Originally Posted by
CptnBarrySeal
Hello all! Trying to figure out the best Program to focus on for my upcoming situation. My work allows me to live anywhere I want and I was planning to spend a couple of years in Japan. My work will buy me confirmed tickets once a month from japan to the U.S. and back to japan after work. So it is essentially 1 RT trip once a month. pretty much 1 leg every 2 weeks. Now, I could fly zipair lie flat seats, or I can fly JAL/ANA/AA or any other carrier from TYO to the U.S. While zipair might make sense if i'm not flying enough to earn status, I would rather just bear through economy for a while to earn top status. My main priority would be to get free business class upgrades. Which program would allow me to get upgraded to business class most frequently? Preferred airport to fly into from TYO would be LAX, but any airport would really be fine.
Really appreciate any insight.
Elite status will get you extra baggage allowance, lounges and your choice of seats---those are valuable perks---but no program is going to upgrade you to business class 24 times a year. Realistically, you can expect a couple of upgrades and a couple of award tickets (with miles), on "if available" basis. In other words, if you want business class, you'll have to pay for it. If your company will only pay for economy, you will have to upgrade yourself with cash or miles. You travels will help with miles, but any cash will come out of your own pocket. Finally, although this was not your question, check if your company will pay for Premium Economy. I don't know anything abut Zipair, but yes, consider that option too.
Choose between the airlines based on schedule, service, etc. If you are going to travel domestically, you can expect a few upgrades there too as an AA or UA elite. However, for service, expect ANA/JAL to be better. Contrary to what I wrote in the original pre-edit version of this post, Singapore does have a nonstop service between NRT and LAX, which makes it a very strong contender.