Best airline for MVP Gold European travel post Delta changes
Apr 7, 2014, 7:48 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold
Posts: 4
Best airline for MVP Gold European travel post Delta changes
I fly to Europe every few months, mostly SEA to CPH.
I was using Delta and getting Alaska miles (I'm MVP Gold). The Delta Skypriority was the best benefit, and now it's gone, I think I'll look around for alternatives.
What are some other good options if I want to concentrate miles on Alaska? British Airways?
I'm guessing there are no options which give me the equivalent of Skypriority right?
I was using Delta and getting Alaska miles (I'm MVP Gold). The Delta Skypriority was the best benefit, and now it's gone, I think I'll look around for alternatives.
What are some other good options if I want to concentrate miles on Alaska? British Airways?
I'm guessing there are no options which give me the equivalent of Skypriority right?
Apr 7, 2014, 7:54 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Upper Left Corner of the Map
Programs: AS MVPG & Board Room, Marriott Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 2,203
You don't say where you are....but KLM and AF are also good choices, IF you are near a gateway in the US they serve...provided you book in the right class of service. Otherwise, if it is SEA, BA is probably the best bet.
Apr 7, 2014, 8:13 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold
Posts: 4
Apr 7, 2014, 8:13 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LON
Programs: AS MVPG, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver
Posts: 1,350
Considering you get 100% EQM from DL and their new strong-hold (plethora of flights: LHR, CDG, AMS) in the PNW, I don't see a reason to jump.
Sky Priority is nice, but Zone 1 isn't terrible. Also, DL has one of the best Y products out there IMHO, and it's not like MVPG's were getting access to EC seats before... I think what you're going to get on BA, only other PNW partner to serve Europe, is going to pale in comparison to DL.
But again, this is my personal opinion.
Sky Priority is nice, but Zone 1 isn't terrible. Also, DL has one of the best Y products out there IMHO, and it's not like MVPG's were getting access to EC seats before... I think what you're going to get on BA, only other PNW partner to serve Europe, is going to pale in comparison to DL.
But again, this is my personal opinion.
Apr 7, 2014, 10:59 am
#5
Join Date: May 2002
Location: OAK
Programs: AS MVPG; WN A-List; Marriott Plat; IHG Plat; HH Diamond; all the rest
Posts: 650
Seems like the OP might be thinking ahead to if or when DL is no longer a partner.
My wife hopped QX from SEA up to YVR to fly KL on YVR-AMS-KBP a couple years back - it adds a connection, but AMS is considered a better place to connect in Europe than LHR, and KL is reliable.
I'm doing my first wholly-within-T5 connection at LHR in a couple of months - curious to see if it's as slick as AMS. If so, BA may be a better option than it was before.
It's too bad that DL took SEA-CDG over from AF, now that the partnership is going south.
My wife hopped QX from SEA up to YVR to fly KL on YVR-AMS-KBP a couple years back - it adds a connection, but AMS is considered a better place to connect in Europe than LHR, and KL is reliable.
I'm doing my first wholly-within-T5 connection at LHR in a couple of months - curious to see if it's as slick as AMS. If so, BA may be a better option than it was before.
It's too bad that DL took SEA-CDG over from AF, now that the partnership is going south.
Apr 7, 2014, 11:27 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LON
Programs: AS MVPG, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver
Posts: 1,350
Seems like the OP might be thinking ahead to if or when DL is no longer a partner.
My wife hopped QX from SEA up to YVR to fly KL on YVR-AMS-KBP a couple years back - it adds a connection, but AMS is considered a better place to connect in Europe than LHR, and KL is reliable.
I'm doing my first wholly-within-T5 connection at LHR in a couple of months - curious to see if it's as slick as AMS. If so, BA may be a better option than it was before.
It's too bad that DL took SEA-CDG over from AF, now that the partnership is going south.
My wife hopped QX from SEA up to YVR to fly KL on YVR-AMS-KBP a couple years back - it adds a connection, but AMS is considered a better place to connect in Europe than LHR, and KL is reliable.
