Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 18,142
AA ranks highest because it delivers what is promised. You want to book an award, you can usually get it.
CO should be happy it didn't land at the bottom. Nonepass awards = low rating.
UA's ranking is a bit of a mystery. I've rarely had problems booking award tix on UA. Perhaps it gets dinged for being in bankruptcy - there is definitely a higher risk factor to maintaining a high mileage balance with UA.
Hard to evaluate CR's methodology without seeing the story. It is often less than scientific.
Addendum: I just noticed that WN is missing! The recent changes in Rapid Rewards have definitely devalued the program, but to leave the only major profitable carrier off the list is bizarre. Same for JetBlue.
Last edited by Boraxo; Aug 30, 2005 at 3:45 pm