I started with Delta many moons ago and did so because at the time they were a hub city close to me AND they had what was claimed to be the best rewards card with AMEX.

So for years I would charge business expenses, rack up miles and take a couple of domestic and maybe one international flight per year.

About 3 years ago I became Silver, and believe me I got the notice in the mail and said, "Wow, no s^!t, I guess I did fly a lot this year", as it was a complete surprise at the time.

Then came the NW buyout, so I would now be with Delta and they actually would have better options to Asia, nice!

So now, even as a lowly Silver (Plat by next year with the roll-overs) I get free bags, access to the good seats at booking and have received a good number of free upgrades.

So, I am happy right?, well what you read IS correct. Try to upgrade when it counts (26 hours to HKG for instance) and you're buying a ticket 3 to 4 times as expensive than if you travel coach. Try and find a 25,000 mile flight most of the time, good luck. Thinking about using miles for a business class ticket or two overseas. Might as well kiss 5 years of mileage earning (at my level) goodbye!! Not gonna do that.

I now have 600K miles and growing and I find myself shopping for another relationship (with an airline that is) because of the value proposition with Skymiles. I am thinking United as the ability to fly upfront to Asia is right now my primary concern.

Will I continue to fly DL domestic. You bet because I have the status and it does come with perks that infrequent flyers don't have. But are my eyes straying and looking for the right opportunity to jump, yes.

So why am I telling you the entire saga when your question was a simple (though not easy) one...


Well as my second post, I guess I thought this was a good place to begin 'getting involved' also, I can sum up my thought this way:

1. Shoot for the first level of status (Silver if Delta), without this 'you ain't no where'.

2. Sounds like you should be with DL if you like their flight availability. I am not that familiar with RDU as I've only been through (to High Point) once.

3. A lot of the Delta bashing (nothing meant to be disrespectful of Elites who do much more traveling than I) is from higher ups who see less additional value for flying A LOT as opposed to lower tier flyers like me (and maybe you too soon) who appreciate the separation from the casual non-elite.

4. If you plan to travel overseas, RUN away from DL as fast as you can.

Hope this helps.