Rome in June

I am looking to travel in the middle of June. I know it is high season and return back to Texas around the first of July. I have to attend a wedding in Italy, south of Rome. This is my first time to non-rev. I am flexible with my dates +/- 3 days. I just need to know what all I am up against what to look out for and how to handle issues that may arrise. I will be taking the family and I can only travel on Delta.

Have been told it is easier to get there than it is to get back. Is this true?

Any advice?

I assume your traveling on a Delta guess pass. I am not a Delta employee, nor do I represent Delta in anyway. However, I do non-rev quite frequently and have heard some horror stories about non-rev on DL to European destinations both on this website and word of mouth. Delta and many other airlines flights are packed full going to Europe. I be very careful. Non-reving in the summer regardless of what airline is very challenging. If your using a DL pass, your boarding priority is going to below DL employees. So that means for example, if there only 15 seats open and there are 15 DL employees and their family members non-reving. Guess who gets those seats before you? Delta has quite a large number of employees non-reving so keep that in mind. My recommendation is to be flexible and do not be shocked if you get bumped. Also, allow yourself to have a few "cushion" days to/from your destination should you get bumped especially since your going for a wedding or need to get back to your hometown for work, etc. I always tell my guest pass travelers always be prepared for the unexpected and have plan B. I will not give my passes if they have to do "must" travel--wedding, funeral, job interview, or other deadline travel events. I tell those people to purchase a real ticket. I also would talk to the (DL?) employee who gave the passes to you and have them help you understand the pros/cons and your travel alternatives. Again..........I do no speak for DL. I also do not want to sound ugly about it. I am just a realistic person who has seen lots of non-rev pass travelers travel on the peak periods and end up stranded at airports for hours or days. Many of them are broke and cannot afford hotels, etc. I hope you enjoy your travel.

I agree...be VERY careful with DL Buddy passes especially to Rome. Its one of the worst for passes. I would look at other options if you try it.

Thanks for the honest answers. I do have several days that I can utilize. Would it be best to look at traveling to any city in europe then using Ryan to get where I need to go? Also, I have talked with the person who gave me the tickets. They are very up front about the issues of nonrev with me. About the only thing I have going or so I am told is that they are very senior with more than 29 years of service.

Hello Elitega,

Its Skyfly again (I was the 1st to reply to your thread). Anyway, as I stated in my 1st reponse to you, when you non-rev always expect the unexpected. As a non-rev you need to have a Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, etc. 2 years ago when I went to Greece, all the flights on Continental, Delta, and Olympic (Greek Airline) where oversold going to ATH from Anywhere, USA so I am ended up flying into AMS on NW; then non-reved on KLM to ATH from AMS. This is a common pratice among non-rev airlines employees. They fly into LHR, AMS, FRA, or CDG then get on the next non-rev flight from another airline to get to their final destination. Since your DL pass is only good for DL operated flights, that puts you at a disadvantage. My recommendation is to do your homework and research your alternatives before your trip. Just assume you cannot get on the flight to Rome, perhaps look into MXP (Milan) or Geneva (GVA)(--chances are, MXP/GVA are also going to hard places to non-rev also). Then take a train from Milan (or GVA) to your final destination in Italy. Also, consider flying to a destination where DL has more frequency of flights like Frankfurt (FRA) or Paris (CDG) or (AMS). Then take the Eurorail train to Italy. Since you say you have flexiblity with time then this would be a benefit to you. You also mentioned about taking a low-cost airline like Ryanair. I am not that familiar with European low-cost airlines to help you on this. However, I would not purchase any ticket from any European airline into you know if you can get on your transatlantic flight on Delta (as the ticket may not be refundable). Also walk-up fares may not be cheap. This is why you may want to consider using the Eurorail train. Well I hope this will help you somewhat.

My other suggestion especially if you really need to get to Italy, is purchasing a real ticket. Altalia has specials all the time from JFK. Usually about $400-$500 range. Check out their website. Maybe it would be worth is to purchase ticket knowing you will not have hassles or anxiety of whether you will get on the flight, etc. People who non-rev on guest passes often spend more money then they have anticipated either because they had to stay a night at a hotel, rent-car to drive to thier destinations, or use a train or ending up purchasing a real ticket. Maybe you can non-rev to JFK from your hometown, then have a confirmed seat on AZ. However, just allow yourself enough time to get to JFK if using DL on stand-by so you do not miss you Italy flight.