Start crediting flights to AS instead?
 

Given the potential for continued devaluation of Skymiles, I'd appreciate everyone's thoughts on crediting future 2015 flights to Alaska instead. Unfortunately I am hub captive in MSP and require most travel to be direct flights forcing me to remain a Delta flyer. That said I am fortunate to do all my travel in paid G, A, or F and delta has a good first class product.

As a diamond medallion for 2015 aside from the choice benefits I've already selected and same day change benefits I don't see what I'd be losing leaving Skymiles for Alaska. I haven't done the math but assume I earn the max points per dollar with my status and average fare of $800 rt all to either coast.

Overall would appreciate any insights and experiences others have with this to better estimate the expected impact to my mileage earning, differences in being a top Alaska mileage member on delta metal vs diamond and the redemption experiences you may have had or heard of using Alaska miles for partner metal domestic and international. Like everyone looking for best option to max points and free travel. Thanks.

Isn't Alask a and Delta reducing the elite benefits for each other? and earning rates?

Yes, but Alaska miles are a lot better in terms of award availability.

I would recommend the OP look at the Alaska program through it's website, not through a blog, as the redemptions stated on these blogs are always either Emirates first class or the no-longer possible Cathay route to Johannesburg. Alaska miles don't necessarily work for everyone, although they are better than Skymiles.

Make sure to do the math on a few representative tickets. If you'll earn the same or more miles through the AS program, even with the reduced earning charts - by all means, go for it if you don't care about Comfort+ seating.

A couple random thoughts:

- AS will eventually end their partnership with DL. I believe the rumored contract end date I last heard was 2016, and I'd be shocked if it gets renewed given the current tensions: it wouldn't surprise me if both airlines announce the partnership end game later this year.

- AS miles expire after two years, so you need to pay attention to keeping them active.

- MVP Gold status is not very helpful when flying DL metal - most of the benefits have been reduced as part of the breakup, and they were never very high on the food chain to begin with. If you care about Comfort+ - particularly for international flights - this could be the dealbreaker.

- AS has some great partners you can earn on if you travel internationally; it's a great opportunity to broaden your horizons. The best way to combat DL program devaluations is to start giving your money to competitors with a better onboard product, and AS makes that an easy proposition... hi Cathay and Emirates.

Even with being essentially a nobody on AS these days with DL status (not even a free checked bag!), I've started booking AS flights when possible to get the higher mileage credit vs. an equivalently priced DL flight. Anything they fly is short enough where I don't really need the upgrade, and I really like their onboard catering (Tom Douglas meals and local Seattle booze from Sun Liquor distillery) and seating (fortunately DL still grants you preferred seating) in Y. The occasional upgrade is just a bonus if it happens.

Long story short I'm still crediting to DL, but I've been dabbling in flying the Eskimo, and I'm only a few more devaluations away from AS making sense as my primary program someday...

not knowing your travel patterns, the fact that you're based in SEA lends more credence to this

I've been in the "other" Washington for far too long; moving back home in a couple months, but will continue to be bi-coastal for work (probably 2 WAS<-->SEA round-trips per month, plus a couple leisure trips during the year) ... I ended 2014 as PM with 40K rollover, and since most of the moving expenses are going on AmEx another year of PM is a cinch (I typically buy G/A on the TCONs, and whenever possible SDC to the 757s over JFK); the plan is to status match to 75K or whatever AS will offer in the fall so as to have high status on both throughout 2016

the real driver for me, I think, is the ability to change award tix for free (72 hr window notwithstanding); even with SkyTeam constraints, some of the DownUnder options are pretty appealing ways to burn some of my 600K stash

Good point re: award tickets. MVP Gold comes with award ticket fee waivers, but it appears to be only for the elite member - less generous than Delta's version, which applies to any tickets redeemed from the elite member's account. It could be worth holding on to PM or higher Delta status long enough to burn through your mileage stash.

In my case, I've got a honeymoon and destination wedding coming up this year, so I've managed to work the stash down from ~800k to ~250k thanks to a bunch of AS/KE combination tickets. I should have enough rollover to give me diamond through 2016, which I think should allow me to burn through the rest.

And as a longhaul international coach passenger ex-SEA, it's not like I'm earning nearly as much this year from flying (although all those wedding expenses should come with a pretty generous Amex reward :D)