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Would you use frequent flier miles for an Alitalia ticket for next May?

Would you use frequent flier miles for an Alitalia ticket for next May?

Old Aug 12th, 2017, 08:50 AM
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Would you use frequent flier miles for an Alitalia ticket for next May?

Alitalia has the best routing to Palermo and Catania from Boston. I can use Delta miles to secure a ticket, but am wondering if Alitalia will still be flying next May. Delta said if they aren't they would book us on another partner airline. (assuming seats are available) Any advice on using Alitalia to get to Sicily in May would be appreciated.

Last edited by kja; Dec 28th, 2017 at 04:42 PM. Reason: even though I decided to use an emoji, I typed it out instead of selecting one, and so had to correct it.
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Old Aug 13th, 2017, 05:29 AM
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Delta miles do not expire, so you are OK there.

I try to use FF miles as flights are expensive unless you fly the newer, less expensive airlines but when I figured out some of those fares, the changes, and the fees once after I got in the door of the plane, not worth it.

Everytime I have used FF miles with a codeshare partner, the changes were handled by the major carrier, so I would go for it. You might check out Plan B flight times, etc to see if the worst case scenario would work for you.

I Alitalia going under?
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Old Aug 14th, 2017, 05:58 AM
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Alitalia's been "going under" for a decade. It hasn't happened yet.

I personally have a metric on using FF miles that you can decide to copy or not. I generally won't redeem FF miles for a trip if they're not worth 2 - 2 1/2 cents each. Divide the cost of a purchased ticket by the number of FF miles required for the trip. That usually means I'll only use miles for trips in business or first class, where that metric is easy to reach, rather than going through the hassle of redeeming them for a relatively inexpensive coach ticket. Your choice.
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Old Aug 14th, 2017, 01:50 PM
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Personally, I would think twice.

The bankruptcy plan was filed, I think, in May. Next May is well beyond the date when a plan has to be finalized (6 months, I think, with a possible extension of 3 more months).

I always have too much riding on vacation dates to make obviously risky plans, but this may not be the case at all for you.
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Old Aug 14th, 2017, 05:51 PM
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get travel insurance if you do book Alitalia...
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Old Aug 26th, 2017, 08:26 AM
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Alitalia did file for Chapter 15 US bankruptcy in June.

>>assuming seats are available

That would also be assuming that there is another Delta partner that actually flies to/from Palermo/Catania.

If Alitalia did cease operations and Delta can't get you to your destination on a partner then do you get your miles and fees back?
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Old Aug 26th, 2017, 10:59 AM
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KLM fly from Amsterdam to Catania.
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