I recommend Ben the Points Guy too. Used him to So Africa and he was great, well worth the modest fee. I have however also been able to get tix w/ Delta miles on my own, almost invariably on either KLM or Air France but I don't mind that at all. I presently have 2 Biz tickets from LAX to YWG and return from CPH via Paris for 140k miles per ticket. I didnt think that was bad. And I do enjoy my Platinum medallion status (free upgrades, priority boarding, expedited security etc.) with them. These loyalty programs are masterful marketing as I really feel locked in to Delta and will only fly another airline if Delta doesnt go where I need to be. Feels like too many accumulated miles to "start over".
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Helen