I'm not in any way connected with InsideFlyer, so please don't take my comments as a response from them. Having gone through this poll for other programs, though, I think I can provide some guidance:

1. This is not an exercise to compare Alaska's program head-to-head to others, but rather to determine how well it meets the individual's needs and desires.

2. Obviously, each individual's needs and desires will be different. By asking the questions in an open format, the features to be included will be determined by whomever responds. There may be a specific feature that is unique to the Alaska program that an "outsider" may forget about.

3. Responses should be limited to the program, not to the airline (sometimes they're inseparable, of course, and any part of the program that is affected by the airline is certainly fair game).

4. A short list of things that might be worthy of mention:

a. The lack of membership in one of the alliances.

b. Award availability.

c. Upgrade policies.

d. Award options (whether or not they're available).

e. Customer service quality (again, the plan's, not the airline's).

I hope this isn't coming across as being pretentious -- just hoping to give you all a starting point!