SkyTeam Elite status on Delta – free bag on a Main Basic fare?

[chrishond]

If flying in the USA on a Delta Main Basic Fare (which comes with zero checked bag allowance) – do I get a free checked bag if I have SkyTeam Elite Status (obtained via Vietnam Titanium)?

[titaniumostrich]

Yes, 1 free bag applies for Skyteam Elite in Main Basic. Priority boarding is a bit hit or miss. Some signs say “we also invite Silver Medallion & Skyteam Elite. Sometimes they will tell Skytteam Elites to wait as they don’t have Skypriority on their boarding pass. Understandable, as agents only look at fare class + the word.

[chrishond]

Thank you.
I assume i will need to enter my Vietnam Titanium member number, under “manage by booking” on the delta website?

In future, if i bought a delta main basic fare, can i just bring my checked luggage to the airport and present my skyteam elite status at check-in, to check-in the bag for free?

Finally, will all tier points and miles be loaded on to my vietnam airlines account, or is there some way to get these points added to my delta miles account (or my virgin flying club account, when flying on virgin Atlantic)?

Thank you

[titaniumostrich]

Many on this forum do switcheroos within Oneworld, not specifically disallowed but results vary. This is not the case in Skyteam, every airline sets their own rules, be very careful with this. I’m Flying Blue Elite Plus and have never had the need to, nor do I know the exact details with Vietnam Airlines. Per some programmes T&C’s:

– AFKL: once a booking is credited to a frequent flyer programme (during purchase for example) it may not be withdrawn on your request.
– Delta: once the 1st flight has commenced, the frequent flyer programme cannot be changed. Most Delta agents will regard the check-in process as “commenced”.

Now that we have the general disclaimer out of the way and we all acknowledge this is a grey area, if you want to pursue this on Skyteam, DO NOT register any FF number to your reservations. Go to the check-in desk, show your Vietnam status and point out you want to credit to DL or VS. If you are denied and your Vietnam FF is entered, try calling DL to have it changed whikst you are waiting in your flight (or in the lounge if you are departing from a place with a Skyteam one).

P.S. There have been many reports of switches from DL to AFKL (because Skymiles are worthless), where DL has flatly refused to acknowledge the flight. Sometimes this has led to the issuance on the other programme, of tier miles only, or of award miles only. Your miles may vary.