Glad to find Flyertalk...
Sep 27, 2003 | 7:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Dublin, Ohio USA
Posts: 1
Glad to find Flyertalk...
I am been flying internationally every other week for the past 15 months. My destinations are the same 6 countries: Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Germany and Brazil. For my flights to Germany and Brazil, I always fly United, while on my flights to Asia, if I go to Japan first, I fly on Japan Airlines and if I go to Taiwan or Malaysia first, I fly on Evergreen Airlines...
While I won't mention the name of the company I work for, it being a very large Japanese company, our company policy is that all traveler's, regardless of title or position, fly Economy. It really isn't so bad, when you consider that even the President of this 300,000 member plus company flys Economy.
United is not so bad, once you get into the Premier levels, because you can at least sit in Economy Plus...and it seems useless to try to upgrade to business, because most of the time, the waiting list is too long to even have a chance.
But on the other hand, when I fly on Evergreen, I am able to sit in Evergreen Deluxe, which is a scaled down version of Business Class, so the 14 hour flight from LAX to Taipei isn't too bad. And of course, Japan Airline's Economy is probably one of the best Economy class in the business.
Well, since I am still new to this, I am hoping that I can get some good advice on how to get upgrades, etc. I have had alot of good experiences flying this past year and few pretty bad ones, too...
I know that there are many experienced travelers that can give me some good advice...and I am looking forward to getting some..
Regards,
Kaminarinoko
While I won't mention the name of the company I work for, it being a very large Japanese company, our company policy is that all traveler's, regardless of title or position, fly Economy. It really isn't so bad, when you consider that even the President of this 300,000 member plus company flys Economy.
United is not so bad, once you get into the Premier levels, because you can at least sit in Economy Plus...and it seems useless to try to upgrade to business, because most of the time, the waiting list is too long to even have a chance.
But on the other hand, when I fly on Evergreen, I am able to sit in Evergreen Deluxe, which is a scaled down version of Business Class, so the 14 hour flight from LAX to Taipei isn't too bad. And of course, Japan Airline's Economy is probably one of the best Economy class in the business.
Well, since I am still new to this, I am hoping that I can get some good advice on how to get upgrades, etc. I have had alot of good experiences flying this past year and few pretty bad ones, too...
I know that there are many experienced travelers that can give me some good advice...and I am looking forward to getting some..
Regards,
Kaminarinoko
Sep 27, 2003 | 8:08 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: YYJ
Posts: 4,412
Welcome to Flyertalk! You definately found the best place for advice.
If you have any specific questions about one of the airlines that you fly with, make sure that you post them in the correct forum. In order to decide what the best strategy for upgrading to business for you might be, it might be a good idea to let us know whether you have a choice of airline when you are flying to the different countries - and what your current status is in each of the programs that you have. There may be a way that you can upgrade to business more frequently with your flight patterns.
If you have any specific questions about one of the airlines that you fly with, make sure that you post them in the correct forum. In order to decide what the best strategy for upgrading to business for you might be, it might be a good idea to let us know whether you have a choice of airline when you are flying to the different countries - and what your current status is in each of the programs that you have. There may be a way that you can upgrade to business more frequently with your flight patterns.
Sep 27, 2003 | 8:33 pm
#4
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Seattle
Programs: Ephesians 4:31-32
Posts: 10,690
Welcome, Kaminarinoko, to FlyerTalk.
This was the very first bulletin board I ever saw and it has been my cyberhome since 1998. I love it. I has gotten very big these days and I don't know even close to all of the posters anymore, but it is still grand. My husband Hunki and I have met literally hundereds of FlyerTalkers over the years, all around the world.
You will find that FlyerTalk can be an amazing way to meet people you would otherwise never have the opportunity to meet, and, of course, to dramatically increase your understanding of all of the ins and outs of frequent travel.
