Jan 20, 2016, 10:53 pm
Last edit by: jtet
A number of threads have been started with members asking for guidance on which mileage programme they should join. In order to help users I have started this thread to allow people to post their requests for information here and to allow people to offer assistance.
For members asking for information please help people to assist you, can you provide:
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Silver, M&M Senator etc)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
(7) Preferred Airlines
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
GENERAL INFORMATION:
If you fly less than 50k miles per year: it is almost guaranteed that your choice will be between Aegean Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Asiana Airlines. Please look up these airlines' frequent flier programs, and make a decision as to which best suits your needs.
Some considerations to take into account:
Airlines tend to treat members of their own frequent flier program better than members of other frequent flier programs. If you fly one of these airlines, it is recommended that you choose that airline.
Some airlines have better earning/redemption charts for your pattern. For example, if you fly on cheap fares on a certain airline often, Turkish might give you miles for it, while Aegean might not. However, Turkish Airlines might charge much more for the redemption that you want to make than Aegean.
Asiana Airlines offers lifetime Star Alliance Gold for 500k miles over life. The other 2 airlines do not offer this benefit.
Asiana Airlines has a credit card in the USA and some other countries. If you are interested in credit cards, check to make sure that the program that you join has a credit card in your country.
If you still aren't sure which frequent flyer program is for you after looking these up, feel free to ask on this thread.
For members asking for information please help people to assist you, can you provide:
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Silver, M&M Senator etc)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
(7) Preferred Airlines
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
GENERAL INFORMATION:
If you fly less than 50k miles per year: it is almost guaranteed that your choice will be between Aegean Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Asiana Airlines. Please look up these airlines' frequent flier programs, and make a decision as to which best suits your needs.
Some considerations to take into account:
Airlines tend to treat members of their own frequent flier program better than members of other frequent flier programs. If you fly one of these airlines, it is recommended that you choose that airline.
Some airlines have better earning/redemption charts for your pattern. For example, if you fly on cheap fares on a certain airline often, Turkish might give you miles for it, while Aegean might not. However, Turkish Airlines might charge much more for the redemption that you want to make than Aegean.
Asiana Airlines offers lifetime Star Alliance Gold for 500k miles over life. The other 2 airlines do not offer this benefit.
Asiana Airlines has a credit card in the USA and some other countries. If you are interested in credit cards, check to make sure that the program that you join has a credit card in your country.
If you still aren't sure which frequent flyer program is for you after looking these up, feel free to ask on this thread.
Need advice on which *A FF scheme to join? - please post here
Sep 24, 2014, 6:47 pm
#1426
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 91
So I got an email today from A3 (Aegean) and they are bringing in the "industry standard" 12 month elite qualifying window... so the days of 16k (or 20k) miles for life time *G, look like they are over. It was fun while it lasted. Add to this the massive number of miles I could never credit to A3 because they were on regional partners (a situation which got worse as time went on)... and I think the A3 party is pretty close to over. Which I think is the whole intention unfortunately. If they think people like me are going to stay with *A without any carrot keeping us there, they are going to lose some money
http://www.newmilesandbonus.com/en#milesbonus-tiers
http://www.newmilesandbonus.com/en#milesbonus-tiers
Sep 24, 2014, 7:43 pm
#1427
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: LAD
Programs: Umbi Umni Silver
Posts: 8
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
LAD
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
Discounted economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
25k-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
Only Silver on TAAG's Umbi Umbi! I do have 20,000 tier miles on SAA's Voyager.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
Lounge access, then upgrades.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
Africa to Europe and Middle East.
(7) Preferred Airlines
From Star alliance preference is as follows starting with the best that I use regularly:
1) LH
2) ET
3) SAA (NB. I currently use SAA the most after TAAG)
4) TAP
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
Both. I can choose airline. Normally stuck in Economy.
The question
I fly an increasing amount and presently have no loyalty to any airline.
But I think it is worth joining a scheme as I may soon start to be able to do over 50k in tier miles now and have decided Star is best alliance as I am Africa-based.
I would like to know if I am best off with SAA's Voyager or possibly with LH's Miles and More or TP's Victoria or ET's Sheba. Or am I best off with Aegean, Asiana, Turkish or another?
I do fly on EK a fair bit as it is convenient and its miles are accruable on Voyager and, also, supposedly on Victoria (Victoria has never given me miles on EK and it doesn't respond to my emails for claiming). Voyager seems best for airline partners, but I think Miles and More is better in terms of non airline partners. Meanwhile Turkish is about to start flights to LAD in early 2015 but I would have to avoid EK on Turkish scheme.
