nerd

That's exactly what I mean.

robbert

I agree with the ranking of AA, UA, NW/US, CO, DL from my experience as a general member. What I'm most interested in is how this changes for elite members. As a platinum on NW I've rarely not been able to get at least an itinerary very close to my ideal times/locations. How do DL or CO compare in this regard? Or the others? I'm afraid I'll have to find a new home after next year and this would weigh heavily into the equation.

holtju2

You should NOT redeem on any US carrier metal period. Redeem on their quality foreign alliance partners.

robbert

We're outsourcing enough, don't you think?

Marathon Man

for me:

AA first cuz you can redeem almost anything and for me, most any time.
Plus there are so many good ways to earn many AA miles.

I use them a lot for BOS-to island destinations.

Next is NW.
For me, BOS-AMS non stop is key. This 50k flight can almost always be found for family and self when we visit relatives overseas. Cant beat that when you have little kids and time NOT being in connections or airports is paramount.

Then UA works for ski and west destinations. 25k still getcha there so long as you avoid CHI (unless going there for something)

I will fly the partners of said airlines but have chosen to earn miles on the carriers above.

MM

UA Fan

amen to that.

iahphx

Yes, use the foreign partners whenever possible, especially in coach.

Personally, I consider AA (and to a slightly lesser extent UA) as having "hard currency" (almost as good as money in the bank) and the rest of the carriers as having "soft currency."

As a OnePass plat, there are advantages to me of having CO miles, and their currency is slightly more valuable to me than some of the others (and the Amtrak conversion is nice if you ever want to take a train).

US miles are bad for domestic travellers, but good for access to Star Alliance partners (new fees are an issue, however).

DL has not had a good program, and I do fear that nothing will now be available in the lowest category. Using monetary terms, that would be a "devaluation."

miss1K

Yes, I agree; I use my UA miles for international flights only.

GUWonder

I have elite status with AA, UA, NW and DL and previously also with US and CO. I wouldn't change my rankings from the perspective of my accounts or that of relatives or friends without elite status in the programs.

RicoWrite

Is there anywhere on here or on the net that you can find the value of the miles as actually regards awards. I.e. a comparison chart of how many miles are needed for all/various airlines to a certain dest/region/etc.
Have searched and searched but can't find anything, as usual probably using wrong keywords.
I remember a few years back seeing something as described, but can't remember where it was online or if it was just someone's personal file they had created.
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks Mike

P.s.- availability is not an issue with me

phoenixdude

Any thoughts on Alaska Milage Plus account. I feel its has decent network, and good avil.

Firewind

Scroll up, and you'll see that many feel that Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ has the best network around: It belongs to two alliances. Earn into Mileage Plan when flying Alaska or any of the partners, and redeem miles throughout the two alliances.

UA Fan

The one thing I don't like abt AS is that awards cannot be combined on multiple carriers. As it award space is so little, so when looking for awards, I really wish carriers could be combined. In this regard, I think AA is the best.

bulkheadrow

When you say AA you are referring to American, not Alaska Airlines, correct?

Firewind

That's a new one on me. As long as the freebie itinerary is all in one or the other alliance - say, DL and AF to get to CDG - sure you can.