I'm wondering what the preferred FF program is for SJC-based people who don't fly to Asia a lot.

I'm based in SJC (fly out of here 90% of the time, the rest out of SFO) and have been with NW for almost 3 years since I got interested in FF programs(started out because I had frequent trips from SJC to MSP due to family illness and NW was the only airline that had non-stops, and then things just perpetuated so I subsequently focussed on getting my business and leisure miles on NW).

As I don't need to go to MSP more than once or twice a year anymore, I've been wondering if UA or AA (or another FF program) might be a better choice for my needs.

My flying patterns include great interest in 3-4 international flights to Europe (especially Germany and nearby)/year with ability to internationally upgrade; several transcontinentals or US medium haul per year; a couple trips to the Pacific NW (which I do on AS); and unfortunately also a handful of trips to either LAX, LAS, Phoenix, or San Diego on which I can't fly NW or CO or AS to earn miles in the network. I'm also looking at plans for a trip or two to Australia/New Zealand and Chile with upgrades, which are difficult on the NW network. I have no interest in Asia.

I've been considering a change to AA or United given better network connections to where I go and greater international upgrade potential, though since I became elite NW has been quite nice to me and I've been able to secure upgrades with miles on B fares to Europe planning for ahead of time. I also like the idea of discounted WBC Z fares (hope this continues). I don't do a lot of spur of the moment Y fare travel anymore. The upcoming Air France alliance won't likely change much for me compared with flying KLM to Europe.

I can understand why MSP or DTW or Memphis based fliers may prefer NW. But what about you SJC (or even SFO) non-Asia people?

The 2 most frequent carriers out of SJC is AA and Southwest, but you must know this if you fly out of SJC a lot.

For frequency/availablity of flights from SJC, AA would be the clear choice if you want an airline that goes international. If you really want to fly mostly out of SJC, that's probably your only real option. United often flies/drives you from SJC to SFO on flights that originate in SJC, you have to be a little careful there. That said, if you don't mind SFO, you have a lot more flight/carrier options, including all the international airlines.

There are many people who love the AA AAdvantage program. I used to be one of them, but AA recently instigated a $100 change fee for FF tickets. It used to be you could change date/time for free(flexibility I really liked), but not anymore on AA. Other airlines may(NW) or may not(Delta/United) charge a change fee as well, and rules are always changing. AA FF awards are definitely available if you are flexible. I personally have used AA for FF tix domestic 48 US, Hawaii, Carribean & Central/South America, but not to Europe, Asia or Australia. For Europe I paid for tix or used NW FF program. I tried to use AA for Alaska, Europe and Australia in the past, but couldn't get the dates/times I needed so I just paid for tix. As for upgrades, AA doesn't upgrade well at all --- I've never been upgraded in my entire AA life. Others may have better success.

As a Gold, Platinum and Executive Platinum, I have 100% success rate of upgrades with stickers, miles and VIPOWs.

I also have 100% success of getting the awards on AA when and where I wanted to go.

Your requirements sound like a perfect fit for AA. Combined with their partner AS for the pacific northwest, you can fly AA to all of those destinations except PHX. I have heard rumor that PHX service may resume via LAX, but I wouldn't hold my breath - just use HP or WN for these flights if you have to.

Edited to add: I have been very satisfied with AA *service*, which has kept me going back. Although I'm trying UA right now, I am getting the impression that what they are willing to do for a good customer just doesn't match AA's customer service for elite pax.

I have complained about some cleanliness issues on AA aircraft after a change in procedure a few months back, but to their credit they seem to have "cleaned up" their act again.

[This message has been edited by elCheapoDeluxe (edited 10-17-2003).]

I'm sure andrzej(100% upgrade success) and my 0% upgrade success are not the norm. As I recall andrzej's home airport is Tampa, which may have less traffic (ie, have flown w/ AA FF tix into Tampa a few times because Orlando was full). My airport is SJC or the other CA Bay Area airports. Granted, after many upgrade failures (I only had GOLD, so maybe that's it), I stopped trying and exchanged my upgrades for FF miles (not as lucrative these days as when I did it). I failed to mention that I have not flown AA much in the past 2 years so I cannot comment on what AA & the AA FF program is like now. One general observation is that all the recent airline & FF program changes for every airline are for the worse. Case in point: I LOVED AA's extraleg room in coach --- but now they are getting rid of (have already gotten rid of?) it on some(all?) of their planes. That would have been beneficial for tall people, but it's being/been removed.

Sigh. Not yet, and not all, or even most, if at all. I wish we could kill all the wildly overstated versions of this rumor.

AA has announced they PLAN to remove it from two types of aircraft in their fleet only - the A300 (used heavily on carribean routes, I've never even SEEN one) and the 757, which after the conversion is going to be moved to low-margin leisure routes (think Vegas & Florida). The first seat is set to be removed starting in January. The majority of aircraft (MD-80, 737-800, 767-200, 767-300, 777-200) will retain MRTC.

Edited to add: I am based out of SJC & SFO, and although I don't upgrade much I have been 100% successful upgrading when I do attempt, both as GLD and PLT.

[This message has been edited by elCheapoDeluxe (edited 10-17-2003).]

Thanks for the legroom clarification, elCheapoDeluxe. I remember reading it and a big uproar w/ various fliers, but I had ceased much flying by then. There is a HUGE difference though between AA's extra legroom and any other airlines. If you are tall and will be flying coach on one of AA's extra legroom airplanes, that's a big reason to go AA.

I'll voluntarily stop commenting on AA's program and let other more recent fliers answer the questions. I wouldn't want to waste anyone else's time with misinformation. And with everyone else's upgrade success, I don't know why I was never able to upgrade once 8^(. Oh well. Goodbye.

Thank you all for your comments, much appreciated!

I fly AA out of SJC. AA has trimmed back flights over the years, perhaps due to the terrible economy here. The Hawaii flights are especially handy for me, and maybe someday I'll go to Tokyo. Sad they went to tiny jets to LAX, but on the bright side this increased or at least preserved frequency there. I think the benefits for platinum (mid tier 50,000 miles) on AA are really excellent.

Alaska Airlines flights count towards elite qualification on AA, a lot of people might not know that. It's important because that's what you'd use to go to Pacific Northwest.

But I'd also look at the Alaska Airlines FF program, maybe that would work for you if you end up flying them a lot. They have some good partners for international travel, and seem to be growing nicely.