Brand new to this - need help!
Jan 18, 2014 | 3:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 1
Brand new to this - need help!
Hi -
I just started this whole adventure about three months ago. I have accrued:
Chase Sapphire - 44,000 points
Chase Ink Plus - 55,000
Amex SPG - 27,000
Barclay USAir Mastercard - 37,000
Barclay World Mastercard - 42,000
Citi AAdvantage 52,000
Chase SW 52,000
Now, I have some rather stupid questions, but I am kind of nervous about this and want to do things right. I would like to combine as many points as I can onto one airline to be able to take my daughter to Europe this summer for graduation. I am concerned that it is too late to book this. I have been seeing some people say that you need to book a year out. Is this true?
Also, what airline would you suggest I combine the points with? I joined as many frequent flyer programs as I could and made sure I went with at least one from Star Alliance and one from One World. I know that US Air and AA are combining which should help me since I have points from each card.
And, lastly, do I just go to the specific frequent flyer program that I choose and transfer the miles into that program? Let's say I put all of my miles into American. Can I then shop thru all of the One World airlines to find which one will work best?
I would appreciate any help you all can give me!
I just started this whole adventure about three months ago. I have accrued:
Chase Sapphire - 44,000 points
Chase Ink Plus - 55,000
Amex SPG - 27,000
Barclay USAir Mastercard - 37,000
Barclay World Mastercard - 42,000
Citi AAdvantage 52,000
Chase SW 52,000
Now, I have some rather stupid questions, but I am kind of nervous about this and want to do things right. I would like to combine as many points as I can onto one airline to be able to take my daughter to Europe this summer for graduation. I am concerned that it is too late to book this. I have been seeing some people say that you need to book a year out. Is this true?
Also, what airline would you suggest I combine the points with? I joined as many frequent flyer programs as I could and made sure I went with at least one from Star Alliance and one from One World. I know that US Air and AA are combining which should help me since I have points from each card.
And, lastly, do I just go to the specific frequent flyer program that I choose and transfer the miles into that program? Let's say I put all of my miles into American. Can I then shop thru all of the One World airlines to find which one will work best?
I would appreciate any help you all can give me!
Jan 18, 2014 | 10:50 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,933
nicoleraephotos Welcome to the forum
As you are a frequent spender it will take time to become a frequent flyer.
FFP's are complex. Depends what you want from a FFP
Look here
Post 9 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21923398-post9.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/star-...post-here.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
Best Frequent Flyer Program for you?
The answer to this question depends very much on your personal travel profile and objectives. e.g.
- what is your definition of best ?
- do you value miles/points (or equivalent) for redemption over gaining status ?
- do you fly enough to gain any meaningful status ?
- who and where do you normally fly
- are you primarily a leisure or business traveller ?
- where do you live ?
- do you have other ways of earning points in the various programs, e.g. credit cards, shopping, etc
- etc, etc, etc
(above copied in part from a post by dunk)
From a post on 2 Feb 2013
If you put miles into say AA you redeem only thru AA. All subject to AA t&c's
As you are a frequent spender it will take time to become a frequent flyer.
FFP's are complex. Depends what you want from a FFP
Look here
Post 9 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21923398-post9.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/star-...post-here.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
Best Frequent Flyer Program for you?
The answer to this question depends very much on your personal travel profile and objectives. e.g.
- what is your definition of best ?
- do you value miles/points (or equivalent) for redemption over gaining status ?
- do you fly enough to gain any meaningful status ?
- who and where do you normally fly
- are you primarily a leisure or business traveller ?
- where do you live ?
- do you have other ways of earning points in the various programs, e.g. credit cards, shopping, etc
- etc, etc, etc
(above copied in part from a post by dunk)
From a post on 2 Feb 2013
< snip>
To get your feet wet, start by reading the sticky threads in this and other forums. What you need to do is look at your flying (and credit card, if applicable) patterns and preferences, then pick a program that works best for you. While miles/points aren't interchangeable, you can usually use one airline's miles/points for redemptions on that airline's partners - either in the same alliance or in some cases unaligned partners - or for non-flying activities. Each airline has different "earning and burning" characteristics - how miles/points are earned and used, and you'll need to investigate these carefully, as the differences can be significant and expensive (or beneficial) to you depending on your choices.
One important thing to note is that miles/points earning and redemption are only a part of the whole FF business. A big factor in choosing your plan preferences is whether you'd fly enough with your chosen airline(s) in order to reach elite frequent flyer status. With elite status comes various perks - access to lounges, expedited passage through airports, seat selections, upgrades, baggage allowances, etc. - that can be as important if not more important to frequent travelers. So those factors also need to be understood as you make your choices.
It involves homework and research, but the rewards can be very significant, well worth the effort. (Or so many of us think. Of course we can be both delusional and exhibit OCD symptoms in this regard. Welcome to the madhouse.)
To get your feet wet, start by reading the sticky threads in this and other forums. What you need to do is look at your flying (and credit card, if applicable) patterns and preferences, then pick a program that works best for you. While miles/points aren't interchangeable, you can usually use one airline's miles/points for redemptions on that airline's partners - either in the same alliance or in some cases unaligned partners - or for non-flying activities. Each airline has different "earning and burning" characteristics - how miles/points are earned and used, and you'll need to investigate these carefully, as the differences can be significant and expensive (or beneficial) to you depending on your choices.
