1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access, etc.
>>> Reply: In order of priority:
1) Benifits I acrue for work that I can apply to leisure trips with my family (e.g. earning/spending points, fast track security, lounge access)
2) Priority upgrades (e.g. I often travel Flex Plus on EK, which means I’m quite high up the op-up list)
3) Making my work travel easier (e.g. fast track security, lounge access)
Not really concerned with baggage allowance, would really like access to First Wing at LHR.

2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
less than 25000 miles, 50000+ miles and 20-25 flights, etc.
>>> Reply: I answered the questions backwards and answered this in 5.

3. What fare class do you usually buy?
first, business, premium economy, economy
>>> Reply: 80% economy (though often fully flexible), 20% business (Saver). There is potential for that ratio to shift a bit more to business next year.

4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
>>> Reply: 95% work, 5% pleasure. Free to choose airlines, free to choose ticket type (eg Saver/Flex Plus)

5. Which routes do you fly most often?
transatlantic, domestic USA, intra-Asia, etc.
>>> Reply: To DXB, RUH, JED 6-8 times per year, with hopping around between (e.g. a trip might be MAN-DXB-JED-RUH-DXB-MAN)
Also MAN-LHR return ~ 8 times per year, MAN-ZRH return ~4 times per year plus maybe ~8 other intra Europe flights

6. What is your home airport?
>>> Reply: MAN

7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
>>> Reply: Currently Emirates Skywards Gold (And Hilton Diamond if that makes any difference).

8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
>>> Reply:

To answer this question, I will ask the question that lead me here:

I’m currently EK Gold, based at MAN, UK. That means that family holidays all tend to be east, I’m considering more flexibility in terms of how the status that my work travel facilitates can support family travel and would like to seek opinions on the possibility of moving away from Emirates.

Examples of this would be OneWorld, I.e. flying via LHR, which gives me options to fly to DXB, RUH and JED rather than always routing through DXB. The flight there essentially takes all day. It doesn’t really matter if it is 7 hours or 10 hours.

Oneworld or Star Alliance all are technically possible.

My flying would tend to quite easily reach gold/equivalent status, but it would be quite hard to reach the equivalent of EK Platinum.

In your advice (thank you in advance) I’d be interested in comparisons, for example I’m used to EK A380s, unlimited free WiFi, MAN EK Lounge, DXB T3.

Are these open to anyone or only US citizens?

FFP's are generally open to anyone. Only a few ffp's have restrictions based on where you live.
When you apply it will ask country of resident

Hi! I hope to get some advice here following a move.

1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
I dream of upgrades to business class and business lounge access. But realistically - choosing better seats (exit row), quick boarding, shorter lines. Award flights are fun but lower priority.

2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
25K-50K miles per year. Most miles come from long transatlantic flights, so not many segments. Maybe 10-15.

3. What fare class do you usually buy?
Economy

4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
I mostly travel for work. I can choose my airline, but I cannot choose business, premium economy or even fully flexible economy tickets. Mostly just the cheapest way to get there. Maybe I can buy a ticket in a slightly more expensive fare class.

5. Which routes do you fly most often?
From Tel-Aviv to either North America (2-3 trips per year) or Europe (2-3 trips per year to countries of different alliances).

6. What is your home airport?
TLV

7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
Delta Silver Medallion (for 2020), with 29,000 miles.

8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
No favorite airline

More information: I recently moved from the US to Israel. In the US I was happy with my FFP with Delta. Nothing amazing, but I chose exit row seats for free, checked-in a suitcase for free, was often upgraded to comfort+, stood in shorter lines for check in, and similar small perks. And since MQMs roll over two years of 40,000 MQMs are enough for a gold status for a year.
The problem is that Delta only operates one flight from TLV (to JFK). The connection times often don't work for other destinations in North America. Star Alliance on the other hand fly to 5 destinations in North America (3 United, 2 Air Canada) which creates more options.
I assumed I will try to move to United. But then I discovered their new system, which for my flight profile is terrible. I did the math: I need about 2 flights to New-York plus one to Europe to maintain silver medallion in Delta. But I will need about 4 flights to New-York plus one to Europe for premier silver in united. I may barely reach it (as I also fly to the west coast and other destinations in the US and Canada), but I can't be sure and I'll definitely never reach gold. I tried to read about Aeroplan but it's a super complicated program and I don't understand how easy it will be to reach silver/gold, and how useful the status will be.

