MilesBuzz! - Which FFP's have you abandonned and why?

In my case:
- AF: elite perks lacking; once one of my primary FFP's, phasing out since AF joined Skyteam (prefer DL and KE's programs)
- CO: once a major recipient of my MR miles, resent steady 'enhancements', can now get credit on other 'Wings' partners.
- JL: ungenerous with discount fares, miles expire after 3 years, can get credit on other partners; moved out of Asia.
- LH: awards costly if not flying C/F, miles expire, can get credit on other * FFP
- NW: was transferred to KL upon moving to Europe
- TW: balance transferred to AA upon takeover (after 12 years of inactivity, thank you TWA!)


I am now down to 3 active and 3 semi-active FFP's, a number I feel comfortable with.

Obviously the 3 active ones are with different alliances, and the 3 others have lenient activity requirements (e.g. partner activity once every 3 years).


My first MilesBuzz thread... feel free to relocate if misplaced.

I don't abandon any Frequent Flyer Program.

I only abondon airlines.

And even in those cases I keep the programs active as occasionally I am forced to fly them sooner or later.

I haven't abandoned any. I'm hoarding all possible. You just never know when a flight opportunity comes up.

I was a Premier Executive w/UA for a number of years and after moving out of Chicago and not taking them as often they seemed to drop me like a hot potato.

They never got my change of address in their system properly and sucked the last 40k miles out of my account after 3 years of flight inactivity -- despite mileage being credited from partners. Of course, I never realized that while I still was receiving their Mileage Plus Dining (or whatever it was called) information I wasn't recieving activity statements.

You'd think they would have wanted to keep a fairly loyal customer.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by xyzzy:
I was a Premier Executive w/UA for a number of years and after moving out of Chicago and not taking them as often they seemed to drop me like a hot potato.

They never got my change of address in their system properly and sucked the last 40k miles out of my account after 3 years of flight inactivity -- despite mileage being credited from partners. Of course, I never realized that while I still was receiving their Mileage Plus Dining (or whatever it was called) information I wasn't recieving activity statements.

You'd think they would have wanted to keep a fairly loyal customer.</font>

I feel the same way. I've been either Premier or Premier Executive with UA for several years. A year and a half ago, I moved to FLL and switched my allegience to AA. I would think that UA would send me a "we miss you" type of letter, perhaps with a discount coupon or upgrade to entise my return. But I never heard anything from them. And yes, they have my updated address info as I still do have non-flight account activity.

DL:
In Jan, DL changed flight times on us and gave us the option of staying overnight in ATL on our own dime or cancelling the flights. We cancelled and rebooked on AA.

In June, my wife needed award travel on short notice to go to BOS. DL had one flight for 50K; AA had close to 10 options for 25K.

We converted our relatively small amounts of SkyMiles to HHonors points. Doubtful we'll fly DL ever again.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by xyzzy:
I was a Premier Executive w/UA for a number of years and after moving out of Chicago and not taking them as often they seemed to drop me like a hot potato.

They never got my change of address in their system properly and sucked the last 40k miles out of my account after 3 years of flight inactivity -- despite mileage being credited from partners. Of course, I never realized that while I still was receiving their Mileage Plus Dining (or whatever it was called) information I wasn't recieving activity statements.

You'd think they would have wanted to keep a fairly loyal customer.</font>

I had similar experience with UA's service - it was downright awful. They failed to credit miles and acted like I was bothering them to ask for it and also acted like they did not give a rat's a** if I went with another airline. I have abandoned flying UA too unless I have to. I kept the account open after moving 5k of the last 7k to Hilton just in case. At least for now, if I have to fly UA I would credit the miles to DL instead.

