Which airline has the BEST program?
 

If you could reset your mileage meter to zero, and could pick one program to be loyal to, which would the best be in terms of upgrades (domestic and international), mileage bonuses, service, lounge access, etc.? I assume ease of mileage redemption and partner network should also be in the equation. Let's make some unlikely assumptions that you live in a major hub like New York or Chicago, with access to almost all major airlines, and that your company doesn't care which airline you fly?

I'd choose AA for it's fairly ease of domestic & international upgrades. Also don't forget you can upgrade from any fare base. MM Lifetime Status with every mileage source is the best thing.

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The top-level benefits have been cut back so much that I don't see the value in being loyal to any one airline any more, especially when I can get mid-level status comped at a number of them.

Northwest has certainly been a good choice for me compared to Delta for domestic travel because of the non-upgradable fares that Delta has. The international network with KLM is really good, and the parternship is really a partnership (compared to DL/AF). Unfortunately, the number of upgradable seats and increasing fare differences for international upgrades has been a disappointment, but is no better with DL. I also chose this because NW is not the #1 carrier out of CMH (by a long shot!), so there is less competition for upgrades (I wonder how many Platinum NW flyers there are in Columbus, OH!). Lines at the ticket counter (even comparing elite lines) are shorter too.

Aadvantage primarily because their staff bends over backwards to accomodate my award travel requests. The lifetime status program and their global reach via oneworld. Of all the USA major carriers they are also the most likely to survive the current downturn.

Very brave statement, I would rank them in the middle in terms of survivability. Terrorism aside, they were having severe yield problems before 9/11 and their maintanence has come into question after 11/9.

Don't forget to vote
Freddie Awards

IMHO..AADVANTAGE
What other carrier offers lifetime status? Granted there have been problems..but AA really does care about their customers.
The award programs and customer service seems to me to be overall excellent..and the OW allience can't be beat. Given that they are the largest airlines in the world..I feel that they are doing a darn good job!

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MRKEY

Should the voters be reminded, that the votes are based on last year's performance, not on the expected deals of 2002?!

I weighed into the vote, how the airlines and hotels handled the frequent flyer after 911. What they will do this year did not count in my final decision. But I have a hunch, next year's votes will have some changes amonst them. Different airlines and hotels compared to the last 2 years voting.

I am with Quietlion on LQQKing around for other airlines, this year. The past year and a half I switched to CO from NW, since my flying patterns changed. Accumulated over 1 Million miles to read about all the 'enhancements'! Still waiting to see, if it is as BAD as some say it is.

Now, I think about the Million miler status with AA, where I have a good start already.

Will the TWA miles added to AA count toward that million miles?

The bottom line is it is time to go to the bank and use up a lot of the banked miles in all the various airlines. Especially for upgrades, if it is at all possible.



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R&R Yes..TWA miles will count for program to date miles and the million miler status.

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MRKEY

IMO, for C/F travel, LH's Miles and More (although they are a little tough on upgrades). For Y travel, I think UA has one of the best programs.

[This message has been edited by Gaucho100K (edited 01-17-2002).]

UA and BA, at least.