Any suggestions? Should I join United/Air Canada anyway? Should I join some other Star Alliance airline I don't fly it and hope to reach Star Alliance Gold status? Should I stick to Delta and insist on routing all my long haul flights through JFK/CDG/AMS even when it's not convenient? Should I try El-Al even though they are in no alliance and generally terrible? I am at a loss here.


Thanks!

Hi! I hope to get some advice here following a move.

1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
I dream of upgrades to business class and business lounge access. But realistically - choosing better seats (exit row), quick boarding, shorter lines. Award flights are fun but lower priority.

2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
25K-50K miles per year. Most miles come from long transatlantic flights, so not many segments. Maybe 10-15.

3. What fare class do you usually buy?
Economy

4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
I mostly travel for work. I can choose my airline, but I cannot choose business, premium economy or even fully flexible economy tickets. Mostly just the cheapest way to get there. Maybe I can buy a ticket in a slightly more expensive fare class.

5. Which routes do you fly most often?
From Tel-Aviv to either North America (2-3 trips per year) or Europe (2-3 trips per year to countries of different alliances).

6. What is your home airport?
TLV

7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
Delta Silver Medallion (for 2020), with 29,000 miles.

8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
No favorite airline

More information: I recently moved from the US to Israel. In the US I was happy with my FFP with Delta. Nothing amazing, but I chose exit row seats for free, checked-in a suitcase for free, was often upgraded to comfort+, stood in shorter lines for check in, and similar small perks. And since MQMs rollover two years of 40,000 MQMs are enough for a gold status for a year.

The problem is that Delta only operates one flight from TLV (to JFK). The connection times often don't work for other destinations in North America. Star Alliance on the other hand flys to 5 destinations in North America (3 United, 2 Air Canada) which creates more options.

I assumed I will try to move to United. But then I discovered their new system, which for my flight profile is terrible. I did the math: I need about 2 flights to New-York plus one to Europe to maintain silver medallion in Delta. But I will need about 4 flights to New-York plus one to Europe for premier silver in united. I may barely reach it (as I also fly to the west coast and other destinations in the US and Canada), but I can't be sure and I'll definitely never reach gold. I tried to read about Aeroplan but it's a super complicated program and I don't understand how easy it will be to reach silver/gold, and how useful the status will be.

Any suggestions? Should I join United/Air Canada anyway? Should I join some other Star Alliance airline I don't fly it and hope to reach Star Alliance Gold status? Should I stick to Delta and insist on routing all my long haul flights through JFK/CDG/AMS even when it's not convenient?


Thanks!

Hi there, looking for some suggestions whether I should start collecting miles & stuff for some FFP.

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
(upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, extra baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, free - discounted lounge access, etc.)
Reply: Primary: Upgrades, better seats. Secondary: awards. I'm on the tall side and always try to get exit row or extra legroom seats.

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
(<25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles - <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: <25000 I think. In past years I've traveled only in EU, about 5-8 trips, sometimes direct flights and sometimes with stopovers/multi cities. Last year I calculated 20 segments, that was probably my highest. Now I'm looking to go once or twice a year to Asia and/or USA. So more miles ahead but maybe less flights.

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply: So far only economy in short 1-4 hour EU flights, cheapest usually. But for 6+ hour flights I would be looking for business deals.

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Airline most flown? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: I can choose who I want to fly (pleasure and work), also class (if financially doable). Most flown airline would be Norwegian. 75% pleasure / 25% work.

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: Mostly Norwegian HEL-Spain, also sometimes Finnair HEL-Germany,Spain and I've done some Lufthansa flights HEL-Europe

(6) What is your home airport?
Reply: HEL

(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
(AA Executive Platinum, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)
Reply: No status so far. Norwegian CC and with that some points to upgrade seats etc.

(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: No preference, affordable, safe and good enough routing.

I guess I'm just looking for opinions on getting status (1300 EUR BA Gold doable) or just taking the deals and saving money on tickets to spend on services (seats, lounge, etc).