For me a few I'm afraid:

CO - the complaints about lack of international upgrades made me give up
NW - Oh that's right I was forced in to Flying Dutchman
TW - Oh yes they went broke
BA - The UK scheme is soooo mean that I credit flights to AA or QF now
AF - Who wants to fly AF anyway
DL - never fly them so used up 50% of miles on a F trip from LHR to JHB.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Markie:
DL - never fly them so used up 50% of miles on a F trip from LHR to JHB.</font>

Hijacking this thread a bit, how did you use DL miles to fly from London to Johor Bahru? Wouldn't it have been easier to fly to SIN?

I left UA a year ago, and leaving my 4 years of PremEx behind. I was actually making a run at 1K until they bent me over the barrel.

I gave up after I had a flight cancelled on me and they refused to give a refund of the award miles I used for the ticket. When I called several times to protest, I was called a liar, a cheat, and several other nasty terms. Still looking for the best way to liquidate my stash of miles.

This year, I've been flying Southwest and AirTran almost exclusively, and get 2-3 free RT tickets a month.

Dumped America West some years ago... never was really impressed with the airline, the service was marginal, the flights constantly late, got food poisoning in FC once...that was enough.

Now very loyal to and active in AA (plat, going for EXP in 2003) & AS (MVPG), sorta active in UA (a nobody), fly once in awhile on DL and WN.

I dropped DL after I couldn't use my upgrades (U fares), and then they all disappeared on 12/31 (18 and 4 systemwides) with no compensation. Not a peep from them about a PM that stopped flying them.
I dropped NW after they refused to give me double mileage last fall saying that I had registered too late for the promo (even though I had screen shots saying I had registered in time).
I fly AA and AS most of the time and UA occasionally now.

Keep just as many active acsounts as I can. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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~ Glen ~ Calling all United 1K Members - please join .. www.1Kflyers.com (http://www.1Kflyers.com)

I've stopped accumulating US Airways miles because of their uncertain future and the fact that we already have too many for comfort. As a matter of fact, since we have a ton of miles on various airlines, we've focused all of our non-flight earning potential toward accumulating hotel points.

I occasionally put some programs "on hold" but I have never dropped any. During the course of each calendar year, ff program changes constantly change the priority of the top 3 I fly. US is in sleeper mode since I made Chairman's Preferred a month ago. I am now working on retaining DL Platinum (very unlikely) and AA platinum (likely).

I think there are a number of Canucks like myself who have dumped AC like a hot potato due to their extreme cutbacks to elite levels in 2002.

There are unfortunately limits to how far we can go due to the lack of any real competition when flying within Canada but transborder flights have more options of using US based carriers thankfully.

I am like Neverathome - I dumped AC like a hot potato and switched to Canjet for local east coast service, Westjet for west coast service and UA / LH for all other transborder and Intl service. Not sure who I will go to if UA goes under... I hate NW, really hate NW (comes from being held captive in MSP years ago).

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If you want to experience good customer service from an airline forget Air Canada and try CanJet (http://www.CanJet.com) or WestJet (http://www.WestJet.com)

US. I'm not too thrilled with them after their recent actions, nor do I want them stealing any more of my tax dollars to waste.

On routes where I can't fly my preferred AA I used to fly US; now I'm going to fly B6.

d

(edited for typo)

[This message has been edited by Doppy (edited 09-18-2002).]

I plan to keep my UA active as ever, but if there's an unbelievably great party next door, I'll pull out some ironed clothes and drag the family along too if its really that good.

Dropped Alaska Air/Horizon. I flew them weekly for 6 months, and never got a welcome kit. I tried calling the FFP phone #, and got busy signals all the time. I didn't get through to them ONCE.

After accumulating enough miles for 2 trips, I gave the miles to family and dropped Alaska like a hot potato.

I abandoned Delta because their International economy class is the pits.

I abandoned Air Canada because of the lack of opportunities to upgrade.

I have adopted KLM as my new airline plan because they are the most genorous for the routes I fly.

I echo Prem Ex's comment, I don't dump programs, only airlines. UA and CO fall into that catagory, but I still am in good standing in MP and OP if I ever fly those carriers again.

