Delta or American next year?
 

I'm posting this question to both the American and Delta forums. It looks like this year I'll wind up at both Executive Platinum on American, and Platinum Medallion on Delta. I hope to not fly quite so much next year... Which airline should I do most of my flying on?

I fly out of JFK and LGA. A frequent run is JFK-SFO, but I also go a bit to Europe (where Delta has much better JFK schedules) and Asia and Australia (where American wins). I like the free wine in Delta Crown Room Clubs, and the fact that they are free (this year) and cheaper (next year) compared to the Admiral's Club. For JFK-SFO, I've very often been bumped up on Delta while finding it harder to get on the list to use upgrade points as a plain Platinum on American. I'm more confident I will fly at least 75K miles next year to remain Platinum on Delta, and less confident that I could hit the 100K mark on American. American seems to be on more stable financial footing than Delta. I've received a fair number of free upgrades on JFK-Europe flights on Delta, but then again I think it's easier to do a modest miles/$ upgrade on American (I just spent 25K miles/$250 for business class JFK-NRT). I found it easier to get 25K award tickets on American than Delta in recent attempts.

Suggestions?

Sounds like you get more with Delta, stay with them. As for the financial footing, while Delta's isn't doing stellar, they have begun to turn the ship around.

just my 0.02

Go to AA so that I can have better upgrade chances with DL. :D

Seriously though, I have found Dl to be the better option for me as a DL and AA Platinum. Admittedly, I am not ExPlat on AA, but in everything except the upgrades, I have found DL the better option. I was especially disappointed in the Admirals Clubs I recently visited in the states and overseas on some international itineraries. I can not compare upgrades because of the differing status levels.

Ah....another JFK/LGA flyer. :)

Personally, I would suggest that you stick with Delta.......even if it will possibly hurt my upgrade chances. :D

And that goes double if you only expect to fly somewhere between 75-100K miles next year.....since failing to make EXP on AA will greatly reduce your elite benefits.

Delta is in the process of "building up" JFK.......revamping their transcon routes by bringing back FC and adding a very nice personal IFE system to many more aircraft.

For example.....by November, we'll have a JFK-ATL morning flight on a 777 no less.....as well as multiple 757 flights w/IFE running between LGA-ATL.........compared to 738s out of LGA to DFW or MD80s to ORD on AA.

Speaking of ORD, Delta's current service operated by Shuttle America is great (FWIW, I can't plug this route enough :D ).

Based on what I've recently heard about FC service on AA out of LGA.......I'll take Delta any day of the week.....even if I have to connect in ATL to get to certain destinations. ;)

Delta seems to only be improving as time goes by........since current management appears to really want to make Delta a great airline once again......especially for those flying out of NYC. :)

If you really wanted to........you could always split travel between the two.....say mid-level (Gold) on Delta while maintaining lowest level status on AA........but personally, I would rather have top tier status with one airline at the minimum if at all possible.

However.....it all comes down to each person's individual experiences......as only you can truly decide which airline you've benefitted from the most and/or enjoyed flying the most.

For me.....that's Delta. :)

A.J.

This is the same aircraft that will arrive at 6 am from BOM continuing a couple of hours later to ATL.

Because this thread deals with the comparison between the American Airlines AAdvantage and Delta Air Lines SkyMiles frequent flier programs, this thread now resides in the MilesBuzz! forum to allow American AAdvantage members to weigh in and reply.

Regards,

Canarsie
Co-Moderator, Delta forum

Also, keep in mind that at least, if you do have to take the occasional trip on AA, the MM status there gives you automatic AA Gold, so even if you move everything to DL, you'll still be an AA elite.

I'd keep DL, keep the PM, and you'll have the GLD on AA to boot in case you ever need it.

It looks like your answer is already in what you wrote.

Delta