"Program of choice" - MSP options?
 

I am reading in other threads about people asking for a status match as they decide to switch from DL to CO or whatever.

I always saw the choice of the airline/program as a no-choice. I mean, i lived in Zurich and I never thought about opting for something other than Miles and More. Now I am in Minneapolis and NW, now Delta seems like the only choice.

are those who talk about switching based in non-hub cities (so they have to connect anyway), or am I missing something?

What are the circumstances that might lead someone based in Minneapolis to select another program (assuming they are unhappy with DL SM)? If so, what are reasonable options out of MSP?

If this has already been covered in other threads please post the link, I didn't know what to search

Being around SFO/OAK, I have many options...UA/CO does look attractive, particularly because I can get VCAL/YCAL fares on UA...

It is hard when you're a hub captive to avoid the dominant airline. But some people do do it. It is difficult to beat having the option of multiple non-stop flights versus connecting every single time you travel. Just thinking about connections, UA (East: ORD, West: DEN), CO (CLE/EWR?, IAH), AA (ORD, DFW), it depends on where you're heading.

It really depends on the type of traveling you're doing. Domestically you're trapped pretty well. At least until WN expands. Internationally you have options. Let's face it, ex-MSP you going to be making a connection unless you're heading to a handful of cities.

The best option is connecting in ORD. There are a ton of flights between MSP-ORD. Operated by AA, UA and DL. Once in ORD there's a lot of options for international non-stops.

The biggest issue with this is you're connecting in ORD. It's a black hole of connections similar to ATL. Than again, a lot of international destinations now require ATL.

Start pricing out where you go out on the various airline sites, look at what makes sense in the pocket book.

Keep in mind that starting in Q2, CO and UA will have a good bit more reciprocity in their programs - upgrades, E+ seating, etc.

I've found Denver to be a good hub to use going West - not a ton of delays, easy to use. ORD is ORD and can be a blackhole at times, especially if going East out of here.

Many hub residents will tell you they have trouble reaching even the lowest tier of a program because they have at most 2 segs per week (just examples) etc. If you choose another airlines and are willing to connect most weeks then you will earn status at potentially twice the pace.

Delta still offers a 500-mile minimum to general members. For the other big legacy airlines (AA,CO,US, and UA) you have to attain status first before you get a 500-mile minimum on each flight. So your first taste of status might be the toughest to reach. If you are confident of lots of travel you should approach one of these carriers and propose a challenge. This might fast track you to status and then it will be easier (not easy, but easier) to maintain status and maybe even climb the status ladder.

MSP is quite north. With DL, if your travels take you all over the U.S. then you will have a good chance of exceeding 500-miles each trip (assuming you don't connect through DTW, MEM, etc). I would think that residents of MEM would have it the toughest since they are so centrally located. I have a relative that is lucky to get FO each year because each R/T usually gets him only 1000 MQMs or just slightly above that.

If you choose AA or UA you will be connecting through ORD a lot. If you choose CO expect to be all over the map with connections (IAH, CLE, & EWR). If you choose US you could earn your way to status FAST if you connect through PHX or CLT.... maybe even double connections MSP>PHL>CLT>??? (I'm not even sure if US has non-stops from MSP to PHX).

Good luck and report back what you decide.

I've been flying out of MSP for twelve years to places all over the lower 48. Every once and a while I look at other airlines but have not been able to come up with a good option because of the need to first go to another hub before going on to my destination in most cases. This increases travel time, chances of a mis-connect, and it is not always cheaper. Non-stop is pretty important to me, but if I do have to connect DTW is a very good option.

Delta is very rough around the edges right now but is still the best choice for me out of MSP (My other option per company policy would be USAir). I don't set my standards high, pack light, can sleep on the plane, and grin and bear it. When I move from Minnesota, I'll start over and determine who I fly by what is most convenient for me at my new location.

Delta should be concerned, however, because when I commit allegiance to a particular brand bad things seem to happen (TI Home Computers, Kodak instant cameras, Saturn cars, Northwest airlines....:p)

Cheers,
Pogopossum

I status matched into Alaska, the majority of my flying is still NW/DL, I just outsourced the mileage program. :D I am still in the honeymoon period but have nothing but praise.

AA options are back on the table as there is a 500 minimum and elite bonus when crediting to AS and I am not splitting my EQMs. Upgrades are of minimal importance with my travel habits. Being #27 on the list as a FO and not being on the list at all are equal in my mind. Reciprical DL upgrades come this spring so that is just icing in the cake. Biggest negative I can see is being subject to baggage fees.

FO versus AS MVP, MVP wins hands down.
GM vs MVPG, depends on what you want out of a program.

thanks for the inputs.

it seems that DL is realistically the most reasonable option for me, all considered.

