Originally Posted by iCiccio

Hello guys!

I'm new to this world and I’m trying to understand all the secrets of frequent flyer programs. My goal is to learn how to play the game to pay less for tickets but, most importantly, to maximize points to get award tickets at a lower cost.

Here are some of my answers to the questions you might ask to help understand my approach:

(1) What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
Good award redemption rates, better award access, occasionally taking business class award flights, especially for flights longer than 6 hours.

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year and in which class? How many flights/sectors?
Few miles, around a dozen flights per year, sometimes even less, definitely <25,000 miles and <25 flights.

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Economy, the cheapest fare.

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Which airline do you fly the most? Do you travel for work and/or leisure?
Only for leisure, I’m based at a southern Italy airport, CTA, so my main airlines are Ryanair, Wizzair, and ITA Airways.

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
ITA domestic.

(6) What is your home airport?
CTA, FCO, MXP.

(7) Do you have FFP status with any airline? What is it? Do you have any miles accumulated in a FFP?
No status, I have about 42k miles on Miles&More because I have a credit card that prevents my miles from expiring. About 9k miles on BA thanks to surveys and shopping purchases. I also have an Italian American Express with about 45k MR.

(8) Preferred Airlines
ITA Airways.