<p>We have been a long time Continental frequent flyer member. Due to the recent merger with United, all of our benefits have been downgraded. </p>
<p>We used to be able to get upgraded 24 hours prior to departure, not they wait until 1 hour prior because that´s United policy. Where we live there are 2 terminals, the old one and the new one. Continental had its operations at the newer terminal, just received notification from United that we have been moved to the old one in order “to receive better services.” We used to be able to get into Continental´s lounge with AmEx Platinum card, now it is no longer accepted.</p>
<p>I was never that happy with Continental´s customer service, but now is just down right awful with United.</p>
<p>I am looking for a new airline to do business with. We fly in and out of NYC a lot, we travel internationally - Latin America, Europe, Asia sometimes.</p>
<p>Which airline program(s) would you recommend? What you like or dislike about it? I am considering Delta, any opinion about it?</p>
<p>I use Delta. I used to like the old Northwest, and Delta works for me. And I get frequent flyer miles when I fly Alaska as well. I HATE United - just did a series of flights on the combined airline to and from Toronto. They are way understaffed; their telephone business is terrible, and customer service is an oxymoron.</p>
<p>I live too close to Newark to abandon Continental/United, plus I’m Platinum/1K. </p>
<p>My gripe with the merger is there are now so many 1K and Global Services flyers now on Continental flights, getting an upgrade is tough even with my status. Since the beginning of the year, I’ve had 4 system-wide upgrade coupons, that I’ve tried to use coming back from Europe (co policy is over Biz; back Coach) and have been unsuccessful in 4 attempts. Finally used one for red-eye back from Portland. </p>
<p>I have flown Delta before and not impressed, plus they have cut back their International schedule to/from Europe, so it does me no good and I think Atlanta is one of the worst airports in the country, no, make that world. Years ago, I was told if you wrote to an airline, showing them proof of Elite status on a competitor airline, saying if they matched it for the coming year you would be more inclined to book w them - did it about 8 years ago with Delta. Didn’t get many upgrades, so I’m still committed to Continental. </p>
<p>Another consideration is the global alliance network. I like Star Alliance, as SAS, South African and Air New Zealand are on routes I use. Sky Team is less convenient to my typical international destinations outside of Europe (Africa & Australia).</p>
<p>The American Express lounge in the old terminal is not that bad --although the one is the new terminal is better. It’s pretty convenient for international departures. Of course, the fact that the Amex lounges are open to Gold card members might make it more crowded than the lounges that are reserved to first class passengers and platinum members only. Our family has spent a lot of time in that “corner” of the airport and we like(d) that French Bistro.</p>
<p>Fwiw, a number of airlines serving Europe from your foreign location offer better and more comfortable service than from the US. I would look for such airlines that allow easy transfers of benefits to domestic airlines.</p>
<p>Except for Singapore Airlines, all airlines suck. (& SingAir is Star Alliance :))</p>
<p>Best flight out of EWR is the Sing Air non-stop to Singapore that leaves around midnight every night. 100% business class on a 777. You get 3-4 meals in 19 hours, plus snack bar stocked with fruit & Snickers bars.</p>
<p>We have FF miles on US Air…they are not so great either. Their short straw is Philly airport. We have never had a good trip when traveling through Philly. We are flying Star Alliance airlines to and from Africa in November/December, and DH had originally been told that he could use the lounge at Dulles because of his USAir status (we are flying United). Now they are saying no. </p>
<p>Seriously, maybe they are taking customer service lessons from Bank of America.</p>
<p>I fly Jetblue and Southwest when possible, but rarely any international travel. Both SW and Jetblue treat passengers like welcome guests, but Jetblue has more amenities including directtv at every seat. The planes are pretty clean and my flights never been delayed except due to weather. United and USAIR were my former airlines and they are awful! I stopped flying Continental in 1989 for poor customer service.</p>
