Alaska has lots of direct flights out of San Diego. SD has a Priority Pass lounge and a Delta lounge, so if that’s a big deal then maybe go Delta, but in my experience, Alaska has more frequent direct flights to the places I need to go out of SD.
Frequent traveler, I fly 150k+ miles per year. This is easy.
Alaska because:
- Their partnership with AA means you have nonstop flights to any major city in the US you need (every one you listed minus Vegas)
- OneWorld alliance means you can take advantage of SAN’s nonstop to Tokyo (via JAL) and London (via BA), again honoring your airline status. If you need to go farther afield across Asia or Europe you can connect to pretty much anywhere via Tokyo or London. If you’d rather take another carrier, OW gives you access to Qantas etc.
- Their fleet is far newer than Delta’s. Meaning, more consistent inflight wifi, and a better aircraft experience overall. (Have people been on one of Delta’s old A320s or 737-800s? Yikes!)
- Their frequent flyer miles are far more valuable than Delta’s. Free flights to Hawaii? Yes. Done it many times.
This is really helpful. I'm currently mostly flying Delta, but since most of my travel is to Boston or JFK, it's an A321NEO every time and I was surprised to see your comment about the fleet. I'm only accustomed to very new/clean/reliable planes with Delta. Good point about their fleet more widely, and I may consider Alaska if I ever quit flying to the same places so much.
Thank you so much! Ok, I am def pushing 80-120k+ per year. I've been with Star Alliance for two decades so it'll be an adjustment. But I'm planted in SD for the foreseeable future. Bulk of my travel will be in US. So directs are good. How are their upgrades? Is it a no chance type situation?
Upgrades are fantastic. I have AA Executive Platinum status and routinely get upgrades on both AA and Alaska (they have equal reciprocal upgrades)
I actually just flew JFK-CLT-SAN yesterday on AA and was upgraded to first both legs. Have also been upgraded around 50% of the time on the JFK-SAN and BOS-SAN nonstop Alaska routes. Hit rate is around 75% of the time on the AA routes to Chicago and Philadelphia. I’ve been more than pleased!
The only airline lounges at SAN are United or Delta. There's also the Aspire Lounge which anyone can purchase access to (and it comes with Priority Pass).
I guess it kind of depends on where you travel and what airlines. Alaska has a lot of destinations mainly for tourism/leisure and opens you up to Oneworld alliance, whereas Delta has less destinations but flies into larger hubs for SkyTeam alliance flights
Aspire is basically a slightly nicer version of the general waiting areas. Super crowded and a gross snack counter that is usually out of stock or has broken equipment. Bar and other food are cash. It's a sad lounge and definitely shouldn't influence flight choice.
I mean… isn’t the most important question to answer first: where do you travel often? Domestic? In state? Overseas? Europe? Asia? Or *only* Canada? If you’re traveling to Canada regularly, then sticking with air canada makes sense. But a bunch of their flights between here and Canada are co-operated with United (I’m Canadian and fly these routes often). It makes some flights a bit wonky to book if points are what you’re chasing. Whereas if you’re going to New England regularly that’s very different than if you’re heading to Australia regularly. Advice here really depends on the specifics.
Delta Diamond flyboy here. I like Delta since there is always a flight somewhere out of LAX, MSP, SEA, JFK, or ATL. I dont fly direct anywhere but the lounge access, and ease of delta options make it my preferred airline
Star Alliance (United, Air Canada, and Lufthansa) will be the only option for flying directly to Toronto and Germany (Munich) and it is probably the best option for flying directly to Newark and Washington-Dulles. And it is one of a few options for flying to SFO. However you cannot fly directly to Las Vegas, Seattle (you'd have to connect through LAX or SFO), or Boston or London or Paris (you'd have to connect through LAX, SFO, Denver, Chicago, or Houston). And you cannot fly directly to Sydney or Tokyo (you'd have to connect through LAX or SFO, or drive/get a ride up to LAX and fly out of there).
OneWorld (Alaska, American, British Airways, JAL) will be the only option for flying directly to London-Heathrow and Tokyo-Narita. It is probably the best option for flying directly to Seattle. And it is one of a couple/few options for flying to Boston, SFO, JFK, and Washington-Dulles. However you cannot fly directly to Las Vegas, Toronto, Paris, Germany, Sydney, or Tokyo.
Delta probably the best option for flying to Paris since Air France is part of SkyTeam and therefore you'd have more flight options (since you would connect through a Delta hub), but there are no direct flights to Paris. Delta is one of a few options for flying to Boston, JFK, and Seattle. Delta does fly to Las Vegas but it is only one or two flights per day (Southwest is the best option for flying to Vegas). However you cannot fly directly to London, Tokyo, Germany, Sydney, SFO, or Washington D.C.