What do you recommend?
LAD
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
Discounted economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
25k-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
Only Silver on TAAG's Umbi Umbi! I do have 20,000 tier miles on SAA's Voyager.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
Lounge access, then upgrades.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
Africa to Europe and Middle East.
(7) Preferred Airlines
From Star alliance preference is as follows starting with the best that I use regularly:
1) LH
2) ET
3) SAA (NB. I currently use SAA the most after TAAG)
4) TAP
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
Both. I can choose airline. Normally stuck in Economy.
The question
I fly an increasing amount and presently have no loyalty to any airline.
But I think it is worth joining a scheme as I may soon start to be able to do over 50k in tier miles now and have decided Star is best alliance as I am Africa-based.
I would like to know if I am best off with SAA's Voyager or possibly with LH's Miles and More or TP's Victoria or ET's Sheba. Or am I best off with Aegean, Asiana, Turkish or another?
I do fly on EK a fair bit as it is convenient and its miles are accruable on Voyager and, also, supposedly on Victoria (Victoria has never given me miles on EK and it doesn't respond to my emails for claiming). Voyager seems best for airline partners, but I think Miles and More is better in terms of non airline partners. Meanwhile Turkish is about to start flights to LAD in early 2015 but I would have to avoid EK on Turkish scheme.
What do you recommend?
Last edited by angolanexpat; Sep 25, 2014 at 8:10 am Reason: Added bit about Turkish starting flights in early 2015.
Sep 29, 2014, 5:50 am
#1428
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: KRK
Programs: HHonors Diamond, IHG Spire, OZ Diamond
Posts: 238
(1) What is your home airport? KRK WAW
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y but i might buy some good promoC
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-40k in *A (and rising)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? None (60k M&M miles with my credit card though and accumulating)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? lounge, priority, upgrades, awards, easy achievable "lifetime" or prolongation
(6) Which routes do you fly most often KRK-DFW (IAH will do as well)
(7) Preferred Airlines UA,LO,LH,OS
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? I travel for pleasure, sightseeing mostly
As terms on A3 changed I'm wondering which one to choose OZ or TK?
OZ seems nice as almost all UA fares credit 100% and I should be able to get *G soon. I have some nice margin for crediting more millage to *A (I almost always fly Skyteam to Asia)
for next few month i got planned:
6k TK G
14k UA V
10K UA(the cheapest the better)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y but i might buy some good promoC
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-40k in *A (and rising)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? None (60k M&M miles with my credit card though and accumulating)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? lounge, priority, upgrades, awards, easy achievable "lifetime" or prolongation
(6) Which routes do you fly most often KRK-DFW (IAH will do as well)
(7) Preferred Airlines UA,LO,LH,OS
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? I travel for pleasure, sightseeing mostly
As terms on A3 changed I'm wondering which one to choose OZ or TK?
OZ seems nice as almost all UA fares credit 100% and I should be able to get *G soon. I have some nice margin for crediting more millage to *A (I almost always fly Skyteam to Asia)
for next few month i got planned:
6k TK G
14k UA V
10K UA(the cheapest the better)
Last edited by hellosweets; Sep 29, 2014 at 7:02 am
Sep 30, 2014, 5:46 pm
#1429
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2
Hey guys, thanks for the help!!
(1) What is your home airport?
LHR and LGW
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
Mostly Y, some C potentially
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
>50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
On BA
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Priority services, award redemptions, lounge access (in that order)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often
Transatlantic (LHR-ORD, LHR-PHL), European short-haul
(7) Preferred Airlines
BA, LH
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
A bit of both
---------------------------------------------
I've been loyal to BA but now find myself doing quite a bit of European short-haul (mostly on TP) and some transatlantic from Europe (mostly on LH but that could change). I am a member of both TAP Victoria and Miles and More and using only Victoria, but not sure this is the right call. Is M&M better? Or another *A program that could get me status quicker (since sadly A3 is no longer an option).
Thanks you guys!
(1) What is your home airport?
