OnePass vs. SkyMiles
 

For years I have had both a CO OnePass and a DL Skymiles membership. Clearly I no longer need both. Any thoughts as to which one is better?

I'd lean towards CO since they're not in chapter 11 (yet...)

Agreed. Until articles like this aren't being written about Delta, I wouldn't want to move toward consolidating mileage accrual with them. I'm hoping Delta will be around this summer to honor my award ticket to Montreal.

Delta pilots strike could doom carrier
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10039691/

ehh, this could be VERY bad.
:(
I hope they hold on until after I come back from Tel Aviv on the AF F ticket...

Even if DL were not in bankruptcy, I'd pick CO. I've been generally pleased with both programs over the years, but recent silly management decisions at DL have made the program much less attractive. When CO was in bankruptcy years ago, they maintained OnePass with a "business as usual" attitude - perhaps even more generous than usual. In contradistinction, DL has become more and more restrictive as their business situation has deteriorated over the last 4-5 years. In parallel with the FF declines, there have been significant quality declines at DL, while CO has managed to continue a high level of service (amazing how significant something as simple as "meals at mealtimes" becomes when nobody else is doing it!) DL is touting a return to "real" first class service, but given the current situation in Atlanta, it's certainly possible that the company may not live long enough to implement the changes.

All of the forums have threads both praising and condemning their respective programs, but a quick scan of the DL forums will reveal a general malaise and displeasure that is not equalled at he CO forum (IMHO.)

The two advantages Skymiles has are:

1. Free CRC for Platinums (to be phased out after next year).

2. Upgrade coupons (valid on YB&M fares) for Platinums.

If you won't be platinum, no difference.

I would stick with CO. The CO planes are much more modern. On international flights you get your own movie screen in coach.

Plus, when you get elite status in CO, you are also basically an elite on NW. Which makes you an elite on two major carriers for the price of one! But Delta (the jr skyteam partner?) will not honor elite status except for its own Skymiles medallion members. And so, the other carriers usually do not honor Delta elites either.




TJ

Valid points, but with caveats:
1. It's ending, and if you gotta pay for the service, the CO clubs are much nicer; and as both cards have (sort of) reciprocal priviledges, CO wins.
2. Yes, CO's int'l upgrades are difficult and arcane at best, but they often have fare sales which end up pricing at much the same as DL Y/M/B + cert - and - you get the higher class bonuses.
- anyone can take advantage of the fare sales.

I haven't used an int'l upgrade cert for well over a year as I can usually do better elsewhere.

I'm platinum in both programs but I value my CO status so much more that I'm sliding back to permanent Gold in DL in 07. Besides, in planning for the future, DL is a much riskier proposition than CO right now. (It almost pains me to say so - as I have had many good experiences with DL , and have even made some friends there - but it's reality.)

CO only offers 50% elite qualifing miles for discount airline tickets, which makes it very hard to earn elite status....also why I avoid the airline when I can.....

NW will give CO Elites free domestic upgrades. DL Elites get early boarding and preferred seating only on NW, no upgrades.

If you buy the tickets on CO.com you get full EQM regardless of fare paid.

Platinum Plus
 

I think that CO giving only 50% credit for low fares is a good thing. We need less Platinums, not more on the airline. Better chances for upgrades for those of us who fly 150K plus miles for business (which, BTW, even at the "cheap price" is still enough to qualify for Platinum).

I think CO should add a "Diamond" level for 125K plus elite miles flown per anum.