The only program which I let expire is Midwest Express. It was not due to anything wrong or bad with the program, and we all know there is certainly nothing wrong or bad with the airline itself either. I was not flying YX frequently enough to keep up program status. But now that they are partnered with Frontier's Early Returns, which I fly more often, I can at least put my miles on YX somewhere - I am happy!

Back in December of 2000, I finally got fed up with the "Friendly Skies" cancelled flights and indifferent or arrogant service. I wrote AA a letter stating that I'd love to fly them more often, but I was reluctant to because I didn't have any "status" with them.

They called me back and said that they would give me the equivalent of my UA1P status on AA. All I needed to do is send them a copy of my last MP statement. I've been a happy Plat ever since.

I do keep my MP account open, as I do with other airlines, in case I have to fly them.

I absolutely refuse to fly AirTran, though.

Delta - Due to LUser

Continental's ONEPASS - gross lack of availability of simple 25K domestic awards. Speaks volumes to Continental's skewed reliance on, and allegiance to, business travelers, to the detriment of leisure travelers. Good for business travelers, bad for primarily leisure travelers. IMO, of course.

I can understand, even sympathize w/ the concept of capacity control - but ONEPASS takes it to limits I find unacceptable and in turn their "affinity program" becomes a real big turn-OFF for me.

Every year - when ONEPASS wins a Freddy - I gag and choke and wish Inside Flyer would apply one [more] simple criterion to even being considered for a Freddy:
==============================
Does the airline make 25K domestic awards AVAILABLE, or do they NOT ?
==============================
Seems to me a 25K domestic award is the "benchmark" award - literally the common denominator - of most domestic programs, and easily trackable statistically.

Yet, to my greatest disappoint regarding Inside Flyer, Randy never seems to tackle this issue on behalf of flyers. Or at least I've not seen an in-depth critique of airlines on this issue. Simple, yet an excellent starting point to analyze any carrier's affinity program. So be it.

Therefore - after accumulating over 300,000 lifetime OnePass miles via active and preferential use of my marine Midland credit card...I am letting them dwindle and use this credit card intermittantly at best.

I switched form NWA to UA in order to snag a coveted upper deck seat on the infamous PIP express (http://hometown.aol.com/hawaiipip/express2.html). http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by Punki (edited 09-20-2002).]

Two words:

Delta - SkyMiles

-Plat

Stopped accumulating miles in my Republic Perks account (I think they call it "WorldPerks" now?) once NW and CO hopped into bed together. I still fly NW, but put those miles into CO's TravelBank ("OnePass"?), or Alaska if the trip is in conjunction with KLM. Of course KLM is now a bonafide CO partner, so that rule no longer applies.
Also I never fly AA, but if I did, those miles would also go to Alaska's "Gold Coast Travel" Program(or whatever they call that now).
I always try to keep miles "alive", as you never know what the future will bring; and it has paid off! Once, just the combination of the sign-up bonuses from PI, AL and PSA plus a Credit Card application (and maybe one flight?) got me enough for a free flight on USAir after the merger.

I dropped the Club Rewards program (Diners Club) this year, after being a member continuously since 1985. Believe it or not (you young whippersnappers), when I first joined, there were virtually NO other credit cards that offered any kind of points or rewards for their use, and Diners Club was the pioneer, for which I will remain grateful. However, nowadays it's hard to find a credit card that DOESN'T offer some kind of a premium, and usually for little or no annual fee. The Diners Club annual fee (nearly $100) is one of the highest, and while you can usually negotiate some miles and a fee reduction for staying with them every year, I'm tired of doing that dance year after year. So for the first time in 17 years, there is no Diners Club card in my wallet.

I stopped almost all hotel programs. When I started converting what a stay was worth (in future rewards) and then compared the value of the $120 Marriott/Hilton/Westin room and the much more relaxing $59 rooms with fridge, microwave, decent work table and free convenient light breakfast it made much more sense to stop collecting points that had marginal value.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by NoStressHere:

I stopped almost all hotel programs. When I started converting what a stay was worth (in future rewards) and then compared the value of the $120 Marriott/Hilton/Westin room and the much more relaxing $59 rooms with fridge, microwave, decent work table and free convenient light breakfast it made much more sense to stop collecting points that had marginal value.

