AA vs. Con. vs. Delta: where to accum. miles
 

Which program would be the best to accumulate a LOT of miles on (assuming that at present you can't base your decision on which airline flies on your favored routes).

Thanks
Mike

If I was starting all over again and was in your shoes.. I would select AA for one reason.. all miles count toward lifetime Gold and Plat elite status..

gold = 1,000,000 miles from any source
Plat = 2,000,000 miles from any source

obviously many other factors would come into play, but based on the limited information from your question.. that is my answer

AA. Especially if you fly mostly international and 100,000 miles per year. EXP benefits and the conversion of the "sticker" upgrades to miles would be my reasons.

See the AA forum for more information.

Given your three choices, AA would be the hands down choice. It is the only one participating in a major alliance "One World". In addition, in my opinion they are the least likely to dissapear (and your miles along with it).

In the present environment, I too would likely select:

AA >> CO > DL

At one time in my life I've been gold with each of the three airlines in question. Would choose the same order as DOC: AA>CO>DL.

AA hands down, unless you are going to Atlanta a lot.

I switched from DL to AA in 1997 and have been very happy. Lack of AA service between LGA-ATL is my only real complaint.

I agree - AA by a wide margin.

I used to fly AA a lot, and occasionally get stuck on it, I don't like the airline, but its top elites seem to be quite happy with it. I am mildly content with DL and they fly where I need to go. Two years ago I would have been shouting DL at the top of my lungs here, but after the SWU cutbacks, I still favour them and think the programme is pretty good, but it used to be miles ahead of AA.

4 important DL advantages that are better than AA

1. You get six PMU's per year as a PM, rather than four that you get as a top at AA (although the AA ones can be used on lower fare classes.

2. Free CRC membership.

3. As a PM you get unlimited 800 mile upgrades, while at AA you earn them as you fly. The upgrades are available whenever you book your flights as opposed to other levels and airlines where there are hour deadlines.

4. They are 800 mile upgrades rather than 500 mile upgrades, so you get more bang out of them (of course they are not useable on the bottom three fare classes).

Are PMUs r/t or something? (Sorry, I know nothing of Delta.) 'Cause if they are o/w SWU's, AA EXPs get 8 o/w SWUs per year (and 16 of 'em the first year they qualify.)

...and, AA VIPows are fully transferable.

PMU's are 1-way upgrades, and they have fare-class restrictions as well. They also don't book into full-revenue fare classes on purely domestic routes the way AA's VIPOW does. Delta's PM's also don't get their award claiming fees waived the way AA EXP's do.

The free access to lounge on all Delta tickets is nice, though. But I prefer the EXP desk over free lounge access.

Compared to AA, Delta gives out many more upgrades, but the upgrades are limited by fare class restrictions both on upgradeable fares and fare class you upgrade to.

AA would be my choice. All miles count toward MM level.

No comparison...... AA by a big margin. My friends who are Top Level Medallon on Delta are all fairly upset with the restrictions placed on First Class upgrades. Most arent getting them anymore and dont know when the ticket they purchased qualify.

I cannot say enough about working with the EXP desk. Lots of TLC from those guys has gone a long ways with me.... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Right now I cannot even stand to fly on CO and I have a fairly high status with them, their service absolutely is terrible... I could go on and on there.....

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AA member since 1981