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I am new to Non Rev I am traveling on a buddy pass and there are several flights from DEN to MSP on the 10-06-13 on DL, the flight that my buddy has listed me on only gives me an 1hr30min for my connection and if that flight is full I will not even get there, would I not be better getting my buddy to list me for an earlier flight..
General Rule of Thumb - Always take the first available flight at the start of the day ! Do not wait till later in the day when all the normal snafu delays cancellations oversales reroutes skewer the space available picture. Even more important if you are in a bottom of the barrel class of pass or ZED fare - think of all the previous situations where higher ranking pass riders have the same problems thrust upon themselves and then they get merged into the pool making non-rev space available travel even more troublesome. So you get to the connection airport and have to wait a few more hours at least you got to that point and other options maybe available. Note that you are traveling DEN-MSP; that is a non-stop flight. Where are you connecting from at DEN or continuing on to at MSP ? That is important because connections at DEN could maybe made better at SLC a large DL hub or instead of making a connection at MSP maybe DTW (Detroit) or ATL (Atlanta) maybe a better option. Delta's system is so large that a multitude of options are available - tells us more - but plan on a early "First" AM departure if possible to get the best potential to arrive at your destination. Last Rule of Thumb "Avoid the last and ONLY flight of the day UNLESS it is all that is left for consideration and you are stuck with it" !
DEN is my first flight out my final destination is LHR the person who got me the buddy pass thought that DEN-MSP-LHR was the best way to go for availability.
In view of your latest post what you have planned is the best routing with the best availability. While the equipment used on the MSP LHR route is smaller than other cities you should most certainly be accommodated in the coach cabin with over 90 seats available at this time. You might even snag a business class seat if everything stays right as it is now. The DEN MSP portion is the best with availability as you have planned - about 25 seats overall but it is the last flight of the day to make the LHR connection. The other DEN MSP flights do not have as much availability but will more than take care of the connection time. MSP airport has a lot of interesting shops to browse and great restaurants to get a bite to eat before the trip over the pond. So a semi-long connection time would be better than a rush to the gate if your DEN MSP is delayed. Tough decision - I would try for one of the earlier DEN MSP flights and coast with the connection time. Best of Luck ! Your non-rev listing is JAN/P with 10/24/89 seniority ?
Thank you for your informative reply I think I will try for an earlier flight out of Denver. I have no problem browsing the stores and would prefer a longer layover. yes that is my listing.
Hi, Candy (that's my sister/buddy rider's name!) I echo everything R. M. said but 1 1/2 hrs is enough time to get from F gates to G gates (IF your flt is on time)
Personally, I would fly DTW to LHR--you will very likely get biz elite (0 nonrevs listed for 11 seats) You'd have to leave Den AM or connect thru MSP (a few options). You can get a cheap day rate hotel in Romulus or buy SkyClub pass for $39 (I think) . The 4:19 flight DEN to DTW is pretty tight but both usually use A Gates. Gotta say ATL looks better for biz than MSP (if no upgrades show up) Nice seniority on your pass. Thank your employee profusely! Good luck. Come back and let us know how it all went, ok?
Being from MSP originally and having worked at that airport for a while, I have to also point out that the Mall of America is VERY close to the airport. You can take a train there and arrive in 10-15 minutes (not including time waiting for the train, should be every 10-15 minutes in the middle of the day). Less than a $3 ride, and your ticket lasts 2.5 hours (so if you get back to the airport that quickly, you don't need to buy a return ticket)
Thank you all for your input . My biggest concern is getting on a flight from Denver which is the last flight for the connection from MSP to LHR if there is some flight delay somewhere and that flight gets booked up with fare paying passengers I am stuck in Denver as the LHR flight leaves. so I think the better option is to leave on a earlier flight. flying out of ATL to LHR is also an option that we could look at although a few hours at Mall of America is very appealing.. again thank you all for your help and I will certainly let you know how it goes.
Thought I would come back and report how it went getting to LHR I went via MSP the flight from Denver was a full flight at 1115 but I was lucky and was able to fly although another non rev who had been there for there earlier flight did not make it onto this one either. The flight from MSP to London was wide open with 70 plus seats only 3available in business so I was not surprised when given a seat that I would not be getting business class. I was given a seat in economy plus and had a choice of three centre seats or two seats by the window. I opted for the two seats . I was happy to be boarding the plane and relieved to finally get in a seat and get some sleep,as the plane door closed and we were being pushed back te stewardess came and asked if I wanted to move to the front in business as two people had not made it onto the flight. That was a nice unexpected surprise , I hope my return journey is as easy as my first trip as a non rev. Again thank you for anyone who helped me in the last week or so
Glad to hear from you. Both of those recommended flights DEN to DTW had open seats and went out with a few empties. What a treat to get the no-show seats! Awesome care from the FA. I assume the other nonrev in E comfort got moved up, too? You did well. You must have had some good karma coming your way. Don't you just love biz elite flatbeds? Wishing you more good karma on the return.