Comment

Comment by Buzzy Gordon on October 1, 2011 at 6:04pm

Thanks for the warning. I am sure Delta can track me down. At least I did not sell to an individual; I acted in good faith with an air travel professional.

I will not be flying Delta, so they cannot deny me boarding.

The consolidator has reported to me that they already succeeded in redeeming the eCerts. I have met these people personally and trust them; if they do try and screw me, I guess I can always report them.

Meanwhile, I better stop posting here...

Comment by Tony Abreu on October 1, 2011 at 3:15pm

I also found the deal a little bit weird. I deal with consolidators on a day to day basis and have never heard one to be in the eCert exchange business. I guess that would mean immediate expulsion by Delta if they are caught.
I also am a bit leery when an agent tells me he will give me "credit towards a future purchase". I'm not sure how I can rely on that happening.
Delta has been going after eCert trading recently. Watch this horror story.
http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/15278811/fake-airline-tickets-sold-...
Buzzy I hope those eCerts don't have your Skymiles linked to them.
Delta might get back at you.

Comment by Anil on October 1, 2011 at 3:04pm

Buzzy: How interesting. I thought the T&C for many eCerts prevented exchange and/or trading for monies or other goods ?

 

Anyways, great :)

Comment by Buzzy Gordon on September 30, 2011 at 7:10pm

FYI, I was able to find a consolidator in Chicago who took all my eCerts (3 in total, on two different airlines) and gave me credit toward a future purchase. I think this is the best option, but I appreciate everyone's help.

Comment by Buzzy Gordon on September 24, 2011 at 5:15pm

Thanks again. It's amazing how expensive these non-refundable fares are. And that hassle about not being able to redeem online is scary; the website says there is a fee for doing this anywhere else but delta.com.

Comment by Anil on September 22, 2011 at 4:36pm

Tony: Great posting. I used the 331 day rule to use an expiring pair of PMU in the 90s.

Comment by Tony Abreu on September 22, 2011 at 3:41pm

Buzzy.
Here is a story how one blogger did it.
http://andrewmtrav.blogspot.com/2011/01/building-up-to-berlin-booki...

Comment by Tony Abreu on September 22, 2011 at 1:26pm

UNRESTRICTED is not only REFUNDABLE but also has NO PENALTY.
Be careful with REFUNDABLE since it might not be FULLY REFUNDABLE WITHOUT PENALTY.

Also UNRESTRICTED CAN BE CHANGED WITHOUT PENALTY.

For one-way look for Y0 (Y ZERO) fare basis in Delta.

Good Luck, Tony

Comment by Buzzy Gordon on September 22, 2011 at 1:09pm

Thanks for the detailed instructions, Tony.  Is there a difference between REFUNDABLE and UNRESTRICTED? Is there a fare basis code I should look out for?

Comment by Tony Abreu on September 22, 2011 at 9:42am

Buzzy, if you haven't done so already, here are the steps...
Use your eCert to buy a ECONOMY UNRESTRICTED (Y) one-way ticket from Delta that is closest to $300 as possible. You may have to shell out additional cash to do this.
A example for ECONOMY UNRESTRICTED fare is:
CHIDTT-DL 22SEP11 *RULE DISPLAY* TARIFF 0011 RULE 9000
013-FARE BASIS USD TAX TOTAL PTC FT
Y0 502.33 37.67 540.00 ADT NL

Book the ticket for date as far advance as possible. Let's day 331 days from now. I can see seats as far as 18AUG2012.

DL2470Y 18AUG SA ORDDTW 700A 926A
*OPERATED BY MESABA DBA DELTA CONNECTION

The total ticket price is:
TICKET BASE USD TX/FEE USD TKT TTL USD
ADT01 530.24 50.46 580.70
*TTL 530.24 50.46 580.70

FBC ADT Y0
ADT CHI DL DTT Q27.91 502.33USD530.24END DL ZPORD XT2.50AY 4.50XF ORD4.5

So you need to pony up $280.70.
But now you will be holding a fully refundable, changeable, exchangeable ticket worth $580.70. Note Delta might limit refund to vouchers.

When you need to travel later on Delta (but before 18AUG12), just exchange this ticket with the one you really want and pay the difference.

Note: the key is to buy an UNRESTRICTED ticket with your eCert with the least additional money out.
-tony

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