MilesBuzz! - Newbie - Didn't see a definative newbie thread. A few questions:

I apologize if I was completely oblivious and missed the newbie thread somewhere, but I couldn't find it. I've spent some time searching through here the last day or two, but I still have some questions. If these have been answered else where please feel free to point me in the right direction and I wont bother you anymore ^

Backgroud:

My wife and I just relocated to Virginia, 10 mins from IAD. My wife has taken a job where she'll travel 10+ times a years, 1/2 of them being international. She has complete control over the flights within the US, but can only request dates of travel for international flights.

I will be traveling about the same, but mine will all be within the US. We also probably travel two or three times a year for vacation. Vacation is generally to see the family on the west coast.

The reason I'm posting is because I just noticed we both barely missed the 25k mark last year with Delta. I was 22k and she was 23k. Neither of us have traveled much for business in the past, so we've never worried about status. Also looking through last years flights, I calculated that we had at least 1 flight that we booked last minute and didnt add skymiles too, and four other flights with other airlines. If we were paying attention we would have hit 25k easily. I want to be more responsible this year.

So as you can see, we're new to the miles and points system and we've already found a lot of ways to generate a lot of extra points through your forum. Thanks!

We opened a Skymiles card last year and have enjoyed the benefits, but to be honest, I'm more worried about the status upgrades then I am getting a free ticket. At 6 foot 4 I can always use a little extra room.

As I mentioned above, we'll be flying out of IAD with a lot of west coast destinations. SLC LAX and SFO will be big cities for me. She'll be all over the place but SAN and SFO will be two places she travels frequently.

She'll be sticking with Delta and doesn't want to consider changing (but thats ok because it probably the best choice for her anyways). I on the other hand am getting sick of Delta. I have flown Virgin America and Jet Blue recently and really like them both. Virgin flies non stops from IAD to LAX and SFO, but nothing to SLC yet. Jet blue on the other hand flies all three, but with stops.

Prior to visiting this site, and before I thought about being responsible with my points I had planned to fly Virgin to the west coast, and Jet blue to SLC.

In the last few days, I think I've realized that switching to those airlines would probably be a bad idea. Virgins Loyalty program, eleVAte, seems to be based on dollars spent and no elite levels. Obviously flying jetblue means no elite status, and I also have to deal with points that expire. From what I understand neither have alliances, which again limits my travels.

From this I think I can draw a pretty firm conclusion that if elite status is my priority, I should stick with Delta.

QUESTION:

Am I missing anything? Maybe an alternative reason to actually use Virgin?

Since I've never obtained an elite status in the past, I don't completely understand how it works. Am I seeking something I probably wont get a lot of use from? For instance, will my flights back and forth to the west coast not be eligible for status upgrades? I assume higher elite status member trump my chances?

The east to west coast flights are going to make me go crazy in coach :eek:

Thanks for any input you have.

Out of IAD, UA is the obvious choice because IAD is UA's hub and flies to the most destination.
If you stick to DL, you might have to connect at ATL most of the times.

No brainer - you need to go with UA. If for no other reason E+ is bearable for me at 6'3" with a 36" inseam.

You have already gotten the best answer but I will reiterate. For someone of your size, traveling to/from the destinations you list, UA is the no-brainer choice. Once you hit 25,000 the first time and continue to fly that much per year, you have automatic access to Economy Plus seating with extra legroom. Until you reach basic status the first time, you can purchase the same access. Because it is a UA hub, IAD offers UA flights several times per day to the west coast and non-stops or single connections via DEN to all your listed destinations.

Correct me if I'm wrong... with UA, you can get points with Virgin America (part of *A)...

I was in that dilemma, too, I'm sticking with singapore airlines because it's part of star alliance AND delta is a partner, so i can get miles with delta, us, ua and virgin, etc.

As for your shortage of miles, you could look to buy the extra 5000 miles (total) and redeem for free tickets...
http://www.delta.com/skymiles/buy_transfer/buy_miles/index.jsp

Correct me if I'm wrong... with UA, you can get points with Virgin America (part of *A)...

No partnership there. You might be thinking about codeshares with Virgin Blue in Australia.

really? i thought i was able to put in my *a number when i was playing with flights... can't remember cuz i didn't end up purchasing...

No partnership there. You might be thinking about codeshares with Virgin Blue in Australia.

Or VS and putting in his KF number.

Virgin America competes head on against UA on SFO-JFK. They're not partners in any sense of the word. You may have been offered flight options that involve both carriers on the same itinerary if you booked on a third party site, but their frequent flyer programs have nothing to do with each other.

Out of IAD, UA is the obvious choice because IAD is UA's hub and flies to the most destination.
If you stick to DL, you might have to connect at ATL most of the times.
I agree. And take your wife with you over to UA as well. Flying between IAD, SFO, SAN and other international destinations, US should serve your wife better than Delta.

She'll be sticking with Delta and doesn't want to consider changing (but thats ok because it probably the best choice for her anyways). I on the other hand am getting sick of Delta.
You probably are not the only one who's running away from Delta. :p From what I know, it's much harder to get Skymiles award tickets in comparison with UA.

What's the main reason for her to stick with Delta? I believe US will be a much better choice for her. Giving your flying patterns, both of you should be able to get status with UA sometime this year.

Welcome to FT! I am sure you will find lots of excellent advice from our FT gurus! :)

I agree. And take your wife with you over to UA as well. Flying between IAD, SFO, SAN and other international destinations, US should serve your wife better than Delta.


You probably are not the only one who's running away from Delta. :p From what I know, it's much harder to get Skymiles award tickets in comparison with UA.

What's the main reason for her to stick with Delta? I believe US will be a much better choice for her. Giving your flying patterns, both of you should be able to get status with UA sometime this year.

Welcome to FT! I am sure you will find lots of excellent advice from our FT gurus! :)

Thanks Everyone!

I hadn't thought of UA. It does seem like a better route. My only draw back would be I've already got 1600 in credit vouchers with Delta that need to be used this year, but I'm sure I could get my company to buy them off me.

My wife is that type of person that doesn't like to change unless she has too. Its good news for me really. She'll drive her car into the ground before she wants a new one - which is nice cause it offsets my 36 month habits. ;) I'll sit down with her and talk her into it. I would imagine most of her international flights would be UA anyways, and it would be kind of silly to miss out on those legs.

Thanks again.

I was based out of SMF a few years ago and had no reason to pick one program over another as I flew all over the place, in 2004 I decided to try UA as a DL Platinum. I got a status match to UA Gold and off I went. I flew about 55k miles that year with UA and I decided to stick with DL for a few reasons. I felt like I got better overall service from DL. Flight attendents were friendlier, planes were more on time(no connecting in ORD), upgrades were free (not 500 mile segment upgrades, which my employer paid for so still equal, but pain none the less), and direct flights to SLC. I ended up moving to SLC and it was a good choice for me. E+ is nice with the extra legroom and with IAD being a hub for UA it may be a good fit, but if your happy with DL I would see no reason to switch.

... but if your happy with DL I would see no reason to switch.
Check me if I'm wrong, but I don't think DL has a very big presence at IAD and wouldn't the OP generally have to go through ATL to get to the left coast?

Also, for Europe, e.g., LHR, FRA, AMS, BRU, MUC, FCO, can DL get the OP there nonstop (I realy don't know but I don't think so)?

Finally, I think most people agree that a *A member is the best place to bank miles.