</font>

Why not Hampton or Courtyard if that's you budget -

Or Homewood and Springhill for that matter.

I am currently in the process of abandoning AA due to its unexpected change in 500 mile upgrade stickers' conversion rates for international travellers. They sure know how to get ride of their premium flyers!

Left America West years ago bad customer service everywhere.Program was good in the mid 90s.Overall poor partnerships combined with lousy reward availability and slow ticketing......Very sad performance in everything.......
Left Continental too not a bad airline but criminal award availability unless you use their extortion easy pass award for mucho miles....I dumped 500 K Continental in Hilton at a loss and pumped them back into AA where I have been satisfied with availability.And speaking of criminal the worst Int upgrade policy in the country besides maybe Delta......And they are probably better!
Also given up on Marriott with their dated paper awards like many of their hotels and program itself.They need surgery and quick
The last Court Yard I was in was tired and smelled bad
Over priced hotels with just a fair product....also bad earning ability/plus poor promotions compared to Hyatt,Hilton or Starwood........The recent Marriott promo is a perfect example of stale marketing stay 3 nites and get one of our cheap low end hotels if its available for free.............Gee Thanks

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AA & Starwood Platinum
Hyatt, Hilton Diamond
U/A 1K



[This message has been edited by 777 global mile hound (edited 09-21-2002).]

I dropped UA when the local UAX clown pulled out - would have anyway since I believe UA is going to be the Eastern Airlines of the 21st century...at least the first part of it.

As for hotels, I can use priceline and get such a good deal on 3 stars and better usually.. who cares about miles when the difference is sooo great?

NWA is what benefited. My first year of focused travel and I've made Elite : P

The only miles that really count to me are the ones that earn status. The rest of it isn't as high a priority.
Michael

Have used up all my HP miles (had just gotten 20k, used on CO to go ATL-YOW 2 years ago).

Used up my CO miles in 1988--on a flight STL-LGW in biz class. Still have 4k or so miles--they sent me magazines this year.

Orphaned 5k miles in KE from 1996...a NRT-SEL-ZRH flight

Other than that active in everyone else.

JL

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by FC_Dave:
Why not Hampton or Courtyard if that's you budget - </font>

Neither provide fridge or microwave. By the way, budget is only part of the reason. I just want to be comfortable.

Homewoods are great... though in some markets a bit pricey. And of course, there are not enough of them.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by 777 global mile hound:
. . . Left Continental too not a bad airline but criminal award availability unless you use their extortion easy pass award for mucho miles....I dumped 500 K Continental in Hilton at a loss and pumped them back into AA where I have been satisfied with availability.</font>

OUCH - 500,0000 Continental = 1,000,000 Hilton = ~ 240,000 AADVANTAGE ? 200,000 on any other aurline . . .

[This message has been edited by FC_Dave (edited 09-22-2002).]

In order:

twa - declining service to/from CMH
america west - declining service and increasing commuter jets
delta - LUser fares, Comair strike, Air France "partnership"

now am platinum on NW. I like the domestic upgrade policy, but am really unhappy about international upgrades - no availability and pretty expensive upgradable tickets.

I am not sure ANY of the airlines will be able to sustain a premium product in the future. I think the Southwest model will prevail, unfortunately.

In my case, I dropped...

America West and Continental: next to impossible to redeem awards w/o having to ante up for the premium, no blackout awards.

SAS: skimpy rewards, doesn't matter now that it's part of Star Alliance.

Delta: the most surly and snobbish customer interactions that I've ever encountered--indifferent at best, and oftentimes mean-spirited. Uncomfortable 767 transcon first class seats; and its aging fleet of DC-9s and MD80 short-haul jets convinced me to switch.

