Originally Posted by haplology
Hi. Didn't realize such an extended world of FF existed until finding this forum.
I've flown a quite a bit but never really kept close track of my miles. I'm now realizing that that wasn't such a smart idea. So, I'm trying to figure out the best way(s) to begin doing this.
Currently, I travel a decent amount - maybe two trips LAX - Japan per year and another couple trips LAX - New York per year. I usually fly coach, very occasionally get an upgrade or maybe a business class ticket. For my Japan trips, I usually fly Singapore (if not too expensive), ANA or JAL. Changeable tickets are very important and ANA is usually the most lenient. Singapore used to be easier, but now tend to charge to change tickets. I haven't flown JAL as much recently. I've never really flown AA, UA or NW on the Japan trip.
Also, I tend to charge all my business expenses - maybe five thousand or so - on a debit card at the moment. Another big waste of potential miles.
So - here's my main questions:
1) What program would be the best to join and kinda standardize under until I start understanding the nuances of FF travel like you CrazyFlyers.
2) What credit card would be the best for a business card that got FF miles - business expenses, taxes, etc? I'm with BOFA for my general business bankng.
Thanks!! I read a bunch of the forums, but all the posts are a bit more detailed dealing with specific situations, not general opinions.
The major issues involved in choice of airlines are:
1. Schedule
2. Comfort (includes upgrades)
3. Miles for free trips
4. Cost (if you pay for the tickets)
The answer to your question depends on which of these is most important to you. For example, your annual flying is enough to achieve low-level elite status on most airlines. If comfort was your top priority, you would look at your chances to upgrade on your routes on each airline. For example, as a Gold on AA, you would have very little chance of upgrading your LAX-JFK flights with 500 mile "stickers". You could upgrade LAX-JFK with miles (15,000 each way), and you could upgrade LAX-Japan with miles (25,000 miles and $250 each way). You would earn enough miles by flying to upgrade one LAX-JFK R/T per year, or one LAX-Japan one-way per year.
If you wanted to use miles for free trips, all of the above doesn't matter.
What do you want to get out of frequent flyer program?