VS TPs on DL domestic

I'm taking a short break to Atlanta in January (no ticket booked yet as my dates are flexible) and I was thinking of doing a Tier Point run with Delta in F as I'll have a spare day and could do with the extra TP to retain AU after we had to cancel a trip. I've been looking at a few routes with layovers so that I'd get 12 TP in one day. I don't think I'll need the full 12, but just in case one of the work trips planned doesn't materialise I figured it was better to be safe.

So, a couple of questions! First, does anyone know if there are routes that are traditionally cheaper that I ought to be looking at? Do all flights that have a flight number that starts with a DL prefix qualify for VS Tier Points? For example, some flights are operated by Gojet Airlines DBA Delta Connection, and I wanted to make sure that would be eligible. I understand that each segment needs to have a different flight number in order for each of the four flights/segments to qualify for TP, so I'm making sure that's the case with potential bookings.

So far the best deals were looking like this (all with layovers for maximum TP): ATL to BWI at $766, ATL to ROC for $754, ATL to MCO for $745 and ATL to PHL for $730. The turnaround on the ATL > MCO and ATL > PHL flights is only 40 minutes which worries me, though. I'm trying to leave at least an hour between flights for my sanity's sake; although one might argue that by virtue of doing a TP run, my sanity is already questionable...

I did find a great deal (sub $500) to DFW, but it had the same flight numbers on two segments, so my excitement was shortlived! If you can find a better deal, please let me know!

Thank you.

Edit: Just found ATL > RST for $662, with layovers in MSP there and back. Flight numbers are DL 784/DL 5051 outbound and DL 4042/DL 888 inbound. Works out at about $55 per TP, right? Also just found ATL to CLE via DTW for $624.

Edit 2: Just to add I'm also happy with much more creative routes; it's just that for some reason when I try doing multi city searches on the DL website I can't find anything :( Any suggestions appreciated.

Hi, yes "Delta Connections" flights qualify for VS miles & TPs as normal. Just as Little Red was a VS service but operated by EI, DL contract many of their short-haul routes out to regional airlines (some of which they own, others remain independent) but the planes and on board service are DL branded.

In terms of pricing for your TP run, because DL have a virtual monopoly at ATL they're not that cheap for flights that start there. The trick is to choose an itinerary that starts and ends in cities where DL isn't the big boy in town but connects in ATL, as DL want you to fly with them via ATL rather than with a competitor who may fly direct.

For instance BHM-ATL-MCO is coming in at $346 return on a random Tuesday in February. Or BNA-ATL-CHS is $362. There'll be others.

As you'll be in ATL that may not be very useful but that's how to get the real bargains.

gumshoe, thank you! I thought that was the case with Delta Connection's, but didn't recognise "Gojet" so wanted to be certain.

In terms of pricing for your TP run, because DL have a virtual monopoly at ATL they're not that cheap for flights that start there. The trick is to choose an itinerary that starts and ends in cities where DL isn't the big boy in town but connects in ATL, as DL want you to fly with them via ATL rather than with a competitor who may fly direct.

For instance BHM-ATL-MCO is coming in at $346 return on a random Tuesday in February. Or BNA-ATL-CHS is $362. There'll be others.

As you'll be in ATL that may not be very useful but that's how to get the real bargains.

This makes perfect sense and explains why I've been unable to find the super cheap flights. I'm tied to leaving from and returning to Atlanta, so I'll just have to find the best fares I can.

Thanks again, the insight is much appreciated.

Hi all, just to slightly jump on the back of this... Does anyone know whether there's s benefit to trying to book one of these tier point runs with a VS flight prefix as opposed to DL, and if so, how would you go about it? I believe that the tier points earned if a DL flight wouldn't count towards GfL as its not a direct extension of a VS booking. All thoughts greatfuly received as always, and apologies for hijacking the thread spacedog.

No apologies necessary! From my understanding, in order to qualify for GfL, the flights need to be on VS metal, so the actual aircrafts need to be VS. That means internal domestic flights with Delta won't count, sadly!

Thanks spacedog. Would normally totally agree, but there is a scenario whereby you can fly VS and DL combo and the DL tier points still count as having being earned on VS metal and therefore GfL qualification. Very confusing indeed! I did LHR - DTW - ORD return earlier this year with VS metal followed by DL all points have been posted as VS. It was all one booking (couldn't fly direct LHR to ORD at times that suited) and all on VS prefixed flights. Hmmmmm.

Oh, that sounds very interesting! Hopefully someone else will have more input.

The T&Cs on the website clearly state:

"300 Tier Points must be earned on Virgin Atlantic operated flights only. Codeshare flights, partner airline flights and the US Virgin Atlantic credit card are excluded."