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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