Inspired from a current thread. Comparing the top tier Elite benefits from all airlines, what is the worst one? On the face of it, it would look like UA's 1K or AA's Platinum are roughly equivalent. But is there an airline that has dropped the ball?

In my book, WN's companion pass., hands down.

I used to think that it was not fair to compare WN's offerings that of other airlines. I changed my mind, they all have to compete.

I have had a CP for two years. I have never used it, not once.

Useless. After sitting my behind in this bus every week of the year, the last thing I want to do is use it again to go on vacation.

Any other candidates for the Razzies of the Freddies?

Ansetts's top level ...

i prefer to think of what's the Best one.

glass is half full menality. i would take....Continental Airlines.

Another vote for WN

Although I vote WN as the worst for every possible award so take my vote with a grain of salt

Well, if you are top-level elite on either America West or Northwest, that means you had to fly 75k miles on one of their planes...

What benefits could make that worthwhile?!

For best I'd vote for AA because of the VIPOW's and upgradability of all fare classes with miles.

If we were voting on best for lower level elites I'd vote for US because of the SWU's given to Silvers/Golds, generous number of free upgrades for each 10k miles, and upgradability of almost all fare classes with miles.

Personally I don't see how CO can compete with their draconian international premium cabin policies in terms of upgrades and awards, but for someone only interested in flying within the US, I can see it ...

For worst program I'd go with WN if we were including them then DL because of upgrade policies.

[This message has been edited by Beckles (edited 03-01-2002).]

Agree... WN is the worst... and I agree with Beckles on the DL and CO. AA is still my pick of the litter...

OK...granted the LUaer fares stink, but....

1. As a DL PM, I can upgrade myself domestically at the time of reservation (even if that is two months before I fly). You have to admit that is sweet.

2. You do get FREE Crown Room Membership at PM. Not too shabby either.

Maybe the LUser fares remove some of the luster so that DL's elite is not the best, but calling it the worst??!??!?!? Come on. Let's be real.

dbmaury - I agree ( as I type this sipping my FREE beer in the PDX Crown Room awaiting the 10pm flight to ATL). No way Delta is worst. I wouldn't vote them best either, however.
Worst has to go to SWA. Their only level is of no value to me. Used my CP once when a purchased tix would have been about $150 RT. NOt much of a benny.

The fact that DL's PM's can not upgrade the two lowest fare classes period and M class minimum international makes them the worst of all majors (aside from WN). No other major carrier limits upgrades that much to their top tier (or any other tier for that matter).

Name one other major with an FC cabin that does not allow elites to upgrade cheap fares domestically? NW, nope ... CO, nope ... UA, nope ... AA, nope ... US, nope ... The LUser thing puts them right to the bottom in my book.

worst of all majors (aside from WN).


So we agree! SWA is the worst.

I have been one of the most outspoken people regrding the SWU issue on Delta. I would not however rank DL PM at the bottom of the table as there are genuinely worse programs out there.

I do not consider WN a major (I only added that because everyone else is). How can a carrier that does not serve one of New York's three major airports be a major carrier? (Nor do they serve any airport within 3 hours of my home)

As for whether or not DL is that bad, it depends partly on your criteria of course. The fact that no DL elites can upgrade L and U fares is a deal killer for me. No other "real" major carrier places such restrictions on upgrading by its elites.

I don't like to fly WN because of the usual reasons so I am not terribly motivated by their FF program.

However, it is very clean and good considering its simplicity, and the fact that awards are *not* capacity controlled.

So you cannot really say it's a bad program, IMHO. I know the Companion Pass is not terriby useful for reasons already mentioned, but the Rapid Rewards award tix are a Good Thing.

Most of the full-service domestic US airlines FF programs are roughly comparable, they are a give and take and how much you like the top tier depends upon your own particular needs.

For instance, if you travel internationally a lot, CO's top tier might be the worst because of HoKeY upgrade situation. But domestically, many Platinums love CO.

Everybody: please stay away from Delta. Although my upgrade % as gold was great, and as plat is better, the fewer of you the better. Their airport and airplane and phone staffs are usually great, but that MIGHT diminish if too many of you switch to Delta.

So: Delta is the Worst. Spread the word.