Hello,
I'd appreciate any advice on getting a reply in this thread. I'm not sure if I provided too much or too little information before, but I'll try to keep it simpler this time.
-Deciding between AA, AK or DL
-New home base is going to be DMM(Saudi Arabia)
-Will likely take two vacations a year visiting both IND and SLC(about 22k miles RT) each time and one vacation a year to either Europe or SW Asia. Potentially a few short weekend hops to the UAE(DXB/AUH).
-Family of 4 traveling together each time. (Two small kids)
-Probably always flying coach(4 tickets each time gets expensive)
-Initial move from SLC to DMM is business class and will take place by EOY.(about 10k miles plus 50% class bonus)
-Primarily looking to max FFMs for award tickets to offset the cost of flying either DMM->SW Asia or SLC/IND->Popular NA vacation destinations(Caribbean, Florida, Hawaii, Alaska). Also would like to be able to continue enjoying accumulated benefits with the airline or alliance when we eventually move back to the US in 10 years or so.
AA- Oneworld members are well represented out of DMM and the ME/ S.Asia region. I'd like my family to have the experience flying nicer international airlines such as OW partner Etihad on the long segments. AA award tickets seem to cost less than others.
DL- SLC hub. One stop flights from SLC to DMM via AMS(KL). Direct flights between SLC and IND. Cons- More pleasant experience flying non-US airlines. Negative changes to Skymiles program.
AK- Partnered with largest local carriers in the middle east and SLC (EK and DL). EQM also transfer. Bolstering presence in SLC. Redeeming miles with partner airlines such as EK through AK costs less that earning and redeeming directly through EK. Cons- Partner relationships seem tenuous(AK/DL EK/UA).
-At least $12k in airline spend a year. At least $25k in total CC spend annually.
-Status would be nice, but based on the information above, it doesn't appear that we'll travel enough to warrant benefits on overseas flights.
I'm leaning AA. Any glaring pros/cons I'm overlooking? Thoughts?
Thank you very much!
Previous posts:
Moving to the Middle East
No feedback on my original inquiry