I need help!

I am an avid TWA FF. I have elite one status on TW (50K per year). My travel is so spread out that I can only accumulate about 50K on one airline and partners. AA has already sent me the package for platinum status. I need your advice. 1) Do I stick with AA? 2) Ask other airlines to match my status and what would be the best airline to do so.(most of my 50K mileage is domestic transcons LAX-DCA). I love to upgrade and nobody beats TWA for free and coupon upgrades! (I have not flown in coach on TW for over 12 years!) I just took a trip to MAD on DL in Business Elite and it was fantastic! Let me know your thoughts.

Upgrade lover,

Welcome to FT!

The only major airlines that offer unlimited couponless/sticker upgrades are CO (w/hubs in IAH/CLE/EWR), NW (w/hubs in MSP/DTW/MEM) and US (w/hubs in PIT/PHL/CLT). The other airlines UA/AA/DL require middle tier elite members to pay for upgrades. The above is under the assumption a discounted coach ticket is purchased. Some airlines are more flexible with upgrades on full Y fares and more expensive coach fares.

I am also a very avid fan of TW and love their upgrade policy but now must pay to ride upfront on AA

A lot of airlines will comp you elite status. I know CO will without a doubt but I hear NW is really difficult to get a comp. UA comps easily as well.

The best solution is to see if you are willing to live with paid upgrades or upgrades for GRATIS! Also, what points of connection work best for your travel.


[This message has been edited by NW,CO,TW only (edited 06-25-2001).]

FYI, I actually love AA, so I don't mind paying for the upgrades. Bear in mind that the coupons aren't that expensive for Platinums...$31.25 for each 500 mile segment, when you buy 9 or more. My company actually lets me expense the coupons! AA has transcons from IAD-LAX (as does UA). Your upgrade window of 72 hours usually results in a 70-80% upgrade probability. (Except on very busy routes/times). Good luck with your decision.

Also, if you like the convenience that TW allows by flying non-stop LAX-DCA, and AA will most likely pick up this route, stick with AA. Otherwise, there will have to be a change of planes.

DL's BizElite is nice, and is offered trans-con from LAX to JFK and BOS. There is also a flight to ATL and CVG from LAX with the upgrades planes, but marketed as BizElite.

DL's upgrade policy is also tricky, you can not upgrade from the 2 lowest fares L&U. And if using miles to upgrade, you will have to buy an even higher fare ticket.

DCA = National?

If so, AA will not get that route. TWA's slot @ National was awarded to Alaska Air.

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He who dies with the most miles ... is dead.

Concur with orix on DL. In my experience, buying the least expensive AA fare, and the requisite upgrade credits, is more economical than buying the least expensive upgradeable fare on DL and upgrading "free." And you get some free upgrade credits on AA, though not enough if you fly mostly domestic long-haul at discount economy fares, so overall it works out to even less.

(duplicate - should have read the entire thread first )

[This message has been edited by FOH (edited 06-26-2001).]

If nonstop is a priority, US Airways does LAX--BWI a couple times a day. They also have connections. Granted, BWI may not be as convenient to Washington as DCA-- you make the call.

Bear in mind that a comp with CO gives you unlimited upgrades with NW and America West. America West does DCA--CMH--LAX... CMH is your easiest connection in the midwest, IMHO (other than Midwest Express via Omaha).

Could you ask for comps on CO and on US, then decide later??

[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 06-26-2001).]

DL upgradeable fares may be more expensive than some carriers. On the other hand it is a rare GM that ever has to pay for upgrades and most of us complain about not using all our 800 mile segment upgrades.

As a former GM who switched to CO. The reason I couldn't use all my segment upgrades was that the L&U fares were not upgrade eligible. Had they been upgrade eligible, I would have used them all and I would still be at DL, Stay away from DL