Should I stay or should I go now?
Dec 19, 2003 | 2:17 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: A Capital City on The East Coast
Programs: CO-Dirt,SPG-Nothing,Marriott-Gold, Hilton-Blue, Hyatt-Plat, HI-Plat
Posts: 6,872
Should I stay or should I go now?
This year has been quite different for me, in terms of travel. I'm gone all the time now.
Accepted a position 1/03 as West Region Manager (all states west of the mighty missisip) for a Pharmaceutical\Biotech equipment manufacturer
5-6 weeks on the road, solid. Then back home to NC for 10 days or so. Keeps the living expenses at home down, that's for sure.
After reading through many pages here I'm starting to wonder if perhaps I'm making the most of FF travel. Im exploring other options as I make plans for 04, Especially with all the Airlines playing the end of the year changeroo. It's my bet that a lot of others are doing the same.
My airline mileage broke down as follows last year (all actual miles)
CO-56,000
AS-3700
DL-7800
AA-3000
HP-5100
WN-7200-9500(whatever 22 air segments works out to)
I fly from RDU to SNA (mainly)8-9 time/year.
While out west, I use OC as my main base and travel to mostly OAK, SEA, and PHX for week long trips. Occasionally to ABQ, SLC or DEN for shorter trips
I've read all the complaints over at the CO forum about the "___pass" program. I personally have had great service from them-upgraded quite often (>80%), flights on time and no lost luggage. Decently priced fares-I book all my own travel usually off their website for whatever is cheapest. I have yet to try and book any award travel, so no experience on that.
I've read about the other programs' "enhancements" as well and all I come away with is a big headache.
One gives QM points, one raises award travel levels, another says full credit only on flights when the moon is in the 7th house.
Based on my current travel it seems the only programs I should consider are UA, AA NW or stick with CO. If I do decide to switch I will status match (challenge if need be) with whomever I switch to (except NW of course-were I guess Ill start all over). It does seem that NW is quite a bit pricier than the others out of RDU. I have an issue with AA from a lost luggage episode a couple years ago. I have not flown UA much at all in the past. I left DL out because of their lack of flights to the bay area from OC (I loathe LAX)
And left out US because it seems most are DL shared. Did I miss anyone?
Tell me what's good about your current program\airline. Why you choose to stay. If you left one for another how have you been treated? Maybe youd even like to rank your current program on a 1-10 scale.
Thanks.
Let the games begin.
Accepted a position 1/03 as West Region Manager (all states west of the mighty missisip) for a Pharmaceutical\Biotech equipment manufacturer
5-6 weeks on the road, solid. Then back home to NC for 10 days or so. Keeps the living expenses at home down, that's for sure.
After reading through many pages here I'm starting to wonder if perhaps I'm making the most of FF travel. Im exploring other options as I make plans for 04, Especially with all the Airlines playing the end of the year changeroo. It's my bet that a lot of others are doing the same.
My airline mileage broke down as follows last year (all actual miles)
CO-56,000
AS-3700
DL-7800
AA-3000
HP-5100
WN-7200-9500(whatever 22 air segments works out to)
I fly from RDU to SNA (mainly)8-9 time/year.
While out west, I use OC as my main base and travel to mostly OAK, SEA, and PHX for week long trips. Occasionally to ABQ, SLC or DEN for shorter trips
I've read all the complaints over at the CO forum about the "___pass" program. I personally have had great service from them-upgraded quite often (>80%), flights on time and no lost luggage. Decently priced fares-I book all my own travel usually off their website for whatever is cheapest. I have yet to try and book any award travel, so no experience on that.
I've read about the other programs' "enhancements" as well and all I come away with is a big headache.
One gives QM points, one raises award travel levels, another says full credit only on flights when the moon is in the 7th house.
Based on my current travel it seems the only programs I should consider are UA, AA NW or stick with CO. If I do decide to switch I will status match (challenge if need be) with whomever I switch to (except NW of course-were I guess Ill start all over). It does seem that NW is quite a bit pricier than the others out of RDU. I have an issue with AA from a lost luggage episode a couple years ago. I have not flown UA much at all in the past. I left DL out because of their lack of flights to the bay area from OC (I loathe LAX)
And left out US because it seems most are DL shared. Did I miss anyone?
Tell me what's good about your current program\airline. Why you choose to stay. If you left one for another how have you been treated? Maybe youd even like to rank your current program on a 1-10 scale.
Thanks.
Let the games begin.
Dec 19, 2003 | 11:10 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Programs: DL estranged 1MMer and lifetime gold, F9/CO/NW/UA/AA once gold/plat now dust, Spirit RIP
Posts: 42,284
It all probably hinges on what fare classes you usually fly. The underlying trend with all the big programs is to pump up rewards for people flying on business, full coach or lightly discounted coach, so if you're paying $500+ for most west coast RTs they'll all be very glad to have you.
If, however, you can plan ahead and score some $200-300 RTs in the out-of-favor fare classes, it gets more complicated. Then you're a "mixed-rev" flyer like an increasing number of business travelers. What has caused many of the complaints here on FT lately have been programs like DL and CO that have cut elite-earning miles down to 50% on those lower fares. That harms your ability to requalify for status, which in turn harms the perks you'll get.
