I Hold Top-Tier Status With American, Delta, and United. Here’s What is Right (and Wrong)

Elite status has never been more expensive to earn, but for frequent flyers like me, the perks still have me coming back for more. After qualifying for top-tier status with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines last year (I’ve held Executive Platinum, Diamond Medallion, and Premier 1K® in some combination or separately for years, I’ve experienced the strengths and frustrations of each loyalty program and airline firsthand. I realize that not everyone (or 99% of the population) travels as much as I do and that these are just my opinions. No airline is perfect. Each excels in different areas, and the “best” program often depends on how and where you travel. Here is my take on the perks and overall operations of these three.

Upgrades

Let’s get this out of the way. Complimentary upgrades are as likely to happen as lightning striking twice. I’ve watched plenty of United Global Services members meander to the back of the plane while waiting to clear an upgrade. The reality is that the US carriers have finally managed to figure out how to monetize their front cabins effectively and if you think status is going to get you there on most routes you are mistaken.

I’m talking about complimentary upgrades. The kind given to elite members days before (or even during boarding) are few and far between. That said, there is some value to the upgrade opportunities afforded to top-tier elites if you plan properly. Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are my favorites when it comes to using an airline’s currency for upgrades. Here is a breakdown of what top-tier elites can earn:

• American Airlines: American is by far the stingiest with upgrade currency. Members earn Systemwide Upgrades (SWUs) as Loyalty Point Rewards starting at 175,000 points (they can choose 2 SWUs as a milestone reward). There is decent availability on some routes, but you only have two certificates. Use them wisely. American does not allow award tickets to be upgraded. Complimentary upgrades begin to clear at 100 hours out. American is aggressively selling upgrades so members have virtually no shot of a freebie.
• Delta Airlines: Diamond Medallion members can choose between four Global Upgrade Certificates, eight Regional Upgrade Certificates, or two Global and four Regional Upgrade Certificates as a Choice Benefit. These are good on paid and award tickets. I find the Regional Upgrade Certificates easy to use and the Global a great benefit as well. Global Upgrade Certificates are a bit tricky in that you need to book Delta Premium Select to get to Delta One® at booking as they only advance one class. You can chance it and see what happens at the gate as it is possible to get bumped again if space is available, but I have never tried this out. KLM, Air France, Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air, and Aeromexico are also upgradeable with Globals. I like that award tickets are also upgradeable. Delta offers complimentary upgrades on most domestic routes and some short international ones starting 120 hours out. I have not tried for one of these in years and buy First Class to not worry about it. Anecdotally, I have not heard much upgrade success being touted by Diamonds these days.
• United Airlines: United introduced PlusPoints a few years back to replace its old upgrade certificates. The rates vary depending on route and cabin that you’re looking to move into. These will go dynamic in February 2027 and it is anyone’s guess what the new rates will be and how upgrades will be priced. For now, I like that I can book an Economy ticket (awards count as well) and get to jump into United Polaris®. Premier 1K® members earn a total of 320 PlusPoints each year (when you include the 40 earned at Platinum). I find these cover multiple trips and if you plan well they are easy to use. They are not as easy as those with Global Services status have it as they can upgrade when PN space opens, but Premier 1K® members (and below) need PZ space (this is released much less often). Complimentary upgrades are also available on United in theory with Premier 1K® beginning to clear at 96 hours before departure, but I don’t see much success here either and gave up trying many years ago.

Priority Boarding

American, Delta, and United all offer priority boarding to top-tier elites. My view is a bit skewed as I always am in First/Business as that affords me to board before status on American and Delta. Here are my thoughts on each.

American Airlines: Executive Platinum boards in Group 1 after those with disabilities, ConciergeKey, First/Business, and families with young children. I hate having to wait for little ones and am glad that First gets to go first.

Delta Air Lines: Delta Diamond Medallion members board in Group 2 after those with disabilities, Delta One® or First Class and often after Delta 360° (even though they are also in Zone 2 with Diamond Medallion members and Delta Premium Select. I like that children are not pre-boarded here.

United Airlines: United preboards Premier 1K® members, but not until it has boarded those with disabilities, Global Services, active military, and families with children under the age of two. Children should not board before Premier 1K®. Just because you reproduced does not mean you’re special. I’m not a fan of United’s boarding order and buying First Class does not get you ahead. You’re still Group 1 after these other groups.

Checked Bags

Each of these three airlines is generous with checked baggage. I rarely use these benefits as I always carry-on my luggage. If you’re looking to check bags, here is what’s offered to top-tier elites:

American Airlines: up to three free bags, each weighing up to 50 pounds

Delta Air Lines: up to three bags for free, each weighing up to 70 pounds

United Airlines: up to three bags for free, each weighing up to 70 pounds

These are domestic allowances and there are some differences when traveling internationally, but they are all generous. American bumps to 70 pounds for premium cabins.

Elite Recognition

I am recognized for being Delta Diamond Medallion and United Premier 1K® frequently. I rarely ever hear anything about American Executive Platinum. I wish none of them said anything as it’s awkward. Saying “thank you” is the standard reply when thanked for holding status. I like that status is known, but thanking me for it just feels forced and off.

