Hello everyone!

I tried to get some info about all those FFP and how they actually work but right now I can't really find my way through everything. So I found this forum and I'm sure you guys can help me chose the right FFP. First maybe my situation: So far I flew just a couple of flights a year for vacation and those were rather short flights. I'm from Switzerland and destinations last year were Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki and Wroclaw.

Now my situation changed as I have a girlfriend that lives in Moscow and I'll be starting to travel more. Either me flying to Moscow regularly or us meeting somewhere in Europe.

In addition to that, I might get to fly for my job during the year. Destinations (ranked by probability that I have to go there) are Hamburg, San Jose, Shanghai.


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

Reply: As I want to have my time that I spend at the airports as pleasurable as possible with priority check-ins and lounge, I would say that "priority services" and "lounge access" is the most important thing for me.


2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
less than 25000 miles, 50000+ miles and 20-25 flights, etc.

Reply: This is difficult to tell as this will be the first year that I'll actually start to fly frequently. If possible, I'll go for a weekend somewhere in Europe every 2-3 weeks. So that will be around 15-20 round trips.


3. What fare class do you usually buy?
first, business, premium economy, economy

Reply: As cheap as possible - so economy.


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

Reply: I'll be able to choose as most of the flights will be for pleasure. If I fly for work, then it will probably be a flight with Swiss.


5. Which routes do you fly most often?
transatlantic, domestic USA, intra-Asia, etc.

Reply: Flights in Europe - especially Switzerland to Moscow.


6. What is your home airport?

Reply: I don't really care which one in Switzerland as they are all reasonably close. If I had to rank them I would say: ZRH - GVA - BSL - BRN


7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?

Reply: So far I just registered with Miles and More because I flew to Marrakesh two weeks ago with Swiss. So I have 2 flights and 630 status miles.


8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?

Reply: That would probably be Swiss - If I'd have to chose one. I do realize that I mentioned Swiss now three times (for work, already signed up and now) and that it might be the obvious answer to go for them. But I don't just want to go for the obvious one as I am not sure if they are actually the best for me in my situation. Flights to Moscow or other European places are also provided by Aeroflot (I actually flew with them when I was in Moscow in February because my AirBaltic flight was cancelled/rebooked) or some airlines that I did not think about yet.


Thanks already in advance for your help!