InsideFlyer researching the Best/Worst features of each program
Dec 6, 2001 | 3:39 pm
#17
Join Date: Aug 2000
Programs: I am an AS employee, but my comments do not represent the company in any official capacity.
Posts: 4,343
I use OnePass, but I have to admit that the year round 20K mile rewards on FlightFund have caused me to think about switching in the past . . .
Dec 6, 2001 | 3:49 pm
#18
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Cleveland
Programs: AF/KLM Plat For Life/UA Million Miler-PremEx For Life/SPG Gold
Posts: 5,056
Best Of Air Canada
No capacity controls on award redemption at time of booking for SE (top tier) status. The ONLY FFP that I'm aware of where you are not at the mercy of yield management and their impenetrable methodology about how many seats are award vs. revenue, and when seats are finally (if at all) tossed back to award inventory.
FOR INTL. J TRAVEL, THERE IS NO PEER TO AEROPLAN.
Plus, during select times of the year, SEs get award travel at 25-33% off regular award levels, which are reasonable in the first place.
Worst of AC:
For domestic mileage accumulation, AC is now leveraging its market dominance...lousy earning potential.
Upgrades are only transferable to those with same status.
No capacity controls on award redemption at time of booking for SE (top tier) status. The ONLY FFP that I'm aware of where you are not at the mercy of yield management and their impenetrable methodology about how many seats are award vs. revenue, and when seats are finally (if at all) tossed back to award inventory.
FOR INTL. J TRAVEL, THERE IS NO PEER TO AEROPLAN.
Plus, during select times of the year, SEs get award travel at 25-33% off regular award levels, which are reasonable in the first place.
Worst of AC:
For domestic mileage accumulation, AC is now leveraging its market dominance...lousy earning potential.
Upgrades are only transferable to those with same status.
Dec 6, 2001 | 4:19 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: IAD
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 27,068
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Randy Petersen:
In an upcoming story, we've been putting together a list of the absolute best feature of each frequent traveler and a list of the absolute worst feature of each program. Any of you care to comment on the best/worst features of each of your programs to compare with others?
I'll start: among the best features of the Mileage Plus program is the fact they don't charge you express redemption fees for awards like it seems all the other programs do. Forget that $35-75 stuff.</font>
In an upcoming story, we've been putting together a list of the absolute best feature of each frequent traveler and a list of the absolute worst feature of each program. Any of you care to comment on the best/worst features of each of your programs to compare with others?
I'll start: among the best features of the Mileage Plus program is the fact they don't charge you express redemption fees for awards like it seems all the other programs do. Forget that $35-75 stuff.</font>
And with AAdvantage - if you know that you are going to make a trip within a year, you can request a certificate and use it for a last minute trip without paying any fees.
Dec 6, 2001 | 4:22 pm
#20
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: ATL - DL Lifetime Diamond/3MM - HH Lifetime Diamond - Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 3,150
Are you interested in hotel programs as well?
Others have hit mine with regards to Delta.
Hilton
Best - Diamond members are promised upgrades if available and free breakfast, as well as the diamond line for reservations.
Worst - Inconsistent execution of the benefits depending on the property you stay at.
Others have hit mine with regards to Delta.
Hilton
Best - Diamond members are promised upgrades if available and free breakfast, as well as the diamond line for reservations.
Worst - Inconsistent execution of the benefits depending on the property you stay at.
Dec 6, 2001 | 4:31 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: IAD
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 27,068
For the airlines that I am quite familiar with, here are my best/worst features:
British Airways
pros: No blackout on club/1st awards, good partner promos, allow household miles to be pooled
cons: No mileage on discount tickets
Northwest Airlines
pros: Unlimited domestic upgrades, reduced off peak awards, 125% bonus for Plat.
cons: No intl. upgrades for Plat., no mileage for cybersavers
United
pros: Blackouts waived for 1K, SWU for 1Ks
cons: Mileage Plus is a follower not a leader in FFPs.
[This message has been edited by PG (edited 12-09-2001).]
British Airways
pros: No blackout on club/1st awards, good partner promos, allow household miles to be pooled
cons: No mileage on discount tickets
Northwest Airlines
pros: Unlimited domestic upgrades, reduced off peak awards, 125% bonus for Plat.
cons: No intl. upgrades for Plat., no mileage for cybersavers
United
pros: Blackouts waived for 1K, SWU for 1Ks
cons: Mileage Plus is a follower not a leader in FFPs.
