Diamonds thinking of switching airlines
Dec 2, 2010 | 12:40 am
#61
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Silver, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 7,492
If there is another trick that I'm missing, then I wish I knew about it while I was Plat at AA.
Dec 2, 2010 | 7:37 am
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,491
I don't think many dispute the DL hard product and of course benefits, particularly paid fares in Y or if you're willing to shell out the M fare.
But for those that matched, how was your award redemption experience on UA/CO vs Delta? Was that worth the switch?
But for those that matched, how was your award redemption experience on UA/CO vs Delta? Was that worth the switch?
Dec 2, 2010 | 8:34 am
#63
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: ABQ
Programs: Delta Platinum, Southwest A-List
Posts: 1,451
To answer your question, SkyPesos at its best
On AA it would have required 125k on first (I have no status on AA as of now)
On CO it would have required 175k on business (Plat on CO but I think it would have given me that same rate had I not had status)
and on DL, BE.... it required..... a whopping...350k miles, with horrible connections, mind you, and I'm DM.
You tell me where DL ranks
Dec 2, 2010 | 8:36 am
#64
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 36,849
Yes, an AA platinum can get upgraded on every flight if (1) they have a full fare Y ticket (Y or B fare) or (2) they buy upgrade stickers for $30 per 500 miles upgraded. DL elites contemplating a move to AA need to be clear on that. It's misleading to imply that once you complete a Plat challenge you can be upgraded on every flight. Until you make EXP, you will be upgraded for free on at most 20% of your flight miles.
If there is another trick that I'm missing, then I wish I knew about it while I was Plat at AA.
If there is another trick that I'm missing, then I wish I knew about it while I was Plat at AA.
There have been a couple of surveys on the AA board where even lower-level elites have expressed overwhelming support for the current system. It also benefits them because it restricts upgrades to those who really want them.
Dec 2, 2010 | 8:44 am
#65
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 36,849
Yesterday I picked a set of dates (long MLK weekend) for a flight to EZE from ABQ.
On AA it would have required 125k on first (I have no status on AA as of now)
On CO it would have required 175k on business (Plat on CO but I think it would have given me that same rate had I not had status)
and on DL.... it required..... a whopping...350k miles, with horrible connections, mind you, and I'm DM.
You tell me where DL ranks
On AA it would have required 125k on first (I have no status on AA as of now)
On CO it would have required 175k on business (Plat on CO but I think it would have given me that same rate had I not had status)
and on DL.... it required..... a whopping...350k miles, with horrible connections, mind you, and I'm DM.
You tell me where DL ranks
AA also has 40K off-peak Y awards to deep South America with very generous availability. That's RT.
Dec 2, 2010 | 10:35 pm
#66
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Beverly Hills, CA
Programs: DL DM & 2MM, UA-PE, AA
Posts: 1,077
- CO Plat: better is you fly INT since you can upgrade for a decent price ($+miles) or with SWUs on cheap fares
- DL DM: better for DOM upgrades
Dec 29, 2010 | 2:47 pm
#67
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: United PP; Delta PM; MR Plat Elite; Hilton Diamond; AmEx Plat
Posts: 1
DL Plat (Gold 2011) to AA Plat
Hey all -
I'm a DL PM for 2010 and will be DL GM in 2011 (missed it by 13k). However, my new long term project is in STL and I'm based out of DEN - no longer a long haul as my ORD - LHR project.
I'm thinking of switching to AA because they have a direct route (so does UA and Frontier) and I hear they are pretty amazing for international upgrades. I don't mind connections - in fact, I prefer them when I'm trying to get my mileage up. However, I imagine I'd be pushing it to get to AA EP.
Has anyone made this switch? Were they satisfied/disappointed by going from DL PM to AA Plat? I doubt I'll make it to AA EXP.
Thanks!
I'm a DL PM for 2010 and will be DL GM in 2011 (missed it by 13k). However, my new long term project is in STL and I'm based out of DEN - no longer a long haul as my ORD - LHR project.
I'm thinking of switching to AA because they have a direct route (so does UA and Frontier) and I hear they are pretty amazing for international upgrades. I don't mind connections - in fact, I prefer them when I'm trying to get my mileage up. However, I imagine I'd be pushing it to get to AA EP.
Has anyone made this switch? Were they satisfied/disappointed by going from DL PM to AA Plat? I doubt I'll make it to AA EXP.
Thanks!