DEAL DECODER
The Breakdown on 8 Membership Programs
We took your top four picks in both airline and hotel reward programs from our 2010 Readers' Choice poll and deconstructed them, so you'll know exactly what you're getting. See the matrix for a quick overview, or dig deeper with our full analysis.
AIRLINES
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES RAPID REWARDS
What kind of rewards do you get? Free flights (and that's it...the simplicity is one of this program's best points).
How long does it take to get rewards? After every eight round trips, you'll get a free Standard Award ticket—but all qualifying flights must have been taken within the same two-year period. Tickets are automatically deposited into your account and expire after one year.
What is the range of redemption options? You can fly to all 69 destinations the carrier serves, but Southwest only flies domestic, and it has no airline partners. The number of award seats available for each flight is limited, but if you convert two Standard Awards into one Freedom Award, you can book a free trip on any flight that's not full.
How easy is it to use? Reward reservations are easy to make and don't require planning months in advance. Booking an award over the phone does not cost extra.
What are the fees? No membership fees are charged, but there's an up to $10 September 11 security fee for all rewards; a $50 fee for reissuing expired rewards (they're issued promptly and are good for one year); and a $50 fee for extending the expiration date of a Freedom Award. There are no fees for canceling a trip and redepositing the award in your account, changing your award ticket itinerary, or booking at the last minute.
Are there any blackout dates associated with travel? Yes, about 15 days per year surrounding major holidays and long weekends. Limited blackout dates also apply to Freedom Awards.
What partnerships does this reward program offer? There are just 15, but each offers significant rewards; most are car-rental and hotel programs. And stay at a Hilton and you'll earn airline and hotel points.
Are there special promotions available only to members? Double- and triple-mile bonuses are sometimes offered for flying to and from specific markets.
What are some other perks? Fly 32 times within two years and you'll land on the A-list, which lets you whiz through check-in and get priority boarding.
DELTA SKYMILES
What kind of rewards do you get? Miles, which can be used toward upgrades, hotel stays, magazine subscriptions and merchandise (like Montblanc pens) from Delta's SkyMiles Marketplace.
How long does it take to get rewards? As long as it takes you to fly 25,000 miles (or rack up an equivalent number of miles through partnership purchases).
What is the range of redemption options? Thanks to numerous airline partners, miles can be redeemed on 16,000 daily flights going to 65 different countries. A three-tiered system is used for determining seat availability: 25,000-mile awards are limited, more seats are available for 40,000 miles, and 60,000 miles will get you any available seat in coach. More miles are needed to book international and premium tickets.
How easy is it to use? Finding awards for just 25,000 miles is a challenge; there's a 331-day window prior to departure during which you can book award travel, and you'll need to start searching for flights as early as possible and fly during off-peak months. Checking award availability often is sometimes rewarded, as the airline can release seats at any time during that 331-day window. Delta just created a new website listing award availability for last-minute travel.
What are the fees? There are no membership fees, but you'll pay $150 to redeposit award miles, $50 to make any changes on the day of travel, and up to $10 for the September 11 security fee, plus any additional taxes and fees for international travel (which can be as high as $299) and $20 for reserving an award over the phone instead of online. The airline just eliminated fees of up to $150 for booking an award less than 21 days before departure.
Are there any blackout dates associated with travel? No, although seats available for 25,000 miles are limited, especially on peak travel days.
What partnerships does this reward program offer? More than 140 are offered; you get miles when you fly on other airlines like Air France and Korean Air, and for signing up for everything from financial services from Fidelity to Lasik vision-correction surgery from LasikPlus.
Are there special promotions available only to members? No.
What are some other perks? Sign up for a Delta SkyMiles AmEx card and check your first bag free. Other perks don't kick in until you reach elite status or when you book a premium ticket.
