Does AA make the most sense for me?
May 7, 2014, 2:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: IHG Plat, AA GLD, DL FO, Natl Elite
Posts: 259
Does AA make the most sense for me?
I am based out of DFW. I am about to start doing a lot of flying for my company, and most of our locations are well-serviced by both Delta and AA. In fact, our travel booking site often tries to convince us to use Delta flights that have a connection instead of a nonstop AA flight... gotta love the "lowest logical fare" rule in our T&E policy.
Outside of business travel, I mostly travel to WAS (largely DCA) and will be traveling to the NYC area as well, likely JFK or LGA. I occasionally travel to Latin America (EZE, SCL, and MVD).
What I most want to use my redeemable miles for are trips to Europe. It seems like AA has recently devalued its miles for reward trips to Europe. I mostly fly in coach, and would likely use reward miles for coach trips rather than business or first class since they require so many more points.
In terms of European travel, I'd like to go to France more and I know AF is part of SkyTeam. I would like to see Germany, Spain, and Italy too. I flew to England on Virgin Atlantic recently and found them to be great, and IIRC they at least partly work with Delta, correct?
With all that in mind, is AA still the best bet for me? I currently don't hold Elite status with them and only have about 37K miles towards MM status with them, so switching to DL wouldn't be a big loss in that regard. What are y'alls thoughts?
Outside of business travel, I mostly travel to WAS (largely DCA) and will be traveling to the NYC area as well, likely JFK or LGA. I occasionally travel to Latin America (EZE, SCL, and MVD).
What I most want to use my redeemable miles for are trips to Europe. It seems like AA has recently devalued its miles for reward trips to Europe. I mostly fly in coach, and would likely use reward miles for coach trips rather than business or first class since they require so many more points.
In terms of European travel, I'd like to go to France more and I know AF is part of SkyTeam. I would like to see Germany, Spain, and Italy too. I flew to England on Virgin Atlantic recently and found them to be great, and IIRC they at least partly work with Delta, correct?
With all that in mind, is AA still the best bet for me? I currently don't hold Elite status with them and only have about 37K miles towards MM status with them, so switching to DL wouldn't be a big loss in that regard. What are y'alls thoughts?
May 7, 2014, 2:27 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,727
Well the one thing I would caution about is that if the reason for sticking with one airline is to earn awards, there is a reason Delta SkyMiles are referred to as SkyPesos around here (AA hasn't gotten a nickname like that, yet). Also, if you are buying lowest fares, before you switch to Delta see what kind of earnings you will get out of their new program - the less you paid, the less miles you get.
May 7, 2014, 2:46 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Austin,TX (AUS)
Programs: AA, UA
Posts: 767
Based on your travel plans, sounds like AA is your best option. At DFW you will have many non-stop options to DCA and NYC, plus international nonstops to Germany (FRA), France (CDG), Spain (MAD), EZE, and SCL.
Regarding mileage redemptions, AA seems to push reward bookings to Europe on British Airways which has high fuel surcharges ($600-$700). That makes award tickets in economy much less valuable.
Regarding mileage redemptions, AA seems to push reward bookings to Europe on British Airways which has high fuel surcharges ($600-$700). That makes award tickets in economy much less valuable.
May 7, 2014, 3:25 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,581
Depends if OP is flexible about dates, and can plan far in advance.
Incidentally, BigOrangeTerp -- always at least check the rates for business class redemptions. If the lowest-level coach award isn't available, but the lowest-level business award is, you may end up breaking even or coming out slightly ahead. This applies to pretty much any carrier.
Last edited by dtremit; May 7, 2014 at 7:07 pm Reason: Corrected my terminology
May 7, 2014, 3:44 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: IHG Plat, AA GLD, DL FO, Natl Elite
Posts: 259
Thanks y'all. I had an inkling that AA was best for me but I wanted to weigh my options. Interesting about the BA surcharges, I'll keep that in mind.
Dtremit, I hadn't thought of that. Lord knows I could use the space for those longer trips. Flying MVD -> MIA -> DCA in coach is hell on my knees.
Dtremit, I hadn't thought of that. Lord knows I could use the space for those longer trips. Flying MVD -> MIA -> DCA in coach is hell on my knees.
May 7, 2014, 3:45 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,536
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
"On the other hand, BA availability at AAnytime rates on AA is significantly better than AF/KL availability at Saver rates on DL -- at least for the moment."
You cannot redeem an AAnytime award on BA. AAnytime awards are only valid on AA metal.
"On the other hand, BA availability at AAnytime rates on AA is significantly better than AF/KL availability at Saver rates on DL -- at least for the moment."
You cannot redeem an AAnytime award on BA. AAnytime awards are only valid on AA metal.
May 7, 2014, 4:09 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,994
BigOrangeTerp Welcome to FT
As above earn to burn is what really matters if your objective is awards. But be careful about award surcharges
Look here, including the links is post 2 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
As above earn to burn is what really matters if your objective is awards. But be careful about award surcharges
Look here, including the links is post 2 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
May 7, 2014, 7:06 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,581
May 8, 2014, 6:49 am
#9
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
I am based out of DFW. I am about to start doing a lot of flying for my company, and most of our locations are well-serviced by both Delta and AA. In fact, our travel booking site often tries to convince us to use Delta flights that have a connection instead of a nonstop AA flight... gotta love the "lowest logical fare" rule in our T&E policy.
Outside of business travel, I mostly travel to WAS (largely DCA) and will be traveling to the NYC area as well, likely JFK or LGA. I occasionally travel to Latin America (EZE, SCL, and MVD).
What I most want to use my redeemable miles for are trips to Europe. It seems like AA has recently devalued its miles for reward trips to Europe. I mostly fly in coach, and would likely use reward miles for coach trips rather than business or first class since they require so many more points.
In terms of European travel, I'd like to go to France more and I know AF is part of SkyTeam. I would like to see Germany, Spain, and Italy too. I flew to England on Virgin Atlantic recently and found them to be great, and IIRC they at least partly work with Delta, correct?
With all that in mind, is AA still the best bet for me? I currently don't hold Elite status with them and only have about 37K miles towards MM status with them, so switching to DL wouldn't be a big loss in that regard. What are y'alls thoughts?
Outside of business travel, I mostly travel to WAS (largely DCA) and will be traveling to the NYC area as well, likely JFK or LGA. I occasionally travel to Latin America (EZE, SCL, and MVD).
What I most want to use my redeemable miles for are trips to Europe. It seems like AA has recently devalued its miles for reward trips to Europe. I mostly fly in coach, and would likely use reward miles for coach trips rather than business or first class since they require so many more points.
In terms of European travel, I'd like to go to France more and I know AF is part of SkyTeam. I would like to see Germany, Spain, and Italy too. I flew to England on Virgin Atlantic recently and found them to be great, and IIRC they at least partly work with Delta, correct?
With all that in mind, is AA still the best bet for me? I currently don't hold Elite status with them and only have about 37K miles towards MM status with them, so switching to DL wouldn't be a big loss in that regard. What are y'alls thoughts?
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