I have been lurking in the boards here for a while, and could not make a decision for myself and decided to register and ask for some advice. I was just approved for an amex delta skymiles card, the reason I got this card was because the miles, IMO, will add up a lot faster because of the always double miles deals at grocery stores, gas stations, and on my cell bill. But it has been suggested to me that Delta is harder to redeem award flights with, i.e. using my points to fly, in comparison to AA. Also, my father told me he likes AA ALOT better just because you get a lot more leg room and almost all of my flights are going to be LAX or Burbank to knoxville or michigan or florida. So most of my flights are going to be 5 hours. I was just wondering if anyone has any experience with this whole, Delta is harder to redeem and not as nice of an airline in respect to room in the isles and legroom, etc idea that my father has. I only fly about 2 to 3 times a year but would like to fly as comfy as possible (I am 6'1" 280lbs) and obtain the most amount of miles through using either amex's delta card or citibanks AAdvantage card. Thanks for reading this novel (lol) and for any advice you can lend.

I use both cards, AA/Citibank and DL/AMEX. I collect the DL/AMEX points during promotions such as double or triple buy anything to gather quick points. I usually purchase I bonds during these promos. I don't fly DL as my preferred airline is AA. I'm collecting the DL points for trips to Europe or to give my mom a BE ticket to FRA every year. When the DL promos are not active I use the AA/Citibank card exclusively and for several reasons. The lifetime gold opportunity, the frequency of flights out of AUS, and the better legroom in coach.

Why is this question posted in three different forums?

Perhaps because ero2 (a new FT member) was not born with the DNA that tells him/her all about FT posting proceedures from birth? Like the rest of us...

I'm sorry, I was just trying to get 3 different points of view from 3 different sets of people, people that fly delta(delta forum), people that defected from delta to AA(AAforum), and the overall consensus(milesbuzz). I didn't know there was a rule against doing it that way, sorry.

It's pretty much an unwritten rule that duplicate posts are not needed. But don't worry - it's no big deal. Welcome to FT. I think you will find lots of good info here. As for the DL/AA comparison - I'd go with AA. The MRTC (more room throughout coach) program gives a much better coach experience than DL. Also, IMHO, AA has much better partner airlines than DL when it comes time to redeem miles!

cheers!

Thanks for the warm welcome. That is what I was thinking too, I will probably be calling and not even activating my new amex when it shows up and applying for the citibank AAdvantage gold card when citibanks website is working again. I also like the fact that credit card spending on AA counts toward gold and platinum status as I spend a lot more on my credit card than I fly right now, unfortunately. But by using this card I am hoping to change that in the near future:-) Thanks for the advice.

also, would I be correct that as long as I use my citi AAdvantage card 1 time a month at least then my points will NEVER expire? Or do you have to actually fly one time every 3 years? I understood it as long as you use the credit card that is earning miles therefore everytime you use the card the 3 year clock gets pushed back, would this be correct?

I've never had a problem redeeming miles on Delta. And I've never had a problem with AA, either, although I redeem fewer miles with them.

ero2--Welcome to FlyerTalk. I have found it easier to redeem from AA than Delta, including getting 3 FF tickets to the Caribbean in Dec. for a peak week in Feb. over President's week. And MRTC is comfortable.

With that said, it is also correct that the miles pile up much easier on the Delta card. We use it exclusively for gas, groceries, Home Depot and the other always double miles, and try to pile on all of our spending during the double and triple mile promos. (Although I think nothing will ever beat that 50,000 mile match a couple of years ago.)

So, you are right that there are competing interests here. Get 'em both, so you have an AMEX and a visa, if you charge enough.

Djlawman

the only problem with getting them both, is I want to use one card exclusively since almost everywhere I go takes amex, I use a chase stockback card if they don't take amex, since it is such a small amount of places that don't take it. I will be charging 15-20,000 a year(full time student, part time job). Since that is such a small amount going with the delta may actually mean the difference between me getting one flight a year, or on AA, no flights a year because no double points, correct? I appreciate all of your responses so much, I am just trying to make the best decision here so your wisdom is greatly appreciated:-)

Ero, if there's any chance you will be flying 25,000+ miles in one calendar year, I would highly advise the AA card. DL changed their elite program rules last year to make it harder for people such as yourself (i.e. people who fly on heavily discounted tickets) to achieve status. You can achieve Gold status by flying 25,000 miles on AA in one calendar year, whereas you would need to fly something like 50,000 (discounted coach) miles on Delta to achieve Silver Medallion status.

As an AA Gold member, you receive an automatic 25% mileage bonus for all paid miles flown, in addition to other benefits, such as first-class check-in, exit row seats, & upgrades.

my parents are moving to knoxville and I live in claifornia, so the possiblity of me flying maybe 18,000 a year is very possible but I don't know abotu 25,000. Also, don't miles earned through the credit card count towards this status or is it just good ole fashioned butt in seat flights. I know in the AA forum it was stated that the credit card points did count towards lifetime gold membership. Also, if you are flying with a companion for whom the tickets were purchased using your points do they also get the gold status or would I have to tell my girlfriend to go stand in another line?

Well, I just looked on seatguru.com and found that by Feb 2004 AA will have LESS, yes LESS, room throughout coach, so now it doesn't really matter to me either way. Just figured I would let you guys know this too.

ero2- any sort of activity in your AA account will extend the life of those miles for 36 months. That could be a flight, a credit card posting, miles for flowers, etc.

Welcome to FT!