LHR and LGW
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
Mostly Y, some C potentially
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
>50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
On BA
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Priority services, award redemptions, lounge access (in that order)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often
Transatlantic (LHR-ORD, LHR-PHL), European short-haul
(7) Preferred Airlines
BA, LH
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
A bit of both
---------------------------------------------
I've been loyal to BA but now find myself doing quite a bit of European short-haul (mostly on TP) and some transatlantic from Europe (mostly on LH but that could change). I am a member of both TAP Victoria and Miles and More and using only Victoria, but not sure this is the right call. Is M&M better? Or another *A program that could get me status quicker (since sadly A3 is no longer an option).
Thanks you guys!
Oct 5, 2014, 9:43 am
#1430
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: GVA/ZRH/ASU
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 20
(1) What is your home airport?
GVA/ZRH
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Mostly discounted Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
40-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
None
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Good award redemption rates, priority service when flying the airline, lounge access would be nice too
(6) Which routes do you fly most often?
Starting this winter I'll be flying Europe - South America (via USA on United/Swiss) at least twice a year
(7) Preferred Airlines
-
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
Pleasure
Hey guys!
Since I'll be flying more starting this winter I'd like to change my FFP to one that would suit me better. I was obviously thinking about joining Miles and Bonus or Miles and Smiles. I could make it to Gold on both programs by summer '15. I'll be flying mostly on United though and I'm currently wondering if SIlver's complimentary E+ would be more beneficial to me than Gold status. What do you guys think? Is E+ on United worth it giving up Gold status? Would appreciate your help!
GVA/ZRH
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Mostly discounted Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
40-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
None
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Good award redemption rates, priority service when flying the airline, lounge access would be nice too
(6) Which routes do you fly most often?
Starting this winter I'll be flying Europe - South America (via USA on United/Swiss) at least twice a year
(7) Preferred Airlines
-
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
Pleasure
Hey guys!
Since I'll be flying more starting this winter I'd like to change my FFP to one that would suit me better. I was obviously thinking about joining Miles and Bonus or Miles and Smiles. I could make it to Gold on both programs by summer '15. I'll be flying mostly on United though and I'm currently wondering if SIlver's complimentary E+ would be more beneficial to me than Gold status. What do you guys think? Is E+ on United worth it giving up Gold status? Would appreciate your help!
Oct 8, 2014, 10:18 am
#1432
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA 1K, AA 2MM, Bonvoy LT Plt, Mets fan
Posts: 5,073
Need advice re UA PQ$$$ requirement workaround
Re Mrs. CO FF:
(1) What is your home airport? LAX
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Cheap Y for most; occasional C for longhaul
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? AA Gld
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? E+ UA seating
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Domestic transcon
(7) Preferred Airlines They all stink...
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Most travel is biz
Slightly unusual facts here: we have 2 longhaul C trips in 2015 (2 segments on AC & 6 on LH) for a total of 38,000 BIS miles. None of the tix are on United's 016 stock. So, the purchases generate no PQDs.
Is there any way to parlay this into *G status for her, and get her E+ eligibility?
(1) What is your home airport? LAX
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Cheap Y for most; occasional C for longhaul
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? AA Gld
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? E+ UA seating
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Domestic transcon
(7) Preferred Airlines They all stink...
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Most travel is biz
Slightly unusual facts here: we have 2 longhaul C trips in 2015 (2 segments on AC & 6 on LH) for a total of 38,000 BIS miles. None of the tix are on United's 016 stock. So, the purchases generate no PQDs.
Is there any way to parlay this into *G status for her, and get her E+ eligibility?
Oct 9, 2014, 12:04 am
#1433
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1k, *A Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 13
Newb here. I'm not necessarily looking to switch from UA, but just want to make sure I'm not "doing it wrong". 
What are my other options??
(1) LAX
(2) S, L, W, V, H
(3) about 80,000 and growing
(4) UA Gold already, will reach UA Plat this year
(5) Most important things in a FFP to me: frequency of upgrades, special treatment (check-in, dedicated phone line, priority boarding, etc), RDM bonuses
(6) I fly mostly for work, typically LAX to the East Coast, plus several (3-4) international or Hawaii flights per year. For personal travel, I typically fly 1 international and 3-4 domestic flights per year.
(7) The reason I joined UA MP is that I always fly to IAH at least once per year for work. They also have very good availability of flights from LAX to basically anywhere. Before UA, I was with Alaska. I'm not partial to any US domestic airline, but my favorite airlines so far are Thai Airways and Lufthansa
(8) When I travel for work (most flights), I cannot choose class of service. Occasionally I purchase the TOD upgrade, if available.
Thanks!