Priority Club/Intercontinental: they could not keep track of my stays--got tired of manually submitting documentation for credit


What I've concentrated my business on instead:

United (mainly due to star alliance and 1k perks)

British Air (OneWorld alliance gold/emerald benefits, lounge access w/o having to pay for membership)

Starwood Hotels (platinum automatic upgrades and amenities operate like clock-work)

Hyatt (diamond perks attractive)

Hilton (probably the best frequent stay hotel program given its scope and ease of redemption--but hotel properties vary dramatically in quality and consistency)

I've dropped programs because of moves to/from hub cities.

Moved from STL to CVG. Dropped TW (AA) and started with DL.

Moved from CVG to CLE. Dropped DL and started with CO.

I managed to burn all my AA and DL miles while I still had status.

Abandoned Marriott after change to program and elimination of top awards and reduction in value of program now a starwood and hilton customer.
US Air Changes to program and addition of fees for simple changes.
Happy with the adjustments, at Starwood I can talk with a representative and customer service is responsive and empowered to make decisions.

I have dropped DL (was Gold Medallion, would have been Platinum this year).

Reasons:

(1) expiring upgrades (AA doesn't)
(2) no upgrading L/U fares (AA does)
(3) no upgrading a family member (AA does)
(4) LRTC = Less Room Throughout Coach
(5) poor upgrade percentage for Gold Medallion

The last straw was on a flight from BUF-ATL with my wife. It was Dec 30th, we were both on U fares, first had 5 seats open. I had 16 upgrades that would have expired the next day. They would not let me upgrade (I of course would have given my wife the seat), but rather they chose to fly with 5 open seats in first class and a Gold Medallion with expiring upgrades in coach.

SteveH

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by 330CiC:
(DL) chose to fly with 5 open seats in first class and a Gold Medallion with expiring upgrades in coach. SteveH</font>

I used to mail them back their stupid expired 800-milers each year, along with a list of the flights I tried to use them on throughout the year. They (for a couple of years anyway) mailed me replacement certs for most of them, but never seemed to get the point...

- Plat

Airlines
HP - getting CO status was more important
DL - one flight, then no activity; topped off and transfer to Hilton
TW - went to AA
VS - bonus points left over from an AMEX transfer, topped off, transfer to Hilton for safekeeping
US - one flight, got clickrewards to top it off topped off and transfer to Hilton for safekeeping
Marriott - locations & rates made earning/burning tough

It seems that NO ONE is dropping Southwest's Rapid Rewards.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bellwilliam:
It seems that NO ONE here has dropped Southwest's Rapid Rewards.</font>

1) Northwest: Why? Because I actually took one of their flights. Worst experience ever in a plane(s). seats, service, ground staff, plus over 1/2 the flight miles were never posted into my account -- all were negative sjc-msp-ams-rom return.
2) Southwest: I am not cattle, I don't want to be cattle. I won't be lead like cattle.
3) America West. Even flying back in 1990 when drinks were free couldn't numb the experience enough to keep flying them.

Something to ponder! Have enough FFM to fly United. If I requested them now & they do go under, have I lost everything or should I try to convert them to Delta miles and schedule trip with them now? If they're converted miles from United to Delta, will they still be honored?
Are we just panicking and jumping the gun? Not fair to United!! I've been with them since the 80's.

delta. LUser was bad, but i could find ways to make it work for me enough to stay. but insULT has just raised the bar too high. when you refuse to fly delta to atlanta, it's time to switch carriers.

I dropped Southwest Airlines because my friends and I are leisure travelers (on that airline) and couldn't get enough miles in one year for their award. Why don't they make their miles essentially "non-expiring" like most other airlines where activity is only necessary once every 3 years?

