Not true. United's *A partners deserve the blame here.

I completely agree with pinniped here. I just signed up with WN this last year because they were the only ones offering direct flights between a city pair, and so far I'm very very satisfied with them. I do realize that this program is not for everyone; but for those of us who want/need to fly where WN flies, this program in outstanding in terms of operational efficiency.

Just a note that the co-pay mentioned above is only on international upgrades, not on domestic upgrades.

AA posted shopping points for me with no prodding - it does take 30 to 60 days.

I have found that most programs will credit flying fairly quickly, a day or two. I have also found that partners tend to be the ones that give any FFP issues on crediting of miles. Some times patience is warranted, but if I do not see a credit within four weeks I am going to call the partner then the FFP.

I have been happy with both US and AA for getting awards when I wanted them. Both have reps that will try to work out what you want when you want it. Not necessarily the most direct route, but they will get you there.

I am still suspicous with CO. You can get awards if you get the right rep on the phone, but many times they cannot get anything close to what you want, even with their many partners.

I am also one who refuses to fly WN at all due to two horror stories both with very poor endings. Maybe I am too high maintenance.

It's much smaller, but I'll say that DH (Independence Air) has a very straightforward one as well. One point per dollar spent on a ticket (there's a 2 points/$ promo right now), and 1500 points gets you a r/t in any available seat. It's basically the same as Southwest, but credits dollars instead of one-way trips.

Except for the aborted attempt to issue 0 EQM for cheap tickets, the US program has been pretty good to me. I only think once did I have to bug them about a promo not posting, and that was actually something I did wrong signing up for it. All of my flight miles and bonuses generally posted within two days, though I know others have had problems with them. I redeemed 11 award tickets for self and friends last year and didn't have problems with any of those (I did use the "rulebuster" option on a few because of the Sat night stay rule).

WN is the most honest in my books .. not that I fly them :)
CO Nonepass is the worst most deceptive program ever

I have used AA, UA, NW, CO, DL and US over the past year or two. NW by far for the most awards. Generally only one on the others, except maybe two on DL. I think they all tend to follow their rules, the only problem is knowing all the finer details of their rules. You can not read them anywhere, you call one agent and get one answer and call another one and get another. So I won't rate them on honesty, but I will rate them on Customer Friendliness and ease of earning/reedeming.

I think DL and NW take the cake on ease of earning. I have used 60,000 miles of award tickets (1 coach redeemed on NW and 1 F reedemed on DL) and have 25,000 left and never had flew a DL paid fare, nor did I ever have any points credited to them from other flights. ALL DL points came from AM EX, Dining for miles, car and/or hotel rental etc, but the lions share from the DL Am EX and Dash to the Gate type things. NW also runs many many promos which generally post as described. A few times I have had to call and they get it straightened out quickly.

I just started flying US last year, and they seem to either post and/or fix them very quickly. With 3 flights I have enough miles for a free ticket. I got a bump voucher also (which comes out of award availability) and it was very easy to use.

AA booked online for a friends trip, no problems.

UA, I flew it, my parents booked it, no problems I know of.

I love that NW does not charge any fees for booking up to almost departure (I think you can book up to 4 or maybe 6 hours before departure) on Award Tickets. HATE that DL and CO charge you up to a $75.00 adminstrative fee if you book 14 days or less. THAT could come very close to being dishonest, since it takes no more work to book an e-ticket for a flight 5 days or 1 day from now than it does to book one 30 days or more from now.

CO is always quick to say something like, oh, we have no standard availability how about EasyPass (or whatever they call it) for twice as many miles? That galls me!

I respectfully nominate... HP.

<ducks>

Seriously though, all my flight credit has posted within 36-48 hours, never a problem, all bonuses due to flying posted appropriately within 3 days. Elite upgrades (as a lowly silver, then a gold) were plenty, and forthcoming.

It may be a bit no frills, but IMHO I believe it beats WN.

Just sayin'.

I don't need (or care) much for pampering. My honest programs are:

Airline:

WN - Punctual and the feeling that I'm not nickeled and dimed for everything, especially when the unexpected forces me to change plans at the last minute. Easy redemption.


Hotel:

PC - Given their numerous locations, generous points and liberal redemption, I have no complaints. Everywhere I go, there always seem to be one, two or even more to choose from...not much or no choice sometimes in case of other chains.

Hyatt - Easy to understand and follow program. Generous bonus points. FFN's. Only downside: there's not that many of them.

Don't forget Alaska Air, tons of partners, tons of earning options and everything with them is very straightforward.

Airlines FF - WN but had one bad cattle experience with a problematic flight to LAS and not being informed properly.

Hotel FGP - Hyatt excellent program and very generous with FFN and good communication of major rule change with 6 months advance notice.

Vote for them in the Freddies !