If you were to switch ff programs......
Mar 9, 2011 | 9:22 am
#16
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: 19,811
If awards, particularly international awards, matter to you, and you care that DL SkyMiles are generally worth 40 to 60 percent less than other programs' miles, I would say it makes more sense to stay away from DL, or at least put your DL segments to the AS program.
Mar 9, 2011 | 11:38 am
#17
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,816
I would say that if you are a high-volume, high-spend flyer more focused on upgrades than redemption value, DL makes sense.
If awards, particularly international awards, matter to you, and you care that DL SkyMiles are generally worth 40 to 60 percent less than other programs' miles, I would say it makes more sense to stay away from DL, or at least put your DL segments to the AS program.
If awards, particularly international awards, matter to you, and you care that DL SkyMiles are generally worth 40 to 60 percent less than other programs' miles, I would say it makes more sense to stay away from DL, or at least put your DL segments to the AS program.
CO/UA is in the stone ages relative to the competition in this regard.
Mar 9, 2011 | 11:46 am
#18
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Big Sky Country
Programs: CO PLT, DL GM, Hertz President Circle, SPG Platinum
Posts: 450
While miles are certainly very important, my level of enjoyment in the here and now is paramount. If I can sit up front and have an unmatched number of entertainment options (at a minimum wifi...at a maximum wifi, live TV, HBO on Demand, etc.), that is the "killer app" in my book.
CO/UA is in the stone ages relative to the competition in this regard.
CO/UA is in the stone ages relative to the competition in this regard.
I can remember the last Delta mainline flight that did not have PTV . . . 23 out of 27 flights this year did not have PTV and none of my trans-pac or upcomming trans-atlantic flights will either.
I guess it is all relative to where we are and where we are going . . . I do east-west; but, mostly through DTW or ATL and Asia which has sucked since the A330 were pulled.
Mar 10, 2011 | 12:16 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SJC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,628
Since when is anywhere in economy free PTV? I flew CO in November, on a 738, and had an elite bulkhead seat, and PTV most definitely was not free after takeoff. It should have been free for everyone after we were grounded for over an hour.
Mar 10, 2011 | 1:03 am
#20
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Big Sky Country
Programs: CO PLT, DL GM, Hertz President Circle, SPG Platinum
Posts: 450
I am pretty sure there is a mention at the Kiosks when you check in about the "FREE" PTV for exit rows and bulkhead seating. All I know is that I have used this from LGA-IAH-SEA, SEA-EWR, ORD-PBI, IAH-SFO, etc. and although you need to swipe your card to activate, I have never been charged. I did get charged on the two flights I was not in the exit or bulkhead.
Mar 10, 2011 | 6:07 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SJC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,628
I am pretty sure there is a mention at the Kiosks when you check in about the "FREE" PTV for exit rows and bulkhead seating. All I know is that I have used this from LGA-IAH-SEA, SEA-EWR, ORD-PBI, IAH-SFO, etc. and although you need to swipe your card to activate, I have never been charged. I did get charged on the two flights I was not in the exit or bulkhead.
It's rather silly that they can't give this for free to those seats, because the people who sit there are either elites or paid extra. Clearly the system can support free seats, because F gets it. And if it's a matter of how to activate otherwise, do what VX does: the FAs have a plastic card they can swipe.
Mar 10, 2011 | 8:03 am
#22
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: eastern Europe & NC
Posts: 4,528
As a NW refugee who comped over to CO to escape the clutches of DL (which I know more than I want to from my years as a DL gold medallion), I would certainly not move in that direction. I want to earn miles that are worth something. DL's SkyPiles are the Zimbabwe Dollars of the sky.
I am taking a wait and see position and keeping my fingers crossed for the UA/CO merger. The thing that was a deal killer for me, as an expat who lives in a non-gateway city, for UA has been UA's deplorable practice of *Net blocking. If that is part of the merger, then I am gone.