Choosing a Program
 

Hi all,

Just found flyertalk and new to frequent travel. Not really sure of all the specifics, but thought this was a good place to gain some insight. Just took a new job out of college that will be fairly travel-heavy (destinations will vary by client.) Looking for a program that is well-rounded, with good award availability and redemption rates. Based out of Austin (AUS) and would love any input y'all could provide.

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
(upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, extra baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, free - discounted lounge access, etc.)
Reply: Upgrades, award redemption rates, lounge access
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
(<25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles - <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: Unsure but will likely be between 25k-50k and 25-50 segments after the first year. Primarily coach (would like to redeem awards in business/first)
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply: Economy (no basic)
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Airline most flown? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Travel for work and some pleasure. Have mostly flown WN and AA, but options were limited growing up in West TX.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: US Domestic, eventually some Transatlantic and Transpacific likely
(6) What is your home airport?
(SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply: Austin AUS
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
(AA Executive Platinum, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)
Reply: No status, AA: 16,300; WN: 26,455; a few thousand on UA and DL each
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: Have had good experiences with all (no personal preference making this decision hard!)

Realistically you can only get upgrades on the airline of your ffp. Star Alliance and AA/BA/IB have cross airline upgrades, but require high priced base fares and have onerous t&c's. So useless for most people.

With short (cheap) flights you will not earn much to any ffp. For most people selecting flights on price & schedule works OK. Treat any ff miles as a bonus that may or may not be able to be used before they expire.

What's wrong with continuing what you are doing now?
Without status and on busy routes you will be near the bottom of the upgrade list with any ffp/airline.
Nowdays credit card spend is becoming a good source for ff miles for may people

Just have not yet begun to frequently travel (finishing up at uni this spring). Planning ahead for future. I hope to (and almost certainly will) gain status for 2021 or '22. Re: credit cards, do you have any that you recommend? Or would you recommend sticking with airline-specific cards?

Will depend on where you will fly. So airlines on those routes will/may determine what ffp is feasible.
Getting status on revenue based ffp's can be a hard slog.
FF miles are a minor by-product of flying and not the reason to fly.

Good points. Thanks!

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Upgrades on travel, more direct flights, good award redemption rates, better award access, free - discounted lounge access

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
20000-30000
<25 flights

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Business if a reasonably priced saver ticket is available, otherwise premium economy

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Airline most flown? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Currently Delta/JetBlue but considering moving to United

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often
NY to CA once a year, NY to FL once a year, besides that I take three international trips probably slightly leaning towards Asia

(6) What is your home airport?
Normally take flights out of JFK (even though LGA is closer), open to EWR if I move to United

(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
Not currently, want to start trying

(8) Preferred Airlines
I've enjoyed Delta/Jetblue, also like JAL (I used to fly it frequently when I lived in Japan)

Choosing an FFP for a first timer (BOM, India)
 

Hello guys, I have only just joined Flyertalk and this my first post here.
For me good award redemption rate is of utmost importance, followed by the better award access and upgrades.

I definitely fly less than 25000 miles at the moment. But in the near foreseeable future, I am going to be gradually increasing my travel, both domestic as well as International. Most of the international is going to be within Asia.

I mostly prefer business and premium economy. I am interested in trying out some of the better products available, which means if I get a very good award redemption and have to add a few extra bucks out of my pocket, then I will surely not mind that.

So far I have only travelled for leisure and education, but like I have mentioned above, I will be travelling often for my travel blog in the very near future.

I am mostly going to be flying within Asia, and also a lot domestically in India.

My home airport is Mumbai (BOM).

I have recently joined Vistara FFP. I have only taken one short return trip so far, and so there are very few points in that purse.

Thanks,
Saadaan

Given the presence of Air India in Mumbai, I would imagine a Star Alliance program which links with Air India would be best. I'm least familiar with Star Alliance of the three alliances, so I don't want to give too significant of an opinion, but I know there are some on this board who use the Aegean frequent flyer program as the easiest way to get Star Alliance Gold status, which includes priority boarding, lounge access, and extra baggage on all Star Alliance flights. I'm not sure how easy it is to redeem flights with Aegean, that's a question for a more experienced Star Alliance flyer.