Originally Posted by
rpeatt
Background: Air Canada Elite 75K Member. Looking to switch after recent devaluation. Located in Canada (YOW) with 95% of my flying to the United States from Canada. Trying to decide between US/AA on OW or DL on Skyteam.
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: Upgrades and lounge access.
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Reply:
55,000 - 80,000, economy or premium economy
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Reply:
Mid tier economy (flex)
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply:
Yes, I travel for work but have discretion on the airline.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
Reply:
Most often is YOW to SEA or SFO, usually via YYZ, ORD or IAD. Air Canada and United.
(6) What is your home airport?
Reply:
YOW
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in OW or other airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
Reply:
Air Canada E75K / Star Alliance Gold. 120,000 or so miles currently banked. No other status - looking to status match/challenge.
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Reply:
No preference on oneworld
Thanks for the help!
I'd probably do a Platinum challenge on AA; IMO Delta's redemption picture is miserable. Unfortunately AA/US only serves YOW via CLT or PHL, making for long detours en route to the west coast. However, AA allows credit to Westjet; so routes like YOW-xYYC-SEA would be mileage-earning, using AS for the YYC-SEA segment.
You won't get lounge access with status on AA; nothing on US/Mexico/Canada/Caribbean routes with a very few exceptions.
I wonder if you ought to look at Alaska Airlines instead? You can earn AS miles on AA or DL flights, and their partners list and redemption rates are excellent.
Then just buy an Admiral's Club or Piority Pass membership for the lounge bit and call it good.