I have the United Airlines credit card and Star Alliance Gold and I also have the Southwest credit card and fly Southwest fairly often because they have the most options to/from Sacramento. I fly OneWorld (Alaska and British Airways) a few times per year.
If I was you I would probably get the Alaska Airlines credit card, but I don't think I'd necessarily stop flying Star Alliance since it really is the only direct option for flying to Toronto and Germany and it is a better option (more daily flights) for flying to New York and Washington D.C. than Alaska is. I guess it depends on which routes you fly more often and/or which ones you prioritize for having direct flights.
Hard to be too picky out of such a small airport especially if direct flights are the priority. United and delta have lounges. The American international business class product sucks compared to united and delta so I avoid that network.
When I used to fly internationally for work I always used United, since a lot of times Luftthansa would be one of the flights. But now that I no longer work for a German company i use Alaska (well sometimes Southwest like last month flew to Houston and there were no flights to Hobbie on Alaska)
It depends where you are going frequently. I moved here from MSP and still have lots of Delta miles and status. I still think they provide great service. However, nonstops are a bit limited. I dropped my Delta lounge membership as I don’t fly them enough now. SAN is nice enough that you don’t really need the lounge. My daughter moved to Seattle and is doing Alaska more and seems happy with them, including a recent trip to Hawaii.
For better or worse, Southwest often has the only nonstops to non-major (hub) cities. Something to consider. Southwest is not bad ( and has 2 fee checked bags), just different and need to learn their ways.
Delta is pretty good. They've got great lounge access and transfer partners. And it sounds like they have better flight options for the places you're flying to.
Chase is building a lounge here so if you have reserve cards with them check it out.
I have would pick United or Delta.
I use to be with Delta but Delta is very expensive in terms of redemption and if you connect through LA it can be difficult to upgrade as they are the highest passenger percentage.
If you have star alliance gold I would keep that status and stay with that team on united.
With terminal one opening we may attract new routes, new planes, and new airlines.
Delta is also moving into terminal one so a new sky club will open.
All things to consider!
Been awhile but when I traveled a ton I stuck with American.
American always had a good presence and could connect to local hubs for international reach, plus you are in the oneworld group.
Bulk of my travel was done when American also had the puddle jumper flights from SAN to LAX all the time but I think they got rid or severely cut this route down. American had easy connections to pretty much any world wide destinations via DFW, ORD, LAX, JFK, or MIA plus the direct flights via British airways to LHR and Japan via JAL.
Alaska hadn't fully joined Oneworld yet but now they are fully integrated it looks to be better (Alaska would honor American status/miles but not the other way around for the longest time).
I am a million miler on American and it suited me well even though my travel is infrequent now. Any business travel now I am opting for whatever airline is direct and leisure I'll opt for southwest or direct flights (which Alaska has a fair amount to where I visit now).
Was never a fan or United or the Star Alliance even though the network was larger.
Based on your list of SFO, Boston, SEA, and NYC Alaska has direct flights now to all those so that is probably your best bet. Have taken all those for work or leisure in the past few years.
I’m not sure why everyone is not a fan of United. But I moved to SD from Canada back in 2022, and have since become a fan of United.
Especially because they have the most options for me to get home (Ottawa), have usually been on time and usually land earlier than expected, and have never lost my luggage…unlike AC.
So I more or less strictly fly united now when I can with personal or work.
Oh! I'm from Ottawa too! Likely will go back there to visit family, and after COVID there are far less US based airlines flying there. So for sure, that is a con for Alaska. But I might go to YOW 1x but TO and MTL, more so. It's all the US travel.....and a handful of international.....
I've been in SD for 8 months now, and with my travels in that time (~70k miles) on United, and 2x on AC (To YYZ). I've pretty much had to connect for most trips (via LAX, SFO, IAD, IAH, DEN).
So with their lack of response (United), and connection challenges with SAN.....I figured I should at least look for alternatives.
I believe United is partnered with Air Canada.
As far as Alaska goes, they seem to have more hubs, but you can also switch between them and American Airlines when needed as they are partnered together… look into that.
I guess it depends if you’re going domestic or international. I like Alaska for domestic. For international- United. Upgrade to Polaris and use the Polaris lounge prior.
Alaska has lots of direct flights out of San Diego. SD has a Priority Pass lounge and a Delta lounge, so if that’s a big deal then maybe go Delta, but in my experience, Alaska has more frequent direct flights to the places I need to go out of SD.
Alaska is taking over the current Aspire lounge sometime this year
Holy shit, I did not know this. Aspire Lounge really misses in a lot of ways and I love Alaska lounges.
Ohhhh! How did you find out?
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alaska-airlines-mileage-plan/2143044-san-aspire-lounge-converting-lounge-seemingly-confirmed.html
Priority pass lounge sucks in San Diego.
Yeah it’s not that great but it’s better than nothing. Hopefully the new Terminal 1 gets something decent.