I can't speak too much to specifics since I dumped CO for just that reason except to say that CO, with recent changes, is NOT very competitive for low-fare payers and has an inordinate amount of complaints over award availability. WorldPerks and AA seem to be getting the most positive buzz generally, but it all depends on your circumstances.
If, however, you can plan ahead and score some $200-300 RTs in the out-of-favor fare classes, it gets more complicated. Then you're a "mixed-rev" flyer like an increasing number of business travelers. What has caused many of the complaints here on FT lately have been programs like DL and CO that have cut elite-earning miles down to 50% on those lower fares. That harms your ability to requalify for status, which in turn harms the perks you'll get.
I can't speak too much to specifics since I dumped CO for just that reason except to say that CO, with recent changes, is NOT very competitive for low-fare payers and has an inordinate amount of complaints over award availability. WorldPerks and AA seem to be getting the most positive buzz generally, but it all depends on your circumstances.
Dec 20, 2003 | 8:51 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: ORD, AA EXP, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 594
AA (your past luggage issue aside).
-More room throughout coach.
-Ability to upgrade from any (discounted) fare class
-New enhancements to the program making it easier to requalify for Elite status
-Availability for international upgrades
-Award availability
-Customer service (which I have found to be exceptional)
-As a Plat (50K a year) on AA, you will have a good upgrade ratio, if you hit Executive Platinum (100K) you will have an exceptional upgrade ratio plus amazing service from the EXP desk, and 8 systemwide upgrades a year.
-Award availability is not bad at all, for most destinations.
Especially if you are not a full-fare flyer, this is the program for you. Unlike DL, CO, etc., you get 1 mile that counts toward elite status for every mile flown, even if it is on deep discount economy.
UA or NW are probably the other choices to consider.
Good luck with your choice.
[This message has been edited by wannabe (edited Dec 20, 2003).]
-More room throughout coach.
-Ability to upgrade from any (discounted) fare class
-New enhancements to the program making it easier to requalify for Elite status
-Availability for international upgrades
-Award availability
-Customer service (which I have found to be exceptional)
-As a Plat (50K a year) on AA, you will have a good upgrade ratio, if you hit Executive Platinum (100K) you will have an exceptional upgrade ratio plus amazing service from the EXP desk, and 8 systemwide upgrades a year.
-Award availability is not bad at all, for most destinations.
Especially if you are not a full-fare flyer, this is the program for you. Unlike DL, CO, etc., you get 1 mile that counts toward elite status for every mile flown, even if it is on deep discount economy.
UA or NW are probably the other choices to consider.
Good luck with your choice.
[This message has been edited by wannabe (edited Dec 20, 2003).]
Dec 20, 2003 | 7:22 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: san jose, CA
Posts: 2,998
If you use OC as a base while out west and then fly up and down the coast and to Phoenix, NW may not be an optimal choice for you as a primary airline if you do a lot of these hops, as NW does not fly up and down the coast. Its partner AS does for 100% EQM on NW, but then you can't do short hops and pay less, as you'll get sent through PDX or SEA, a waste of time and $ if coming from OC. You can now get 100% EQM on Delta for NW, but they'll probably route you through SLC in the west, again, not efficient, though cheaper than flying on AS to SEA or PDX.
Another problem with NW which may or may not be an issue for you is availability of international upgrades and awards -- real tough to get, it can be done, but it's a major project/time investment when I do it most of the time.
One option of course might be NW from home for the long hauls, then perhaps a lower level of status on one of the west coast short-hop airlines.
Or AA, as already suggested.
Another problem with NW which may or may not be an issue for you is availability of international upgrades and awards -- real tough to get, it can be done, but it's a major project/time investment when I do it most of the time.
One option of course might be NW from home for the long hauls, then perhaps a lower level of status on one of the west coast short-hop airlines.
Or AA, as already suggested.
Dec 22, 2003 | 10:15 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Programs: AA EXP and Lifetime Gold, UA LifetMarriott Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,011
When you fly on AS and Delta, you can count those miles toward CO.
If you can book your flights on CO's website, which gives you 100% EQM, I will stick with CO because you travel mostly within the US. Pepople keep saying how good AA's coach or UA's E+ are, but when you can sit on CO's F 85% of the time, the comfort of the coach is not a major concern.
AA is good if you travel internationaly often, their domestic upgrade policy is not as good as CO.
If you can book your flights on CO's website, which gives you 100% EQM, I will stick with CO because you travel mostly within the US. Pepople keep saying how good AA's coach or UA's E+ are, but when you can sit on CO's F 85% of the time, the comfort of the coach is not a major concern.
AA is good if you travel internationaly often, their domestic upgrade policy is not as good as CO.
Dec 22, 2003 | 12:14 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
Programs: AA 2MM Yay!, UA MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 50,865
Two comments to add.
1) "Should I stay or should I go now?" doesnt sound quite the same without the guitar at the end
2) CO only giving miles on discount tickets bought online will restrict you to buying tickets that way. Why accept that. Moreover, if you dont like not getting miles on discount tickets say so. Go to AA.
1) "Should I stay or should I go now?" doesnt sound quite the same without the guitar at the end
2) CO only giving miles on discount tickets bought online will restrict you to buying tickets that way. Why accept that. Moreover, if you dont like not getting miles on discount tickets say so. Go to AA.