Hi all!

New here, and generally new to travel. I had done very little travel in my life before starting a new job two years ago. Prior to this job, I had only taken five round trip flights. While I enjoy, and am very good at maximizing returns in other areas of my life, I have very little experience on the flight and hotel side of things and I've missed a lot of opportunities. I would really love some general advice to get pointed in the right direction so that moving forward I make better decisions.

I've had very little travel so far this calendar year, and I don't currently have status with any FFP. With the amount of travel I have right now it would be very difficult to get status with anyone. I am looking to increase my travel both for business and leisure, but I'll list current numbers below.


(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Ease of achieving status, value of reward miles/$

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
20-25k business ~5k leisure. ~25 sectors

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Economy or Premium Economy

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Airline most flown? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
My choice of airline, premium economy for class. Mostly business.

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often
United, but open to any. SFO -> SLC, LAX, SAN, PHX, SUN

(6) What is your home airport?
SFO, SJC SFO is most common as there are more airlines and routes, and better lounges. SJC is more convenient getting in and through, however.

(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
No status. ~500pqp so far with United this year, ~70,000 miles. I have the United Explorer card.

(8) Preferred Airlines
No attachments. I have small perks with United from the Explorer card, but I also have Amex Biz Plat which is decent for any other program.