FlyerTalk has turned me on to so many specials and promotions that I can't even remember them all. One member, even guided me through trading Starwood points for Qantas miles, which eventually led to two free Concorde tickets for us. Now how cool is that?
Again, welcome.
Cheers, Punki
This was the very first bulletin board I ever saw and it has been my cyberhome since 1998. I love it. I has gotten very big these days and I don't know even close to all of the posters anymore, but it is still grand. My husband Hunki and I have met literally hundereds of FlyerTalkers over the years, all around the world.
You will find that FlyerTalk can be an amazing way to meet people you would otherwise never have the opportunity to meet, and, of course, to dramatically increase your understanding of all of the ins and outs of frequent travel.
FlyerTalk has turned me on to so many specials and promotions that I can't even remember them all. One member, even guided me through trading Starwood points for Qantas miles, which eventually led to two free Concorde tickets for us. Now how cool is that?
Again, welcome.
Cheers, Punki
Sep 27, 2003 | 9:33 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: UA1k3.1mm;AAexEXP;HyGlob;AccPlt;HHGld;OnyxPlt;MarLTTitIHGDiAm;RRVIP;BW D;HcomG
Posts: 2,879
Welcome to FlyerTalk!
I am surprised you find it hard to upgrade on United. Most people can upgrade on flights to Asia and Europe using a systemwide upgrade (SWU) or miles with no problem (even those people who don't have status under Mileage Plus). If you look on the United thread you will see that United will clear all of the passengers using SWU's and miles before allowing employees (when traveling for pleasure), their families, and friends to clear. What has been your experience?
Sep 27, 2003 | 10:08 pm
#6
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
Posts: 6,977
Irashaimase Thunder Kid...
Well I can certainly offer the standard FT greeting: "Let's meet for a drink".
I live in Tokyo, am a UA flyer and my e-mail address is in my profile here on FT so drop a note and perhaps I can assist in a face to face Q&A here over a few drinks or cups of coffee. Lots of hours of your searching and backtracking in threads here on FT can likely be compacted into a an hour or two of chatting. Can get you pointed in the right direction anyway.
Mike
[This message has been edited by mjm (edited 09-27-2003).]
Well I can certainly offer the standard FT greeting: "Let's meet for a drink".
I live in Tokyo, am a UA flyer and my e-mail address is in my profile here on FT so drop a note and perhaps I can assist in a face to face Q&A here over a few drinks or cups of coffee. Lots of hours of your searching and backtracking in threads here on FT can likely be compacted into a an hour or two of chatting. Can get you pointed in the right direction anyway.
Mike
[This message has been edited by mjm (edited 09-27-2003).]
Sep 29, 2003 | 8:34 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: PDX
Programs: On a collision course with Kettledom
Posts: 25,550
Welcome to Flyertalk.
One of the basic tricks of the trade is to concentrate as much flying as possible with one airline's program. With your travel pattern, it shouldn't be difficult to reach 100,000 miles/year with one airline (in your case, it seems United is a good fit). The combination of free upgrade certificates and mileage should keep you in front quite a bit!
One of the basic tricks of the trade is to concentrate as much flying as possible with one airline's program. With your travel pattern, it shouldn't be difficult to reach 100,000 miles/year with one airline (in your case, it seems United is a good fit). The combination of free upgrade certificates and mileage should keep you in front quite a bit!
Sep 29, 2003 | 9:24 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Brooklyn, NY, US
Posts: 2,311
Welcome to FT.
Piece of advice #1 is figure out which airline/alliance you can steer your business toward, most likely to hit top tier if you can do so. With the amount of flying you're doing, there's no excuse for not getting out of coach more often!
Of course the folks here will have plenty of advice! just let us know anything you'd like to share- whether you're forced to fly on certain carriers, whether you have any "loyalties" to certain carriers, etc.
Given the amount of flying you're doing, I'm sure you have plenty to contribute off the bat! Don't be shy, and dive into the forums of the airlines/programs/interests which appeal most to you.