Which is the best elite program?
 

I have been flying alot for the last five years and was wondering if it is worth staying with Delta or moving to another airline. I generally fly 150,000 to 250,000 qualifing miles with Delta and about 30,000-90,000 qualifing miles on Northwest (flights that doesn't share miles with delta). I live in Cinicinnati and that is the reason I started with Delta and never really flew anyone else. What is your opinion of American vs. Delta or United vs. Delta?

I was Platinum Medallion (PM) on Delta for about 5 years, and am now Executive Platinum (EXP) on American for 2 years running.

Delta: PM requires only 75K miles/year. Free domestic upgrades. To me the PMU certificates for upgrades on international travel were worthless, because I'm always buying discount tickets rather than full Y fare. However, I did get op-ups on maybe a fifth of my international trips. Crown Room Club gives free booze.

American: EXP requires 100K miles/year. Free domestic upgrades. 8 eVIP certificates per year which can be used for upgrades on international flights even with discount tickets (so far my eVIP has cleared every time!).

In both cases the free domestic upgrades are of course not sure things, though on American I'm batting maybe 80% even on heavy routes like JFK-SFO. My main reasons for switching to American were 1) more JFK-SFO flights on schedules that better match my needs 2) eVIPS versus PMUs and 3) I was worried about the USAir proposed buyout of Delta a few years ago.

If you're looking for lifetime status, AA offers lifetime Gold at 1MM and lifetime Platinum at 2MM. The miles can come from any source (flying, credit card, promotions). UA also offers lifetime Premier Executive status at 1MM, but in their case it's actual UA flight miles, so much harder to attain than AA.

Aa
 

I was AA PLAT and DL GOLD at the same time. I prefer AA for several reasons:
1. Able to upgrade almost any fare. (and not to hard to clear for int'l flights).
2. Lounge Access on International flights
3. Lie/Flat seats in J and F.

Why not mid/top tier on 3?
you fly 150-250 on delta and other on NW, Why not Platinum for Delta, and EXP for American. And maybe Gold/Plat for NW.

I am so close to 1 million with Delta that I was thinking about start spreading the miles around to start getting some elite status with other airlines and then after reaching 1 million switching the bulk of my travel to another airline. With Delta, I really don't have any issues with them. I get upgraded on about 90% of my travels both within and outside the country. Most of my tickets are full fare since my shcedule is always determined at the last second. I normally end up buying my tickets on Friday before traveling on either Sunday or Monday.

If you fly 100k miles or more a year, the only US programs to consider are UA and AA unless you live in another carrier's fortress hub. If you find yourself connecting anyway, and you do the eqm's, there are very very very few reasons to consider CO/NW/DL.

was wondering if i am gold or plat on CO would i get reciprocity
from DL in terms of upgrades and pref. seating or am i SOL and have
to switch and actually earn eqm on Dl for all the benefits.

Although CO and NW have reciprocity with each other on upgrades, DL does not have this with either.

Totally agree with gleff.
PMUs don't even come close to the value of eVIPs or SWUs.

I was not aware of the platinum at 2MM. As you are retired at 2MM, I must take your word for it but I have never seen that expressed anywhere else!

Thanks,

KX

Don't take his word for it, there are numerous threads about this unpublicized benefit in the AA forum here.

Two Words: Status Match

"Two Words: Status Match"

Three words. You can't. AA doesn't status match. You can challenge based on your travel. That said, if you get hold of anyone of value at any airline and you tell them that you fly 350K EQM alone on full fare tickets, they will want your business. If you manage to get hold of anyone in power at AA and show them proof of the insane amount of travel you do, they will surely give you something.

AA doesn't status match.

That's generally the case, but we do have reports on the AA forum of many with corporate relationships with AA getting status matches or comps. Doesn't hurt to see if your employer has such a program.