DL, NW or CO? Which should I join?
Apr 29, 2005 | 12:08 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
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DL, NW or CO? Which should I join?
I'm flying to Rio in May on Continental and would love to know which program I should join to start earning miles on. Continental, Northwest or Delta? I'm a Mileage Plus Premier member so really only fly United now. Would actually like to start earning miles on Continental or Northwest because they have direct flights from LA to our hometowns. Also, do you think it's worth writing one of these airlines to try and get elite status? I love being Premier on United. Thanks for your input!
Apr 29, 2005 | 12:47 am
#2
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i'd be tempted to stay with UA. More hubs, more elaborate MRs... number of reasons. Plus, you love UA. I grew up flying NW/CO so i'm stuck with them 
(Despite growing up in SFO, my dad was an avid UA hater, and a few of my friend's parents worked for UA)
You can try and ask NW for a status match.. I did and I got it from my AS MVP status, but I'm also not letting it go to waste.. i'm banking a LOT of miles there and still got more to come. I wouldn't ask for a status match if you're only flying once/twice a year on it, you'll lose your status and if you plan on changing travel and want a comp in the future, you're more than likely SOL.
(Despite growing up in SFO, my dad was an avid UA hater, and a few of my friend's parents worked for UA)You can try and ask NW for a status match.. I did and I got it from my AS MVP status, but I'm also not letting it go to waste.. i'm banking a LOT of miles there and still got more to come. I wouldn't ask for a status match if you're only flying once/twice a year on it, you'll lose your status and if you plan on changing travel and want a comp in the future, you're more than likely SOL.
Apr 29, 2005 | 2:54 am
#3
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Originally Posted by texasex95
I'm flying to Rio in May on Continental and would love to know which program I should join to start earning miles on. Continental, Northwest or Delta? I'm a Mileage Plus Premier member so really only fly United now. Would actually like to start earning miles on Continental or Northwest because they have direct flights from LA to our hometowns. Also, do you think it's worth writing one of these airlines to try and get elite status? I love being Premier on United. Thanks for your input!
Apr 29, 2005 | 6:57 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2004
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As always, it depends on what you need/want out of your relationship with the airline.
Delta offers a large souther presence, moreover they are larger than CO & NW and offer a hub a SLC (very convenient for West Coast trips). Moreover, DL recently axed their EQM policy ^ and the offer CRC membership to their top tier elites (Plat Level). I'm guessing that you are not so much going for Plat but Silver (comparable to UA Prem) so the lounge benefit may not be that large an issue. I do not know how upgrades are panning out on the DL but the rates on CO have been pretty miserable
and DL status would return no comp. upgrades on CO or NW. Finally, DL has some turbulence resulting from the previous wonderful baboons who were running the show (but then again, USAir is still around so I'm not anywhere near panic stage for DL - - just concerned)
Northwest may be your best bet at the silver level as they offer 100% EQM on all flights (except those CO shared with CO in cheap fares
) as well as FC on a good portion of the RJ fleet. Moreover, comp upgrades are much easier on NW (when compared to CO) especially at the silver level. CO & NW do offer comp upgrades on each other's airline (but not DL). NW does not offer as good a FC product as CO but as many have pointed out, FC on NW beats CO Y hands down!
Continental is a bit of an odd ball. At the silver level the main benefit will be their Elite Access product (priority security lines, baggage, etc.) but the upgrades will be few and far between. However, the majority of my experience has always been positive on CO (even in coach where they still offer meals at mealtime - something that NW & DL do not).
Just a brief overview, but I hope that it helps!
Delta offers a large souther presence, moreover they are larger than CO & NW and offer a hub a SLC (very convenient for West Coast trips). Moreover, DL recently axed their EQM policy ^ and the offer CRC membership to their top tier elites (Plat Level). I'm guessing that you are not so much going for Plat but Silver (comparable to UA Prem) so the lounge benefit may not be that large an issue. I do not know how upgrades are panning out on the DL but the rates on CO have been pretty miserable
and DL status would return no comp. upgrades on CO or NW. Finally, DL has some turbulence resulting from the previous wonderful baboons who were running the show (but then again, USAir is still around so I'm not anywhere near panic stage for DL - - just concerned)Northwest may be your best bet at the silver level as they offer 100% EQM on all flights (except those CO shared with CO in cheap fares
) as well as FC on a good portion of the RJ fleet. Moreover, comp upgrades are much easier on NW (when compared to CO) especially at the silver level. CO & NW do offer comp upgrades on each other's airline (but not DL). NW does not offer as good a FC product as CO but as many have pointed out, FC on NW beats CO Y hands down!Continental is a bit of an odd ball. At the silver level the main benefit will be their Elite Access product (priority security lines, baggage, etc.) but the upgrades will be few and far between. However, the majority of my experience has always been positive on CO (even in coach where they still offer meals at mealtime - something that NW & DL do not).
Just a brief overview, but I hope that it helps!
Apr 29, 2005 | 9:32 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,866
Originally Posted by J.Edward
As always, it depends on what you need/want out of your relationship with the airline.
