nycflyer

I'm not versed in the in and outs of Fly America but it appears that codeshares aren't required for travel beyond Switzerland, unless the travel is DoD funded:

http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/con...ontentId=24833

Effective October 1, 2008, airlines of Switzerland shall have the right to transport passengers and cargo on scheduled and charter flights for which a U .S. Government civilian department, agency, or instrumentality:

1) Obtains the transportation for itself or in carrying out an arrangement under which payment is made by the Government or payment is made from amounts provided for the use of the Government...

Between any two points outside the United States . This Annex shall not apply to transportation obtained or funded by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of a military department.

Where are you seeing 300K? The *A upgrade awards table shows 30K for Eur-Africa upgrades from Y

http://www.united.com/ual/asset/SA_u...art_021110.pdf

jbatl

Please don't. I'm sure we can all take three guesses and probably nail at least two.

I agree with the general consensus that *A is the way to go. I did a status match to CO and have been really happy. CNBC is reporting that UA and CO could be ready to announce a merger as soon as Monday. Either way, you've got a ton of *A options to get you to NBO, and, looking long term, a combined UA/CO will be a pretty powerful US-flagged carrier.

Based on your spend, your experience may be different, but I tried a match to UA and they are only doing quasi-challenges which make you fly x-miles in x-months (for me, it was 3). Just mentioning that since you do stay in NBO for good lengths of time, and you'll want to plan a trip that's short enough to get all the miles you need if you want to do a UA match.

FWIW, I, too, would fly from DCA to ORD before I'd drive to IAD, but I guess it depends on where you live.

As for your 300k RDMs on DL, just redeem yourself a nice little SQ trip in J for the heck of it!

Erasmus

Not sure where you are reading that general consensus in this thread. *A is not going to get you there in upgraded seats while complying with Fly America unless you build up miles in M&M and US/UA/CO, as you'll need one currency to upgrade transatlantic (where FAA requires an American-marketed flight), and another for the Europe-Africa segment. Definitely not an efficient use of miles.

pbarnette

The 300k is for 30k x 10. The OP makes this flight routinely. 10x may be on the high side, but even if it is 5, then you are looking at 150k miles for the EU-Africa upgrades + close to 50k miles lost from the fact that the other airlines don't give 150% RDMs for full Y + roughly 25k miles because you earn a 125% bonus as a DM, vs 100% elsewhere. That means you are netting an additional 225k miles each year going with DL.

Since the OP says that the reason they want to switch is because they have 300k miles and having trouble using them, I fail to see how giving away roughly 200k miles per year for upgrades and lost earnings with another carrier makes any sense at all. Even if the OP has to redeem at higher rates with DL, they earn enough to cover that, and likely even a bit more. Since they are batting 100%, it seems, on upgrades, it really is a no-brainer to stay with DL.

Seriously, I wish my decision were this simple.

GBadger

If you think the Dutch are mean, then you don't understand the Dutch.
We're practical. We're to the point. We're generally pretty friendly. We're not really into "sugar-coating" however.

As far as your question goes, if you are looking to get to Africa from DCA, I agree with others that say that DL/KL/AF is your best option. You get better options with other airlines if you're willing to depart from IAD. If not, I would say that whatever DL has done has to be REALLY bad to switch.

DHAST

I can't figure out why IAD is out of the question, especially given the travel budget the OP has. Surely, surely, a cab to IAD has got to be a better option than an extra connection, and on an RJ to boot.

motytrah

I think the better question is why SkyMilesInsider doesn't PM the OP to get in contact. That's a ton of margin to let walk.

orlandodlplat

I'm thoroughly confused.

You say you're upgraded 100% of the time. You've had no problems using SWUs. You've run out of them, but you have 300K miles to use toward upgrades.

I've read through every post here and I can't figure out what you're complaining about. Except for the Dutch. You're complaining about them, but I'm not quite sure why.

motytrah

Based on the post below (emphasis mine):

I speculate the OP is in the position where revenue management didn't (recent flight) or won't (future flight) release inventory for a millage upgrade. CSRs generally aren't empowered to do anything in these situations but tell you to pound sand. Even though the Full-Y fare is likely fully refundable.

MikeMpls

I don't think she wants to be inconvenienced by anything, coach or a few extra minutes to reach IAD. When she nixed IAD, I figure her quest was hopeless.

wanaflyforless

+1

Doesn't want to spend 1 hour to get to IAD in order to remove 4 hours from travel time.

Sabai

Exactly.

I started doing DTW because it gave me 2k more miles and kept me off the KLM direct flight to AMS
I HATE KLM.
I love AF.
I am not unwilling to go to IAD...but I would prefer DCA even if I have to go thru Chicago.

What? No pony?

While I'm no friend of DL, she lost me at the crack about KLM and the Dutch.

Abidjan

OP! where are you? I'm into this novel now and want to get to the next page. Chapter 3 - "what in the heck did Delta do to you? and was the rep Dutch?"