Hi everyone! I am brand new to the forum and everyone seems super helpful. I currently live in California (been here for 9 years) but just took a position at workplace that would move me back to Bangkok, Thailand permanently. I was born and raised there and the company I'm working for needs an in-country person.
Background: After my move in October, I'm expected to travel for my job a lot regionally (within the entire Southeast Asia) with 3-4 trips to the U.S. and/or South Africa each year. I promised myself a few years ago that I would never fly coach across the Pacific again even if I had to pay the difference out of pocket for a work trip. I have a bulging disc but not bad enough to warrant accommodation. However, when I joined my current company about 6 months ago and started traveling internationally for them, I found out I had to be compliant with Fly America Act, and can only book with their contracted travel agent. Some of the routes they picked for my last few trips to Asia that were in compliance with Fly America (flights operated by JAL or ANA that had to be booked through American/United codeshares) wouldn't allow me to pay out of pocket for upgrades to business after an economy or premium economy ticket was issued. I have not really had any significant frequent flyer status. I was Silver with United for a few years and Sapphire with oneworld this year. With that said, I kind of consider myself starting fresh and would like some suggestions about FFP and airlines alliance that I should join.
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Upgrades on travel (including ability to pay for upgrades) and lounge access. Note that all travels need to be booked through my company's agency.
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
I'm intending to fly business for all these flights when available. I know it's
BKK to Within Southeast Asia (expected): 15000-18000 miles. Most of these would be BKK to Jakarta or Hanoi. 12-16 flights. These are probably going to be exempt from Fly America Act. I'd like to not do low cost as I've never had a good experience with them in Asia.
BKK to the U.S., South Africa, Melbourne: 60000-70000 miles. These would be at least one trip a year to DC, one trip to Cape Town, and a couple trips to Los Angeles. Maybe 1 trip to Melbourne.
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Agency can only book economy or premium economy. I always attempt to try to pay for upgrades to business but have been met with "that's not possible" by the agency. I don't have enough experience to know if that's true.
Reply:
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Airline most flown? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Agency does the booking. I can provide some input. They have to be in compliance with Fly America, and can only book economy or premium economy. I always try to ask them to book premium economy and I'll pay for upgrade to business but was told by the agency that it wasn't possible in a few of the cases. For flights to and from U.S. if I can choose I love to fly any Japanese airlines. I've lived in Houston and LA so it's mostly been United and ANA, although I really do not enjoy United flights. Most of the travel is for work, but the Los Angeles trips are personal.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often
I'll be flying mostly from Bangkok to destinations within Southeast Asia, with 4-5 trips to the US, South Africa, and maybe Australia.
(6) What is your home airport?
It will be BKK (Suvarnabhumi)
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
Nothing significant. Just a few years of United MileagePlus Silver. I have maybe 35,000 miles with them. I also have a Chase Sapphire Reserve with about 110,000 points.
(8) Preferred Airlines
I love ANA and JAL. For U.S. carriers, United is the most tolerable for me.
Thank you so much! Any suggestion is welcome. Please let me know if you'd like more information in order to provide recommendations.