Unless Southwest comes up with something major to make A-list worth it, I'm suddenly single as it comes to airline loyalty.

Which airline is best for status for somebody who flies 30-40 times a year?

I'd prefer to keep my credit cards with Bonvoy and HHonors.

If I didn't have comp status on United and Southwest, I'd probably go with Delta. Their service is good for a domestic carrier. International service requires connections through ATL or booking code share on AF or KLM, but that's not a huge deal for me since AF is my preferred international carrier.

Austin.

Not really a hub for anybody.

This +1.

American since you are in austin

Isn't American pulling back in Austin? Is it still better than the other legacy carriers?

If you're not near a hub then I'd say base your decision on where you mostly fly and which airline provides the most choices. Looks like AA has the most destinations of the legacy carriers out of AUS but looks like you should be able to make it anywhere fairly easily on any of the legacies as the hub coverage seems to be fairly complete. Now some might only have 1 or 2 flights to said hub so definitely check that out.

As for me, living in CO and flying back to AUS & IAH to see family I stick with UAL. In any case I would never choose to fly SWA on my own accord.

I do find it interesting that only SWA goes direct to DCA

Jock 07 said:

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If you're not near a hub then I'd say base your decision on where you mostly fly and which airline provides the most choices. Looks like AA has the most destinations of the legacy carriers out of AUS but looks like you should be able to make it anywhere fairly easily on any of the legacies as the hub coverage seems to be fairly complete. Now some might only have 1 or 2 flights to said hub so definitely check that out.

As for me, living in CO and flying back to AUS & IAH to see family I stick with UAL. In any case I would never choose to fly SWA on my own accord.

I do find it interesting that only SWA goes direct to DCA

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DCA has perimeter rule

https://www.flyreagan.com/about-airport/aircraft-noise-information/dca-reagan-national-slot-perimeter-rules

I'm in the same boat and fly SWA out of AUS regularly. American's app sucks so bad when compared to SWA. I may stick with SWA for that alone. The ability to easily change flights on the app is so nice. For the life of me, I cannot understand why American can't fix this.

It's not the app, it's that you can only switch flights on AA if you have status...If you have status the app is easy

American is pulling out. United routes you through Houston for most stuff.

Delta is supposedly trying to make Austin their foothold in Texas.

AA announced another 5 route cuts today, which totals something like 25 cuts since November. While I appreciated the attempted "focus city," their AUS operation is now down to hubs + Cancun.

Curious on what other Austin-based folks are doing aside from Southwest. Seems like my only options are to suck it up and connect at DFW/IAH, or keep crossing my fingers for Delta to actually put their money where their mouth is.

Doesn't UAL have a fair amount of flights to DIA each day?

esd19 said:

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AA announced another 5 route cuts today, which totals something like 25 cuts since November. While I appreciated the attempted "focus city," their AUS operation is now down to hubs + Cancun.

Curious on what other Austin-based folks are doing aside from Southwest. Seems like my only options are to suck it up and connect at DFW/IAH, or keep crossing my fingers for Delta to actually put their money where their mouth is.

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It appears this is the only option. I live in Georgetown so if I'm going to have to connect in DFW I might as well fly out of Killeen and save the drive to AUS and all the crowds.

If you look at the layout of their current hubs, Delta should be all over Austin evolving from a focus city to a new, true hub.

I'm dating myself, but I really miss the days when Delta had a DFW hub.

Fly out of Austin for all of our trips...

Have both Southwest and AA status since it depends on the destination, flight times, cost, etc. I always assume flying AA will require a connection somewhere, so I guess I am used to their upcoming changes.