Ok - I just am back from my last free upper class trip on virgin - since delta does not play with virgin awards - I am not sure where to go now... I live in Atlanta so Delta is easiest I guess but I just won't do overseas in an 18.5" "business" seat.

So here is what I have currently:

Virgin - 10,000 miles
Delta - 23,000 miles
AA - 1,500 miles
USair - 2,600 miles

Am I best off just using my spg amex and then transferring from there? I am gold on spg if that matters.

Thanks much,
Allen

Why don't you fly Delta domestically and its Skyteam partners internationally if you don't like DL international product? The general consensus here is that unless you fly enough to get top tier status in a program and then some status in another, you're better off consolidating.

I agree about consolidating -- the virgin 10k was a freebie from virgin... mostly fly Delta.

Problem is that I loved the virgin upper service -- i know that british air has something similar so that is why I was thinking to either go aa or virgin (flying delta but earning on virgin, is this a viable option?)

thanks

Virgin miles may seem like a great idea but remember that they will not qualify you for Delta medallion status which gets you a shot at free domestic upgrades. If you do not qualify for Delta medallion or have problems getting upgrades out of Atlanta (I'm gold and do fairly well there) then that may not matter. If you do not fly that much, it may be hard to amass the needed 90,000 miles for an Upper Class ticket to London or 190,000 miles for other locations like Japan or Africa by flying alone. Your Starwood card transfers 1 to 1 plus the usual 5,000 mile bonus for every 20,000 points transferred.

I have used Delta miles or better yet Starwood or American Express points to fly to many markets not served by Virgin. However, it partners with other airlines so that may not be an issue.

Anyhow, I'd finish my 25,000 miles with Delta first. I know people complain about how hard it is to use points but on standard miles my wife is flying SDF to LGA for a long weekend and we are flying FC to LAX through ATL.