Frequent flier - considering a switch from American to Delta. Thoughts?

[Cameron]

I've been a loyal American Airlines flier (almost a million miles) and my late husband had over a million miles with them.

I'll soon use up my remaining unused mileage awards and am thinking of look for Delta "sign up" deals with credit cards to earn a large amount to start up.

There is now a direct flight from Raleigh-Durham to Paris. A business class ticket is half the price of an American ticket that requires one stop.

What is your experience with Delta? Especially, using the rewards? I've found it more and more difficult to get flights I like with American mileage awards.

Thanks.

 

[Pauline]

We were with Delta for many years because we flew out of Albuquerque and they were the best airline for us to use to Europe (flying into Italy and Switzerland) and within the US. I did a lot of upgrading with Delta and was happy with them. (Well, sometimes unhappy - but that is to be expected when you fly a lot with an airline. Something ugly always happens.)

Eventually I switched to British Airways because we were planning to leave New Mexico. I like how easy it is to upgrade - you can do it on the website (I had to phone with Delta). I think American partners with BA. Maybe you can book with BA and use your American miles? But this only works if you are flying in and out of the UK as we were frequently then.

 

[Cameron]

Pauline - my main issue with awards ticketing has to do with being forced to use BA. When booking a business class FF ticket for September, American forced me to BA with taxes exceeding $1100. I changed my dates to three days earlier and booked a flight on American all the way, without going through LHR, the taxes were $103. If having to spend $1000 more, I'd rather have more days in Paris, for less!

 

[artnbarb]

For a business class ticket using FF miles, going to Rome, American forces you to go thru Gatwick and/or Heathrow for flights originating in either Tampa or Orlando. I don't get it.

 

[Cameron]

I don't get it either.

 

[Andrew]

I think you're saying that, for awards to Rome at the SAAver Mileage level, and for the dates you want, they're only showing availability through London, most likely on BA with its high carrier surcharges. Fiddling around with dates, it is possible to find Business SAAver awards from Tampa to Rome all on American and not going through London, and certainly the AAnytime awards for many more miles.

The non-BA awards are likely to be snapped up sooner while those on BA stay available, because the amount that BA chooses to charge even on awards (most of this is NOT taxes), makes it not worth using miles for a trip where "free" is a misnomer.

 

[Andrew]

On the original question, I should add that Delta isn't well regarded for award availability, and they don't publish award charts. But you can search their site for how many miles it would typically take with a booking well in advance for the trip you may have in mind.

 

[Pauline]

I always used my BA miles to upgrade, so did not know about those high fees. From the UK I use BA miles for free flights but the charge is not that high for flights to France or Italy.

I wish London would stop trying to be a major European Hub! There is endless debate about expanding Heathrow or Gatwick and neither is a good option.

 

[Jan55612]

I recently booked a reward ticket on Delta for travel to Paris in October of this year. I only had enough miles for an economy seat (which I paid to "upgrade" to Comfort Economy). But, no issues finding a ticket. I am traveling outbound on a Monday, returning two weeks later on a Tuesday.

 

[Cameron]

Do those of you who fly Delta find it comfortable?

Due to osteoarthritis in my hips, I now book business class. When selecting an overnight flight, I look at the airplane to make sure the seats lie flat.

When paying, Delta's business class tickets are half the price of an American Airlines' ticket from here to Paris. I don't know if that's because Delta is promoting their new direct-route, or if their prices are always that much better than AA.

 

[Karen Frerichs]

A few years ago, I did what you're thinking of: signed up with a Skymiles card to get started with Delta mileage.

Here's something to consider... Delta is a partner with Air France, which I usually choose, because they offer a non-stop flight from San Francisco, which makes things a LOT easier for me, flying from the west coast. Air France is fine; I haven't yet sprung for an upgrade or biz class, but the service in economy is good. I get it about arthritic hips, and so far am managing with the non-stop, 10 hour flight to CDG.

Lately, I cancelled the Skymiles card, because the annual fee kept creeping up, and the flights availability on miles is not as good as it used to be (the airlines REALLY want to keep us from using miles, I think), AND there seem to be more and more discount airlines popping up... I didn't like the feeling of being tied to my mileage, when it wasn't really serving me so well. Would rather spend the money in Paris!

Can you keep both mileage accounts, and see how it goes?

Good luck,
Karen

 

[Cameron]

I can keep both mileage accounts, but like you, I was also considering a credit card to earn Skymiles.

The seats are getting so much smaller now, and being the introvert and claustrophobic that I am, I'd rather have my space, too.

 

[Karen Frerichs]

I have decided not to be loyal... and just go for the best price.

I have a credit card that gives me cash back, and no foreign fee charge, so am using that for everything. I do get it about the space, and once flew first class, which can really spoil a person!

 

[Cameron]

May I ask which credit card you chose? I have a CapOne with no foreign fee.

Now that I fly alone, I really hate being in economy class. No matter what, strangers on a plane tend to ask me if my husband is meeting me at my destination (I still wear my wedding ring)...and when I tell them I'm widowed, it just makes everyone uncomfortable.

 

[Karen Frerichs]

My credit card is through a local credit union... low fees, lots of nice benefits. Not much help to you, sorry.

There may be others out there, though. I also have the Cap One as a back-up card.

And I still accrue some miles if and when I fly Delta or a partner like Air France... some day I'll get enough for a domestic trip, use them up, and forget it!

I am single, and have gotten very good at ignoring too much chat on flights (unless I feel like it...depends on who, when, etc). Can't give you much advice, but headphones (even if not attached to anything, who'd know?) and pulling out my Kindle or a magazine immediately usually effectively signals that I'm occupied.

 

[Kathy]

I'm a million-miler on Delta and have been traveling on Delta (and their partners) for most of my traveling life. They're the dominant carrier in our area, though we do have other major and budget airlines. I think they do give some special attention to their premium flyers, which is one reason to try to focus most of your travel on one airline if the prices are right.

We have personal and business American Express cards, which we use for most of our charges in the USA. We charge most of our airline tickets on the business AmExp and earn bonus miles for airline charges. You earn membership miles, which can be transferred to various loyalty programs or used on the AmExp travel website to buy tickets. We use our points to buy tickets for our daughter or tickets for personal travel. When you book these reward trips through the AmExp website, you also earn FF miles (as on CapOne below).

For charges in Europe in foreign currency, we use our CapOne Visa card. So we're earning points there too that we can use for personal travel.

As far as seat size, we wouldn't ever buy business class tickets, though we've been upgraded a few times. We often buy the economy comfort seats... even just the few extra inches makes a difference, especially on the overnight flight. If I only went to Europe once a year (or wasn't helping a daughter in grad school), I would love to travel on business class all the time.

Kathy

 

[Jan55612]

I am using a USAA card, which is a cash back card and charges no foreign currency charge now (new this year). I have avoided airline cards, but do fly more Delta than other airlines due to availability of flights. I did fly on Air Canada on a trip to Lisbon this winter. The Premium Economy option was less expensive than Delta economy and was fairly comfortable. The seating was in a separate cabin, with slightly wider seats, more legroom, a footrest, and even real dishes for the meal.