Originally Posted by
pcharles
(1) What is your home airport? MSP in the future looking at PDX
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? C
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? <25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? none
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? free lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often domestic and intl
(7) Preferred Airlines at the moment, UA/CO, DL, AA, SQ, NH
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? both, and I can choose class of service of my choice.
Totally looking for the best lounge access options for *A, preferred *G for the least amount of effort and cost. Strictly the best possible lounge access for the longest period of time, (years or lifetime preferred), is the top priority.
Thank you very much!
Although you mention some non-US airlines, I take it most of your travels will be intra-US. Without status, travelling on C internationally, you already have lounge access
So, first of all, you have to go for a non-US *A FFP, as US-based *A FFPs don't give you lounge access when travelling US-domestic. Whichever you choose, you have to reach *G to get alliance-wide lounge access. Then, there is no difference between the different programs. All will give you the "best lounge access", i.e. alliance-wide free access to *G lounges. With some exceptions maybe, if the airline provides a better lounge for its elites than for *G. I'm LH SEN, and in my case, the two are the same. Some FFPs (again, LH) will give you lounge access in *S, but only when travelling on that airline.
Then the trick is to choose the one that gives you *G for <25k miles per year in C. It all depends on how much really is the <25k you mention. Be sure to check the C class bonus, as it varies greatly between FFPs, and even airline flown, but matters a great deal for you. One will give you 200% of miles flown (e.g. LH, SK, A3 for for flying most airlines, etc), while other only 125% or so (e.g. OZ, A3 for flying CO, SQ, etc.). One thing is sure: you need at least 9.5k miles to hit *G in A3 (Aegean) which has the lowest threshold and 3-years validity. If you have more than that, other FFPs might also work: OZ (Asiana) has 40k. Don't forget some FFPs work on a calendar-year basis.
Lifetime *G is possible on OZ (400k miles), but with your flying pattern, I wouldn't bet on that.
In summary: if you want to avoid the fuss to read all the details, the safest option is A3, which has the lowest threshold and AFAIK the longest validity period. Still, you'll probably have to choose your airlines wisely and filter out SQ or CO. It goes without saying that DL and AA are also a no-go while you are on your status run
Other FFPs (OZ comes to mind, there may be 1-2 others) might also give you *G, be sure to check the membership year conditions (Jan-Dec or 12 months or other), the C-class multiplier and the validity period.
Finally, relax and enjoy your free lounge access!
