I may be posting this in the wrong place (I'm new!) but I will be writing an article about frequent flier programs and I need your help.

Out of the major American carriers that fly domestic and international, which ones have the best frequent flier programs? The choices are AA, Delta, Continental, United, and US Airways. Everything will be anonymous (I will credit it as the members of Flyer Talk) so feel free to blab on.

Also, feel free to share what you hate about certain FF programs (i.e. Delta charging 2,000,000 miles to fly from ATL-ORD in economy on a Wednesday in January.)

Thanks!

Two comments:

1. There is no such thing as the "best" frequent flyer program, any more than there is the "best" automobile, significant other, or dinner menu. It depends on your travel patterns, your budget (some programs reward high spenders much more than bargain-hunters, with others the differences are smaller) what you want in terms of rewards, and more.

2. You're not the first writer to have asked for FTers' help. Those who have gotten the most cooperation have given their real names, have identified the publication they work for where possible, and if they free-lance have pointed us at previous travel-related articles they've written. If you could do the same, it will make a big difference in how people respond.

Thank you. I realized my error with the "best" part and I deleted it from the title but I left it in the body. Air travelers have varying needs depending upon the reason for their travel so you are 100% right.

My info (and the link going straight to the site) is on my profile. It has my name, picture, etc. The publication is very small and only online.

Welcome to Flyertalk.

I suggest you approach this project differently. Use FlyerTalk's Search tools to see what people have already written and ask questions in the existing threads if you need clarification or more focus.

For example, here is a recent thread which posed almost exactly the same question:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...m-airline.html

Here is one which came at it from the opposite end:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...ard-seats.html

I am one of the few that like Delta but that's probably cause i live in SLC and used to live in ATL.

Like the previous comments have said collect information from the threads that are already started instead of starting another one. It's easier on you and it's easier so that we son't have to right the same thing on several different threads.

Icy, I'm another that likes Delta. Connections from SJC through SLC are brisk and efficient. I'll take a connection through SLC in a minute rather than a non-stop from SFO.

Yeah the SLC airport is pretty efficient as most of the flights with DL are in one concourse. Unless it's a flight from DEN or LAS.

How are the Skymiles working for you? I have heard people refer to them as Skypesos . Delta is great out of ATL, but their mileage levels are high compared with the other airlines.

Yeah thats really what they are. I'm not too concerned as I never really spend them (i give them to family members who don't fly a lot to help them get a free ticket). If you live near an airport that Delta mainly fly's from, not necessarily a hub, (Denver and San Fransisco) but one where they have more flights than any other carrier they're great but if you live by an airport where they only have a few flights a day then you might not want to chose Delta (Dallas and Seattle). Choose the one that is based near you or that you fly the most or what the hell get multiple memberships.

and for every one who likes dl there are a bunch who hate it so my point while not to rip the poster here but to really say is every program has something that makes it better for those who join and use it to obtain elite status as oppose to let it just sit

Very True...I wish everyone saw it like this. ^^^

I've done very well with US Airways in redeeming partner awards to Europe in Business and First Class. I scored great tickets after the 50% points transfer bonus from Starwood points, using 140,000 points to get 262,500 Dividend Miles and two FC tickets - NY to Venice on Swiss and Athens to NY on Lufthansa this summer. Also used their 100% miles purchase bonus to get 2 Business Class tickets for friends on the same itinerary for a total price of $1,100 per ticket.

Both carriers have great availability and US Air makes it easy.