Need advice - Best FF program - based out of ATL
 

Hello to All Flyertalk gurus!!!

I am new to this forum and have been reading all stickies and articles by Randy other FF gurus, on several websites for a few weeks now, before I am posting this mesg..

Following is my background.
1) I am going to be based out of Atlanta and ATL is gonna be my base airport.
2) I will be travelling mostly every week M-Th to various parts in US. Will try my best to stick with one hotel chain. Preferably SPG but they are not many of those, so would be Mariott/Hilton as well.
3) Every year/18 months, once I will be having one trip to India
4) I intend to use the points from different programs for pleasure travel to Egypt, Hawaii, Europe, Egypt & Latin America (mainly Brazil, Argentina). Mostly will be visiting these places with my Wife.

Following are my questions
1) Which airline should I chose at my Base FF program -
Delta OR Alaska (since points on it can be transferred across *A & OW) OR any other suggestion?

In several interviews/programs, Randy and other FF gurus have said that, it is NOT necessary to chose the airline having a hub at your base to be your FF. I read this advice in one of the recent ones.

2) Accordingly, is it worth going for a Credit card associated with my FF? Will the annual fee associated with it, make up for the benefits?

3) If SPG hotel is not available, which one should be the next preference?Mariott OR Hilton or ICH? I read forums on all 3 of those and not able to figure which one to prefer?

Thanks in Advance for all your suggestions.

As an Unguru, but with lots of personal opinions, ...

What is more important
Domestic Upgrades - then DL for now, but soon you will have reciprocity with AS
US, UA and CO also have free upgrades now
AA does not.

Using the miles -
c/w DL, AS wins with BA and AA for trips to India. BUT the *A coverage is just too good.
Look at CO - can go to India as well and can get credits for flights on UA, US as well.

Always go for credit card with program At least apply once to get the bonus miles.
Long term get an Amex SPG plus a free Hilton Honors Amex and 1 vi/MC for the airline.
Just RDMs (redeemable miles) go with AA /AS, but no boost to elite status
Boost elite status, DL Amex 30k miles/yr, US MC 10k / yr or Chase CO/UA visas upto 15/yr I think.
If you can get a personal and a Biz card, that will raise it further for DL and US.

Cheapest hotel if you are paying; SPG if your employer is. You really need 2 to cover the US properly.

Don't choose DL, the are plenty of horror stories about how difficult it is to redeem awards. I'd say go with AS, if are particular about flying DL. If you are not bothered by connecting flights star is the best (CO).

Welcome to Flyertalk.

There is confusion.

Miles earned in Alaska Mileage Plan cannot be transferred to any other program. With very few exceptions, frequent flyer programs do not permit outbound transfers.

Miles earned in Alaska Mileage Plan can be redeemed for travel on partner airlines listed below, but none of these are members of Star Alliance. Some belong to OneWorld, and others belong to SkyTeam, but the miles can only be redeemed for travel on these airlines:

http://www.alaskaair.com/as/mileagep...rs_Airline.asp

Also one cannot mix partners so you can't go to EU on BA and return on AF. You can use AS till a partner gateway.

You will be travelling every week so choose the airline that you like best and ignore the ff plan in deciding. You will be so tired that you must choose the best airline or one with the best schedule. Often, this may be Delta since you are in Atlanta.

I am no longer a slave to ff programs!

Sometimes, 2 airlines will have similar schedules. If so, prioritize your airlines. You might choose Delta if you fly Delta more. You might start getting upgrades if you fly often enough.

The Alaska program is the best for infrequent travellers who don't fly enough to qualify for elite levels. With Alaska, American and Delta flights can get credit. Eventually, I plan to have only 2 ff plans, Alaska and Continental. However, for the next several years, I'll participate in several.