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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jerseygirlwa:
Something to ponder! Have enough FFM to fly United. If I requested them now & they do go under, have I lost everything or should I try to convert them to Delta miles and schedule trip with them now? If they're converted miles from United to Delta, will they still be honored?
Are we just panicking and jumping the gun? Not fair to United!! I've been with them since the 80's. </font>

A cautionary tale: a family member and FF had top status and 1M miles on Ansett (* Alliance alongside UA). It went under last year and he lost his status and his miles. Other * Airlines (he asked United in particular) refused to honor the miles, even though it was part of the membership terms. Australia-based FF are lining up a lawsuit against UA/* for their lost miles and will probably win - but who needs to sue for miles? Rather move them somewhere safe or spend them while UA is still flying.

Abandoned FFPs:

VS - doesn't matter how much money you pay for what class, or what your status is, the cabin staff still act like you're getting in their way. I still have silver but will only now fly VS to use up my last miles.
US - worst airline ever. Bar none. Lost bags, late flights, cancellations, lost upgrades, Less Room In Coach, almost no non-US destinations, crummy lounges, old planes, and ground staff that are insultingly off-hand. I live in PHL - major hub - and now go out of my way, often making several connections where I could go direct - just to avoid being abused by US. You have to enjoy insults and discomfort to fly them.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by wmere:

Abandoned FFPs:

US - worst airline ever. Bar none. Lost bags, late flights, cancellations, lost upgrades, Less Room In Coach, almost no non-US destinations, crummy lounges, old planes, and ground staff that are insultingly off-hand. I live in PHL - major hub - and now go out of my way, often making several connections where I could go direct - just to avoid being abused by US. You have to enjoy insults and discomfort to fly them.[/B]</font>

I agree with wmere statement about US. I too live in PHL and I only fly US when I have little/no choice (flight booked by adm. at work). I am NW plat (several years) and also going for AA plat for next year. I have not even tried to get any type of elite on US even though my flights originate from one of their hubs, PHL.

Abandoned FFP:
US Airways - For me, YUK! in everything.
America Wast - Few flights fro my origin
Gold Points - Not worth it at 8 pts/1 ml
Delta - Can't get upgrades/connections mostly
United - Can't get upgrades/connections issue
One Pass - Collecting miles on WorldPerks

I have not completely abandoned any since the accounts are still open but I only have the required activity to keep the accounts open in case I "must" fly or stay with them.

Focus: NW - generous domestic upgrade for plats and 125% bonus (100% this year for me)
AA - Newer airplanes and international upgrade allowed on certain low fares.
SPG and HH - Good service, upgrades and frequent bonus points/promos works for me!


[This message has been edited by MyDearMiles (edited 09-30-2002).]

CO -- for their int'l upgrade policies;
DL -- for general deterioration of product;

However, this is just concentration as I haven't actually closed an account.

Currently an AA customer.

NW - gold for 4 years and Plat for the last two - I will not even make silver this year

Issues were:

HORRIBLE service
Pitch in F
Dropping F to Asia

I haven't abandoned any FF program. Although, USAirways used to be my #1 choice when booking a flight for which I have to pay. However, 10 months out, I tried to book a FF flight from three different airports and none were available. So, USAirways is now my last airline of choice. While I haven't used my points yet, I think Southwest will be my favorite. I don't mind the cattel call lines and I think (if I read the rules correctly) if there is an open seat on teh flight, you can use your reward points. In other words, I don't think they limit the number of reward seats! Why can't this be the rule that all airlines follow?

I was a member of CO One Pass, but I decided to give them the shaft towards NWA World Perks program as well as DL Skymiles,main reason being NWA has more flights to my home region,as well as DL having frequent flights to FL, which will be important after I move to ATL. CO's employees attitudes the last time I flew them also played a role in the decision.

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From DC-9-30's to Airbus A 320's to Boeing 757's to Ikumi....oh, how the sky's the limit!!

I don't see a need to close any accounts, since the airlines' freqflyer programs might make a comeback as fast as they deteriorated. Hopefully, not wishful thinking, even if it takes a while. Nice if it is in this lifetime.

Then again, all of them may end up in the dire strats!

Let's see my favorites have been-
American
Western
Alaska
Northwest
Continental
What's next?

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