Originally Posted by
karate123
Hi all!
My first post, sorry for it being long. So I've read on the forum that if I fly with AC, LH or any other Star alliance partners, I could claim points on just 1 so I could keep accumulating, and of course it would be wise to keep using the same rewards program.
I usually fly Y class from YYZ to ZAG, with a layover through LHR, FRA or MUC, maybe 4-5 times a year.
I've had a good experience with LH and BA, and terrible one with AC, but a lot of people on the forum said that Aeroplan is the best rewards program of Star Alliance; I was wondering why...
- Is it because the points don't expire as long as you purchase every year?
- Because to get distinction, you need to accumulate 25k every year, otherwise you still won't have a status even if you have 30k points?
- I've found that it's easier to get a status with LH rather than with AC (with the route I take)
- I know what's nice with Aeroplan is that even if you don't get status, by accumulating pts, you could buy a ticket later on or upgrade etc, while with LH, the pts expire after 3 years (normally). I feel though like I must be missing something...?
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On a slightly different note, is BA's FF pts better than Star? Just so I know with who to book with from now on.
Thanks for the help
There is no universal best program. If you want status, it sounds like LH is for you. If you want the best use of miles, it depends on what you want to do with them. If you want to use your miles to fly in LH international First class, LH is the best. If you want to use your miles for North American travel, United is the best. If you want to use your miles for economy international travel, United is the best. If you want to use your miles for premium international travel, compare United and Aeroplan award charts for your specific destinations. In general, United is one of the best Star programs for mileage redemption because they don't collect fuel surcharges on any flights. Aeroplan doesn't collect fuel surcharges on some partners (of main importance, United), but they do on many, including LH and their own flights. LH collects fuel surcharges on most (maybe not United, I'm not sure). BA is a great program for short flights to/from oneworld hub cities. For example, from YYZ, you could fly to ORD, NYC, PHL, or CLT for 4.5K Avios each way. I know very little about status, so everything I wrote is in regards to mileage redemption.