Alaska or Delta, Which Program for Elite?
 

I have been MVP with Alaska for years (as I lived in Alaska) and I've recently moved to Philadelphia. I have no interest in US Air, so don't bring that up.

My question is... Is it better to continue earn miles and keep my elite status with Alaska, or should I start my elite status now with Delta. I almost feel like Alaska has a better program as I can earn miles on Delta and American, which is more useful being on the East Coast.

Any thoughts on which program I should focus on for 2013?

Thanks!

If you fly enough to earn status that gives you a good chance at upgrades, you should probably think about doing the FF program of the carrier you fly in order to get those upgrades and other elite benefits. Although Alaska and Delta give upgrades to each others' FFers, they are at the bottom of the priority list, meaning that outside of unpopular times for business travelers and FFers to travel, upgrades are very rare.

Alaska does have better reward redemptions, including flights to Hawaii, so you might have to decide how improtant "free" tickets are for you. You could credit just enough miles to DL for status (whatever is the maximum tier you can earn) and put any excess into your Alaska account, but check their rules about the expiration of miles. Also learn what fares earn how many miles in each program, so that if you have a flight that earns few miles in one program, credit that flight to the other FF account.

If you also fly internationally, DL is the one.

I have a similar query. Basically I plan on matching my status to Alaska for an upcoming trip to the US. However, another option is to get a delta challenge and based on my flights already booked, could qualify for elite status. However, I've read conflicting things about delta and possible future changes so am unsure if it might be better to concentrate miles collection with Alaska or not. To give you info about my situation, I'm living in Ireland, planning a couple of months travel for next year. After that, i won't be flying very regularly but will have occasional trip Europe-us and intra-Europe. Can anyone offer insight as to whether I'm better of using alaska for miles Collection/future awards or would delta suit my situation better?

Thanks all

Run44:
Are you planning to actually fly ON Alaska Airlines somewhere in the states? If you are MVP with them, you have a good chance of getting the upgrade. If you are not flying to Seattle of Alaska, I would recommend sticking with Delta.

Also know, once you start any portion of travel with Delta, they will not let you change your FF# on any remaining flights. In other words, even if you have 4 more flights attached to the reservation, months down the road, they will not change the FF# that was input originally.

I would probably recommend Delta, just based on their sheer size.
However, the customer service from Alaska is superior and they treat all of their customers like kings. I love Alaska. I wish I still lived in the PNW.

Yes, one trip booked with Alaska so far but majority of travel probably on Delta, with a few more flights yet to be booked.

snowtraxx, many thanks for your reply. Very helpful

If your travel will be infrequent after next year, an advantage of DL is that they currently have a policy that redeemable miles do not expire. Also, excess status miles beyond the number needed for an elite status level roll over to the following year.

If you want any shot at upgrades with Delta for your flights in the US you are better of crediting it to Delta. Also make sure you can start your award from Europe and the miles required for that as Alaska has a very US centric award chart.

Great, thanks all. I really appreciate the advice. Looks like the consensus is to credit to delta. Should meet mileage requirements with the and sound like the offer best option for European awards.

If you redeem Delta miles intra-Europe, you will pay fuel surcharges equivalent to those charged by the operating carrier - Flying Blue's surcharges for AF/KL travel for example.

If you redeem Europe-US-Europe, you will pay fuel surcharges.

If you can start your award travel routines in the U.S. and ticket U.S.-Europe-U.S. you will avoid fuel surcharges even on AF/KL/AZ flights.

Good to know, will factor that in so. Many thanks for the reply.