FFP Recommendation
Feb 13, 2012 | 8:43 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,267
FFP Recommendation
Not sure if this is the right forum to post, but figured the folks here might have the best info on this. Have some relatives who commute about twice a year between Vancouver (YYR) & MAA/ BLR. Figured it would help if they stuck to one carrier and thereby consolidated their miles.
Primarily, theyd probably look at the increased baggage allowance as a result. They travel Economy for the most part and look out for the cheapest tickets. Any suggestions on which would be the best program for them to join.
Cathay Pacific & Lufthansa are the carriers they currently use (not enrolled into their programs as yet).
Any suggestions folks?
Primarily, theyd probably look at the increased baggage allowance as a result. They travel Economy for the most part and look out for the cheapest tickets. Any suggestions on which would be the best program for them to join.
Cathay Pacific & Lufthansa are the carriers they currently use (not enrolled into their programs as yet).
Any suggestions folks?
Feb 13, 2012 | 9:02 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: DTW
Programs: Delta Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis First
Posts: 106
They need to figure out which airline/alliance they prefer in terms of price and convenience. Then I'd book Cathay flights in the AAdvantage program or Lufthansa flights in the UA FF program, since AA and UA miles are easier to redeem and have overall better charts. Even if they are very price sensitive, I'd open these 2 accounts and credit to them.
Feb 13, 2012 | 9:13 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,774
If they fly only twice a year, I'd suggest that they sign up for Aegean Airlines Miles and Bonus. The 2 trips should be enough to get them *G, and that extra baggage allowance and lounge access truly does make these trips more bearable.
Feb 13, 2012 | 9:19 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,267
So do they book an Aegean Air ticket then..?? (Sorry, am always confused with the whole idea of travelling on one carrier and crediting them to another)
Feb 13, 2012 | 9:26 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,774
Then, after earning 20,000 miles within a year (1 round trip if they buy a 100% mileage earning fare, or 2 round trips if they buy 50% earning fares), they get *G status, which gives them 3 free bags, lounge access, first class checkin, etc.
They just have to make sure that the fare they book is mileage earning before confirming their reservation... Most of the cheap fares will earn 50% miles, but that's still enough to get *G with 2 trips.
Feb 13, 2012 | 9:28 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2009
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If they are primarily interested in the extra baggage allowance, they might consider joining CX/MarcoPolo Club, but that would require 60K miles (Gold) before they get any benefit on the YVR-India trips. If they do any other travel on oneworld partners other than YVR-India, it might be worth considering.
Otherwise, joining UA MP or Aeroplan might be better for them. Aeroplan if they do any Intra-Canada travel would probably be better, despite their YQ charges on awards.
Aegean would be good for getting *G status but redeeming their miles might be a pain. If they travel enough to get 50K, I would consider another program.
Otherwise, joining UA MP or Aeroplan might be better for them. Aeroplan if they do any Intra-Canada travel would probably be better, despite their YQ charges on awards.
Aegean would be good for getting *G status but redeeming their miles might be a pain. If they travel enough to get 50K, I would consider another program.
Feb 13, 2012 | 9:32 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,774
Also, with 2 roundtrips YVR-FRA-MAA-FRA-YVR in a 50% earning bucket (the cheapest one), they'd barely be hitting 20k miles, forget 50k
Feb 13, 2012 | 11:20 pm
#9
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Location: India
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Not sure if this is the right forum to post, but figured the folks here might have the best info on this. Have some relatives who commute about twice a year between Vancouver (YYR) & MAA/ BLR. Figured it would help if they stuck to one carrier and thereby consolidated their miles.
Feb 13, 2012 | 11:28 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,255
To the OP-- Do check with fare classes of LH or any *A airline you plan to buy, are eligible for Aegean miles..I was also planning to do this but found out that most cheap fare classes are not eligible for Aegean miles, so do this check if you plan to go for this option..@:-)
Feb 14, 2012 | 12:09 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
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Feb 14, 2012 | 9:26 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
Are they saying that we need to wait for flights to credit to Aegean before getting Star Gold (which is true);
Or are they asking if we need to fly at least one Aegean segment in order to get Star Gold?
Feb 14, 2012 | 9:27 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,774
Oh. If the question is the latter, then the answer is no. You do not need to ever fly A3. Although, it is a nice airline, and if you have the chance it's worth giving them a shot.
Feb 14, 2012 | 10:14 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,267
Otherwise, joining UA MP or Aeroplan might be better for them. Aeroplan if they do any Intra-Canada travel would probably be better, despite their YQ charges on awards.
Aegean would be good for getting *G status but redeeming their miles might be a pain. If they travel enough to get 50K, I would consider another program.
Aegean would be good for getting *G status but redeeming their miles might be a pain. If they travel enough to get 50K, I would consider another program.
They're open to the idea of connecting thru YYZ and have flown 9W on a few occasions in the past & have quite like it
Feb 14, 2012 | 11:15 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
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Posts: 7,774
If they fly AC to YQR, and *A to India, they can maintain their A3 status very easily. I think that *G through A3 is probably their best option...