[This message has been edited by PG (edited 12-09-2001).]
Dec 6, 2001 | 4:55 pm
#22
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: controlling the internets from an underground bunker
Programs: So l33t that I don't need a wallet full of cards to prove it. Black is the new Gold.
Posts: 3,041
US Airways:
Pro: Unlimited NA Upgrades for Top Tier, all levels of elite get SWUs
Con: Paper upgrades non transferable.
Pro: Unlimited NA Upgrades for Top Tier, all levels of elite get SWUs
Con: Paper upgrades non transferable.
Dec 6, 2001 | 5:09 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2000
Programs: I am an AS employee, but my comments do not represent the company in any official capacity.
Posts: 4,343
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PG:
Northwest and Continental do not charge express redemption fees either.</font>
Northwest and Continental do not charge express redemption fees either.</font>
However, CO does charge a $75 fee when you are booking last minute reward travel that requires a paper ticket!
(I got burned by this last week when I booked last minute plans using OP mileage on AS.) :-(
Dec 6, 2001 | 5:44 pm
#24
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: source of weird and eccentric ideas
Posts: 40,020
Somthing I don't think anyone's mentioning is award ticket availability, the ability to use your miles for free trips.
You've got the miles, but if you can't use them what good are they?
AA, UA: good award ticket availability esp domestically. NO SATURDAY STAY REQUIRED FOR LOW END AWARDS.
CO: poor award ticket availability, for either free trips or upgrades. And CO (along with US now) requires Sat stay for normal domestic award tix. This makes them at best worth about what a discount coach ticket is worth, perhaps $400.
Without this Sat night stay requirement, a FF award ticket can be worth $2000 or more domestically.
Quite a difference!
You've got the miles, but if you can't use them what good are they?
AA, UA: good award ticket availability esp domestically. NO SATURDAY STAY REQUIRED FOR LOW END AWARDS.
CO: poor award ticket availability, for either free trips or upgrades. And CO (along with US now) requires Sat stay for normal domestic award tix. This makes them at best worth about what a discount coach ticket is worth, perhaps $400.
Without this Sat night stay requirement, a FF award ticket can be worth $2000 or more domestically.
Quite a difference!
Dec 6, 2001 | 5:48 pm
#25
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Southwest Desert, under a rock, watch out! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<" You can get there, but it's gonna cost you!
Programs: Previously NonePass, now UA 1K (*Enhanced*)
Posts: 4,248
America West Airline
Bring back the old smilies! 
- Best feature:
Almost guaranteed upgrades due to limited competition from few elite members. - Worst feature:
It's America's Worst Airline
Bring back the old smilies!
Dec 6, 2001 | 7:46 pm
#26
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: London, SE1
Programs: AA Exec Plat (again!)
Posts: 332
United
pros: SWU for 1Ks - but should be unlimited, Electronic awards avoiding paper/fees/delays
cons: MP is a follower/not leader, No Double-Upgrades option/ restriction, Staff training / I know more about the UA Mileage Plus and Star Alliance programs than UA staff
------------------
- Bob
pros: SWU for 1Ks - but should be unlimited, Electronic awards avoiding paper/fees/delays
cons: MP is a follower/not leader, No Double-Upgrades option/ restriction, Staff training / I know more about the UA Mileage Plus and Star Alliance programs than UA staff
------------------
- Bob
Dec 6, 2001 | 9:39 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Volunteerland
Programs: Delta GM, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 1,222
Delta
Best - unlimited upgrades at time of booking and free CRC membership ( for PM only)
Worst - non upgradeable fares (LUser for domestic, anything less than "M" for int'l)
Southwest
Best - any open seat available for award redemption with virtually no blackouts.
Worst - no priority check in, reserved seats or any other amenity for Companion Pass holders.
Best - unlimited upgrades at time of booking and free CRC membership ( for PM only)
Worst - non upgradeable fares (LUser for domestic, anything less than "M" for int'l)
Southwest
Best - any open seat available for award redemption with virtually no blackouts.
Worst - no priority check in, reserved seats or any other amenity for Companion Pass holders.