Originally Posted by
Utskicat
In my case, I'm based in Canada and even though I am a Delta Diamond (but can't maintain in the new programs since I don't spend $35k and have no access to USA DL Amex cards in Canada), it makes sense for me because I already fly almost exclusively AF/KL YYZ-CDG/AMS-world. I fly very little DL domestic so the complimentary upgrades don't help me. For me what will really sting is the loss of GUCs.
Edit: Irishguy explains it well. Looks like we were both typing our replies to you at the same time. Sorry for the duplicity
OP, I have a very similar flying pattern as yours and I can tell Flying Blue will fit very well in your (our) scenario.
Here are some extra PROs and CONs:
PROs
- Possibility to redeem and upgrade to LP on AF flights
- Extra availability to upgrade reward flights with Z availability
- Platinum Service Line is simply decent
- The BRIM card gives extra XP and 5 extra miles per EUR spent (there are issues with this card too)
- Recently AF recognized well FB Plat: on my past flight CDG-YUL on W the senior purser came on greeting and offered a treat from C (I asked for an espresso)
CONs
- No recognition at all when flying WS, and no extra luggage, no priority boarding or lounge in YYC
- Extremely bad lounge in YYZ (supposedly the worst along KL's network)
- No lounge across Canada for transborder flights (if you choose AC, then you will have lounges for all flights)
- BRIM card has some concerning issues with customer service, missing miles from BRIM can be a pain
- At the bottom of the upgrade list when flying DL
- Without the GUC, you must upgrade to C with miles; it can cost you a leg and arm, and it requires O and Z(when reaching gold) availabilities
- An IRROPS with DL will hit badly: there is no dedicated phone line with DL; we can use the Sky Priority counters when in the terminal but it's usually useless
There are several cities in Canada that have minimal service from WS, no direct flight of DL: YOW, YQB; and limited service of DL: YUL, where IMO, Flying Blue works much better than SkyMiles in these places.