considering delta as next award program
 

I'm based out of the LA area, I tend to fly out often from one of the 3 airports near by LAX, LGB, SNA. always checking SNA first since its closer to me. I've reached Elite status on through Turkish airlines giving the equivalent of *Gold.

I'm looking to start with a new program something based out of the US.I've heard good things about delta, at least that its better than AA in most cases.

I was wondering what is the feedback from the folks here that use delta. what would be my chances of upgrade what kind of service to expect in eco.

for the next 12 weeks I should be flying out from one of these airports out to the east and my company can help me establish a challenge.

Depends where you are flying... however LAX and SNA routes especially through ATL are extremely difficult for upgrades, even for a Diamond.

Y service is typical of what you get on other airlines these days... cramped seats and a beverage service soda/juice/water. You get a choice of a 'snack' like peanuts or biscoff cookies. Anything else you have to pay for. Economy plus you get a few inches of extra legroom, but otherwise the same service.

Generally I've found that Delta flight attendants are nicer than average compared to other airlines.

My $.02. Keep in mind that DL has the worst FF award redemption on the planet, there are probably billions of SkyMiles competing for not that many available seats. As a PM and now DM my upgrade % has been good, GM not so much, and SM/FO, almost never. No real issues with DL FAs, but I have had to deal with more than one unpleasant or even nasty DL GA. YMMV.

Being based out of the greater LA area, you'd be well-positioned for some of the better/easier SkyMiles redemptions--namely, VA to SYD/BNE and CZ A380 to CAN and on to Asia/Australia/New Zealand.

LAX/SNA are pretty difficult DL markets--when I was a GM, I found I was able to snag upgrades on the SNA-ATL redeye here or there (which now does not exist in the Winter 2012/13 schedule), but it wasn't until I became a PM that the upgrades got much more plentiful. If you're going to be flying to the east, I wouldn't expect so many upgrades from SNA-ATL until hitting the PM level. However, if you can fly LAX-CVG/MEM through to your final destination, you should have much better luck as a lower level medallion flyer.

However, in Y, the craft from LAX and SNA are among the nicer experiences. Most of the planes doing transcons from LAX or SNA have AVOD, and some internationally-equipped planes fly from LAX at times. The internationally equipped routes are nice, except if you need to use Wi-Fi (which I often did).

I've found DL FAs very friendly, but ticketing/gate agents at LAX are very hit or miss.

That is not true. Please, provide accurate information when you describe the FF program.

DL skymiles are actually very easy to redeem on domestic flights, plus you automatically qualify for complimentary upgrades now for award travel. DL is indeed the worst when it comes to TPAC low award redemption and not so bad with TATL redemption.