Delta offers a large souther presence, moreover they are larger than CO & NW and offer a hub a SLC (very convenient for West Coast trips). Moreover, DL recently axed their EQM policy ^ and the offer CRC membership to their top tier elites (Plat Level). I'm guessing that you are not so much going for Plat but Silver (comparable to UA Prem) so the lounge benefit may not be that large an issue. I do not know how upgrades are panning out on the DL but the rates on CO have been pretty miserable and DL status would return no comp. upgrades on CO or NW. Finally, DL has some turbulence resulting from the previous wonderful baboons who were running the show (but then again, USAir is still around so I'm not anywhere near panic stage for DL - - just concerned)
Northwest may be your best bet at the silver level as they offer 100% EQM on all flights (except those CO shared with CO in cheap fares ) as well as FC on a good portion of the RJ fleet. Moreover, comp upgrades are much easier on NW (when compared to CO) especially at the silver level. CO & NW do offer comp upgrades on each other's airline (but not DL). NW does not offer as good a FC product as CO but as many have pointed out, FC on NW beats CO Y hands down!
Continental is a bit of an odd ball. At the silver level the main benefit will be their Elite Access product (priority security lines, baggage, etc.) but the upgrades will be few and far between. However, the majority of my experience has always been positive on CO (even in coach where they still offer meals at mealtime - something that NW & DL do not).
Just a brief overview, but I hope that it helps!
Delta offers a large souther presence, moreover they are larger than CO & NW and offer a hub a SLC (very convenient for West Coast trips). Moreover, DL recently axed their EQM policy ^ and the offer CRC membership to their top tier elites (Plat Level). I'm guessing that you are not so much going for Plat but Silver (comparable to UA Prem) so the lounge benefit may not be that large an issue. I do not know how upgrades are panning out on the DL but the rates on CO have been pretty miserable
and DL status would return no comp. upgrades on CO or NW. Finally, DL has some turbulence resulting from the previous wonderful baboons who were running the show (but then again, USAir is still around so I'm not anywhere near panic stage for DL - - just concerned)Northwest may be your best bet at the silver level as they offer 100% EQM on all flights (except those CO shared with CO in cheap fares
) as well as FC on a good portion of the RJ fleet. Moreover, comp upgrades are much easier on NW (when compared to CO) especially at the silver level. CO & NW do offer comp upgrades on each other's airline (but not DL). NW does not offer as good a FC product as CO but as many have pointed out, FC on NW beats CO Y hands down!Continental is a bit of an odd ball. At the silver level the main benefit will be their Elite Access product (priority security lines, baggage, etc.) but the upgrades will be few and far between. However, the majority of my experience has always been positive on CO (even in coach where they still offer meals at mealtime - something that NW & DL do not).
Just a brief overview, but I hope that it helps!
"Comp" - I assume you mean "complimentary" rather than "companion."
I think Delta and a few other airlines offer complimentary companion upgrades at the silver level?
You forgot to mention those ice cream sundaes with all the toppings in Continental's first class. Ice cream sundaes???
Apr 29, 2005 | 6:15 pm
#6
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 25,436
Hello, texasex95, and welcome to FlyerTalk.
The proper forum for you to ask this question is in the MilesBuzz! forum, where this thread has been moved. You will have a greater audience to answer your question, and that audience consists of members of all of the major airline frequent flier programs. Think of the MilesBuzz! forum as one-stop shopping in reference to your particular query.
I have noticed that you posted the same request in the Northwest WorldPerks and Continental OnePass forums. For future reference, please note that this practice is known as cross-posting and is not only frowned upon, but it also violates the terms and conditions of FlyerTalk.
I hope that you find the answers to which you are seeking, texasex95. You are welcome to please return to the Delta forum anytime you like and post a question or advice pertaining specifically to Delta Air Lines and the SkyMiles frequent flier program.
Regards,
Canarsie
Co-Moderator, Delta forum
The proper forum for you to ask this question is in the MilesBuzz! forum, where this thread has been moved. You will have a greater audience to answer your question, and that audience consists of members of all of the major airline frequent flier programs. Think of the MilesBuzz! forum as one-stop shopping in reference to your particular query.
I have noticed that you posted the same request in the Northwest WorldPerks and Continental OnePass forums. For future reference, please note that this practice is known as cross-posting and is not only frowned upon, but it also violates the terms and conditions of FlyerTalk.
I hope that you find the answers to which you are seeking, texasex95. You are welcome to please return to the Delta forum anytime you like and post a question or advice pertaining specifically to Delta Air Lines and the SkyMiles frequent flier program.
Regards,
Canarsie
Co-Moderator, Delta forum
Last edited by Canarsie; Apr 29, 2005 at 6:18 pm
Apr 29, 2005 | 6:39 pm
#7
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I think Northwest...
1) of the three, I have had the most luck redeeming with Northwest.
2) they have the FLY FREE FASTER promo every year which gives you 10,000 bonus miles for doing some pretty easy activities. It is coming up in about 1 month! One activity is to sign on with MCI for LD phone service. Frankly they seem better for posting miles than does Springt with UA. If I had to do a phone, I would rather MCI, and they are still with NWA! Not with DL or Continental that I know of.
