Paula Abdul = Lip Sync.
Good for Southwest.
Midwest, likewise, tends to not put people on pedastals (though they are a LOT more comfortable)... they have one elite level, that offers the following benefits: preboard after the first group, access to exit-row seating, and a stack of "same-day confirmed" change certificates (value: $25/each). Because of the 2x2 seating and a bit more legroom, the exit-row access is only a very minor benefit compared to cattle-class on the majors. Likewise, the smaller number of seats means plenty of overhead bin space... thus preboard is only a very minor benefit. Elite or not, Midwest is great to fly.
As for elite status on the other airlines vs Southwest, I have this to say: I have elite status on two airlines: AA and DL. If you DON'T have elite status, you're actually better off on Southwest. Even if you do, it may be advantageous to fly Southwest rather than the others. Over the last 18 months, I'm batting 20% or less on upgrades on AA, and 50% on upgrades on DL - meaning I'm stuck in back most of the time. So, aside from mileage bonuses and a larger route structure, the only real benefits I see are early boarding and access to the "reserved" seat blocks.
As for the elite-reserved seat blocks, they're often full (I haven't been on an AA flight this year that hasn't left
completely full, and one had 120 people on the wait list), and at least AA have a very limited number of 'elite' seats. On AA, anyway, the elite seats really don't mean much. And if you book near the last minute, you get stuck in the middle. So we're down to early boarding as the key benefit - yet tight connections and late flights often erase that privilege.
AA "nickles-and-dimes" every coach passenger, DL at least serves pretzels in coach, and SW has peanuts (and no stupid change or rebooking fees).
SW, on the other hand, if you check in online/early, you get Group A, which virtually guarantees an aisle seat. Legroom is pretty good. Group A is as good as early boarding on AA and DL from many cities (at DCA, DFW, ATL, and CVG, for example, I've counted at least 45 elite passengers on many flights when elites are called for boarding on DL or AA - if you think SW is a cattle-call, you should see 45 elite status passengers scrapping to be first on a plane
).
Most of my flying over the last 18 months has been SAT to DCA/IAD/BWI. Southwest has non-stop service - the others require a connection.
From my standpoint, without status SW wins hands down. With status, it's more of a wash, though I do some international travel and maintaining status is a good thing if you're traveling international.
Yeah, I dislike the cattle-car, but the back of AA, DL, NW, etc are all as much of a cattle-car as SW. At least with SW you stand a reasonable shot at a decent seat if you book within a few days of departure and you check-in early. And best of all, SW's phone service has been great, and customer service has been far better than the others.
I've become completely unenamored with the other airlines over the last couple of years....