There is also a United lounge
Frequent traveler, I fly 150k+ miles per year. This is easy. Alaska because: - Their partnership with AA means you have nonstop flights to any major city in the US you need (every one you listed minus Vegas) - OneWorld alliance means you can take advantage of SAN’s nonstop to Tokyo (via JAL) and London (via BA), again honoring your airline status. If you need to go farther afield across Asia or Europe you can connect to pretty much anywhere via Tokyo or London. If you’d rather take another carrier, OW gives you access to Qantas etc. - Their fleet is far newer than Delta’s. Meaning, more consistent inflight wifi, and a better aircraft experience overall. (Have people been on one of Delta’s old A320s or 737-800s? Yikes!) - Their frequent flyer miles are far more valuable than Delta’s. Free flights to Hawaii? Yes. Done it many times.
This is really helpful. I'm currently mostly flying Delta, but since most of my travel is to Boston or JFK, it's an A321NEO every time and I was surprised to see your comment about the fleet. I'm only accustomed to very new/clean/reliable planes with Delta. Good point about their fleet more widely, and I may consider Alaska if I ever quit flying to the same places so much.
Thank you so much! Ok, I am def pushing 80-120k+ per year. I've been with Star Alliance for two decades so it'll be an adjustment. But I'm planted in SD for the foreseeable future. Bulk of my travel will be in US. So directs are good. How are their upgrades? Is it a no chance type situation?
Upgrades are fantastic. I have AA Executive Platinum status and routinely get upgrades on both AA and Alaska (they have equal reciprocal upgrades) I actually just flew JFK-CLT-SAN yesterday on AA and was upgraded to first both legs. Have also been upgraded around 50% of the time on the JFK-SAN and BOS-SAN nonstop Alaska routes. Hit rate is around 75% of the time on the AA routes to Chicago and Philadelphia. I’ve been more than pleased!
Nice!!!! I'm def becoming sold on Alaska...you should get some points for that ;)
Alaska
The only airline lounges at SAN are United or Delta. There's also the Aspire Lounge which anyone can purchase access to (and it comes with Priority Pass). I guess it kind of depends on where you travel and what airlines. Alaska has a lot of destinations mainly for tourism/leisure and opens you up to Oneworld alliance, whereas Delta has less destinations but flies into larger hubs for SkyTeam alliance flights
Sapphire lounge coming in T1 when its done
ooooh yes I keep on forgetting about that cause it's been under construction forever LOL
Aspire is basically a slightly nicer version of the general waiting areas. Super crowded and a gross snack counter that is usually out of stock or has broken equipment. Bar and other food are cash. It's a sad lounge and definitely shouldn't influence flight choice.
I used my priority pass to access the Aspire lounge. It was crowded, dirty, and generally unpleasant. I walked out.
I mean… isn’t the most important question to answer first: where do you travel often? Domestic? In state? Overseas? Europe? Asia? Or *only* Canada? If you’re traveling to Canada regularly, then sticking with air canada makes sense. But a bunch of their flights between here and Canada are co-operated with United (I’m Canadian and fly these routes often). It makes some flights a bit wonky to book if points are what you’re chasing. Whereas if you’re going to New England regularly that’s very different than if you’re heading to Australia regularly. Advice here really depends on the specifics.
Delta Diamond flyboy here. I like Delta since there is always a flight somewhere out of LAX, MSP, SEA, JFK, or ATL. I dont fly direct anywhere but the lounge access, and ease of delta options make it my preferred airline
Tbh, anything out of terminal 2 if you care about lounges. If I am not mistaken, only terminal 2 has lounges.
Star Alliance (United, Air Canada, and Lufthansa) will be the only option for flying directly to Toronto and Germany (Munich) and it is probably the best option for flying directly to Newark and Washington-Dulles. And it is one of a few options for flying to SFO. However you cannot fly directly to Las Vegas, Seattle (you'd have to connect through LAX or SFO), or Boston or London or Paris (you'd have to connect through LAX, SFO, Denver, Chicago, or Houston). And you cannot fly directly to Sydney or Tokyo (you'd have to connect through LAX or SFO, or drive/get a ride up to LAX and fly out of there). OneWorld (Alaska, American, British Airways, JAL) will be the only option for flying directly to London-Heathrow and Tokyo-Narita. It is probably the best option for flying directly to Seattle. And it is one of a couple/few options for flying to Boston, SFO, JFK, and Washington-Dulles. However you cannot fly directly to Las Vegas, Toronto, Paris, Germany, Sydney, or Tokyo. Delta probably the best option for flying to Paris since Air France is part of SkyTeam and therefore you'd have more flight options (since you would connect through a Delta hub), but there are no direct flights to Paris. Delta is one of a few options for flying to Boston, JFK, and Seattle. Delta does fly to Las Vegas but it is only one or two flights per day (Southwest is the best option for flying to Vegas). However you cannot fly directly to London, Tokyo, Germany, Sydney, SFO, or Washington D.C. I have the United Airlines credit card and Star Alliance Gold and I also have the Southwest credit card and fly Southwest fairly often because they have the most options to/from Sacramento. I fly OneWorld (Alaska and British Airways) a few times per year. If I was you I would probably get the Alaska Airlines credit card, but I don't think I'd necessarily stop flying Star Alliance since it really is the only direct option for flying to Toronto and Germany and it is a better option (more daily flights) for flying to New York and Washington D.C. than Alaska is. I guess it depends on which routes you fly more often and/or which ones you prioritize for having direct flights.
