To Join or not to join..
 

Hello all,

I recently booked my first CX flight, and after digging through the threads, it seems that joining Asia Miles would be a good idea,. On my sectors I am supposed to earn 13,700 miles. However, being based in Kuwait, and not having many flights to the east or Australia. A few questions have arised:
What can I use them for?
Can I use them towards BA/QR (if they complete their OW signing)?
Will I be able to earn/redeem miles with other OW airlines?
I will be travelling with the Mrs, can I earn miles based on her travels? (Sort of like the family member scheme on EK)

Hopefully, If the answer is yes, this will make Asia miles my main OW FFP.

Any suggestions that you may have would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

We'll need some more information to help you:

-- Which other programs are you already a member of?
-- What class/booking code are your CX flights?
-- Where else do you normally travel, and on which carrier(s)?

I find the CX program is quite good if you're flying CX a lot and particularly if you fly enough to earn status. In this scenario, the relatively generous service benefits of MPO (lounge access even for low-tier elites, seat guarantee for mid-tier, etc) start to balance out the poor earn/burn ratio. It can also often be the only game in town if you're flying CX periodically on discount Y fares (OW in general doesn't do much for discount Y flyers outside their "home" carrier, with a few exceptions).

But if this is the only CX trip you're ever likely to take, it might be worth sticking with a OW program for a carrier you're likely to fly more often, or where you can get a co-branded credit card in your area (if that's your thing). For example, BA charges high surcharges on award tickets, but also offers significant tier bonuses if you're going to reach an elite level.

Why not just join....in case the miles does come in handy in the near future?

Takes last than 2 minutes to complete the form.....

Yes I know, but for some reason it doesn't appeal to me to apply to a program and let it "sit" there. Its odd I know :p

I'm a member with EK and EY at the moment. My mile collection started later on since I didn't see a need to be in an FFP due to my J/F travel, and the benefits come with the travel class.

I am on I class. Flying DXB-HKG-HND-DXB

Most of my flights are to UK and EU. I stopped flying BA a long time back because in my view, I get better service and "bang for buck" with other airlines.

Also, since the HKG-HND legs offer F, any idea if I should upgrade it at HKG airport before the flight starts or would it be better before travel commences from DXB?

Thanks

1. You can already use them towards BA and will be able to after QR joins OW.
2. Yes.
3. No.

OP - if you are not a regular (or devote to be a regular) CX flyer, the last time you should do is join MPC/AM.

What you should focus is a program that you can earn and be ABLE to use the benefits.

No offense - given your location, MPC/AM may not sound as good as it looks.

As the time being crediting QR will not be a solution, I will suggest the dAArkside instead.

At the least, it is easier to keep the miles alive.

Or if you have an existing BAEC account, Avios may be good as well.

If OP does not burn those miles in 3 years, they are all gone :eek::eek::eek:

Strange as it is to say on FT, you could also just not bother with the miles on this trip. I agree with others that for you, AsiaMiles aren't going to be terribly useful. The number you earn will only qualify for the shortest of redemption flights, if at all. I suppose if you think you might fly CX again in the next couple years, you might as well join AsiaMiles in the hope that you can augment your balance and redeem an award in the future.

But for your travel pattern, another OW program would probably be better. The AsiaMiles earn/burn ratio is pretty poor. And I'm a great believer that it's best to have status with the airline you fly the most, unless your individual circumstances warrant an exception (easier to earn status with an alliance partner than on your own carrier given your flying pattern, etc).

You may credit to American Airlines' AAdvantage awards. At least they don;t charge fuel surcharge on award flights with the exception of BA awards. Miles stay relatively active on your account if you have one transaction every 18 months. Asiamiles miles do expire after 4 years.

For your 'upgrade' best for you to upgrade all the way through. Sector by sector upgrade not possible at HKG as the ticket has to be calculated all the way from your point of origin. If you do it at HKG, it will be recalculated as a oneway from HKG to HND and it will cost a lot more.

Thanks for the reply guys, I think it may not be worth it as others have stated due to my travel pattern.

I was worried that they would recalculate my fare. The problem is that when I try to book it from my origin all the way through in F it calculates the fare in "J" for the DXB-HKG-DXB legs as the F-class is not available on these flights. HKG-HND-HKG gets moved to "A" class fare. This makes the tickets more than 4 times as much!

I think the best thing to do is try at DXB airport before I start my trip, and see if they can do something from there.

I would credit it to whichever other OneWorld program you are already a member of (BA? Royal Jordanian perhaps?)