What frequent flyer program for us cattle?
#1
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 86
What frequent flyer program for us cattle?
I used to have it all. Travel upgrades, elite status, etc. Now I am cattle. Moooooo. I only fly about 6 times per year. That's sub-human but not quite cattle if I concentrate on only one airline.
On the other hand, the benefits of silver or the lowest level elite on most airlines is minimal. A few will give you one bag free check-in or might allow an occasional upgrade if the plane is empty.
What should I do? Maybe just consider fares and schedules and then slowly get miles as an afterthought.
Candidates for loyalty include Alaska (because of DL and AA credit available and some AS usage), AA (because they won't have miles based on the ticket price for a few more months), Delta or, maybe, Southwest. UA schedules aren't too good. JetBlue and Virgin don't fly where I need to go.
Maybe I should just put my tail between my legs and start eating grass. Moo.
On the other hand, the benefits of silver or the lowest level elite on most airlines is minimal. A few will give you one bag free check-in or might allow an occasional upgrade if the plane is empty.
What should I do? Maybe just consider fares and schedules and then slowly get miles as an afterthought.
Candidates for loyalty include Alaska (because of DL and AA credit available and some AS usage), AA (because they won't have miles based on the ticket price for a few more months), Delta or, maybe, Southwest. UA schedules aren't too good. JetBlue and Virgin don't fly where I need to go.
Maybe I should just put my tail between my legs and start eating grass. Moo.
#2
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 810
It's probably far more worth it to just buy whatever is cheapest, yet most comfortable. If you see an AA MCE seat for the same price as a Delta C+ seat but the Delta flight is nonstop, take the Delta flight. If you see an AA biz fare to europe for $3k but the same on Turkish for $2k, take the Turkish. There's no level of status that makes it worth it going out of your way or sacrificing comfort if you're only flying that much.
#3
Senior Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat/2MM [23-yr. 1K, now emeritus] clawing way back to WN-A List; MR LT Titanium; HY Whateverist.
Posts: 12,390
standard, I think it depends on the routes you fly. If domestic U.S. or short-haul routes, it may make sense to either go with the best schedule, price, or, you can get some status benefits just by getting the airline's co-branded credit card.
If you do 6 long-haul flights, you might just be able to acquire enough status in the airline or its alliance in order to improve your travel experience.
If you do 6 long-haul flights, you might just be able to acquire enough status in the airline or its alliance in order to improve your travel experience.
#6
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Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 86
What the current situation does is breed non-loyalty. In the end, I will have a pecking order of airlines that I prefer, but a better schedule or lower fare will triumph unless the difference is only an hour or $10 more in fare.
My travel and use of rental cars and hotels is often enough that I can easily keep about 5 airline accounts active (UA/AA/DL/AS/WN)
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,221
Are you close enough to a lifetime status level (one million miles or whatever) to put that target in reach over the next few years at your current rate of travel?
#11
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 640
It appears that you're looking to enjoy frequent flyer benefits without actually flying frequently. Nothing wrong with that but it's probably unrealistic to expect the airlines to view you as a "loyal" customer with this spend pattern.
The frequent flyer programs are built to retain customer loyalty, not create it. I.e. spend first, enjoy benefits later. The difference is subtle to most but you're use-case is a good example.
#12
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, AmEx, NorthWest WorldPerks, Jelly of the Month. S&H Green Stamps, Subway sub club
Posts: 1,754
#13
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Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 86
It appears that you're looking to enjoy frequent flyer benefits without actually flying frequently. Nothing wrong with that but it's probably unrealistic to expect the airlines to view you as a "loyal" customer with this spend pattern.
The frequent flyer programs are built to retain customer loyalty, not create it. I.e. spend first, enjoy benefits later. The difference is subtle to most but you're use-case is a good example.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Formerly HPN, but then DCA and IAD for a while, and now back to HPN!
Programs: Honestly, I've been out of the travel game so long that I'm not even sure. Maybe Marriott Gold?
Posts: 10,677