Originally Posted by
findark
I think you have two major considerations here:
- If you are primarily a 50k flyer, then UA E+ is booking is going to be much, much better than DL C+ at T-72. This only holds if your status is in the 50-75k range.
- How much are your flying to your California destinations? Getting to SBP on Delta metal is basically impossible unless you like a long drive from either SF or LA; neither is there any DL service to BFL.
Generally I would recommend going with the carrier that has the best schedule for you, but if the balance is "back-connecting in ORD to get to BHM" versus "I can't fly to SBP or BFL", I think UA might be the winner here.
I'll likely be in the 50-75K range for next year. This year is a bit of an anomaly where I'll likely get close to 100k, but won't have PQD for 1K
My flying to BHM will be likely 1-2x per month. I'll likely fly to one of those California destinations once every 2 months. Then I have things like an MCO December trip where DL has nonstop and UA would require a connection along with a pending PHL trip.
With respect to BHM, a concern I have is that my trips will generally be Friday evening to Sunday evening. UA schedules to ORD require a 5 or 6 PM departure many months. And, I fear ATC delays can cause issues with misconnects. DL, on the other hand, has way more frequency to BHM from ATL, so a misconnect does not require an overnight and driving from ATL is also an option.
My current inclination is to at least try to stick with UA initially. I may only be CVG based for the next 2 years.
Originally Posted by
xliioper
DL will only match challenge to your current status level on another airline. Even if you happen to hit the Plat level challenge requirements on DL, they will only match you to Gold as that is your UA status level.
I'll be plat on UA by the end of August. I'd only initiate the match after that point.