Often1

I don't think that either UA or DL use "elite" ranges to define HVC's. Indeed, both carriers focus their real marketing on large corporate contracts and dangle awards and the bits and pieces of perks as further inducements.

In the end, it's not about spend, but net revenue and high volume corporate international travel in premium cabins is the name of the game.

The real problem the carriers face is what to do to keep the loyalty of the regular international premium traveler. Lounge, upgrades, priority boarding and all that stuff really don't matter because that's what you get for buying the premium ticket. Even stuff like pickup in a fancy car doesn't count for that much.

virtuo0

I am a US CP and flying Delta since last 5 weeks. Delta status matched me to Platinum. I was initially happy (for a week...), Later I found out that I WON'T get platinum bonus miles, which i consider the only real benefit for me with the status. Delta - No one way awards, high redemption rates, fuel surcharges on partner awards...the list goes on. UA may not be a great program .....but Delta no better.

I am traveling between BOS - MSP and paying $1100 for round trip and the fare class is Discounted economy. I am always # 10 - # 20 on the upgrade list when only 2 seats are remaining.

One last thought: I found Delta employees to be extremely friendly and nice. In my opinion they are the best. Management is a bunch of A-holes.

javabytes

Why aren't you getting Platinum bonus miles?

virtuo0

That's the policy. I emailed and called. If you are status matched you won't get the bonus. When I said the bonus is the only real tangible benefit with the status and without it the status is useless, CSR said then why bother complete the platinum challenge, don't do it.

frontrangeFF

Agree with the previous poster who stated you need to spend upwards of $30K on United to get their attention, and that figure has gone down the last couple of years.

Often1

That may be for individuals. But, UA also pays a great deal of attention to the people who actually control corporate contracts. Those people may fly infrequently and never actually earn status, but they are not only GS, but flagged for special treatment as well.

Same thing as the CEO's spouse. The CEO may fly in paid F, but you can bet that UA will find the spouse a seat too.

Beckles

Two other advantages for Delta I would think may be applicable to you are rollover elite miles, which in the long run would likely benefit a traveler with your flight patterns (i.e., you'll end up with higher status from those extra miles every other year or so), and you can earn a significant amount of elite mileage with Delta Reserve Cards, up to 30k elite miles per year per card (15k elite miles for each 30k in spend, you can easily get two cards) and also a waiver of the dollar requirements from spend (though that wouldn't matter for you it sounds like).

javabytes

Is that just for the challenge period? Once you're qualifying normally, you'd certainly have to receive the bonus, no?