I'm not sure if this belongs in the NW forum or not. There is no sub-forum for Sun Country. I considered the general travel forum but didn't see many specific airline questions there. I also searched for "Sun Country VIP." The reason I ultimately decided to post it here is because Sun Country's HUB is the same as NWA's, and flies a lot of the same routes head-to-head, and thus WP members would have the most experience of any of them at flying Sun Country vs. NW. But, if this is in the wrong forum, I apologize in advance and ask to please move it.

After the "NoChoice" seat program, I started booking travel on Sun Country. My first SY flight is tomorrow.

Before I did that, I saw that Sun Country offered a "VIP Program." QUESTION: ANY ONE HAVE EXPERIENCE with this program? I had never heard of it before. I joined. If you're not familiar with it, it sounds pretty great. Basically, what it does is give you specific rates for flights: domestic flights are always exactly $0.10/mile flown plus $39. OW or RT, same deal. And you can upgrade to FC for $100 each way in advance (or $50 day of departure) regardless of flight distance (as opposed to 50% or more than that booking FC seats on the non-VIP side of SC.com). Also, if you don't book FC, as a VIP you can still check-in at the FC line (but you can also check in between 24 and 6 hours online, as well as pick your seat after booking). It costs $99 to join the VIP program and $12/month. I made that expense up in one trip over booking as a non-VIP, though. Being a VIP also gives you access to discounted hotels, limos and some other travel stuff...but the main thing is the airfare & FC prices.

As you probably know, they have leather seats and hot meals even in coach.

Now, you don't earn FF miles. But, I got confirmed FC seats, purchased 2 days out, nonstop MSP-PHX for a total of $500 RT, vs. NWA's $1250 RT FC seats. Even NWA's coach rate (assuming I'd get upgraded, which is a poor assumption given my 20% UG success rate on NW this year, esp to PHX - next to impossible, and esp. since I was booking after the 2/3 of the EU process had run) was $400.

This is on Sun Country's avg 3 year old Next Generation 737-800. They have 39" pitch and 21" width in FC (31"-33" pitch/17" width in coach. Note: NW's FC pitch is 36-37" and coach is 30-32"). Sun Country has Audio Entertainment at each seat.

All that being said, I haven't flown yet, and will report back after I do. I'm looking for any feedback on the airline & VIP program.