Should I switch from AMEX/Delta to say VISA/United?
 

I know this is a complicated posting. I have done my research and am still confused and undecided. Posted on FlyerTalk with no responses. Am thinking about making a change (2014 changes also adds to complexity) to a different credit card/airline program.

Little background:
1. Live Central Texas but have home on Galveston Bay and office in Dallas. So, Delta, American or United can be considered.
2. I use AMEX cards and receive about 300K to 400K per year in points. Have used exclusively to exchange for business class seats to Europe.
3. Just booked SAT to Nice with return from CDG. Cost was 200k points per seat. Had to change return date because otherwise could not get the mid level seats. Traveling Oct. 2014. Going Tuesday and returning, now, on a Saturday. For years I could get 100k/business class seat by starting this early.
6. Travel domestically but usually Southwest and use their program. Otherwise, 4-6 other domestic flights.
7. I own a small company and travel dates are flexible.

Questions:
1. Should I consider changing from AMEX/Delta to some other frequent flyer program? It would require a fair amount of hassle to change existing vendors from AMEX to VISA.
2. Which VISA card would be best?
3. How do their VISA points translate into miles with the United or American programs.
4. How many miles do you need for United Business Class to Europe seats?
5. Are seats relatively easy to get ~ I start shopping 11 months in advance? Delta is a major problem (and now very expensive).

So many questions. I thank you for sharing your knowledge.

I suggest looking at a couple of websites and do a bit of reading .i have got great info from:

http://millionmilesecrets.com/

And.

http://loyaltylobby.com/

Philip,

The answer, too, is complicated.

United has very recently announced an increase in the number of points needed for international trips. As of Feb 2014, you'll need 115k miles RT to fly United in business to Europe using saver award, 300k to fly using standard (anytime) award, or 140k to fly on one of their partners. United's main partner to Europe is the Lufthansa group (Lufthansa/SWISS/Austrian/LOT). Availability of the low-cost business class seats on United tends to be very limited, even 11 months out. If you join Lufthansa's program, award seats on their flights are much, much easier to get -- but with a hitch: they'll add on fees, which can run to several hundred dollars in each direction.

American's mileage rates are lower, but it's reasonable to expect them to increase the award levels once they integrate their program with US Airways. Their main partners to Europe are British Airways and Iberia. Availability is better than United. Award flights on BA also have a surcharge.

As for primary credit card, you might consider the Starwood hotel Amex card. You still earn 1 point/dollar, and you can transfer your points to almost any airline at 1:1, except United. Most important, you get a 20% bonus when transferring 20K points -- that is, you'll get 25,000 miles when you transfer 20k points. And, of course, the points can also be used at Starwood hotels (Sheraton, Westin, etc.).

Great information. Sounds like Delta is the worst and Starwood AMEX is the best.

Thanks again!

I'm dumping Delta, too, and am going with an AA/Citi Amex card. Look into it.

I've been shifting over from Delta as well, but to United. Delta just has required too many miles most of the time. However, I did have better luck with an agent on the phone than the website.

I got the Chase Visa with the 30k mile bonus if you charge x amount the first 3 months.

I've had decent luck with United miles and in fact was able to get a 60k miles first class ticket at the last minute for an emergency trip back to SFO from Florence, but before the recent rise in required miles.

I have some miles with American as well from a British Airways flight and if they kept the mileage low I'd be tempted to go with them, but United/Lufthansa go more places (in Europe) that I want to go.

United has also recently raised its redemption requirements - for example North America - Europe in business class goes from 100K to 115K round trip as of February 2014.

In your case I'd probably look at either American or Alaska Airlines. Obviously things are pretty likely to change with the merger and new management at American, however its FF program is the biggest and IMO the most versatile of the major airline schemes. So far they have resisted the temptation to restrict upgrades to tickets bought in high base fares only (UA, Delta) or set high-medium-low "pricing" on award tickets (Delta). And for my money the AA "Explorer" award (mileage-based, not region-based) is still the best value there is in FF redemption options.

Alaska is the sleeper - you can accrue AS miles flying on Alaska, American or Delta (or umpteen foreign carriers) and spend AS miles on various independent, Oneworld and Skyteam partners, generally at very favorable rates. Unlike Delta, AS allows one-way redemptions, so you can set up open-jaws or other DIY itineraries easily. With the AS Bank of America Visa you can usually get excellent signup bonuses, plus an annual $99 companion fare (on AS metal).

Alaska is counter-intuitive for most residents outside the west (although they do fly to DFW, AUS, IAH and SAT) but if your main use of FF miles is for partner travel, it's an excellent option.