<p>I also like Jetblue. I like their seats and customer service. I hear Southwest doesn’t charge for flight change. Continental charges $150 for domestic and $250 for international flight change. I stuck with Continental because I used to get upgraded for free, but now with UA those upgrades are far and few between. </p>
<p>Thumper1 - I thought if you were part of Star Alliance, you should be able to use their lounges if you were a gold or platinum member.</p>
<p>Oldfort, it looks like Delta might be your best bet. Alaska has a gazillion flights between the US and Mexico, and these miles will count towards Delta’s status miles. H loves Alsaka and prefers to fly it all the time. For a few extra dollars on top of bargain fares, his gold (or whatever) status lets me book our HI trips in first class, guaranteed.</p>
<p>Alaska is not a member of the three major alliances. It does codeshare with many airlines and not specifically with Delta.</p>
<p>Alaska to Mexico is focused on the West Coast (Sea.Sfo.Lax) and is usually codeshared with American. Often offers 50 dollars upgrades to AA elite members.</p>
<p>For west coast people, Alaska can be useful, in that it can allow concentrating mileage from both American and Delta and some of both OneWorld and SkyTeam in one account.</p>
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<p>Correct, Southwest does not have a change fee, but any fare difference applies unless done because of flight cancellation or change on the airline’s part. Also, a same day standby requires upgrading to full fare, since it is considered equivalent to a same day flight change.</p>
<p>Southwest also does not have a charge for the first two non-oversize checked bags. A likely reason (besides being able to advertise it) is that if they did charge, more people would try to carry on everything (like on other airlines). This could impact the 20 minute turnaround times that their business model depends on.</p>
<p>I was wondering why it was so annoyingly difficult to get an upgrade on UA these days. I hadn’t even thought about the merger.</p>
<p>We live in Chicago, so I doubt we would ever switch from United. H is a 1K flyer, so it’s not bad when I fly with him. But, a couple of weeks ago, when I was flying myself, it was very annoying.</p>
<p>Ah, well, efficiency and economy of scale can be highly over-rated.</p>
<p>I don’t use airport lounges, but am very happy with the perks on my Delta credit card. Originally got it to keep my NW miles, but because I have free baggage check for one piece, for myself and anyone flying on my reservation, it has saved a bundle of money. Recently they added early boarding for CC holders, which I didn’t anticipate liking as much as I do.</p>
<p>My S, who plays with CCs and FF programs, said they require too many miles for free flights, and United is better. However I find United expensive these days. </p>
<p>Delta service seems ok for a USA based airline. I don’t trust American, as they seem very bare bones about everything, but on routes to the Caribbean, Central American, you’re sometimes stuck with them. </p>
<p>Alaska is great for our needed family route from Seattle to O’Hare. Very often it is the cheapest direct fare. </p>
<p>I got sort of mixed up at that Toronto United connection last spring-poor signage, poor directions.</p>
<p>I find that which airline I use is mostly due to where I’m flying. Delta isn’t the best airline in the world, but between the midwest and anywhere else, it’s usually the one chosen.</p>
<p>I have a companion ticket on American Airlines. I’m making three trips so far between now and March 2012 and I can’t use it on any of them. One of them is during a black out date. Our trip to GA was $150 per person on Delta non stop and over $350 on American with a stop. Even with one free, it was cheaper to fly Delta. The third trip would be very convenient, non stop flights on Delta or expensive, inconvenient flights on AA for only $20 less for the two of us. I guess this AA companion ticket which expires in April is going to be wasted. Have also tried using the AA miles. It’s never available.</p>
<p>We had a voucher we couldn’t use…I think they give them out…and HOPE that folks won’t be able to use them.</p>
<p>A PITA if you ask me.</p>
<p>We fly Southwest when we can. Jet Blue too…and USAIR because that’s where the FF miles are. I’ll let you all know how my United/South African Airlines/Rwandan Air/Air Brussels/United trip goes…</p>