DCA Newbie looking for best FF program
 

RDouglas

Posts: 10
From: Alexandria, VA, USA
Registered: Aug 2001
posted 08-21-2001 04:42 PM

As a newbie to FT let me first say how glad I am to find this site.
After 17 years as a private investigator in DC I have become a privacy and security consultant
(specializing in ID theft) and will be traveling constantly. I would be interested in opinions regarding the
best FF program to devote most of my air travel to given the 3 airport choice I have.
I live less than 3 miles from DCA.
I was considering CO given their large number of partners and lower miles needed for their top elite
status.
Opinions???
Thanks--
Rob

IP: Logged
gleff

Posts: 264
From: Arlington, VA, USA -
UA 1P, Starwood Gold
Registered: Apr 2001
posted 08-21-2001 07:57 PM

Where will you be flying most?
- Who offers the most or best-timed flights to those destinations?

What kind of fare will you be flying?
- Full or discount? Delta doesn't offer upgrades on the lowest fares...

How much do you fly? Will you be achieving status with the airline? (Flying 25k/yr minimum generally)

What benefits in a FF program are most important to you?
- Generous upgrades? Continental offers 'em free domestically, but their int'l upgrade policy is pretty
bad.

These sorts of questions will help tailor the answer...

I personally choose UA for most of my flying. I'm 8 mins from DCA from my office. Long-haul flights I'll
generally drive out to Dulles to catch a non-stop. Otherwise I'll connect at ORD. I like the upgrades I
get, guaranteed economy plus on the rare occasions when I don't, plus award redemption for F tickets
to SYD...

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RDouglas

Posts: 10
From: Alexandria, VA, USA
Registered: Aug 2001
posted 08-21-2001 08:14 PM

Where will you be flying most?
--all over the US--current plans are to hit two cities a week for the better part of a year to provide
state by state training.

What kind of fare will you be flying?
--discount fares when we are footing the bill (most of the first year) full coach on far fewer trips.

How much do you fly? Will you be achieving status with the airline? Should easily make status.

What benefits in a FF program are most important to you?
--Generous upgrades.

We are practically neighbors! DCA is so convenient I would like to fly from there as much as possible. But
IAD is a shorter hop from here than BWI.

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geo1004

Posts: 2435
From: Alexandria,
Virginia, USA - Will trade
chicken soup for miles!
Registered: Jan 99
posted 08-22-2001 07:01 AM

Welcome to FlyerTalk neighbor!

As much as I love the US Airways FF program out of the DC area, I am going to suggest you take a close
look at the American Airlines Advantage program. I would not choose United because most of their
flights out of this area are out of IAD and there are a TON of United elite members in this area. And not
just low and mid level elites but a bunch of top-tier 1-K's. This can make upgrades tough... particularly
since IAD is a hub for them.

You say you will be traveling all over the U.S., well AA should have you covered. They also have a
"challenge" to achieve "elite status" with them... go to the AA forum here on FT and ask about it.... but
basically you can call AA and have them sign you up for the challenge in which they will comp you elite
status for flying X number of miles within a defined period.... again, go to the AA forum for details. By
taking the challenge you will get status (and upgrades and bonus miles) faster than if you start flying
and hope you make 25k miles by the end of this calendar year.

Another piece of advice, avoid the wait and join an airline club (Admiral's Club for AA). If you are going
to spend a bunch of time in airports, you might as well be as comfortable (and retain as much of your
sanity) as possible. Also, the agents who work in the clubs can help you with ticketing and re-routes and
when your flight is delayed or cancelled.

Again, welcome...

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Vulcan

Posts: 1265
From: Belle Mead, NJ
08502
Registered: Apr 99
posted 08-22-2001 07:13 AM

I would go with CO, mainly for its generous domestic upgrade program. As far as I know, there is not a
huge population of elites in the DCA area. Once you get to Gold status, you should not have a problem in
getting upgrades. The one caveat is that you should also look at what you intend to spend all the miles
you accumulate on. If it is for upgrading international flights, CO would be a poor choice (see the
ongoing thread on the CO board). If you want to go a lot to Asia UA has the best network there on its
own metal. AA can get you only to TPE/NRT/KIX on American metal.
I would simply suggest that what you intend to spend the miles on should be one of the most important
parts in your decision.
Good luck.

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geo1004

Posts: 2435
From: Alexandria,
Virginia, USA - Will trade
chicken soup for miles!
Registered: Jan 99
posted 08-22-2001 07:42 AM


quote:

Originally posted by Vulcan:
AA can get you only to TPE/NRT/KIX on American metal.

That's true Vulcan but if RDouglas is going to use miles to Asia I would think that given AA's
participation in the oneworld alliance, Cathay Pacific would be the way to go.

omni: Good to see you in PDX.

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Vulcan

Posts: 1265
From: Belle Mead, NJ
08502
Registered: Apr 99
posted 08-22-2001 08:19 AM

geo1004:
I admit to not being an expert on AA. Its my impression that awards to Asia(free tickets/upgrades) are
substantially more in miles when using a partner vs American metal. I think this is true for most alliances.
Sorry if I'm wrong. BUT, these are issues that should be explored before making a decision on which
program will be the primary one.

[This message has been edited by Vulcan (edited 08-22-2001).]

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mdtony

Posts: 41
From: Bethesda, MD USA
Registered: Apr 2001
posted 08-22-2001 09:57 AM

I do most of my flying on United. Continental is second, and then come the rest of the pack. Hell, I
haven't been on a Delta, USAirways, or American flight in like forever, but I'll be on an American flight
soon as my Citibank card gets me enough miles to go to Hawaii on them.

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RDouglas

Posts: 10
From: Alexandria, VA, USA
Registered: Aug 2001
posted 08-22-2001 10:58 AM

I appreciate everyone's input. I will continue to evaluate all the programs mentioned and try to pick a
number one and a number two AL. I am leaning towards CO and AA for various reasons. I have had bad
experiences on UA and have already read much unhappiness on the UA board. I seem to have good luck
finding reasonable fares on CO out of DCA. I am not planning much in the way of international travel for
the next few years and I like CO's partners list. It seems between CO and AA I can get just about
anywhere in the country and maximize my miles in mostly one of the two with the second being a
back-up. It is likely I will travel enough in 2002 to make elite in two programs. Does anyone know if CO
has an elite challenge program like AA?


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essxjay
FT Community moderator