Irregular Operations

As a top-tier elite, all three shine when things go wrong. I find hold times if I need to call are always short on American, Delta, and United. American is the most likely to protect you on a second flight. United gives you the most options in the app. Delta agents are pretty empowered, but not always the most generous with options.

Aside from the benefits listed above, here are my thoughts on some of the other aspects of each airline.

Mobile Apps

While not exclusive to top-tier elites, I find United’s mobile app blows both American and Delta away. You can do just about anything with the app. United is fairly transparent on flight status updates. It’s easy to navigate and I find that I rarely have to call because the self-serve features work great. Delta is second for apps and most of what you want to do is possible there. It’s not as user friendly as United, but it works. American’s app annoys me. Functions are not as robust and why does my boarding pass need to go in my Apple Wallet versus staying within the app?

Premium Cabin Catering

You don’t get on an airplane to eat, but you shouldn’t be horrified by what is served either. Here are my thoughts on the culinary delights that await you on board.

American Airlines: The food is generally okay. Don’t expect much and you’ll be fine. Meals are edible and I like some of the variety that American offers. The airline also provides by far the largest portions of mixed nuts. Domestic meals are often better than international.

Delta Air Lines: The carrier leads in catering both domestic and international when seated in First Class or Delta One®. It uses the consistently excellent DO & CO for some of its catering and other airports are still fairly consistent with quality. I like that Delta has partnerships with restaurants and chefs (Shake Shack burgers are delicious). That said, I find the presentation of a snack basket weird before a meal and wish Delta would switch to nuts.

United Airlines: United sucks at providing good meals. That might sound blunt, but I’m writing this from a Polaris® seat with a meal so gross looking that I did not even try to eat it. The airline has made some strides in domestic catering. Some of those meals aren’t bad. But, it’s international premier product, Polaris®, still offers food that belongs in a shelter or prison and not in the front cabin. United has been trying with some partnerships like Magnolia Bakery and Godiva, but there is a long, long way to go. (And, I’ve only been offered Godiva once). I think the flight attendants just eat it.

Wi-Fi

There are major developments in in-flight connectivity and what we have today will soon change. Here is what I’m seeing when trying to get online while in flight.

American Airlines: American used to be ridiculously expensive, but now it’s free for members. Starlink is coming next year. Overall, I find American’s Wi-Fi to currently be okay on most flights. I can get some work done reasonably.

Delta Air Lines: Delta offers consistently usable Wi-Fi through it’s Delta Sync. It will add Wi-Fi from Amazon and we’ll see how that goes in the future.

United Airlines: United’s current Wi-Fi is meh at best. It is often not working. United is rolling out Starlink rapidly and I found it excellent the few times that I have flown with it. United only offers free Wi-Fi on Starlink-equipped aircraft and I’m tired of paying for it (like I did for the flight I’m currently on).

Seats

It’s next to impossible to compare the First Class seats and Business Class suites the airlines offer. That said, there are some that are better than others.

American Airlines: I love the new seats on American’s Boeing 787-9 (787-9P) aircraft (review here). This is especially true of the first rows and the extra space and amenities afforded there. For regular First Class seats, they vary depending on aircraft type but generally fine.

Delta Air Lines: Delta One® varies wildly. The suites on the Airbus A350 (review here) are great. The seats on the Boeing 767-300ER and others are dated and need refreshes. Seats in domestic First Class also vary. I like the ones found on Airbus A321neo aircraft.

United Airlines: I have not flown United’s newest Polaris® seats. The current ones across cabins are all not my favorite. They feel claustrophobic, are not great if traveling with someone, and are showing their age. Domestically, the seats are fine across the board.

Service

There is not one airline that nails service 100%. Delta positions itself as premium, but the service is not always on a par. American flight attendants have been the least friendly, overall (there are of course exceptions). United flight attendants finally got their contracts and this will hopefully make them happy. They vary greatly (like the other two). I have had great crews, mediocre crews, and some that are just awful.

Route Network

United Airlines is the undisputed king of international routes. Each year it adds more far-flung destinations and makes them work. Delta has a good international offering while American is incredibly limited. Within the United States, it depends on where you’re traveling. All three offer tons of destinations. United is way ahead of the other two when looking at the globe and all of the places it flies.

Lounges

Delta One® is the crème de la crème when it comes to lounges. The dining and amenities are incredible. Delta’s Sky Clubs® are also great for food, comfort, and design. American’s Flagship® Lounges rank next for me as the food quality is good and Bollinger Champagne is flowing. United comes in next with its Polaris® Lounges and United Clubs℠. The Polaris lounges are dated and need updating. The United United Clubs℠ are pretty meh with edible food, but nothing to get excited about. American’s Admirals Clubs® are weak. The food and spaces are both pretty meh.

Airline Alliances

This really depends on where you’re flying as they are getting closer and closer in size. I love that I have oneworld® Emerald, SkyTeam Elite Plus, and Star Alliance Gold. This covers me on just about every airline. oneworld® gets a nod for access to incredible First Class lounges like the Cathay Pacific one I went to earlier this year (review of the Pier, First Class Lounge in Hong Kong here).

Anthony’s Take: I find that there are strengths and weaknesses for all three airlines. These days I choose on price and schedule. I fly up front, so upgrades are not a concern, but the rest of the items above are always on my mind. Thanks to longtime reader, Christian, for this article request.

(Image Credits: ChatGPT, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines.)