Welcome to the forum and the world of frequent flyer / loyalty programs (FFP)
You can, subject to terms & conditions, redeem miles for flights, upgrade, hotel rooms, etc. But the date/time you want may not always be available. You need to be flexible. The airline & hotel web site's explain this reasonably well.
Some credit cards can earn airline freq flyer miles. But there is no simple yes or no answer
The links in post 7 here have good information
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21798780-post7.html
Look here (click the blue links)
Post 9
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21923398-post9.html
Post 1 has an intro
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
Best Frequent Flyer Program for you?
The answer to this question depends very much on your personal travel profile and objectives. e.g.
- what is your definition of best ?
- do you value miles/points (or equivalent) for redemption over gaining status ?
- do you fly enough to gain any meaningful status ?
- who and where do you normally fly
- are you primarily a leisure or business traveller ?
- where do you live ?
- do you have other ways of earning points in the various programs, e.g. credit cards, shopping, etc
- etc, etc, etc
(above copied in part from a post by dunk)
Questions
For members asking for information, to help people to assist you, can you please provide:
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply:
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
Reply:
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ? ( First, Business, Economy etc.)
Reply:
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply:
(5) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply:
(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind in OW or other airline at present? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP? (AA Executive Platinum, QF Gold, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)
Reply:
(7) What is most important to you in a FFP? (upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, extra baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, free - discounted lounge access, etc.)
Reply:
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply:
__________________________________________________ ____________________
From a post on 2 Feb 2013
Originally Posted by
Gardyloo
< snip>
To get your feet wet, start by reading the sticky threads in this and other forums. What you need to do is look at your flying (and credit card, if applicable) patterns and preferences, then pick a program that works best for you. While miles/points aren't interchangeable, you can usually use one airline's miles/points for redemptions on that airline's partners - either in the same alliance or in some cases unaligned partners - or for non-flying activities. Each airline has different "earning and burning" characteristics - how miles/points are earned and used, and you'll need to investigate these carefully, as the differences can be significant and expensive (or beneficial) to you depending on your choices.
One important thing to note is that miles/points earning and redemption are only a part of the whole FF business. A big factor in choosing your plan preferences is whether you'd fly enough with your chosen airline(s) in order to reach elite frequent flyer status. With elite status comes various perks - access to lounges, expedited passage through airports, seat selections, upgrades, baggage allowances, etc. - that can be as important if not more important to frequent travelers. So those factors also need to be understood as you make your choices.
It involves homework and research, but the rewards can be very significant, well worth the effort. (Or so many of us think. Of course we can be both delusional and exhibit OCD symptoms in this regard. Welcome to the madhouse.)