InsideFlyer researching the Best/Worst features of each program
Dec 7, 2001 | 2:51 pm
#61
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Boston; AA EXP
Posts: 264
AA: Best - MRTC; award seat availability
CO: Worst - award seat availability, especially with international partners; on some routes, inability to confirm award seat in F until 30 or fewer days prior to departure, except for top-tier members.
CO overall - easiet to accrue miles but miles have the lowest value, so what's the point?
CO: Worst - award seat availability, especially with international partners; on some routes, inability to confirm award seat in F until 30 or fewer days prior to departure, except for top-tier members.
CO overall - easiet to accrue miles but miles have the lowest value, so what's the point?
Dec 7, 2001 | 3:33 pm
#62
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Promoted to Chairman of the Most Wonderful Continental Airlines Highly Valuable OnePass Program Security and Ideological Purity Bureau
Posts: 4,129
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jmorris:
AA: Best - MRTC; award seat availability
CO: Worst - award seat availability, especially with international partners; on some routes, inability to confirm award seat in F until 30 or fewer days prior to departure, except for top-tier members.
CO overall - easiet to accrue miles but miles have the lowest value, so what's the point?</font>
AA: Best - MRTC; award seat availability
CO: Worst - award seat availability, especially with international partners; on some routes, inability to confirm award seat in F until 30 or fewer days prior to departure, except for top-tier members.
CO overall - easiet to accrue miles but miles have the lowest value, so what's the point?</font>
Dec 7, 2001 | 3:34 pm
#63
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Cary, NC, USA - AA Plt 3mm/DL Dia 2mm, Hil/Dia Life, Bonvoy/Titanium Life, Spire
Posts: 3,261
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by markbach:
US Airways:
Pro: Unlimited NA Upgrades for Top Tier, all levels of elite get SWUs
Con: Paper upgrades non transferable.</font>
US Airways:
Pro: Unlimited NA Upgrades for Top Tier, all levels of elite get SWUs
Con: Paper upgrades non transferable.</font>
Pro for CP: Personal Liaisons, upgrading of companions with no coupon all NA flights, upgrading any flight systemwide any price for self & companion cert.
Pro in general: more Airbus, mix your own drinks in fc
Con for CP: Charge for club access starting this year except for top 10% of CP.
Con in general: loss of AAdvantage mileage transfers, incl. loss of Hawaii, poor economic health of airline ~ program at risk
Dec 7, 2001 | 4:59 pm
#64
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 4,330
Best: unlimited domestic upgrades (with no restriction based on fare paid)
Worst: the absolute worst has to be the new HoKeY rule for international upgrades - only the most expensive fares put you into a lottery for using miles to upgrade.
------------------
Rachel
CO - Platinum
Hilton - Diamond
SPG - Platinum
Worst: the absolute worst has to be the new HoKeY rule for international upgrades - only the most expensive fares put you into a lottery for using miles to upgrade.
------------------
Rachel
CO - Platinum
Hilton - Diamond
SPG - Platinum
Dec 7, 2001 | 5:08 pm
#65
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: West Country, UK
Programs: BA gold UA MM
Posts: 486
Continental:
Best: Unlimited domestic upgrades
Worst: HoKeY fares 'enhancement' on BF product. These fares and the 30 day rule mean that I have not requalified for CO elite this year, because for usually at least $500 less I can get a guarenteed mileage upgrade with other programs
[This message has been edited by Weez (edited 12-09-2001).]
Best: Unlimited domestic upgrades
Worst: HoKeY fares 'enhancement' on BF product. These fares and the 30 day rule mean that I have not requalified for CO elite this year, because for usually at least $500 less I can get a guarenteed mileage upgrade with other programs
[This message has been edited by Weez (edited 12-09-2001).]
Dec 7, 2001 | 5:50 pm
#66
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: 36,000'
Posts: 1,206
NW
Best:
1-Domestic upgrade policy
2-gold line res agents
3-20,000mi (19,000mi if booked online) domestic coach awards--ARE UPGRADEABLE w/ EUA
Worst:
1-inconsistant quality of food in FC
2-few fares are available for intl UG
UA:
Best:
1-* alliance
2-E+ when stuck in coach
Worst:
1-Having to use E+ a lot
2-Inconsistant/poor customer service in flight and on the ground.
3-Dealing with 500milers to Upgrade
Best:
1-Domestic upgrade policy
2-gold line res agents
3-20,000mi (19,000mi if booked online) domestic coach awards--ARE UPGRADEABLE w/ EUA
Worst:
1-inconsistant quality of food in FC
2-few fares are available for intl UG
UA:
Best:
1-* alliance
2-E+ when stuck in coach
Worst:
1-Having to use E+ a lot
2-Inconsistant/poor customer service in flight and on the ground.
3-Dealing with 500milers to Upgrade
Dec 7, 2001 | 7:28 pm
#68
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 130
AA:
Best: Many non-flying mileage opportunities, like the 20 partners/20k promo
Worst: Can't transfer American Express Membership miles
Southwest:
Best: Free ticket after 4 RTs booked online, few blackout dates or restrictions
Worst: None
Dec 7, 2001 | 7:41 pm
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,813
AA:
Best - Upgrade an paid fare; award availability.
Worst - The expedite fees for award tix inside 3 weeks.
WN:
Best - Award flight after 4.
Worst - 12 month credit expiration.
Best - Upgrade an paid fare; award availability.
Worst - The expedite fees for award tix inside 3 weeks.
WN:
Best - Award flight after 4.
Worst - 12 month credit expiration.
