware, GA F is bookable by way of TYP.
@ AJK -- Yes, quite expensive, though.
SIN-CGK is such a short distance. I'd save my 40,000 pts and use it for other routes
@ Tiara -- It was just an example of a route with a lot of availability. Ultimately the goal would be to use it as part of a larger ticket (ie LAX-NRT-SIN-CGK, for example).