Which airline has the BEST program?
Jan 16, 2002 | 7:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,343
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?
Jan 16, 2002 | 7:49 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Sugar Land,Texas USA
Posts: 4,889
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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Jan 16, 2002 | 10:20 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Phoenix/Columbus
Programs: Delta Silver Medallion, United Gold, US Airways silver
Posts: 1,748
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.
Jan 16, 2002 | 11:07 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Tampa, FL USA
Posts: 467
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.
Jan 16, 2002 | 11:17 am
#7
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Always on vacation
Programs: aa exp - spg gold - Hyatt Diamond - HH Gold
Posts: 6,007
Don't forget to vote
Freddie Awards
Freddie Awards
Jan 16, 2002 | 4:24 pm
#8
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: TUS
Programs: AA 1.8 MM, DL, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold,
Posts: 3,430
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
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
Jan 16, 2002 | 4:25 pm
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
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 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.
Jan 16, 2002 | 4:48 pm
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
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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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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Jan 17, 2002 | 12:56 pm
#12
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Gold / Hyatt Explorist / Hertz PC
Posts: 36,201
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).]
[This message has been edited by Gaucho100K (edited 01-17-2002).]