yeunganson
Jun 19, 08, 12:55 am
I am posting this problem of mine to see what the expert flyers recommend.
I am currently a ANA Bronze member with permanent Star Gold status. I moved to BC from Japan and now based there.
I fly to Japan twice a year and Hong Kong twice a year from Canada and a few business trips inside BC few times a year. When I fly to Japan, I can transfer in Vancouver and use ANA. WHen I fly to HK, I can transfer in San Francisco to use ANA. Of course, I can change frequent flyer program and fly with Air Canada more.
Under my travel schedule, I can credit everything to ANA and get ANA Bronze again. Or I credit everything to aeroplan and get Elite.
Total miles flown per year is about 45000 status miles (if credited to Air Canada). or 32000 status miles if credited to ANA due to a 30% penalty for flying in economy.
The good part of ANA:
1) I get confirmed upgrade using their upgrade points (similar to Air Canada's system-wide upgrade) in advance even if I buy their discounted economy fare.
2) 105% net status miles while flying in Asia (between HK - Tokyo)
3) 100% success on upgrades
4) Can use ANA miles to upgrade flights and upgrade family members
5) Already have Bronze status so keeping it is easier.
Bad part of ANA:
1) only 70% status miles for all discounted economy flights (includes Tango+ flights)
2) costs about $800 more per year in total cost to transfer to ANA in Vancouver than using Air Canada
The good part of Air Canada:
1) 100% status miles
2) save myself $800 per year (my flghts costs business + personal is about $8000 per year right now)
3) After getting Elite, will get 25% bonus non-status miles for flights
The Bad part of Air Canada:
1) Aeroplan not really a frequent flyer program
2) stuck with basic member for first year so have to sit in economy with no upgrades for all my trips to Asia
3) need to play aerolotto
4) economy tickets that allow confirm upgrades are relatively higher in price than ANA's
5) Air Canada is in a bad financial shape compared to ANA
So under my situation, which program should I choose?
Update: I posted this on Air Canada's forum as well. Majority of the frequent flyers recommends me to stick with ANA eventhough I am based in Canada. So ANA Bronze level is what I expect to get in 2008 and 2009 - case closed
I am currently a ANA Bronze member with permanent Star Gold status. I moved to BC from Japan and now based there.
I fly to Japan twice a year and Hong Kong twice a year from Canada and a few business trips inside BC few times a year. When I fly to Japan, I can transfer in Vancouver and use ANA. WHen I fly to HK, I can transfer in San Francisco to use ANA. Of course, I can change frequent flyer program and fly with Air Canada more.
Under my travel schedule, I can credit everything to ANA and get ANA Bronze again. Or I credit everything to aeroplan and get Elite.
Total miles flown per year is about 45000 status miles (if credited to Air Canada). or 32000 status miles if credited to ANA due to a 30% penalty for flying in economy.
The good part of ANA:
1) I get confirmed upgrade using their upgrade points (similar to Air Canada's system-wide upgrade) in advance even if I buy their discounted economy fare.
2) 105% net status miles while flying in Asia (between HK - Tokyo)
3) 100% success on upgrades
4) Can use ANA miles to upgrade flights and upgrade family members
5) Already have Bronze status so keeping it is easier.
Bad part of ANA:
1) only 70% status miles for all discounted economy flights (includes Tango+ flights)
2) costs about $800 more per year in total cost to transfer to ANA in Vancouver than using Air Canada
The good part of Air Canada:
1) 100% status miles
2) save myself $800 per year (my flghts costs business + personal is about $8000 per year right now)
3) After getting Elite, will get 25% bonus non-status miles for flights
The Bad part of Air Canada:
1) Aeroplan not really a frequent flyer program
2) stuck with basic member for first year so have to sit in economy with no upgrades for all my trips to Asia
3) need to play aerolotto
4) economy tickets that allow confirm upgrades are relatively higher in price than ANA's
5) Air Canada is in a bad financial shape compared to ANA
So under my situation, which program should I choose?
Update: I posted this on Air Canada's forum as well. Majority of the frequent flyers recommends me to stick with ANA eventhough I am based in Canada. So ANA Bronze level is what I expect to get in 2008 and 2009 - case closed