A number of threads have been started by members asking for guidance on which frequent flyer mileage program they should join.
After emails with the moderators, in order to help users, we have started this thread to allow people to post their requests for information here and to allow other people to offer assistance-advise.
For questions about which is the best credit card to sign up for, to get frequent flyer miles, please do not post here, but refer to other threads on this topic
Best Frequent Flyer Program for you?
The answer to this question depends very much on your personal travel profile and
objectives.
- 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?
- what do you want to use the miles/points for (award, upgrade, hotels, what ever)?
- what sort of flight award is of interest (destination, class of travel)?
- are you interested in topping up by paying cash for miles?
- which airline 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)
There is a big difference between a frequent flyer and a frequent spender getting freq fyer miles from a credit card.
Questions
For members asking for information, to help people to assist you, can you please provide:
(1) 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:
I think for HEALTH REASONS being able to redeem the AWARD MILES for (Business Class) RT Back home to Brazil or to US, EU, India would be the best benefit:
- International Flights (Business or Coach)
AND/ OR
When traveling on company agency bought COACH tickets
- Free International Upgrades to Business Class
- UPGRADE to Business Class using AWARD MILES
- Status based privileges come after as a nice to have.
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
(<25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles - <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply:
Company travel every 5 weeks ON/ OFF Schedule - RT - 10-15,000 miles on average per trip through 10 weeks
Estimate approx 52 weeks/ 10 weeks = 5 x 10k to 15k miles.
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply:
Company Agency purchased coach - Not sure if its Economy or cheapest. Will revert back if we can find more 'Fare Class' information.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply:
Mostly work / company purchased and would like to leverage that towards pleasure.
(5) Which routes do you fly most often
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply:
Brazil (SSA) to SHIP/ MARINE VESSEL at any location in the world - Currently vessel off US Gulf Coast via IAH.
(6) What is your home airport?
(SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply:
SSA - Salvador, BA, Brazil
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
(AA Executive Platinum, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)
Reply:
Miles are banked across a few and more middle eastern airlines. Details to be obtained.
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply:
Will post more information based on above with more details.
Similar sticky threads
If you are sure a Star Alliance or OneWorld Alliance airline FFP is for you, please post in those forums, as more Star/OW experienced people are likely to answer your question.
Star Alliance forum
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/star-...post-here.html
OneWorld Alliance forum
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
Major airline alliances are
www.staralliance.com web site and the Flyertalk forum
Star Alliance
www.oneworld.com web site and the Flyertalk forum
OneWorld Alliance
www.skyteam.com web site and the Flyertalk forum
Skyteam