For the truely stupid, please explain why Delta has a lousy program
 

I fly about 50,000 miles per year. 4 of those trips are overseas in business class. Does the attractiveness of Delta depend on full fare versus, for example, internet fare? That is the way AA does it. NW counts most miles as the same.

Does DELTA no longer automatically upgrade Medallion members to business/first on domestic flights? I am currently with NW and that is what they do.

What am I missing (Compared to NW).

By the way, I was referring to myself as the truely stupid (or ignorant), not the well-versed members on this board. I am just trying to figure out whether to use American, Delta, United or Northwest this coming year for Freq Flyer sake.

This thread may answer most of your questions. Other threads on the DL forum will tell you why SkyMiles is about to become a lousy program.

------------------
Vasant

TonyS6 - if you're flying 4 times a year overseas, and you do about 50,000 miles a year, I'm guessing those 4 flights are pretty much all the flying you do or maybe a couple of domestic trips in addition.

If you are buying Biz class tickets for those 4 trips, DL would be a good airline for you since the BizE product they have is nicer than business on the other domestic carriers, and those 4 trips would get you to Platinum or very close to it.

If you're upgrading to Biz, forget about it on DL since you would have to use miles and availability is sketchy.

Based on your flying pattern, I think Delta is a very good choice for you. You will hit high elite status a lot quicker (double credit if you pay for business; 1.5 if you fly on an upgradable coach fare), and since the bulk of your miles are earned on international flights, you should have enough free upgrades to cover your domestic flying.

(The changes Delta made makes it more expensive to upgrade domestically, if that is the bulk of your travel).

MilesBuzz??????????

Yeah, why is this DL question cluttering up the MilesBuzz forum? Why not the DL forum?

Getting lately that MilesBuzz congested with threads better posted in appropriate forums.
Don't misread this as a personal flame, but that's the way it seems to me.

Well, it is true that is a DL topic. On the other hand, some of us come to the "Buzz" site when time is limited and don't go to the airline site. But in general I agree.