Goodbye CO
 

Just wanted everyone to know... Delta has a new comped FF... ME! So which airline is everyone else going to give some or all their business next year?

Could you elaborate a little more why you choose Delta?

It would seem there's really only one option for those, like myself, who's primary interest is upgrading international flights-- AA, warts and all.

Switching to United or Delta wouldn't help for international travellers, from what I can see.

Stuck flying out of EWR, I'll be spending the majority of my time flying NW out of terminal B again, gaining all of those One Pass miles while giving CO as little revenue from me as possible.

Besides, the little rocket ship ride next to the MS. Pac Man in MSP is really cool. Someday I'll ride that sucker all the way to LA (instead of just running past it to make a connection.) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by NJDavid (edited 01-17-2002).]

Just this AM finalized my comp to AA Plat from CO Plat (200K+ miles in 2001).

Primary reason: International upgrades...I've NEVER been upgraded on CO/NW on an international flight despite commuting back/forth to HKG all of 2001.

In fact, on Monday this week the flight from GUM to HNL was overbooked in coach so I asked if they'd be upgrading any elites to BF. The agent said, "No. Just so you know, we have quite a few employees flying today so we'll be upgrading them."

That sealed it.

Sorry CO - you've lost my Intl business. You'll still keep my domestic flights and maybe a few EWR/HKG here and there but AA gets first choice.

They said that to you??

Sure. I fly primarily domestic to every state. Thus I can't use the reginal carriers like USair, midwest express etc. Second, I would rather fly air afganastan than put up with UA's disaster of an airline. Thus I had a choice between AA or DL. I felt DL would get me in the big chair 100% of the time based on MY fyling habits. I have no problem with AA. DL is just a better route match for me in addition.

Hello, my name is Kitty Hawk and I am a non-stop-aholic.

I'll be changing planes at LHR a lot more often...

Hey cigarman,

did DL comp you PM? If so, enjoy your complimentary lounge access (something I am quite jealous of! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif)

No comment http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

faxed the info for mrs duxfan and i to AA last night.

will advise....



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Bad Gordon!

No Freddie for you!

Duxy;

I think I posted this elsewhere-- and you probably knew it anyway-- but I've been told by several folks that the AA comp could take "several weeks." Just FYI.

I'm thinking of doing one of those insane OneWorld RTW in J trips (starting somewhere weird to cut price way, way down.)
Ya' ever read about those? The whole thing is new to me-- really interesting stuff.



[This message has been edited by JonNYC (edited 01-17-2002).]

I considered switching airlines this year, but the comp lounge access, unlimited domestic upgrades (avail via online or phone), and exceptional member services kept me at DL. Even as a mid-level elite in previous years, I was almost always in the bigger seats.

Happy trails,

GMF

Well, I’m still debating between UA and AA. For me, it’s a near tie, each program with its own specific advantages:

1. Route Structure—Both UA and AA blow away CO, but the nod has to go to United.

Advantage—UA

2. Partners—Again, both * Alliance and oneworld blow away CO’s partnership of third-rate airlines that no one else wants. But again, the nod has to go to UA and * Alliance.

Advantage—UA

3. Domestic Upgrades—Both UA and AA charge for elite upgrades. In spite of EUA and greater competition for upgrades post-Sept. 11, this one still goes to CO.

Advantage—CO

4. International Upgrades—This one is obvious! CO has the best Business service. But that doesn’t mean anything if you can’t get it! AA’s upgrade policy of mileage upgrades on any published fare makes it the clear winner!

But I definitely can’t rule out UA. Although they do have a minimum fare restriction (H class), it isn’t anywhere near as draconian as CO’s policy...similar to CO's pre-HoKeY rules, although less confusing. And no 30 Day Rule, no 72 Hour Rule, no HoKeY Pokey, and no "service fees." In the Asian/Australian market, an H fare is generally only marginally more than the lowest fare. And UA will often upgrade you on miles at the gate if there are BC seats still available. Try that with a CO BizFirst concierge!

Advantage—AA, with an Honorable Mention to UA...and the 31" Raspberry Award to CO!

5. Coach Service—AA has MRTC in all coach seats. UA has slightly more room in Economy +, but it’s restricted to elites (although even the lowest level) and full-fare tix. And an Economy + seat is not guaranteed.

CO still features it's famous "gluteus minimus" seat with 31" pitch (32" in 767’s).

Tie—UA and AA...with CO getting the Marquis de Sade Award for coach service

6. Service to Sydney—This is personally very important, as my wife’s a Sydneysider, so this is a fairly regular route. AA doesn’t fly into Sydney, but oneworld partner Qantas does. Unfortunately you can't use AA miles to upgrade QF flights. And QF's coach seat is the same stingy 31" pitch as CO's. If you want to sit in front, you have to buy a mileage ticket, although AA does offer a reduced mileage companion ticket on QF. You can get both AA status miles and elite bonus miles with them, but only 70% mileage on discount economy flights. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

With UA, you can choose either UA metal or * Alliance partner Air New Zealand, which has excellent coach service, 34" pitch seats and genuinely good coach food. This would seem to give a clear advantage to UA here. Unfortunately, there is one major downer. Although UA will give status miles for flights on * Alliance, they won’t give elite bonus miles or free domestic upgrade coupons, and you can’t upgrade partners.

So you have to choose between a comfortable coach seat and good food vs. bonus miles, domestic upgrade coupons, and the chance of a mileage upgrade. CO’s Australian service is limited to one CO Mike twice-weekly flight to the boonies of Cairns, over twelve hundred miles from Sydney. Air New Zealand’s excellent coach service gives the nod to UA.

Advantage—UA over AA in a squeaker

7. Airport Clubs—AA has the nicest clubs. And they have PC’s, not just ports...very handy if you don’t always take your laptop. UA has the most clubs. But CO has free booze...AA and UA don’t, except overseas. But if you have an RCC membership, you can use other * Alliance clubs internationally if you’re flying on that partner’s airline, even if you’re not flying BC. Oneworld doesn’t allow this, although AA and Qantas do have a separate club sharing agreement.

Advantage—UA and * Alliance if you fly a lot internationally...AA if you don’t drink and fly a lot domestically, CO if you do http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif



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"Read my lips! No more benefit cuts!"...Gordon Bethune

Don't forget with respect to AA, MRTC. That was a biggie for me in selecting my "next" airline.