Fool me once and you’ll fool me again because TPOL is a fool. I’ve written about how I’m the Ali of points (see Booked! ANA RTW: 22,000 Miles in Glorious Business). Now, let me describe how I’m a Ponzi scheme sucker for, once again, believing that Delta’s availability on partner airlines is real (see Mt. Kilimanjaro? Delta Points? Forget About It). And allow me to do it by interpreting the meaning of the words from the classic Phantom of the Opera song, Music of the Night.
Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation: I should be working but let me plan a trip.
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination: Sure, I could book a straightforward award, but let’s see what’s out there.
Silently the senses abandon their defenses: Hmm, maybe I can redeem Delta SkyKyat with a SkyTeam partner. How tough can that be?
Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendor: Oh there’s China Eastern, the Greyhound of the Skies, but wait, there’s China Southern!
Grasp it, sense it tremulous and tender: Wow, China Southern’s business class product looks beautiful.
Turn your face away from the garish light of day: Who needs showy Emirates? China Southern is beautifully unassuming.
Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light: Only amateurs think there are no points opportunities with Delta.
And listen to the music of the night: Look at the IFE system.
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams: Look at those lie-flat seats.
Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before: Delta SkyKyat are worth something!
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar: And it’s available on so many dates from so many cities.
And you’ll live as you’ve never lived before: 90k SkyKyat? I haven’t seen a deal like this since I booked Virgin Atlantic from JNB-SFO.
Softly, deftly music shall caress you: A three hour layover in Guangzhou or five? And the flight goes to convenient SHA instead of remote PVG? I love these choices.
Hear it, feel it secretly possess you: 787 or A350 to Shanghai? Can’t go wrong with either.
Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind: Click “Complete Reservation”.
In this darkness that you know you cannot fight: Premature celebration, fist pumping the air.
The darkness of the music of the night: “We’re sorry. The fare for the flights you selected just sold out. Please search again to view and select alternate flights.#100503A.”
Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world: Wait, how does it say 4 seats available, but it says it just sold out?!
Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before: Wait, how does it suddenly show that the only redemptions are 360k on Delta?
Let your soul take you where you long to be: Incognito mode, VPN to another city.
Only then can you belong to me: Yes, I see 90k again!
Floating, falling sweet intoxication: 787 in business!
Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation: This time it will work.
Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in: Complete Reservation!
To the power of the music that I write: “We’re sorry. The fare for the flights you selected just sold out. Please search again to view and select alternate flights.#100503A.”
The power of the music of the night: Damn you Delta! Damn you!
You alone can make my song take flight: Let me call the Medallion number.
Help me make the music of the night: Please agent, please book the flight.
I won’t spoil how Phantom of the Opera ends for those that have not seen it. I will provide further lyrics which should be sufficient to know how this expedition turned out. The role of the Phantom to be played by Delta’s customer service after speaking to two different agents about this itinerary.
Insolent boy! referring to TPOL.
This slave of fashion basking in your glory! You lazy points blogger, you think you can fly a few business class flights and trick people into thinking you are rich?
Ignorant fool! Did you really think you could use your SkyKyat for something worthwhile?
This brave young suitor, sharing in my triumph! Nice try buddy, we are Delta and we can do whatever we want i.e., we don’t guarantee bookings until they are ticketed. Sorry you foolishly transferred 28k Amex points to top off your worthless Delta account.
Any booking made through delta on southern or eastern. It’s like a 50/50 chance if it will go through when you click make reservation. When making these types of trips it’s best If you make this the first thing you buy for your trip. Cause you never know if it will actually work. Also lots of times If it does go through. You will have to call delta. Because I guess there is a lot of fraud with skymiles and those two airlines.
I called Delta and called Delta and called Delta. Nada