michaeltchuang

New FlyerTalk member here...I will be flying weekly roundtrip between NY and LA soon (with 1-2 trips a year to Hong Kong thrown in too) and was wondering which airline elite program would be good for me. The only amenity i would care about is good wifi since that makes the flight pass by quicker.

I was checking out Virgin America, Jetblue Mint, and AA Platinum Challenge (since it's oneworld with Cathay Pacific)...any other ones I should look into?

I could use any advice on what airline loyalty program is best for me. Soon, I will be flying between NYC and LA weekly with the occasional trip to Hong Kong

1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
(e.g., upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access)
Reply:

Has fast wifi on board, seat is comfortable to work, minimal change fee...think office in the sky. I prefer non stop if possible.

2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
(e.g., <25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles and <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply:

~5,000 (LA/NYC roundtrip) x 50 weeks = ~250,000+

3. What fare class do you usually buy?
(e.g., first, business, premium economy, economy)
Reply:

premium economy

4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply:

both...i try to save money by not choosing first class but i still like amenities such as wifi

5. Which routes do you fly most often
(e.g., U.S. domestic, transatlantic, intra-Asia)
Reply:

Between NYC and LA/BUR...occasional to SJC/SFO, LAS, and HKG

6. What is your home airport?
(e.g., SFO, LHR, HKG)
Reply:

JFK/EWR

7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in a FFP, if any?
(e.g., AA Executive Platinum, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro)
Reply:

Been flying Virgin America because of wifi but was looking into others (like Jetblue Mint). I usually fly cathay pacific to HKG.

8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
Reply:

Virgin America, Jetblue, or Cathay Pacific