GITU

Hi, I have a friend who is doing Boston to Chicago twice a week for three months and she asked me which FFP she should join (including getting a credit card). Since the miles are so little, I don't know what to tell her... I guess she should be trying to earn based on segments rather than miles? She wants to get a credit card that's tied to the FFP she joins.

What would you recommend? Thanks!

mia

Tell us what you already know: Which carriers fly this route nonstop? Will she be flying in economy or first class? Does she want to accumulate miles for domestic or international trips, in economy or in business?

GITU

Sorry, I should have mentioned: She's flying cheap economy. JetBlue, Delta, UA and AA I think all fly this nonstop. She's unsure-- she just wants to get the best deal she can out of this contract gig. Thanks!

diver858

What will be her travel pattern after the 3 month period?

I personally have a bias for AA, believe they are worth considering:
1. Frequent nonstops between BOS and ORD
2. Not enough travel to earn status, but sufficient for a challenge to obtain PLT http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/Challenge_(AA)

In regard to a credit card: She may be better off with an AMEX Plat (if she qualifies). For $450 per year, she will get access to Admirals Clubs at both ends, $200 credit for misc charges on AA, will earn MR points - arguably more valuable (flexible) than earning AA miles. New enrollment promotions vary from 25k - 100k MR points for min spend.

GITU

What's the benefit of her doing a PLT challenge? Thanks! Are there other CCs that you'd recommend with a lower annual fee- not sure she'll go for it, even with the lounge access...

diver858

Earn PLAT status on AA http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/el...fits-chart.jsp for one year, soft landing to GLD the following year, regardless of the amount of travel.

diver858

AA Citibank cards are fine for the basic user.

Chase Sapphire Preferred is another option - no lounge access, ultimate rewards have lots of redemption options, many threads on the credit card forums.

stainlesspoints

A lot of it depends are what her travel goals are, outside of this contract. If the miles accumulated are enough for a status challenge, that could be a good way to go. If she's not a big traveler, she might be better off with JetBlue or Southwest(assuming she can fly into Midway rather than O'Hare). JetBlue and Southwest both have fixed value award charts, so they don't get a lot of attention on these boards. But I think they offer a better product for the infrequent flyer than the legacy carriers.

As far as credit cards go, each of the legacy carriers offers a co-branded card that offers earlier boarding, checked bag free, plus misc. benefits plus a lucrative sign-up bonus. The fee is in each case, waived the first year and then $95 (or thereabouts). The typical earning is 2 miles per $ spent on that airline and 1 miles per $ everywhere else. There are threads on these boards dedicated to each of these cards and the best currently available signup bonus.