italdesign
Level 2 Member
By now it's well known that AA-metal award space has become close to non-existent, culminating in this post by VFTW:
Which made me reflect on my redemption strategy. Two years ago, I did many domestic leisure trips, flying primarily on AA. I redeemed either BA or AA miles, and award space was pretty good (excellent for US Airways F for int'l F/J positioning). That year I also was OWS (thanks for the match, AB), which got me MCE at the time of booking. I connected frequently at DFW, where I enjoyed Centurion Lounge's heavenly 15min massage numerous times. Fond memories. It worked out well overall.
Times are changing. Coincidentally nowadays I'm shifting my vacation days to int'l trips, so this year I might only have 2-3 domestic flying trips. I am loving WN's refundable miles for those, and I almost always get it for less than 12.5k each way (and often much less). I've used it for years as my primary or secondary domestic program.
DL has also come in handy many times for domestic and Canada trips. They are great for Western Canada, Alaska, and upper Midwest compared to AA and UA. As much as it has devaluated, it continues to serve me well broadly.
In summary, Domestic:
-DL for Western Canada/Alaska/upper Midwest
-SQ for UA metal
-WN for everything else.
International (US origin):
-DL*, AC, OZ for Europe
-AA for Asia and South America J
-AS for Asia F
-BA for short haul anywhere.
* before the most recent deval; have to re-eval for future.
How about you?
Code:
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2017/04/15/just-far-american-aadvantage-fallen/
Times are changing. Coincidentally nowadays I'm shifting my vacation days to int'l trips, so this year I might only have 2-3 domestic flying trips. I am loving WN's refundable miles for those, and I almost always get it for less than 12.5k each way (and often much less). I've used it for years as my primary or secondary domestic program.
DL has also come in handy many times for domestic and Canada trips. They are great for Western Canada, Alaska, and upper Midwest compared to AA and UA. As much as it has devaluated, it continues to serve me well broadly.
In summary, Domestic:
-DL for Western Canada/Alaska/upper Midwest
-SQ for UA metal
-WN for everything else.
International (US origin):
-DL*, AC, OZ for Europe
-AA for Asia and South America J
-AS for Asia F
-BA for short haul anywhere.
* before the most recent deval; have to re-eval for future.
How about you?