My AMEX is a Delta/AMEX card so I can't use AMEX travel! Among other issues that keep popping up, like the multiple increases in the annual fee over the last few years, I can't combine my wife's and my miles. On a few occasions in the past I purchased our tickets or tickets for our the feeder legs, separately. I can't prove it but I think the biggest issue now is AI pricing like used by Amazon and others. I recently read an article that said Delta was using it. Just so they don't track me, I do initial searches using private browsing but that doesn't seem to help much. I used to be able to get great fares by booking the instant (literally within minutes) our flight window opened. Not any more although they are better than what we would pay if we waited a few months.
Alan - I always do all the searches on Google Flights before switching to an airline website to do the actual booking, in an attempt to circumvent the pricing issue you describe. I’m only on the actual airline website one time, when I have found and acceptable price and routing via Google Flights, to do the actual booking.
I don’t limit my travel to American and partners, even though I have their credit card and the majority of my miles are with them. My last two trips, for the international legs, have been through Turkish Airlines (a United partner) and my next one is on Emirates (also a United partner).
I go wherever the best price and routing leads me.
Alan - You are right, I had a Delta/Amex card for many yeas, progressing from the Gold to the Delta Reserve for many years, when Delta changed the way we obtain miles I changed to Amex as I will never be able to get past Gold, so t doesn't matter.
Now Amex Platinum fee is escalating so I may have to figure out something else. I still have a Delta/Amex Gold card. If I'm able to use miles for business trips in 2027 I will probable wipe out my miles even though I have over 1 million left.
Comments
My AMEX is a Delta/AMEX card so I can't use AMEX travel! Among other issues that keep popping up, like the multiple increases in the annual fee over the last few years, I can't combine my wife's and my miles. On a few occasions in the past I purchased our tickets or tickets for our the feeder legs, separately. I can't prove it but I think the biggest issue now is AI pricing like used by Amazon and others. I recently read an article that said Delta was using it. Just so they don't track me, I do initial searches using private browsing but that doesn't seem to help much. I used to be able to get great fares by booking the instant (literally within minutes) our flight window opened. Not any more although they are better than what we would pay if we waited a few months.
Alan - I always do all the searches on Google Flights before switching to an airline website to do the actual booking, in an attempt to circumvent the pricing issue you describe. I’m only on the actual airline website one time, when I have found and acceptable price and routing via Google Flights, to do the actual booking.
I don’t limit my travel to American and partners, even though I have their credit card and the majority of my miles are with them. My last two trips, for the international legs, have been through Turkish Airlines (a United partner) and my next one is on Emirates (also a United partner).
I go wherever the best price and routing leads me.
Alan - You are right, I had a Delta/Amex card for many yeas, progressing from the Gold to the Delta Reserve for many years, when Delta changed the way we obtain miles I changed to Amex as I will never be able to get past Gold, so t doesn't matter.
Now Amex Platinum fee is escalating so I may have to figure out something else. I still have a Delta/Amex Gold card. If I'm able to use miles for business trips in 2027 I will probable wipe out my miles even though I have over 1 million left.