denkmit Welcome to FT
Originally Posted by
denkmit
Hey guys. Just started a new job, trying to make some plans to book a year's travel, and i desperately need some help trying to decide who to go with! First flight of the new job will be a LHR to Melbourne return trip heading in 5 days!
1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
Upgrades and lounge access
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5. Which routes do you fly most often?
Mainly European, but three or four trips to Asia, two to Australia and two or three Transatlantic.
6. What is your home airport?
LHR, but also close to Gatwick and Stansted
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
36,000 miles with BAEC and 480 tier points (just shy of silver)
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
BA, because I can go direct from LHR to most places, and because I can bank miles and points flying European routes
I see no compelling reason to change from BA.
AA would be the only option. USA based airline ffp's tend to be more generous (status benefits/earn/burn/upgrades/award cost/award cash surcharges/expiry/affiliated credit cards/promotions) compared to non USA based airline ffp’s (even after the recently announced changes to some USA ffp’s)
For upgrades the general rule is you can only upgrade a flight marketed (flight number) and operated (metal) by the airline of your freq flyer programme (no codeshares) with your airlines upgrade instrument (e.g. SWU, miles) or complementary with status (if applicable). All subject to the t&c's of your FFP and your paid ticket. Low cost tickets are often not eligible for upgrades.
However as is the way with FFP's there are some upgrade exceptions
- on AA/BA/IB with higher priced economy fares using AA/BA/IB upgrade instruments
- on some BA tickets with Asia Miles
Lounge access is by status or class of travel or purchase a lounge membership. However AA status does not get you USA domestic lounge access on a USA domestic itinerary. But not likely to apply to you
Is the LHR-MEL flight (mainly) on BA or another Oneworld airline? BA codeshare on another airline? (And a good time to visit Melbourne)
The grass in not always
greener on the other side
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