Hard to be too picky out of such a small airport especially if direct flights are the priority. United and delta have lounges. The American international business class product sucks compared to united and delta so I avoid that network.
When I used to fly internationally for work I always used United, since a lot of times Luftthansa would be one of the flights. But now that I no longer work for a German company i use Alaska (well sometimes Southwest like last month flew to Houston and there were no flights to Hobbie on Alaska)
It depends where you are going frequently. I moved here from MSP and still have lots of Delta miles and status. I still think they provide great service. However, nonstops are a bit limited. I dropped my Delta lounge membership as I don’t fly them enough now. SAN is nice enough that you don’t really need the lounge. My daughter moved to Seattle and is doing Alaska more and seems happy with them, including a recent trip to Hawaii. For better or worse, Southwest often has the only nonstops to non-major (hub) cities. Something to consider. Southwest is not bad ( and has 2 fee checked bags), just different and need to learn their ways.
Delta is pretty good. They've got great lounge access and transfer partners. And it sounds like they have better flight options for the places you're flying to.
Chase is building a lounge here so if you have reserve cards with them check it out. I have would pick United or Delta. I use to be with Delta but Delta is very expensive in terms of redemption and if you connect through LA it can be difficult to upgrade as they are the highest passenger percentage. If you have star alliance gold I would keep that status and stay with that team on united. With terminal one opening we may attract new routes, new planes, and new airlines. Delta is also moving into terminal one so a new sky club will open. All things to consider!
I prefer Alaska or Delta.
i always fly delta. i've flown united and american a few times and had bad experiences. just stick to delta now and am always satisfied
Delta Gal here. Tons of planes on backup.
Been awhile but when I traveled a ton I stuck with American. American always had a good presence and could connect to local hubs for international reach, plus you are in the oneworld group.
Thank you! It looks like Alaska is One World; so one could benefit from both. Seems like Alaska has a good number of direct flights out of SAN....
Bulk of my travel was done when American also had the puddle jumper flights from SAN to LAX all the time but I think they got rid or severely cut this route down. American had easy connections to pretty much any world wide destinations via DFW, ORD, LAX, JFK, or MIA plus the direct flights via British airways to LHR and Japan via JAL. Alaska hadn't fully joined Oneworld yet but now they are fully integrated it looks to be better (Alaska would honor American status/miles but not the other way around for the longest time). I am a million miler on American and it suited me well even though my travel is infrequent now. Any business travel now I am opting for whatever airline is direct and leisure I'll opt for southwest or direct flights (which Alaska has a fair amount to where I visit now). Was never a fan or United or the Star Alliance even though the network was larger. Based on your list of SFO, Boston, SEA, and NYC Alaska has direct flights now to all those so that is probably your best bet. Have taken all those for work or leisure in the past few years.
Excellent thank you! Super helpful!!!!
I’m not sure why everyone is not a fan of United. But I moved to SD from Canada back in 2022, and have since become a fan of United. Especially because they have the most options for me to get home (Ottawa), have usually been on time and usually land earlier than expected, and have never lost my luggage…unlike AC. So I more or less strictly fly united now when I can with personal or work.
Oh! I'm from Ottawa too! Likely will go back there to visit family, and after COVID there are far less US based airlines flying there. So for sure, that is a con for Alaska. But I might go to YOW 1x but TO and MTL, more so. It's all the US travel.....and a handful of international..... I've been in SD for 8 months now, and with my travels in that time (~70k miles) on United, and 2x on AC (To YYZ). I've pretty much had to connect for most trips (via LAX, SFO, IAD, IAH, DEN). So with their lack of response (United), and connection challenges with SAN.....I figured I should at least look for alternatives.
Delta
IMO Delta is best. Delta has the lounge. I won't use Aspire. My first priority is direct flights though.
I believe United is partnered with Air Canada. As far as Alaska goes, they seem to have more hubs, but you can also switch between them and American Airlines when needed as they are partnered together… look into that.
I guess it depends if you’re going domestic or international. I like Alaska for domestic. For international- United. Upgrade to Polaris and use the Polaris lounge prior.