FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Need advice on which *A FF scheme to join? - please post here
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 12:47 am
  #754  
PVDtoDEL
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,774
Originally Posted by dbpdx
Thank you for this thread! I have recently started a new job and will be traveling 2-3x/month, currently out of PDX and moving to bay area so could choose between those 3 airports. I am looking for feedback on which FF program to focus on


1. What is your home airport? PDX (sfo-oak-sjc w/in year)
2. What types of fares do you usually buy? Coach/economy
3. How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-50k, perhaps more than 50k
4. Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? AS MVP, UA Premiere, 30k expired miles on delta trying to get reinstated.
5. What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge access, Upgrades and FF benefits recognized by partner airlines, bonus mileage earning/good award redemption rates
6. Which routes do you fly most often? Us domestic- west coast or cross country. Currently PDX-sfo/oak; PDX-dca; PDX-dfw
7. Preferred Airlines? Alaska, delta (may change if miles aren't reinstated), qantas, SAS
8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Travel for both, can choose airline. Work class is economy, pleasure can be any class.

Willing to sign up for a CC to maximize mileage earning also. Am member of all major hotel chain programs and generally earn points for stays to use on vacations but swilling to reconsider. Thank you in advance!
US Airways or Aegean Airlines are your 2 choices in Star Alliance.

US Airways because it actually gives you a chance at upgrades with only 30-50k miles (with UA, you need to be flying 100k miles to even have a chance these days). Also, US' credit card is decent, and redemption is about the best out there.

Aegean Airlines will get you hassle-free *G. This means that you will get lounge access, but no upgrades (you might get emergency exits or bulkheads on United-Continental or US Airways, and even the occasional op-up to Business or First Class - I've had good luck with LH)
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