I'm doing my first wholly-within-T5 connection at LHR in a couple of months - curious to see if it's as slick as AMS. If so, BA may be a better option than it was before.
It's too bad that DL took SEA-CDG over from AF, now that the partnership is going south.
BA's lounges in T5 are supposed to be fantastic, I haven't had to the chance to experience them yet, though. Otherwise, the KL lounge at AMS is really nice. Just make sure to get in and get your name on the shower list ASAP.
Apr 7, 2014, 1:13 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: AS Million Miler, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Nexus / Global Entry
Posts: 844
Personally very sad to see the 50% off EC on DL. That was a nice compromise between comfort and $$$.
I never have enough time to book a J or F award trip so I was considering booking BA instead of Delta for an upcoming (post May 1) SEA-LHR trip.
Is the general consensus that SEA-LHR in Y is still better on DL?
I never have enough time to book a J or F award trip so I was considering booking BA instead of Delta for an upcoming (post May 1) SEA-LHR trip.
Is the general consensus that SEA-LHR in Y is still better on DL?
Apr 7, 2014, 1:18 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LON
Programs: AS MVPG, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver
Posts: 1,350
Personally very sad to see the 50% off EC on DL. That was a nice compromise between comfort and $$$.
I never have enough time to book a J or F award trip so I was considering booking BA instead of Delta for an upcoming (post May 1) SEA-LHR trip.
Is the general consensus that SEA-LHR in Y is still better on DL?
I never have enough time to book a J or F award trip so I was considering booking BA instead of Delta for an upcoming (post May 1) SEA-LHR trip.
Is the general consensus that SEA-LHR in Y is still better on DL?
Apr 7, 2014, 2:17 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: AS Million Miler, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Nexus / Global Entry
Posts: 844
I guess I should call and see if the EC discount goes away on travel by May 1st or for booking by May 1st.
Apr 7, 2014, 2:18 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LON
Programs: AS MVPG, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver
Posts: 1,350
That charge seems crazy high. This trip will be for business and the company is paying for coach. In the past I've just flown DL and paid for the EC upgrade out of pocket. That made the 50% off EC a value for me.
I guess I should call and see if the EC discount goes away on travel by May 1st or for booking by May 1st.
I guess I should call and see if the EC discount goes away on travel by May 1st or for booking by May 1st.
Apr 8, 2014, 4:32 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Snohomish, WA
Programs: AS MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,793
So far I'm sticking with DL, but that's because I tend to fly in J so the SkyPriority thing doesn't matter anyway.
What matters most for me is EQMs and how many we'll get in the new Delta points world (assuming the partnership holds). I make MVPG every year because of the DL flights to Europe.
Neil
What matters most for me is EQMs and how many we'll get in the new Delta points world (assuming the partnership holds). I make MVPG every year because of the DL flights to Europe.
Neil
Apr 14, 2014, 4:53 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,718
KLM and AF are challenging when you're out to earn AS EQM, because the MP terms say eligible flights have to be "marketed" and "operated" by KL or AF, which means they can deny credit for codeshares -- and most two-segment connections beyond AMS or CDG include at least one codeshare, whether you buy through DL or KL/AF.
This was a lot easier when AF metal used to come to SEA. It's damn hard now IME to find connections ex-SEA through AMS/CDG where the first flight is sold with its DL number AND the second flight is sold with its KL or AF number.
In the near term, if you are flying beyond LHR/AMS/CDG, surest bet for EQM credit is to book BA... or head up to YVR for KLM.
This was a lot easier when AF metal used to come to SEA. It's damn hard now IME to find connections ex-SEA through AMS/CDG where the first flight is sold with its DL number AND the second flight is sold with its KL or AF number.
In the near term, if you are flying beyond LHR/AMS/CDG, surest bet for EQM credit is to book BA... or head up to YVR for KLM.
Apr 15, 2014, 3:56 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,021
KLM lounges are called Crown Lounges. Not quite sure why you think one would get access now with the DL changes. AS Board Room membership does not grant Crown Lounge access and never has.