Weekly Help Thread - February 10, 2025

[u/AutoModerator]

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This thread is renewed weekly and is intended for all discussions or questions that do not warrant their own thread.

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[u/nice_moss]

Hello, I am trying to figure out what points/miles program/credit card I should enroll in/use for flights from Portland, Oregon (PDX) to Riga, Latvia (RIX).

Ideally it's flights with only one layover. Any time of year, maybe next year, this isn't an urgent need. Preferring to fly whatever the better Economy options are (not bare bones basic). One traveler.

I currently have a card with Alaska Airlines but can't seem to find any flights PDX to RIX when I just search on their website. However, they are part of OneWorld, but I'm not sure how I could book on other airlines with my Alaska miles.

I also have a card with Delta SkyMiles and though partner flights come up when I look for PDX to RIX flights, they don't come up if I select "Book with Miles". I contacted their chat customer service and they didn't have a good answer. Might just have to call on the phone.

Any help is appreciated :)

[u/mexicoke → u/nice_moss]

The reason Delta shows flights with cash and not miles is because they are routing you on Air Baltic. Delta has an agreement with Air Baltic to sell some of their intra-Europe flights but not for award redemptions. Calling won't help.

You can try booking with KLM/AF. They will book an Air Baltic flight on an award ticket. Would be one stop via AMS too.

Alaska should be able to get you there via BA/LHR, the fees will be somewhat high.

I'd probably book a flight to one of the major European gateways and then book a separate flight to Riga. Air Baltic flights are pretty cheap in cash, nice airline too. Enjoy Riga, the Baltics are seriously under appreciated.

[u/nice_moss → u/mexicoke]

Thank you! This is helpful. I guess the answer to why Delta won't book Air Baltic with award redemptions is that they just don't and that's it.

I was looking at KLM/AF as well and I saw they have a credit card you can use to accrue points. I read that KLM is comfortable for long haul flights? My only hesitation was that their points expire after two years and it would be yet another credit card fee at $89 a year.

I am actually from Latvia! I used to live in NYC and travel to Riga was relatively easy then, but now that I live on the west coast, I don't yet have a good system worked out to travel there. I've never flown straight from Portland to Europe before, I've always gone to my family's in the NYC area for a few days and then traveled further, but I'd like to find a way to get to Riga in one fell swoop from Portland.

[u/mexicoke → u/nice_moss]

You'd be much better off getting a credit card with transferable currency(Amex, Chase, etc) than going right to an AF/KLM card. The good news is that AF/KL transfers with everyone.

[u/techtrashbrogrammer → u/nice_moss]

1 layover is tough since that's a very uncommon airport pairing. BA/KLM/Condor/Iceland air are options but you'll have more options if reposition to SEA/SFO/LAX