US News/World Report Best/Worst Airline/Hotel Programs
Aug 4, 2015, 10:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: SJU
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 152
US News/World Report Best/Worst Airline/Hotel Programs
Aug 4, 2015, 10:47 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
Programs: United1K, AA ExPlAAt, DL MM/Gold, Hilton Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 13,316
Redemption rates have got ridiculous. I am a DM with them and have moved almost 100% to MR because I can get really good deals still. Sucks because I have been a HH guy for many years but when it takes 35k for a night in a Hampton or Homewood I have to look to MR. 15K gets a night in a Springfield suites with a rather nice breakfast...
Aug 4, 2015, 10:52 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: YTO/DEL/BOM/GAU
Programs: A few airlines, hotel programs and car rentals
Posts: 1,238
Delta....totally agree! A little surprised about HH and SPG though.
I think HH still has a pretty strong mid-tier program (Gold) - free upgrades to club level/breakfast and the points as gift. Just my 2 cents.
SPG, I like their program. Pretty easy to earn and retain their Plat status. But, YMMV ofcourse!
I think HH still has a pretty strong mid-tier program (Gold) - free upgrades to club level/breakfast and the points as gift. Just my 2 cents.
SPG, I like their program. Pretty easy to earn and retain their Plat status. But, YMMV ofcourse!
Aug 4, 2015, 11:08 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, Hertz Prez Circle, National Exec
Posts: 1,357
But... But... the Delta corporate shill accounts have been assuring me that all these changes were for my own good and really have been making the program better!
Aug 4, 2015, 11:27 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Silver, BA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 9,779
A couple thoughts...
1) No way is TrueBlue the 4th best reward program in the US.
2) The hotel rankings are kind of funny because they don't seem to take into account the actual value you receive. I mean, I value a free night in a Best Western at something less than $0.
1) No way is TrueBlue the 4th best reward program in the US.
2) The hotel rankings are kind of funny because they don't seem to take into account the actual value you receive. I mean, I value a free night in a Best Western at something less than $0.
Aug 4, 2015, 11:32 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SE USA
Programs: DL DM/MM , IHG Plat, MR Titanium, HH Gold, EK Frequent Kettle, UA Silver, AA Hater
Posts: 2,020
Marriott being #1 invalidates the whole survey IMO.
I view Marriott and DL the same way; great product with devalued program.
I view Marriott and DL the same way; great product with devalued program.
Aug 4, 2015, 3:37 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: US-Europe
Programs: DL DM Charter/2.5MM, AA EXP, Marriott AMB, LT Titanium, HH Diamond, Avis PP, National Exec-E
Posts: 529
I feel the same way about WN and I guess that it is a matter of perspective. It is great if you don't mind cattle class all the way and want to go to BFE, but if you want a real vacation... they don't fly there.
Aug 4, 2015, 3:55 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Seattle
Programs: Delta DM; *A FO. UG since(1/1/15): 11/14
Posts: 683
The people it may affect are the one-off travelers that might consider one brand over the other, but in the end it will be $$ that mostly determines their choices.
Last edited by Ben and Jerry; Aug 4, 2015 at 4:31 pm
Aug 4, 2015, 4:30 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Silver, BA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 9,779
But B6? You don't really have aspirational awards aside from MINT. Your redemption value is basically capped at around a penny and a half. But the real kick in the groin with B6 is that Mosaic doesn't even give you free Even More Space.
Aug 4, 2015, 4:55 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,880
DL might have a poor loyalty program compared to other airlines, but honestly, this doesn't really bother me. At the end of the day, Delta has the best, most reliable product of the majors. As long as I get what I pay for, I'm happy. Anything else is just gravy.