One important thing to note is that miles/points earning and redemption are only a part of the whole FF business. A big factor in choosing your plan preferences is whether you'd fly enough with your chosen airline(s) in order to reach elite frequent flyer status. With elite status comes various perks - access to lounges, expedited passage through airports, seat selections, upgrades, baggage allowances, etc. - that can be as important if not more important to frequent travelers. So those factors also need to be understood as you make your choices.
It involves homework and research, but the rewards can be very significant, well worth the effort. (Or so many of us think. Of course we can be both delusional and exhibit OCD symptoms in this regard. Welcome to the madhouse.)
Jan 18, 2014 | 11:15 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 35,044
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Last edited by guv1976; Jan 18, 2014 at 11:18 pm
Jan 18, 2014 | 11:18 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
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"And, lastly, do I just go to the specific frequent flyer program that I choose and transfer the miles into that program? Let's say I put all of my miles into American. Can I then shop thru all of the One World airlines to find which one will work best?"
I'm not sure how you got the impression that you can transfer points from one airline's FFP into another airline's FFP. In most cases, you can't -- at least, not without significant devaluation of your miles.
What you can do is redeem miles in one airline's FFP for travel on one of that FFP's airline partners.
"And, lastly, do I just go to the specific frequent flyer program that I choose and transfer the miles into that program? Let's say I put all of my miles into American. Can I then shop thru all of the One World airlines to find which one will work best?"
I'm not sure how you got the impression that you can transfer points from one airline's FFP into another airline's FFP. In most cases, you can't -- at least, not without significant devaluation of your miles.
What you can do is redeem miles in one airline's FFP for travel on one of that FFP's airline partners.
Jan 19, 2014 | 12:41 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,933
While not 100% on topic this is a good summary from another thread
I suggest you plan to build up your knowledge about travel gradually. It's a fool's mission to think you're going to absorb everything here on Flyertalk and then completely optimize your next trip with the ideal airline, hotel, credit cards, and bonus programs. The options are horribly complex, and the reality is that what's right for you will not be the same as what's right for the person standing next to you.
I recommend you start by flying whichever airline is most convenient, affordable, and comfortable for your route. Whatever airline it is, sign up for the mileage program. Is it the "right" airline for the long run? It's hard to say, and it doesn't really matter when you're at Square One. Start with one airline now, try another later.
Apply the same idea to hotels. Pick one that's close to your job site, affordable, and comfortable. Get suggestions from colleagues or the client. Is it the right hotel chain for the long run? Again, don't know and doesn't matter. DO sign up for the loyalty program though (never fail to capture points!) and do keep eyes open to see and read about other hotels/chains/programs that may be better for you.
The point I'm trying to make here is twofold:
One, the way to learn what the right answers are FOR YOU is to combine your own experience with advice and information you get from other sources. Always keep learning.
Two, as a budding business traveler you're going to be taking a lot of trips. You can afford to try out different options. In fact, you need to-- see above. It's okay if your first few trips aren't on the "right" airline and hotel. You'll adjust as you learn. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon.
I recommend you start by flying whichever airline is most convenient, affordable, and comfortable for your route. Whatever airline it is, sign up for the mileage program. Is it the "right" airline for the long run? It's hard to say, and it doesn't really matter when you're at Square One. Start with one airline now, try another later.
Apply the same idea to hotels. Pick one that's close to your job site, affordable, and comfortable. Get suggestions from colleagues or the client. Is it the right hotel chain for the long run? Again, don't know and doesn't matter. DO sign up for the loyalty program though (never fail to capture points!) and do keep eyes open to see and read about other hotels/chains/programs that may be better for you.
The point I'm trying to make here is twofold:
One, the way to learn what the right answers are FOR YOU is to combine your own experience with advice and information you get from other sources. Always keep learning.
Two, as a budding business traveler you're going to be taking a lot of trips. You can afford to try out different options. In fact, you need to-- see above. It's okay if your first few trips aren't on the "right" airline and hotel. You'll adjust as you learn. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon.
Jan 19, 2014 | 12:47 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,933
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"And, lastly, do I just go to the specific frequent flyer program that I choose and transfer the miles into that program? Let's say I put all of my miles into American. Can I then shop thru all of the One World airlines to find which one will work best?"
I'm not sure how you got the impression that you can transfer points from one airline's FFP into another airline's FFP. In most cases, you can't -- at least, not without significant devaluation of your miles.
What you can do is redeem miles in one airline's FFP for travel on one of that FFP's airline partners.
"And, lastly, do I just go to the specific frequent flyer program that I choose and transfer the miles into that program? Let's say I put all of my miles into American. Can I then shop thru all of the One World airlines to find which one will work best?"
I'm not sure how you got the impression that you can transfer points from one airline's FFP into another airline's FFP. In most cases, you can't -- at least, not without significant devaluation of your miles.
What you can do is redeem miles in one airline's FFP for travel on one of that FFP's airline partners.
Jan 19, 2014 | 10:13 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Antonio
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 2,276
Given the goal of Europe this summer, if there are saver level seats available one way on AA and partners (most except IB in this case can be searched at AA.com - be aware that BA flights will incur high surcharges) and the other on UA and partners (searchable at united.com), you could transfer 60K Chase UR to UA and 8K SPG to AA and book.
+1 to all the other advise. You have done the easy part and now it's time to learn how to use those miles, or decide that's too much work and pay an award booking service ~$100 per person to figure it out. We will gladly help you learn to fish if you are willing to read and research. Welcome to flyertalk!
+1 to all the other advise. You have done the easy part and now it's time to learn how to use those miles, or decide that's too much work and pay an award booking service ~$100 per person to figure it out. We will gladly help you learn to fish if you are willing to read and research. Welcome to flyertalk!