Originally Posted by
MtnDew
1) Stick with Alaska and just add to my program while flying with Delta. Long term this would make the most sense as, baring unforeseen circumstances, I would be moving back to the Seattle area in 2-3 years. This has the added benefit of resulting in additional bonus miles due to my current Gold status.
While you'd accrue towards your AS status, it does not do you much benefit when flying BA or DL.
2) Join Delta and start over with them. Likely I could get to at least gold, though it would take a while as with their new MQM's, it would take 8 - 9 round trips SEA to LHR. I could see my self taking that many trips this year, but after? Long term I'm not sure what this would do. Delta has been turning Seattle into a minor hub so their are a fair number of flights now, so there are opportunities to use the miles. Also, I assume it would be cheaper to book award travel SEA to LHR for my wife on Delta using Delta miles vs using Alaska miles (takes 90k Alaska) but I could be wrong.
Earning MQMs is not changing. Only earning redeemable (RDM) miles will changed based on fare.
Also, if you change your address to your UK address, the MQD requirement does not apply to those with an address outside the USA.
You could consider a status challenge with DL (see
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...ve-thread.html). If you're able to make PM (75k), you'd be able to access the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and use the VS fast track security; these are nice benefits ex-LHR.