Originally Posted by
owen8877
Hi! I'm quite new to this field and just started learning. I'm flying AUS-NYC regularly this year and will be moving to NYC next year. Thanks in advance for any advice!
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: baggage allowance and redemption rate
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: ~50000 mile, 20 round trips
3. What fare class do you usually buy?
first, business, premium economy, economy
>>> Reply: economy
4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
>>> Reply: yes, I travel for leisure
5. Which routes do you fly most often?
transatlantic, domestic USA, intra-Asia, etc.
>>> Reply: domestic (specifically AUS-NYC), sometimes ASIA-NA
6. What is your home airport?
>>> Reply: AUS, will be moving to NYC next year
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
>>> Reply: no status at the moment
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
>>> Reply: no preference
Unless you fly on Southwest, you will need to achieve at least low-tier elite status to get free checked baggage when flying in Economy Class on domestic flights. You might find it easiest to achieve status with AA, since miles earned for credit-card purchases, hotel stays, car rentals, AAdvantage Dining, AAdvantage e-shopping, etc., all count towards status. And AA often has very favorable redemption rates for domestic travel. But check the Wikipedia entries for LGA and JFK to see if AA offers nonstop service to your preferred destinations, unless you are OK making a connection. (Domestic awards involving a connection are sometimes less expensive that awards on nonstop flights.)
AA miles can also be redeemed for travel on CX and JL,
when those carriers make award space available to partners.
Welcome to FlyerTalk!
Edited to add: Without status, one can also get a free checked bag on domestic flights on several U.S. airlines by signing up for an affiliated credit card. In some cases, just holding the credit card gets you a free checked bag; in other cases, you must charge your flight to the credit card to get the free checked bag.