Getting the most out of Delta and VX with TP

Hello

Looking for advice. I want to get to Auckland ultimately but also keen to fly to NYC (dub to lhr) and then use American flights to journey across the states. What are the best tp earning suggestions?

Not a clear cut route and not fixed on dates - any time between July 28 and aug 15

Thanks
Sam

on a simple TP basis, DL seems more generous, if you can get business/first seats it's 3 TP even on a short flight (VS first is 2TP)

aside from ATL, DL has several smaller hubs, depending on cost/time you could amass quite a few TP hub-hopping your way from NYC to the west coast

DL is great as the sheer size allows many more destinations and connections. VX is great if a little pricey for VX First on a trans-con. DL posts miles in my experience much faster than VX to your FC account.

Recently I did a DL itinerary doing SFO>DTW>MCO>ATL>LAS>LAX>SFO so 6 sectors in all and in Domestic First for about $1000 which got me 18 tier points and around 14,000 miles. Naturally the tier points are the bigger prize as DL Domestic First gets you 3 tier points per sector. Downside is that even as Domestic First, it doesn't get you SkyClub access, but VS Gold does get you SkyPriority and extra benefits like increased baggage.

Also bear in mind TPs earned on DL don't count towards VS Lifetime Gold if that's your ultimate aim. But if it's not, yes DL domestic first class is easily the most cost effective way of earning VS TPs if you can find the routes with sub-$200 flights.

Remember also that you'll earn TP per DL sector. So it pays to fly indirectly, or to take connecting flights if offered. Stopping off in ATL on your way from LAX to NY, for example, you'd earn 6TP in DL First, rather than 3.

There are also extremely cheap 'day trips' to be had on DL. I've done NYC-BOS-NYC in one day in DL First for under $200 before (these cheaper flights tend to be ex-JFK rather than ex-LGA.

Just thought I would share this.....

I recently flew from JFK to DEN via ATL. My ticket was originally booked in economy (V or X fare). A few weeks out, Delta offered me the option to pay to upgrade my ticket to first. Normally, I turn this down since the cost is usually outrageous. This time, however, it was only $100 (the same amount I was going to pay for Comfort +). I jumped on it and my tickets changed to an A and P fare. I know that if you get a free upgrade (FC gold), you only get credit for your economy ticket and just assumed this was treated the same way. I just looked at my FC account and each segment showed the 3 TP credit and class of service miles bonus. Was surprised and very happy to get the extra TPs.