My last domestic mainline fight on CO was in February 2005 and I have not looked back.

I have occasionally flown CO since then, all CO EX or international, only based on fare & schedule, not on any notion of "loyalty."

Living in Brooklyn, my carrier of choice is JetBlue, which has gone through a few changes of its own, but its value is perfect for me.

Although hardly the least expensive choice any more, JetBlue has wonderful comfort (32-33" in the E-190's and 34" on the A-320's). For a few extra $$$ I can always secure a seat on either a/c with 38" of pitch, the same legroom as in domestic FC on CO.

I recently flew JFK-LAS for $249 roundtrip and upgraded myself to 38" seat pitch for $60, for a total cost of $309.

First bag is still free, LiveTV is free (unlike on CO where, once installed, jetBlue-provided LiveTV will cost $$$). Food and drinks are also still free (although there is admittedly no hot food).

There is no elite status, but so what? There is no need, since the cost per mile of attaining elite status on CO is not worth it, especially when one factors in the discomfort of CO's tight coach cabin (31" seat pitch).

J.Edward mentioned about those infamous blue carpets as one of the few remaining, tangible benefits of elite status on CO, but if you're flying out of EWR, there are many flights where many more pax will board on the elite line than on the peon line. And since boarding on the elite line is not by row or zone number, it is a pretty unpleasant free for all.

Finally, most out there seem deeply critical of JetBlue's beautifully simple frequent flyer program. But what could be better? I fly 4 transcon round trips, add two points from my Amex JetBlue card and I have an award ticket. I have always found inventory easily available, unlike CO, where the ff program is profoundly feature-laden but actual awards are as close to impossible to find as I have found in any program.

Since 2005, I have flown virtually every domestic carrier (AA, DL, NW, SW, UA, US) and, frankly, I have found them to be pretty indistinguishable. Probably my best experiences, on the whole, on a legacy carrier, have been on UA, thanks to E+.

All carriers are operating in a very challenging environment, no question, but it is truly stunning how willing and relentless Larry Lorenzo, er Kellner, is determined to wipe away any benefit of customer loyalty.

For a good long time, I was based in NJ and flew from EWR weekly and while Ops was not perfect it was not horrendous either. My perception is that PHL has far worse ops than EWR does, but that is my Perception and may not be reality.

Dan

However, your reward travel options are limited. Most folks here on FT use their miles for major BC international trips - and you need to be in the FF program of a major carrier, like CO, for that.

I do not think LH partial owership of JetBlue has resulted in anything - FF wise.

Agreed 100%. Interestingly, I do at least as much international travel as domestic, if not more.

This year, I have flown to Paris three times, Ostersund, Sweden, Beijing, and Sydney, all in business class, except Sweden.

First, I have found that, even with CO's extensive international network, one can't expect to fly just one airline (or even one alliance) to cover a varied network of destinations.

But more significantly, I found time and again that it was virtually impossible to book international award travel on CO (most of my trips are business trips with no flexibility on dates).

As a result, I buy my tickets, always the best deal, regardless of miles. I am a frequent traveler to Paris where I have discovered the fabulous L'Avion (now part of the equally fabulous OpenSkies) where I have regularly flown business class NYC-Paris for just slightly over $1k.

Flying to Sydney, I went Etihad in Pearl Class, NYC-Abu Dhabi-Sydney for $4k (purchased from a consolidator).

Nothing in OP could possibly equal those values, especially not when awards are virtually non-existent.

With regards to rewards, I really do not have many issues with trying to redeem rewards if I am willing to start out in EWR or IAH.

I find that once I add in an intermediate city (my home city, PBI for example), things get more complicated and I openly admit that can be annoying.

Before heading over here, I was reading an article about UA admitting that they are filtering STARNET rewards on their Star Alliance partners. I have not found that CO is stingy with or hiding rewards on themselves or their partners.

Again, my perception and may not be reality for other FF, but this is one area that I really cannot complain.

Dan

CO to NW or DL. ? CO flight credit to NW or DL. Thanks.
 

I like CO. But being in SMF my only option is to IAH. It is a struggle to maintain Plat.. Now with CO joining the StarAlliance it is just not worth it. I have top UA status and consider that my StarAlliance access. I have two remaining reservations on CO. I also have enough points to upgrade them right now. Can I upgrade my flights using CO points and then have my NW or DL account number put on the reservations so I get credit on them towards getting status? Thoughts? Thanks.

Yes, but not due to Onepass changes. Onepass is still a good program and generous with upgrades. For me its the trend toward RJs. I travel 90+ segements per year from CLE to BWI or DCA, and have commuted this route for many years. The recent switch to RJs at BWI, and DCA some time ago, is unfortunate. Its not just that it renders Plat status useless, but I find them cramped and unpleasant in bad weather. I fly on my own dime and am looking for other options. WN (which as a bonus has no change fees for regular tix) is looking like a solid option.

BWI-CLE has had only one mainline flight per day for nearly four years. It is only within the last couple of months that it has gone to RJs only.

"NO..Im staying with CO..they could have changed alot more,I really think they didnt want to have to make any changes but market conditions dictate..CO is the best out there..and you know it.."

Denial much? I think you have abused spouse syndrome. CO only screws you over because it loves you. Market conditions do not dictate screwing over elites. Sorry, they just don't.

In terms of the OP's comment, I've changed to Alaska's program. For flying 75kEQM, I'll get 200k points that I can redeem on Air France, Continental, Delta, Cathay Pacific, Northwest, Korean Air, Quantas, British Airways and American Airlines. I get premium seating on Delta/NW flights and upgrades as well. I get upgraded almost always on AS flights. Plus, I can fly on AS, CO, DL, NW and AA domestically get miles.

Sick of CO screwing me over for:
Flights booked on corporate travel sites
Reward redemption fees

Their program is one a way trip straight down to UA's level. The sad part is this forum is full of apologetic people with misplaced loyalty who gleefully go along with a program that continually gets worse.

CO's "generosity" with upgrades is HIGHLY dependent on what routes you fly.

For me, out of SFO, CO made sense when I was getting upgraded most of the time as a plat. The past two years I've been doing terribly for upgrades, and often when I get them its because I'm flying at times that are inconvenient to get a better shot.

With UA 1K I've gotten every upgrade I've asked for.

In my experience, the only flight out of SFO on which I reliably could get upgraded during the past three years was the CLE redeye. Now that the redeye is gone, it is well nigh impossible. Now, I either y-up/pay for F or use SJC.

I'm waiting to see how the agreement works with the clubs, there is no matching benefits between the two and if CO goes down the route of UA I will not re-new the PC and re-think my airline of choice. I'm at 780,000 lifetime miles with CO but they don't seem to take take into account times how many elites.

I already jumped ship to DL.

We'll see what happens with the whole CO/UA/*A thing. Now, what to do with all my CO miles? (More than half a million, ugh!)

That should not be a problem that I know of.

I'll be glad to spend them for you. ;)