Programs: AC - no status ; UA - chasing 1K for 2013
Posts: 389
Your input: stay with Aeroplan or switch to different FFP?
Hello all,
I am contemplating if I should stay with Aeroplan or move to a different FFP.
My flying patterns will drastically change in 2013, as I took a new job and will now be based in Germany again.
Before I was mainly flying Canada-Germany a few times a year for work and got status.
Now it will be mainly Germany-Asia for longhaul (once a month), also Germany-Australia/NZ and Intra-Asia.
For example, just did my first trip FRA-SIN (LH), SIN-CGK (Garuda), CGK-SIN (Garuda), SIN-SGN (Vietnam Airlines), SGN-PEK (Vietnam Airlines), PVG-FRA (LH). Intra-China flights were on different airlines, did one flight on CA, another on Shenzhen Airlines.
I haven't qualified for any FF status this year, but plan on getting Aegean * Gold with one r/t on SQ to OZ in February, good for lounge access, not much more I guess?!
I'll be covering all of Asia for my new job, SQ will probably my choice of airline for SE Asian destinations. Probably LH to China. SQ again to OZ & NZ.
Was looking into LH Miles&More, since the travel agent will try to book us on LH, but I can also switch to say SQ if it makes more sense with arrival times etc. Don't know anything about SQ FFP.
FYI, I plan on going back to Canada/North America once or twice a year for personal reasons.
In your opinion, which FFP would suit me best, suggestions?
Programs: AC - no status ; UA - chasing 1K for 2013
Posts: 389
Quote:
Originally Posted by rankourabu
if economy - there is ZERO reasons to stay with Aeroplan - most LH economy fares earn zero or partial mileage.
Find a program (like UAMP or USDM) that earns 100% of LH L,T,S,W fares after youve gotten your A3 Gold.
I was thinking about UA, good for redeeming for award travel I guess.
Upgrades aren't gonna happen flying LH, not even as a Senator (most of my new colleagues are LH Senator).
I haven't looked into SQ's FFP, would that make sense maybe?
I was thinking about UA, good for redeeming for award travel I guess.
Upgrades aren't gonna happen flying LH, not even as a Senator (most of my new colleagues are LH Senator).
I haven't looked into SQ's FFP, would that make sense maybe?
depends on what you want at the end of the day - if you want easy, flexible awards with no fees, than UAMP wins hands down.
Not too familiar with SQ, but they for certain, have surcharges on awards, as well as a not-so-friendly redeeming scheme.
I'm not really up on the KrisFlyer program, but get the impression it doesn't get you a hack of a lot (vs. PPS where you have to fly first/business). Miles and More sucks for people trying to accumulate in Economy.
I'm with rankourabu - go for UA's Mileage Plus. You'll earn 100% miles, no fuel surcharges on redemption and AFAIK you can use points to upgrade on LH.
If you have Altitude 50 from 2012, then just switch over your accumulation to MP effective Jan 1 and you'll be able to use your Altituide card in 2013 for lounge access until you hit the 50K with MP. You'll also be able to use your eUpgrades for flgihts back to Canada in 2013 - just have them change your number on file from AE to MP once your upgrade clears. If you only reached Altitude 35K you might want to choose the Star Gold lounge access option.
Programs: AC - no status ; UA - chasing 1K for 2013
Posts: 389
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Lev
I'm not really up on the KrisFlyer program, but get the impression it doesn't get you a hack of a lot (vs. PPS where you have to fly first/business). Miles and More sucks for people trying to accumulate in Economy.
I'm with rankourabu - go for UA's Mileage Plus. You'll earn 100% miles, no fuel surcharges on redemption and AFAIK you can use points to upgrade on LH.
FYI, I can usually book into W or S class on LH, which gets me 100% status miles for M&M program.
I'm with rankourabu - go for UA's Mileage Plus. You'll earn 100% miles, no fuel surcharges on redemption and AFAIK you can use points to upgrade on LH.
If you have Altitude 50 from 2012, then just switch over your accumulation to MP effective Jan 1 and you'll be able to use your Altituide card in 2013 for lounge access until you hit the 50K with MP. You'll also be able to use your eUpgrades for flgihts back to Canada in 2013 - just have them change your number on file from AE to MP once your upgrade clears. If you only reached Altitude 35K you might want to choose the Star Gold lounge access option.
wow, we agree!
Good point on the AC elite - I didnt notice the OP had it already - then there is no point of A3 Gold - just use your AC card to get lounge access, etc - and credit your flights to UAMP. It should be an easy transition.
W and S fares earn 100% to UAMP
The LH program is not really designed to reward the economy flyer - and fees on award tickets are as brutal as AC.
One more thing - don't forget to change your address with Aeroplan to your new German address - that way mileage expiry is three years instead of one year. Then remember to use the miles or top them up sometime in that three year period.
Programs: AC - no status ; UA - chasing 1K for 2013
Posts: 389
Quote:
Originally Posted by rankourabu
wow, we agree!
Good point on the AC elite - I didnt notice the OP had it already - then there is no point of A3 Gold - just use your AC card to get lounge access, etc - and credit your flights to UAMP. It should be an easy transition.
W and S fares earn 100% to UAMP
The LH program is not really designed to reward the economy flyer - and fees on award tickets are as brutal as AC.
I don't have Altitude 50, just Elite from a year ago, so only have lounge access, Star Gold benefits til March.
Thats why I want to get in on Aegeans Miles&Bonus with the one r/t flight to OZ to get my *Gold benefits.
Programs: AC - no status ; UA - chasing 1K for 2013
Posts: 389
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Lev
One more thing - don't forget to change your address with Aeroplan to your new German address - that way mileage expiry is three years instead of one year. Then remember to use the miles or top them up sometime in that three year period.
Thank you for the heads up!
I still have a CIBC Aerogold Infinite card, which I use as backup, so miles are still coming in.......
FYI, I can usually book into W or S class on LH, which gets me 100% status miles for M&M program.
Forget M&M since you only get STARSilver at 35K EQMs and the next tier is 100K. Redemption levels are high and awards have huge copays. Go for MP for E+ seating and the mileage and redemptions, A3 for the STARGold status. You can set up a M&M account for those flights/fares that don't credit to other programs (like Ks).
Programs: AC - no status ; UA - chasing 1K for 2013
Posts: 389
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shareholder
Forget M&M since you only get STARSilver at 35K EQMs and the next tier is 100K. Redemption levels are high and awards have huge copays. Go for MP for E+ seating and the mileage and redemptions, A3 for the STARGold status. You can set up a M&M account for those flights/fares that don't credit to other programs (like Ks).
Thanks for your answer Shareholder!
That's pretty much the plan I have laid out so far, however, I have it in my head that there should be a FFP from an Asian carrier suited better to my travel than UA, no?!
I doubt I'll be flying UA much, other than maybe a few short hops with Asia and maybe my leisure travel to Canada/USA. The bulk of my flying will be work related though.
How about Air China, or Thai, or even TK's FFP?
TK has Premium economy class to a few of my regular destinations, HKG, PVG, PEK, NRT.
