Okay, I am not sure if this is the correct place to post this question, but here it goes.

I live in NY, and I am probably moving into another position that will require "50%" or so of travel... I dont know the specifics yet, but I would like to hear some input.

The travel would mainly be from JFK/LGA or EWR to Central and Midwest US.

I also fly at least once or twice a year home (GIG/GRU) and once a year to ZRH.

I have:

Delta 52.897
USAir 1.317
AA 29.983
UAL 150.000 (Premier Exec)(+-30 ytd)
CO 0 (Comped to " equiv.)
SwissAir 5.000

As well as my mileage plus card and DC (20K points...) and maybe some hotel points somewhere...

....I know that is still rather a vague question... but what airlines should I stick with in order to really have "hassle free" (spelling?) travel? in terms of choices, and upgrades...

Once I find out more, in the next two weeks... I will re-post.. or follow up with better ideas, but I just want to start thinking...

thanks and looking forward to start posting more often, since I've been reading the board since january but seldomly posting.

Red

Star Alliance and oneworld seem to keep one-upping each other, but I think over all, they're both similar. You'll probably find more diffences between two carriers in the same alliance than you would between the two alliances.

As far as upgrades go, I think the only airlines where there is consistent reciprocity is between Canadian Airlines (CP) and American Airlines (AA). CP and AA members can upgrade on either airline, using upgrades from either airline. Has worked very well for me, so far.

My experience with oneworld, in terms of hassel free travel, has been very good. Once in awhile, I won't get all the perks that I think I should get, but usually it seems to be related to the newness of the alliance. Others have also reported similar problems (i.e. CX giving preference to a CX 2nd tier member over a CP top tier member, contrary to the stated oneworld policies.)

Having said that, I think right now that oneworld is winning the ease of travel battle. But it's always subject to change.

Regards,

Ken Hamer

I fly both OneWorld and Star frequently. Both alliances do aid in the ease of travel but I find that Star is 'more' seamless than OneWorld (often TOO much).

Over the past 6-8 months I have been booking more and more flights on Star....

Red,

A large part of your decision will be based on which particular airports you are flying to (i.e. which airlines serve them) - it isn't much use belonging to a ff program, no matter how good it looks on paper, if it's difficult for you to accure mileage/status.

One thing I do notice is that you have separate accounts with Delta, Swissair and USAir - (for now) you can accrue DL miles on SR (or vice versa), and you can also get SR credit for flights on USAir. Doesn't AA have a cosy relationship with USAir too? No point in having orphan miles...

oneworld and Star are the dominant worldwide alliances, and you have a foot in each camp via your AA and UA memberships - not necessarily a bad thing. There are rumours that SR will be breaking its alliance with DL and will eventually join oneworld.

If all you want is upgrades and ease of travel, aiming at becoming/staying elite on one or more US-based airlines is probably the way to go (if you'd like to earn awards to particular/exotic destinations, you should alter your plans accordingly) - but regardless of the programs that you choose, you should do your best to focus your efforts. My choice of ff plans involves mostly foreign carriers, so I'll step aside and let the AA/UA/DL/CO and USAir champs slug it out...

baobab

PS - try to find out whether your employer has a particular preference (read: sweet deal) for one airline rather than another - this could affect things for you too...




[This message has been edited by baobab (edited 07-02-1999).]

If you want to leave from LGA, there isn't any major presence of any one airline.

At JFK however, there is American, TWA, Delta, and a little United, plus a low fare airline called Tower Air that flies all 747-400. (not exactly low-fare plane)

If you want to fly out of Newark and you want the most non-stops, you best option is Continental, as they operate their most profitable and second-busiest hub there. There is also a semi-strong presence of American and United, and some Delta.


If for some reason you are more concerned with FF programs than most non-stops and convenience, United and American are the main carriers of Star and oneworld, respectively, Delta partnered with United and most recently Air France, and Continental is partnered with Northwest, Virgin, Qantas, and others.

Since you will be flying a lot, the best elite level program is from Continental (they won the 1998 Freddie) due to unlimited free upgrades for even the lowest tier.

Personally, I would go with the airline that has the most convenient schedule with the most non-stops to the cities that you will be frequenting and then worry about the rewards later.

Thank all for the positive feedback.

Tute84: Tower no way... I know them and I rather stay away from them.

As I mentioned UAL and CO I have elite status (UA earned, and CO comped)

Ken: I have not used oneworld yet, specially because I have no elite there... I was going for the AA challenge program... but I gav e up and


Baobab: Good insight as well. my "orphan" miles were from years ago, when I was still a student and had "no idea" of ff programs.

However, after pan am went out of business, my miles went to delta, and I begun flying UA because I like them better than AA or RG for Brazilian flights.

Swissair is "new" to me, since I fly there once in a while and also use their MC partners.

As for "preffered airline" when I was working for Citibank, I "had" to fly AA, but I was able to get away and use a RG ticket flying UA.... and keeping my miles there.

Now, my situation will change, and I dont think the new employer has a policy on airline at all,...

again many thanks to all, and as soon as I know what my real plans will be and to where, I will post them...!!

Thank all for the positive feedback.

Tute84: Tower no way... I know them and I rather stay away from them.

As I mentioned UAL and CO I have elite status (UA earned, and CO comped)

Ken: I have not used oneworld yet, specially because I have no elite there... I was going for the AA challenge program... but I gav e up and


Baobab: Good insight as well. my "orphan" miles were from years ago, when I was still a student and had "no idea" of ff programs.

However, after pan am went out of business, my miles went to delta, and I begun flying UA because I like them better than AA or RG for Brazilian flights.

Swissair is "new" to me, since I fly there once in a while and also use their MC partners.

As for "preffered airline" when I was working for Citibank, I "had" to fly AA, but I was able to get away and use a RG ticket flying UA.... and keeping my miles there.

Now, my situation will change, and I dont think the new employer has a policy on airline at all,...

again many thanks to all, and as soon as I know what my real plans will be and to where, I will post them...!!

zap