I've dropped programs because of moves to/from hub cities.

Moved from STL to CVG. Dropped TW (AA) and started with DL.

Moved from CVG to CLE. Dropped DL and started with CO.

I managed to burn all my AA and DL miles while I still had status.

Abandoned Marriott after change to program and elimination of top awards and reduction in value of program now a starwood and hilton customer.
US Air Changes to program and addition of fees for simple changes.
Happy with the adjustments, at Starwood I can talk with a representative and customer service is responsive and empowered to make decisions.

I have dropped DL (was Gold Medallion, would have been Platinum this year).

Reasons:

(1) expiring upgrades (AA doesn't)
(2) no upgrading L/U fares (AA does)
(3) no upgrading a family member (AA does)
(4) LRTC = Less Room Throughout Coach
(5) poor upgrade percentage for Gold Medallion

The last straw was on a flight from BUF-ATL with my wife. It was Dec 30th, we were both on U fares, first had 5 seats open. I had 16 upgrades that would have expired the next day. They would not let me upgrade (I of course would have given my wife the seat), but rather they chose to fly with 5 open seats in first class and a Gold Medallion with expiring upgrades in coach.

SteveH

I used to mail them back their stupid expired 800-milers each year, along with a list of the flights I tried to use them on throughout the year. They (for a couple of years anyway) mailed me replacement certs for most of them, but never seemed to get the point...

- Plat

Airlines
HP - getting CO status was more important
DL - one flight, then no activity; topped off and transfer to Hilton
TW - went to AA
VS - bonus points left over from an AMEX transfer, topped off, transfer to Hilton for safekeeping
US - one flight, got clickrewards to top it off topped off and transfer to Hilton for safekeeping
Marriott - locations & rates made earning/burning tough

It seems that NO ONE is dropping Southwest's Rapid Rewards.

1) Northwest: Why? Because I actually took one of their flights. Worst experience ever in a plane(s). seats, service, ground staff, plus over 1/2 the flight miles were never posted into my account -- all were negative sjc-msp-ams-rom return.
2) Southwest: I am not cattle, I don't want to be cattle. I won't be lead like cattle.
3) America West. Even flying back in 1990 when drinks were free couldn't numb the experience enough to keep flying them.

Something to ponder! Have enough FFM to fly United. If I requested them now & they do go under, have I lost everything or should I try to convert them to Delta miles and schedule trip with them now? If they're converted miles from United to Delta, will they still be honored?
Are we just panicking and jumping the gun? Not fair to United!! I've been with them since the 80's.

delta. LUser was bad, but i could find ways to make it work for me enough to stay. but insULT has just raised the bar too high. when you refuse to fly delta to atlanta, it's time to switch carriers.

I dropped Southwest Airlines because my friends and I are leisure travelers (on that airline) and couldn't get enough miles in one year for their award. Why don't they make their miles essentially "non-expiring" like most other airlines where activity is only necessary once every 3 years?

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A cautionary tale: a family member and FF had top status and 1M miles on Ansett (* Alliance alongside UA). It went under last year and he lost his status and his miles. Other * Airlines (he asked United in particular) refused to honor the miles, even though it was part of the membership terms. Australia-based FF are lining up a lawsuit against UA/* for their lost miles and will probably win - but who needs to sue for miles? Rather move them somewhere safe or spend them while UA is still flying.

Abandoned FFPs:

VS - doesn't matter how much money you pay for what class, or what your status is, the cabin staff still act like you're getting in their way. I still have silver but will only now fly VS to use up my last miles.
US - worst airline ever. Bar none. Lost bags, late flights, cancellations, lost upgrades, Less Room In Coach, almost no non-US destinations, crummy lounges, old planes, and ground staff that are insultingly off-hand. I live in PHL - major hub - and now go out of my way, often making several connections where I could go direct - just to avoid being abused by US. You have to enjoy insults and discomfort to fly them.

I agree with wmere statement about US. I too live in PHL and I only fly US when I have little/no choice (flight booked by adm. at work). I am NW plat (several years) and also going for AA plat for next year. I have not even tried to get any type of elite on US even though my flights originate from one of their hubs, PHL.

Abandoned FFP:
US Airways - For me, YUK! in everything.
America Wast - Few flights fro my origin
Gold Points - Not worth it at 8 pts/1 ml
Delta - Can't get upgrades/connections mostly
United - Can't get upgrades/connections issue
One Pass - Collecting miles on WorldPerks

I have not completely abandoned any since the accounts are still open but I only have the required activity to keep the accounts open in case I "must" fly or stay with them.

Focus: NW - generous domestic upgrade for plats and 125% bonus (100% this year for me)
AA - Newer airplanes and international upgrade allowed on certain low fares.
SPG and HH - Good service, upgrades and frequent bonus points/promos works for me!


[This message has been edited by MyDearMiles (edited 09-30-2002).]

CO -- for their int'l upgrade policies;
DL -- for general deterioration of product;

However, this is just concentration as I haven't actually closed an account.

Currently an AA customer.

NW - gold for 4 years and Plat for the last two - I will not even make silver this year

Issues were:

HORRIBLE service
Pitch in F
Dropping F to Asia

I haven't abandoned any FF program. Although, USAirways used to be my #1 choice when booking a flight for which I have to pay. However, 10 months out, I tried to book a FF flight from three different airports and none were available. So, USAirways is now my last airline of choice. While I haven't used my points yet, I think Southwest will be my favorite. I don't mind the cattel call lines and I think (if I read the rules correctly) if there is an open seat on teh flight, you can use your reward points. In other words, I don't think they limit the number of reward seats! Why can't this be the rule that all airlines follow?

I was a member of CO One Pass, but I decided to give them the shaft towards NWA World Perks program as well as DL Skymiles,main reason being NWA has more flights to my home region,as well as DL having frequent flights to FL, which will be important after I move to ATL. CO's employees attitudes the last time I flew them also played a role in the decision.

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From DC-9-30's to Airbus A 320's to Boeing 757's to Ikumi....oh, how the sky's the limit!!

I don't see a need to close any accounts, since the airlines' freqflyer programs might make a comeback as fast as they deteriorated. Hopefully, not wishful thinking, even if it takes a while. Nice if it is in this lifetime.

Then again, all of them may end up in the dire strats!

Let's see my favorites have been-
American
Western
Alaska
Northwest
Continental
What's next?

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