What are my other options??(1) LAX
(2) S, L, W, V, H
(3) about 80,000 and growing
(4) UA Gold already, will reach UA Plat this year
(5) Most important things in a FFP to me: frequency of upgrades, special treatment (check-in, dedicated phone line, priority boarding, etc), RDM bonuses
(6) I fly mostly for work, typically LAX to the East Coast, plus several (3-4) international or Hawaii flights per year. For personal travel, I typically fly 1 international and 3-4 domestic flights per year.
(7) The reason I joined UA MP is that I always fly to IAH at least once per year for work. They also have very good availability of flights from LAX to basically anywhere. Before UA, I was with Alaska. I'm not partial to any US domestic airline, but my favorite airlines so far are Thai Airways and Lufthansa
(8) When I travel for work (most flights), I cannot choose class of service. Occasionally I purchase the TOD upgrade, if available.
Thanks!
Oct 16, 2014, 3:30 pm
#1434
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 50
don't know if people are still responding here with advice, but looking for a partner to United as I have amex MR points (which don't transfer to united anymore)
(1) What is your home airport? IAH
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? united premier
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? being able to use united miles/amex points
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Domestic; rarely international
(7) Preferred Airlines United, Southwest
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Most travel is pleasure
(1) What is your home airport? IAH
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? united premier
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? being able to use united miles/amex points
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Domestic; rarely international
(7) Preferred Airlines United, Southwest
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Most travel is pleasure
Oct 16, 2014, 7:22 pm
#1435
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,027
The other 2 "which ffp" threads get more traffic
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...help-here.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
Which airlines can you transfer your Amex MR points to?
Oct 16, 2014, 7:29 pm
#1436
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
don't know if people are still responding here with advice, but looking for a partner to United as I have amex MR points (which don't transfer to united anymore)
(1) What is your home airport? IAH
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? united premier
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? being able to use united miles/amex points
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Domestic; rarely international
(7) Preferred Airlines United, Southwest
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Most travel is pleasure
(1) What is your home airport? IAH
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? united premier
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? being able to use united miles/amex points
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Domestic; rarely international
(7) Preferred Airlines United, Southwest
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Most travel is pleasure
Oct 17, 2014, 9:44 pm
#1437
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 50
thanks! if I go this route, when looking to book, would I have to check both the UA and the air canada websites separately, or is there some way to look at them together?
Oct 17, 2014, 9:49 pm
#1438
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
Not sure what you are asking. If you earn AP (Aeroplan) miles you need to redeem via AC, with UA, you redeem via mileage plus.
Oct 17, 2014, 9:51 pm
#1439
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
Newb here. I'm not necessarily looking to switch from UA, but just want to make sure I'm not "doing it wrong". What are my other options??
(1) LAX
(2) S, L, W, V, H
(3) about 80,000 and growing
(4) UA Gold already, will reach UA Plat this year
(5) Most important things in a FFP to me: frequency of upgrades, special treatment (check-in, dedicated phone line, priority boarding, etc), RDM bonuses
(6) I fly mostly for work, typically LAX to the East Coast, plus several (3-4) international or Hawaii flights per year. For personal travel, I typically fly 1 international and 3-4 domestic flights per year.
(7) The reason I joined UA MP is that I always fly to IAH at least once per year for work. They also have very good availability of flights from LAX to basically anywhere. Before UA, I was with Alaska. I'm not partial to any US domestic airline, but my favorite airlines so far are Thai Airways and Lufthansa
(8) When I travel for work (most flights), I cannot choose class of service. Occasionally I purchase the TOD upgrade, if available.
Thanks!
What are my other options??(1) LAX
(2) S, L, W, V, H
(3) about 80,000 and growing
(4) UA Gold already, will reach UA Plat this year
(5) Most important things in a FFP to me: frequency of upgrades, special treatment (check-in, dedicated phone line, priority boarding, etc), RDM bonuses
(6) I fly mostly for work, typically LAX to the East Coast, plus several (3-4) international or Hawaii flights per year. For personal travel, I typically fly 1 international and 3-4 domestic flights per year.
(7) The reason I joined UA MP is that I always fly to IAH at least once per year for work. They also have very good availability of flights from LAX to basically anywhere. Before UA, I was with Alaska. I'm not partial to any US domestic airline, but my favorite airlines so far are Thai Airways and Lufthansa
(8) When I travel for work (most flights), I cannot choose class of service. Occasionally I purchase the TOD upgrade, if available.
Thanks!
Oct 17, 2014, 9:56 pm
#1440
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,027
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...demptions.html