That leaves AA and US, and AA is definitely the more attractive of the two. There are several downsides, one big one being too many connections on this side of the pond going through LHR (uggh!).
Hopefully the merger of UA/CO will work out okay with no *Net blocking or other deal killers. I really would prefer to stay where I am.
The Q400 is another big negative, though. From some itinerary comparisions on recent flights, it seems easier to stay on mainline planes on AA than on UA or CO. If UA/CO leaves me nothing but Q400's on the main routes I travel within the US, that could be as big a deal killer as *Net blocking
I am taking a wait and see position and keeping my fingers crossed for the UA/CO merger. The thing that was a deal killer for me, as an expat who lives in a non-gateway city, for UA has been UA's deplorable practice of *Net blocking. If that is part of the merger, then I am gone.
That leaves AA and US, and AA is definitely the more attractive of the two. There are several downsides, one big one being too many connections on this side of the pond going through LHR (uggh!).
Hopefully the merger of UA/CO will work out okay with no *Net blocking or other deal killers. I really would prefer to stay where I am.
The Q400 is another big negative, though. From some itinerary comparisions on recent flights, it seems easier to stay on mainline planes on AA than on UA or CO. If UA/CO leaves me nothing but Q400's on the main routes I travel within the US, that could be as big a deal killer as *Net blocking
Mar 10, 2011 | 10:27 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,857
There aren't that many choices left. Other then LCC's, You've got DL, AA and to a lesser extent, the ugly girl; US.
I've flown DL pretty much hardcore for the past 7 or 8 years and love them for their free domestic upgrades. Their companion upgrade program is pretty good, which depending on the route, have been known to clear days in advance and not at the gate. There are free comp upgrades now for Domestic award travel, not sure if AA has that. Diamonds, Plats and now even Gold medallion members flying in coach get skyteam plus priveledges, which mean lounge access for international. I'd say, all things considered, go with Delta.
I've flown DL pretty much hardcore for the past 7 or 8 years and love them for their free domestic upgrades. Their companion upgrade program is pretty good, which depending on the route, have been known to clear days in advance and not at the gate. There are free comp upgrades now for Domestic award travel, not sure if AA has that. Diamonds, Plats and now even Gold medallion members flying in coach get skyteam plus priveledges, which mean lounge access for international. I'd say, all things considered, go with Delta.
Mar 10, 2011 | 10:29 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,857
i think to donjo's point, it's a lot to do with the regionals. people are noticing that mainline routes formerly with 73x's and 75x's are being replaced more and more with regional jets. now granted in my personal opinion, the usage of UAx's E170's and CR7's are lessening the blow, but there are a lot of routes that are being replaced by E145's and Q400's.
when you used to frequent a route on a jet and learn that it's been replaced by a Q400, that's never a pleasant thing to hear.
or at least this is what i'm noticing. out of the 17 planes i've been on YTD, surprisingly only seven of them have been on jets. the rest of them have been on regionals.
bob not pleased. bob hate regionals. bob like big jet planes.
but the commute to EWR is also super convenient for bob, so bob is going to give the UA/CO merger until EOY 2012 to decide whether to jump ship or not. call it a two year gamble. as the eternal optimist, i'm hoping that the merger will help in the long run.
some call me foolish for that.
when you used to frequent a route on a jet and learn that it's been replaced by a Q400, that's never a pleasant thing to hear.
or at least this is what i'm noticing. out of the 17 planes i've been on YTD, surprisingly only seven of them have been on jets. the rest of them have been on regionals.
bob not pleased. bob hate regionals. bob like big jet planes.
but the commute to EWR is also super convenient for bob, so bob is going to give the UA/CO merger until EOY 2012 to decide whether to jump ship or not. call it a two year gamble. as the eternal optimist, i'm hoping that the merger will help in the long run.
some call me foolish for that.
OK, you're foolish
Actually, your approach seems reasonable. Give it a shot to see how things will really be and then make your decision. No reason to bail on something before even knowing what it will be.
Gotta agree on hating regionals and liking big jets though