Which entry level elite status is best?
 

I fly a fair amount, but do not have elite status on any airline. With all the current promotions like the AA Gold/Plat challenge and the Delta double mile offer, I am considering a mileage run or two in the next few weeks. The AA challenge seems easiest, but I would consider AA,DL,NW, or UA. As far as I know, there are no current promotions for NW or UA. Are the benefits of the entry level elite status with AA or DL worth spending a few hundred to get?

Thanks guys,
John

Johnep1,

It depends a lot on where you fly to and which airports you prefer. I'm AA Gold and fly primarily out of DCA/IAD and could not be happier. I fly mostly cross-country with a transatlantic hop twice a year, and although I would prefer not to stop in ORD, DFW or JFK to do it, AA's schedules work great for me. FC check-in at both airports is a plus, as well. I was a mere Premier on UA last year and gave up on UA after last summer's debacle, but also because the Premier lines at IAD are a nightmare, and the multitude of Premier Execs and 1Ks at IAD made it almost impossible to get upgrades. Just my $0.02.

For now, I am flying out of DCA/IAD and STL. AA would work best for me because I could use the TWA 1st class line in STL. However, I would also try for elite status with DL and would fly them more if I need to make a connection (they offer some cheap fares through ATL). Does either program offer real upgrades? I know that I can "earn" them, but would rather use the airlines that makes using upgrades easier.

From what I understand, if you normally fly heavily discounted fares and want to upgrade, DL is not the place for you. Go search the DL forum for the phrase LUser for tons of details and folks that can explain it better.

If you avoid F-100s, you should do pretty well for upgrades on American. Just as importantly, with their MRTC program you'll be reasonably comfortable in the back as well. You should be able to upgrade a good percentage of the time on BWI-ORD or BWI-STL, but it'll be a bit tougher on transcon flights.

Also, don't forget Midwest Express if you value upgrades and you can get good flight times from DCA. While their route network is small, my friends that have flown it rave about their in-flight service.

Conversely, if you fly mostly full fare economy, DL may be the way to go. They give out more free upgrades than AA but they place more restrictions on using them. The biggest restriction is that you can't use them with most discount fares. If you pay full fare (or near-full fare), you're only competing with other people who have paid the same, so you'll have less competition for the upgrade seats. On AA, since any fare can be upgraded, you'll have higher-level elites on cheap fares in front of you.

Thanks guys. I fly mostly cheap fares. I'm thinking that I will try for the platinum challenge with AA. I think that the biggest perk will be the first class check in lines for the near future.

I am a big fan of the CO/NW alliance. Free unlimited domestic FC upgrades.

USAir has a very liberal program which involves 2 System Wide Upgrades after only reaching Silver 25k.

CO/NW have great domestic upgrade program but with more and more people flying, even as a Gold I have a 60% rate of getting upgraded. I would sometimes prefer the electronic upgrades so that I would know a few days before that I am confirmed rather than mulling around the airport waiting to board last and then not having overhead space left.

DL, well, I had been accumulating upgrades over the years and I have gambled with the airline agreeing to pay a higher price for a chance to upgrade. Last year, I only got to upgrade as Gold twice. In case you don't understand this figure, imagine only 1 segment upgrade every 6 months!!!

However, all in all, I would prefer to spend my time in coach on AA before any of above mentioned airlines.

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"Fly me to the moon and let me earn alot of miles."

If I were only going to 25K mile status, I would go with Continental or Northwest if upgrades are important to you. There are no certs required and you get unlimited upgrades if available. Now you may not clear the upgrade list that often, but I think it's the greates 25K mile benefit out there.

CO, NW, HP for sure. You will have much better upgrade benefits at the 25k level than any other airlines.

If you fly mostly domestic, then CO is the way to go! Free upgrades, even at Silver. Depending on routes and times, upgrade chances can vary from 20% to 80%...I think 1/3 is about average, but higher if you stay away from EWR transcons anytime, and business routes on Mon. mornings or Fri. afternoons.

If you fly mainly international, AA is your best choice. No airline provides free intl. upgrades, but AA allows you to upgrade any published fare with miles. CO, a "Dr. Jeckyl" with domestic upgrades, turns into "Mr. Hyde" when it comes to their intl. upgrades. It's easier to get a seat on the Space Shuttle than to get an intl. upgrade on CO!

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"Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys." --P.J. O'Rourke

Actually, it is easier to get a seat up front using miles on CO (pre- Oct. 1 rules) than it was on Delta. The new rules will take both of these airlines out of this world.....so just like the Space Shuttle.

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"Fly me to the moon and let me earn alot of miles."

Remember though.. with some airlines giving double mileage that goes toward elite status.. the number of elites in those respective programs is gonna skyrocket for next year, I bet. Then it might be harder to get those free upgrades.