3) they have referral offers all the time when joining and flying. I think there's one on right now!
4) they have a decent Visa which gives 10k upon sign up and another 4k to someone who refers you. Have a friend or relative do it but if you do not have anyone you know, let me know and I will! ()
5) seems to me they are pretty tight on promos... For example, things that come in the mail that may be targeted offers seem well-controlled. The good news about that is that they are not dropping the ball on the other side: whenever I have ever had any missing or late miles issue, NWA has come thru for me more than any other carrier--always.
6) they were one of the original international partnerships with Dutch KLM--at least as far as I know of. Though DL is partners with AirFrance and now all these airlines are together, I do know that Continental was not partnered with another overseas carrier prior to joining up with NW and DL and the 2 international alliance of the KLM-AF team. AT least as far as I know... I could be wrong about this one.
7) They seem to have a lot of promos to get miles... Mile-A-Zilla, offers on the Visa card, double promos, etc. Their mall is much better and easier to use, and posts on time or at least has more processes in place to fix errors. Their CS handles these a lot better than UA or DL or CO, as far as I have ever dealt with all of them.
8) you can transfer miles between other NW members on NWA. You used to be able to on DL and CO but not right now that I know of!
9) ALl 3 are members of Milepoint.com's magazines4miles but I don't think CO is still part of Points.com's dealings, and that service (as much as I do not particularly like everything they do) powers milepoint. If you have stray miles, it is a great service, but it is changing. It just dropped US Air--or the other way around--but I think NW will stick around!
10) they are partners with Alaska Airlines... You could get the Alaska Bank of America Credit card, or debit card, earn miles there too (yes, you ever earn on the DEBIT card on Alaska), and then fly NW... OR, you coudl use Alaska miles to fly AA or the other way around. You have more choices since Alaska is partners with AA AND NWA!
11) They fly direct from BOS to Amsterdam. This matters to me more since I am from Boston, home of the Red Sox!
Go Sox!
MM
2) they have the FLY FREE FASTER promo every year which gives you 10,000 bonus miles for doing some pretty easy activities. It is coming up in about 1 month! One activity is to sign on with MCI for LD phone service. Frankly they seem better for posting miles than does Springt with UA. If I had to do a phone, I would rather MCI, and they are still with NWA! Not with DL or Continental that I know of.
3) they have referral offers all the time when joining and flying. I think there's one on right now!
4) they have a decent Visa which gives 10k upon sign up and another 4k to someone who refers you. Have a friend or relative do it but if you do not have anyone you know, let me know and I will! (
)5) seems to me they are pretty tight on promos... For example, things that come in the mail that may be targeted offers seem well-controlled. The good news about that is that they are not dropping the ball on the other side: whenever I have ever had any missing or late miles issue, NWA has come thru for me more than any other carrier--always.
6) they were one of the original international partnerships with Dutch KLM--at least as far as I know of. Though DL is partners with AirFrance and now all these airlines are together, I do know that Continental was not partnered with another overseas carrier prior to joining up with NW and DL and the 2 international alliance of the KLM-AF team. AT least as far as I know... I could be wrong about this one.
7) They seem to have a lot of promos to get miles... Mile-A-Zilla, offers on the Visa card, double promos, etc. Their mall is much better and easier to use, and posts on time or at least has more processes in place to fix errors. Their CS handles these a lot better than UA or DL or CO, as far as I have ever dealt with all of them.
8) you can transfer miles between other NW members on NWA. You used to be able to on DL and CO but not right now that I know of!
9) ALl 3 are members of Milepoint.com's magazines4miles but I don't think CO is still part of Points.com's dealings, and that service (as much as I do not particularly like everything they do) powers milepoint. If you have stray miles, it is a great service, but it is changing. It just dropped US Air--or the other way around--but I think NW will stick around!
10) they are partners with Alaska Airlines... You could get the Alaska Bank of America Credit card, or debit card, earn miles there too (yes, you ever earn on the DEBIT card on Alaska), and then fly NW... OR, you coudl use Alaska miles to fly AA or the other way around. You have more choices since Alaska is partners with AA AND NWA!
11) They fly direct from BOS to Amsterdam. This matters to me more since I am from Boston, home of the Red Sox!
Go Sox!
MM
Apr 29, 2005 | 9:08 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Wenatchee, WA
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Posts: 4,909
Originally Posted by texasex95
I'm flying to Rio in May on Continental and would love to know which program I should join to start earning miles on. Continental, Northwest or Delta? I'm a Mileage Plus Premier member so really only fly United now. Would actually like to start earning miles on Continental or Northwest because they have direct flights from LA to our hometowns. Also, do you think it's worth writing one of these airlines to try and get elite status? I love being Premier on United. Thanks for your input!
Apr 29, 2005 | 11:21 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: United 1K MM; Starwood Platinum; Hyatt Diamond; Hilton Diamond; Alaska 75K
Posts: 144
Thanks!
Thanks for all of your input! It helps a lot. I just got an email from Continental that said they would match the Elite status I have on United. We'll see if they can make it happen before I go to Brazil.