Hi - looking for a *A FFP recommendation...
Used to fly a lot, but nothing at all during last 2 years - starting to travel again. I can see from a quick look that my info is outdated and the programs changed too.
I have 2 flights already booked (but I haven't added a FF#). One is an AMS-LAX return in biz leaving on 31 Dec, 2021 (I know... is there a program that will give me credit for 2022 status for a Dec 31 flight?) + 4 family members on the same flights on Economy, so any program that has family pooling would be a plus. Then I have an Etihad biz return trip AMS-BOM coming up in January.
(1) What is your home airport? AMS
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Usually the cheapest biz ticket on any airline that has a decent long haul biz product
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 50-100k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Nope - zero flights for the last 2 years
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?Upgrades on long haul flights is my absolute top priority, so I want to switch to the program that will give me the most milage or voucher upgrades on long haul flights per $ spent on tickets
(6) Which routes do you fly most often Between EU and US and EU and Asia
(7) Preferred Airlines No particular airline (although I like United's Polaris suites on the 787). I will fly with the airline that has a great seat and gives me a decent price. So I'm not looking for the best price, I am willing to pay more to get a better seat, within reason.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Both, but it's my own company so I have complete freedom of choice.
My main goal is to go with the FFP that would get me the best chance of flying biz most of the time at the lowest cost and with the best perks, so what I value the most are good mile redemption opportunities for long haul biz tickets and/or *A upgrades, SWUs (if any FFP still has them - I know United kind of does, but with their spend requirements for higher elite levels they are quite hard to reach those levels unless you fly a lot on United metal). *A Gold is also nice to have for lounge access. I noticed that Asiana had a 24 month qualification period which means I would be able to credit my Dec 31 flights, but I just learned that their *A upgrades are almost exclusively for Y/B which makes them a bad deal. I don't know if that applies to all *A upgrades regardless of the FFP. If it does, then award tickets may be my best value redemption, in which case Asiana still seems like a good option - is there a better one though?
Thank you!