I am currently a Gold Medallion Member with Delta. However, I do not know much about the other carriers mid-tier elite programs. Anyone have any comments on what they think is the best mid-tier elite program?

GoCanes, I think for you to receive the proper response, it would be helpful to list the routes that you normally fly. Based on that, upgrades which we all seek may be an issue on one carrier and not a problem on another. A great example would be if you were to fly JFK-LAX on a regular basis. You already know that GM's on DL never have a problem using segments for that route. Frankly I am not sure what your success rate would be with either AA or UA as a mid-tier elite for the same route. It could make a big difference in your final decision.

Bottom line, the more facts presented up front will result in a more intelligent response.

GoCanes, As Rssrsvp said it does depend a lot on travel patterns and what you expect from elite programs. Is it upgrades, miles, lounge benefits, a mix of all, etc.

There are too many threads comparing various elite programs. Best to look at summary charts (use www.fewmiles.net for helpful links).

From international lounges OW and Star networks are the best and therefore you get better global lounge access. Note that for most of the OW/Star partners you need to fly on a OW/Star carrier on an international segment to be able to use the lounge (some airlines give you access to their lounge no matter which carrier you fly if you are their super elite).

As for miles - AA PLAT get 200% bonus effectively (100% on most OneWorld flts and 4 500-mile electronic upgrades for every 10,000 miles flown which can again be converted to 10,000 miles if your travel is mostly international).

Coming to upgrades - AA and UA upgrades are limited unlike CO/NW. AA and UA allow upgrades to lot more fares than CO/NW.

Comparing just AA and UA - I have heard from colleagues that mid-tier on AA is better than mid-tier on UA for west coast travel. I am EXP on AA and have been 1K or PremExec on UA. I found that UA upgrades were mostly gone well before the last minute while AA blocked some upgrades until the last minute. Even on paid F and J I had to downgrade to coach on UA (as F seats were not preserved for last minute travellers) while on AA I have never had that problem.

A friend who flies NW a lot (based out of DTW) finds NW/CO elite very rewarding but I find that outside of DTW it is not that attractive.

As stated, the best program depends upon your travel patterns.

My experiences as Gold with DL and US were good, however, I have been finding out that some of the benefits would have carried over longer with AA than the other two carriers. While my travel needs have changed significantly in the last 2 years, I have found that AA does not have an expiration on their 500 mile upgrades, while DL and US do.

US will allow you to have 800 mile segment upgrades reissued or exchanged for mileage credit, but DL just lets them expire, or so was my experience. With DL upgrades were available through CVG, but it was hit and miss through ATL. My experience with US was a higher percentage, plus US did not have the L fares which weren't upgradable.

The bonuses for each of the 3 were equal, if I remember right.

JMHO.

try northwest worldperks.

Alaska top teir is the same as everyone elses Midtier - 35,000 Alaska miles (or 50,000 miles if you use a partner). Automatic upgrades to 1st without certificates. Great customer service (even if you aren't elite).

Of course, their coverage isn't for everyone. Thank goodness, it fits my needs.

Based in HNL, last year I was mid-tier on both UA (1P) and DL (GM). This year, I retained 1P and am PM on DL thanks to those double base miles promos.

DL UPGRADES
I always purchase at least a K fare on DL, so my domestic upgrade success rate to the west coast and beyond as a GM using segment upgrades has been 99% over the past 7 years. Never had to purchase any SMUs because they are generous. DL's NAMUs came in handy last year, especially when I had to connect though ATL or CVG. I sure miss the SWUs but being a PM softens the blow somewhat.

DL doesn't allow international upgrades at the gate, so that is a sore spot, however, I have been fortunate with SWUs and now PMUs and have had them clear between booking and a month prior to departure. DL international upgrade success rate as a GM and now PM - 100%.

UA UPGRADES
UA lets you upgrade domestic flights on just about any fare. My domestic upgrade success rate to the west coast has been around 60% using segment upgrades. I did purchase a set of 4 500-milers when I first became a 1P. On expiration, they are credited to your account at the rate of 500 miles per. 1Ps cannot earn HK49s (NAMU equivalent) or receive comp SWUs - these benefits are reserved exclusively for 1Ks.

The bulk of my UA travel is international. To fly to Asia on DL metal, I would have to fly to ATL to get to NRT. HNL-ATL is equivalent to HNL-ICN. If I am in a hurry to get to Europe, I will fly UA. UA provides one-stop connections to Europe from the West Coast. DL metal requires two connections to get to Europe from HNL. And of course, it's difficult to beat UA's 744 service from HNL-NRT, especially in seat 15A on the upper deck. UA's international upgrade policies are great, albeit I have to burn miles. Mine have cleared between time of booking (usually 2 mos. out) and at the gate. UA international upgrade success rate as a 1P - 100%.

MILEAGE ACCRUAL
DL GMs receive 100% status miles and 100% elite bonus miles when flying DL and all SkyTeam partners. UA 1Ps receive the same on UA metal only as well as LH flights between Germany and the U.S. Otherwise, 1Ps and 1Ks for that matter, will have to settle for 100% status miles and no elite bonus miles when traveling on Star Alliance partners. Some Star partners will give you reduced status mileage (70%) if you fly on discounted Y fares.

LOUNGE ACCESS
On UA, 1P status gets you Star Alliance Gold status and gives you access to all RCCs and international lounges abroad with a same day international ticket. GM status means nothing with regard to lounge access. You have to attain PM status to get the same lounge access on SkyTeam partners.

All in all, DL is my primary carrier to the mainland and business/leisure trips to Europe. UA is my secondary carrier for business trips to Europe and primary carrier to Asia.

Hi,

I'm UA Premier Exe and Delta Gold and fly a lot from Europe to the States. I think that UA give more special care to the Premier Executive than Delta to to Gold Medaillon.

Of course it's very nice to use the lounge on Star thanks to United.

But with Delta you receive 100% Miles bonus with all the Skyteam members (Air France, Al Italia, Korean an Cz) you don't receive that with Star Alliance.

Personally, the only three programs I would consider are US, NW, and CO, in that order, all the others are too stingy with upgrade benefits (and if you fly a lot internationally, CO is too ... maybe NW too, not too familiar there, but international would bring AA back in the mix simply because all fares are upgradeable with miles then).

I'm a bit biased at this point, but you'll be doing yourself a great disservice if you don't take a long hard look at US. Tons of free upgrades, two systemwides/year, very high upgrade percentage, and tons of bonuses over the past 18 months. They have pretty decent service out of MIA/FLL/PBI, though it has been cut back a bit, but tons of 757's/A321's, which are the best planes for upgrades anyway, and pretty decent service out to SEA from the hubs, mostly on Airbus aircraft, which are very comfortable.

Thanks for the great advice so far from everyone. Just a little more information for those who asked about my flying habits. Almost 95% of my flight are between SEA and FLL. I am taking one flight, next week, to D.C.. I also will be taking flights from SEA-JFK and SEA-MCO. Otherwise, just the back and forth from home to school. Right now with DL, I am 100% on upgrade success. However, I am looking into long term benefits, like MM qualifying, as I am only 23. I good stable program which is not going under anytime soon is what I like. DL has been good, but always interested in seeing what else is out there.

Beckles....you get 2 system-wides for the middle tier? That's not bad.