American and US Airways Merger Update (oneworld): US Airways mileage earnings and redemptions via its Star Alliance partnership ends on March 30. The next day, US Airways joins the oneworld alliance. American and US Airways will operate as separate airlines as oneworld members under the AA umbrella.
My Take: This approach—operating separately until the union can be consummated on the ground—is similar to the one United and Continental took when they merged. Between now and then look for both airlines to adjust elite and mileage programs. Until then, buy all the US Airways miles that you can during buying promotions because it’s easier to get a lot of Star Alliance miles cheaply, generally speaking, than oneworld miles—and US Airways miles will soon be American/oneworld miles.
American mileage purchase discounts are not as high as US Airways and cap annual purchases at 60,000. There are a few things that really bother me about US Air’s program (no one-ways or changes after departure on partners, for instance), so I’d rather have more AA miles. The greater point: Diversification. You want miles in as many different programs as possible.
British Airways Receives More, New Aircraft (oneworld): British Airways second A380 U.S. gateway will be Washington, DC, as of Sept.1. BA’s new B787s will start flying from Austin (March 30), Philadelphia (June 5), and Calgary (July 5) to London.
My Take: Always great to see another A380 from the U.S.
Remember a First Class award ticket is only 120,000 miles. Granted, the ticket comes with high taxes, but you’re on an A380, and through various premium ticketing strategies, can save 50% to 80% without much difficulty. Consider connecting in DC to catch this plane, or using London as a launch point throughout Europe and beyond.
Delta Elite Upgrade Changes (SkyTeam): On March 1, Delta is making extensive changes to its upgrade program— so many that we can’t cover them all here.
My Take: The most egregious change is to the Medallion Complimentary Upgrade. As of March 1 it’s no longer valid on transcon routes (between JFK and Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco). This was one of the only reasons to have elite status on Delta. One of the worst programs continues downhill.
The other big change is that elites are eligible for upgrades on some West Coast (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake, and Seattle) flights to Hawaii as of March 1. This one sounds really good, but these are the same routes on which Delta offers highly discounted premium fares, EasyUp fares, (see page one), which diminishes the chances of getting a confirmed upgrade, or even needing one.
Delta’s international mileage upgrades are the worst, together with poor award availability in Business Class, and no access to its partner’s First Class; so it’s not the premium traveler— looking for special opportunities—who is investing in this program, in general, remember.
Emirates Receives Two More A380s: That makes 44 for the airline clearly determined to have more than any other carrier. These two additions will fly to Mauritius and Munich from Dubai.
My Take: Emirates is one of the few airlines that often offers amazing mileage award space on new routes; look for First and Business Class seats. Transfer miles from Amex Rewards or Starwood.
Qatar Receives Its First A380 (oneworld): It arrives this spring. Three cabin layout and goes into service on a European route—which has not been announced yet.
My Take: Stay tuned for the route because Qatar often has First and Business Class mileage award space on new routes through its partners American and British Airways.