Originally Posted by xmlsoa

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:

Being able to redeem the AWARD MILES for (Business Class) RT back home to India/ Asia / Brazil/EU from US 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 Intl Business Class using AWARD MILES

Dont care about Domestic Biz Class.

- Being able to 'bypass' TSA/ Counter lines ..using Status (for International/ Domestic flights) is a good thing

- Status based privileges come LAST as a nice to have after being able to redeem miles for Intl Biz Class .
e.g. I dont really care for Intra-US upgrade to Business as a vegetarian doesnt really get much up there besides a little more room.


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:
Not sure yet. But used to be Gold once on CO. Not flying that often these days, but that might happen again soon due to work stuff.
Typically 1 or 2 international trips from US to Asia/ India/ South America in an year was the norm back then when I was traveling for work and personal and hit Gold in 05/06/07.

3. What fare class do you usually buy?
(e.g., first, business, premium economy, economy)
Reply:
Economy. Might consider upper if not too much difference in domestic fares.

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

5. Which routes do you fly most often
(e.g., U.S. domestic, transatlantic, intra-Asia)
Reply: US internal with 1-2 international trips out as outlined above.

6. What is your home airport?
(e.g., SFO, LHR, HKG)
Reply: Will be california for sure. SFO closest. SJC next. If I move to LA or San Diego.. LAX might become that. But for now SFO. I'll mostly be based out of California.

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:
Long back had status on CO Gold. Had 250k miles on there. Now all used up.
In some ways, I am starting from scratch. But back then i was in IAH.. so CO made sense.
Now in SFO.. not sure between the UA gang or AA-US gang.

8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
Reply:
They all seem the same to me on coach.. especially on Domestic runs. My pain or joy/ peace with airlines amplifies on International flights.. where I need/ want the REST.

- Mainly I look for VEG food options at INTERNATIONAL CONNECTING HUBS when flying from US to Asia/ India via.. ATL or PAC.
- Intl Business I've experienced Delta/AF from BOM to TX, CO from EWR to BOM, SQ from BOM > SIN > NRT > SJC using miles of course.
- I hated Intl flights via CDG due to how they treat people, especially anyone non French when I was Gold with SkyTeam Elite
- AMSterdam Schipol was a breeze
- SIN was nice.. huge though
- Frankfurt seemed decent
- London.. would be nice to go through as have friends in UK. But mostly never go through there.