Originally Posted by thyroxine

My general question is this: which airline's FFP is best suited for a high utilizer frequent flyer? Currently using delta primarily, but their extensions on MQM rollovers are going to seriously devalue having status with their program. If everyone has status, no one has status.

Essentially, which US based program is the hardest to get and maintain status on? Hopefully this would result in more frequent upgrades, which is my main goal in obtaining status.

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?

upgrades/status. I do a decent amount of MS and have had most of the major personal/business credit cards. earning miles is relatively easy, but would like to have upgrades/status perks.

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?

Planning to do travel work as a physician. I will be reimbursed for all travel, likely in economy or econ+.
Probably upwards of 30 rt flights a year, likely >50k mi

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)

econ/econ+

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Airline most flown? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?

can choose airline, likely not class. I plan to move to chicago after residency, which is a united hub, but has flights with other airlines.
I would have a lot of time off for pleasure travel, which I plan to take advantage of.

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)

US domestic

(6) What is your home airport?

Considering a few cities for home base. ORD, AUS, SEA

(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
(AA Executive Platinum, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)

I am banned from AAdvantage due to the Citi debacle with mailer offers.
Will hit Delta Gold next year. I have a decent number of Chase UR, Amex MR and ways to accumulate a lot more of each.
Also amex delta cardmember. Currently fly out of DTW, so made sense to use delta primarily.

(8) Preferred Airlines

Not american airlines lol.