Dec 7, 2001 | 7:54 pm
#70
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Boondocks of SE CO, USA
Posts: 247
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jetsetter777:
I'll chime in with Continental:
Best: unlimited domestic upgrades (with no restriction based on fare paid)
Worst: the absolute worst has to be the new HoKeY rule for international upgrades - only the most expensive fares put you into a lottery for using miles to upgrade.
PS. Anthonyanthony beat me to the punch, he snuck in his post just as I was hitting "submit now"
[This message has been edited by jetsetter777 (edited 12-06-2001).]</font>
I'll chime in with Continental:
Best: unlimited domestic upgrades (with no restriction based on fare paid)
Worst: the absolute worst has to be the new HoKeY rule for international upgrades - only the most expensive fares put you into a lottery for using miles to upgrade.
PS. Anthonyanthony beat me to the punch, he snuck in his post just as I was hitting "submit now"
[This message has been edited by jetsetter777 (edited 12-06-2001).]</font>
I don't think there's any question in any OnePass Elite's mind that the unlimited domestic upgrades can't be beat; they're what keeps us loyal. OTOH, the HoKeY fares just might cause some of us who fly internationally a lot to jump ship.
Another nice CO feature is the ability for elite members to redeposit mileage without a fee on unused reward tickets. A couple of "baddies" (not as bad as HoKeY fares by any means): No recognition for million-milers, and no systemwide upgrades.
[This message has been edited by Nightflyer (edited 12-07-2001).]
Dec 7, 2001 | 8:20 pm
#71
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Kingston, Ont, the limestone city
Posts: 975
For AIR CANADA, Aeroplan features:
Best -
1. low threshold for Elite level (35k instead of 50k elsewhere)
2. lounge access included in Elite and SuperElite levels
Worst -
1. no reward upgrade
2. no online ticketing, usual hold for phone >60 mins
3. domestic discount fares only earns 35% of mileage
4. many fees introduced in 2002 ($10 for replacement member card, $10 for statment, $25 to change time of flight, $75 to change or cancel/redeposit flight, etc)
Best -
1. low threshold for Elite level (35k instead of 50k elsewhere)
2. lounge access included in Elite and SuperElite levels
Worst -
1. no reward upgrade
2. no online ticketing, usual hold for phone >60 mins
3. domestic discount fares only earns 35% of mileage
4. many fees introduced in 2002 ($10 for replacement member card, $10 for statment, $25 to change time of flight, $75 to change or cancel/redeposit flight, etc)
Dec 8, 2001 | 7:36 am
#73
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
Just a comment on swag's WN:
Best: None
Worst: Expiration of credits without an opportunity to extend beyond the 12 month period. I would fly WN on occasion if I could build the credits and keep them (i.e. if I could automatically extend with at least one flight in a certain period liek all the other programs)however I don't fly them at all b/c I can't.
Best: None
Worst: Expiration of credits without an opportunity to extend beyond the 12 month period. I would fly WN on occasion if I could build the credits and keep them (i.e. if I could automatically extend with at least one flight in a certain period liek all the other programs)however I don't fly them at all b/c I can't.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by swag:
AA:
Best - Upgrade an paid fare; award availability.
Worst - The expedite fees for award tix inside 3 weeks.
WN:
Best - Award flight after 4.
Worst - 12 month credit expiration.</font>
AA:
Best - Upgrade an paid fare; award availability.
Worst - The expedite fees for award tix inside 3 weeks.
WN:
Best - Award flight after 4.
Worst - 12 month credit expiration.</font>
Dec 8, 2001 | 9:06 am
#74
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Matthews, NC
Programs: AA AAdvantage Gold, HHonors Gold, Marriot Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Member
Posts: 1,459
For USAirways Dividend Miles:
Pros: Ease of upgrading even at Silver Preferred Level. 50% mileage bonuses at SP, with 100% at GP and CP. SWUs for all elites.
Cons: Lack of alliance partners. Lack of partners for Hawaii trips. Lack of domestic partners (with loss of AA). Financial health of airline - leading to viability concerns.
Pros: Ease of upgrading even at Silver Preferred Level. 50% mileage bonuses at SP, with 100% at GP and CP. SWUs for all elites.
Cons: Lack of alliance partners. Lack of partners for Hawaii trips. Lack of domestic partners (with loss of AA). Financial health of airline - leading to viability concerns.
Dec 8, 2001 | 11:27 am
#75
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: The Internets
Posts: 8,269
WN's Rapid Rewards Best:
-Award availability
-Double credit on website
WN's Rapid Rewards Worst:
-Companion pass too restrictive
-No international partner on which to use awards
-Not a great deal of perks (pre-boarding for CP holders, or lifting the 1-hr check-in requirement for CP holders would be nice and would not cost a thing).
UA Mileage Plus' Best:
Star Alliance
-1K SWU certificates
UA Mileage Plus' Worst:
-No double upgrade mechanism
-Not enough SWU for 1Ks ( 6 a year)
-Lowest International fares not upgradeable with miles
Overall, I think the threat of unilateral devaluation of miles is a large drawback of all programs. We can all wake up tomorrow and find out that our miles are worth half of what they are today.
-Award availability
-Double credit on website
WN's Rapid Rewards Worst:
-Companion pass too restrictive
-No international partner on which to use awards
-Not a great deal of perks (pre-boarding for CP holders, or lifting the 1-hr check-in requirement for CP holders would be nice and would not cost a thing).
UA Mileage Plus' Best:
Star Alliance
-1K SWU certificates
UA Mileage Plus' Worst:
-No double upgrade mechanism
-Not enough SWU for 1Ks ( 6 a year)
-Lowest International fares not upgradeable with miles
Overall, I think the threat of unilateral devaluation of miles is a large drawback of all programs. We can all wake up tomorrow and find out that our miles are worth half of what they are today.