I travel primarily domestically, mainly Central and East US (very seldom West). When I travel for business I could pick a 1-stop option, which would make other airlines a viable option, but when I travel for leisure my wife really wants the non-stop option if available, so Delta has a definite advantage here.

I managed to get 2010 GM status this past year with a couple of international trips, and I have to say that I did like being able to arrive directly to MSP from either AMS or CDG - I think connecting in a European airport and arriving stateside directly at your final destination is a plus.

I haven't had a really bad experience with DL yet (should probably shut up:)), so what is scaring me is all the talk about unusability of skymiles with Delta. I recently scored four 25k award tickets on the same flight, so my experience is actually good, but this is for a trip in May so pretty far in advance.

may I ask you what are the benefits of using Alaska's program vs. Delta? is it miles redeemability?

I was status matched to CO out of MSP. Although I HATE DL for about 10,000 reasons I am sadly going back to them. I just don't want to fly the CRJ's to all the connections prior to going TATL. I wish DL would improve and be half as good as NW was, but my hopes are not high.

That's a question only answered anecdotally. Since you (or your wife!) place a priority on non-stops, try the objective test of listing all of Alaska Air's destinations (+ partners other than Delta) served non-stop from MSP. They can be counted on the fingers of one hand, in contrast to Delta's 100+.

That's my biggest thing against CO out of MSP. As a pure leisure flyer, I don't mind backtracking via CLE to go to the West Coast (and get the upgrade from CLE), but for TATLs, it means ERJs (unless I'm doing a good MR and taking the 630a MSP-IAH flight, then flying to EWR, then to Europe).

Good thread! Bulk of my miles are TATL. I switched to CO last year but most recent flights (all domestic) have been back on DL simply for routing. I'm taking a bit of wait and see at this point. I'm not very happy with DL and the long list of downgrades we've had to endure compared to NW who was fairly customer friendly. The one thing that would keep me flying Skyteam is if DL can fix it's IT issues so that I can reliably book KLM/AF Y+ or if DL adds Y+ to their TATL flights. Otherwise CO will be getting at least all of my TATL biz.

BTW, as immature as it may sound, all else being equal (or even slightly favoring DL) I'll fly anyone but DL simply to take biz away from them. I don't like the way they run their company and I particularly don't like their lack of integrity with communications.

www.suncountry.com
 

The worlds smallest airline, with the biggest heart.

Very few destinations, however, world class service. Just flew MSP-LAS on a very cheap Y ticket, paid $99 to upgrade to first class. Meal served in three courses: cheese and crackers, turkey dinner with all the fixins, and turtle cheesecake for dessert. Yum.

I do find it kind of funny how people often tout maximizing mileage for a trip, then balk when they have to/want to make a connection. Seems like you can't have your cake and eat it too :).

At this point I am waiting it out with DL this year, though I have used at least one other airline recently.

Unfortunately Sun Country and WN don't serve the cities I need to fly to, nor fly internationally. I look forward to the other MSP-ers comments who are hub captive. Seems like the following are staying:

fti
mnredfox
mersk862
MikeMpls (jk, I think you are a CO/WN kool-aid drinker now! :D)
and...?

Well, if you're like the poster you're referring to, I'd say he decided that as long as he's going to be near the bottom of the upgrade list anyway, as either an FO or AS elite, 25% extra RDM (AS MVP gets 50% bonus, DL FO gets 25%) and the ability to redeem on AA/BA/QF/CX/FJ (as well as the ability to earn full EQM on AA) was worth "outsourcing" the mileage plan and losing baggage fee waivers on DL.

At the GM/MVPG level, though, I'd think this was a tougher call, especially with a large chunk of flying on DL.

I go out of my way to maximize miles with connections when time permits (which is the only way I can maintain PM), but for me it's usually DL non-stop and get home today or OAL connecting and get home tomorrow. The airline that flies the last flight of the day that gets me back to MSP usually wins and that's almost always going to be DL (except for next week when I'm on my first ever WN flight).

you are right, most people would like to have both options (me included). in MSP the consensus seems to be: stay with Delta. Today I guess it's the only airline out of MSP which gives you non-stop options and/or allows you to be creative with 2-stop East-West combinations...or you can sometimes mix and match, one way go for mileage, return go for convenience.

my original question was really sparked by all the complaints on miles redeemability and (supposedly) bad customer service.

For now I am staying with DL for paid tickets, basically to milk DL of all the benefits. But my travel is slowing down and I will probably only get GM status this year. I will probably do a status match to another airline before end of the year.

Right now all my credit card miles are going to AA, AS and AmEx (which will probably end up with CO). I am already flying other airlines more - used F9 last month and am using AS to Alaska this June. Fortunately you can fly to a lot of different cities non-stop from MSP without using DL. *A is especially attractive - ORD, DEN, IAH, CLT, PHL, EWR, PHX, and probably other cities are all available with *A non stop from MSP.

SFO & CLE, for two.