American Express (UK) issues co-branded BA cards which earn Avios.

OK
Are they keep with Amex or immediately directed to a ffp?
What ffp's can Amex avios be moved to?

The BA Amex card earns Avios which go into the cardholder's BAEC account. A different type of Amex card would be needed to earn Amex Membership Rewards points, which could be transferred to a number of FFPs.

Just other ffps that use Avios as their currency (eg qr).

Hi All, long-time OW elite (alternating between BA Gold and AA Plat in various phases of life). Now a mid-40s old professional with a wife and toddler based in Boston. Whereas in my previous single life, I'd be all about doing MRs or working in extra legs to get points, I now value time with family above all else. I've been trying to reduce extraneous work travel, but in my line of work, still have a few long-haul trips in the cards every year in J plus an annual summer holiday to the UK to see family.

Having soft-landed from BA Gold to Silver, I started working to AAdvantage elite status by signing up to the World Elite MC, but now wondering if I should be picking another Star Alliance or Skyteam program as a supplementary program or indeed primary.

Questionnaire: Copy and paste into your post
Provide the requested information.

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: Redemption for premium cabins for holiday travel, lounge access, baggage allowance

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: 2-3 short-haul domestic trips + annual trips for work in J to South Africa (17,760), Turkey (9,620) and potentially Central Asia (13,800) = ~42,000 in paid J + ~2,000 in cheapest Y.
Additionally, an annual summer trip to the UK, ideally redeeming miles for J or if not, paying for WT+

3. What fare class do you usually buy?
first, business, premium economy, economy
>>> Reply: J for the work trips above. For personal domestic travel, cheapest economy. When on our annual summer trip to the UK, either redeem miles for J or pay cash for a premium economy fare. At 6'1" my wife and I both value leg room.

4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
>>> Reply: Work travel <6hrs is cheapest economy. For flights/journeys over 6 hours, work pays for J.

5. Which routes do you fly most often?
transatlantic, domestic USA, intra-Asia, etc.
>>> Reply: A few BOS-DCA or BOS-NYC legs every year for work + BOS-LHR for personal travel + annual BOS-JNB, BOS-IST trips + a likely BOS-TAS or BOS-ALA trip.

6. What is your home airport?
>>> Reply: Boston Logan but have family in NY suburbs, so sometimes fly from JFK.

7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
>>> Reply: Currently BA Silver (soft-landed from Gold). Also building back my AAdvantage status, in large part through the credit card spend, as I've not yet done my annual long-haul work trips.

8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
>>> Reply: Used to like BA, but disappointed in age of planes and erosion of service. Don't mind AA given newish planes. No strong views on names beyond these.

AA miles are pretty good for Business Class travel to/from LHR, as long as you have some flexibility as to dates of travel. I know a family of three who will be flying JFK-LHR-JFK in August for approximately 125,000 miles per person on AA metal (so now carrier surcharges).

But AAdvantage status won't get you lounge access when traveling domestically; for that, you would need OWS or higher in a foreign FFP. If you were to fly BOS-DOH-JNB-DOH-BOS in Business on QR, but credit the flights to Iberia Plus, you would earn 2,200 Iberia Plus Elite Points; 2,250 Elite Points would get you Iberia Plus Oro (OWS status).

Thanks. Since I have the AC access from the Citi MC the domestic lounge access thing isn’t an issue on OW at least. It’s more a question if branching into Star or Skyteam.

Help w best FFP for Middle East travel
 

Hi all! We're trying to choose the best FFP for my partner, who's recently based in the middle east and new to miles and points. We tried posting on the *A forum for guidance but not much response. Plus, we're actually looking for the best ffp for each alliance, just in case.

He's a UK resident, in case that matters since they don't have many travel credit card options. Also, we plan to use the miles for me since his flights are covered by the company and often booked last minute due to scheduling changes.

1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
>>> Reply: Good award redemption rates, flexible/easy booking

2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
>>> Reply: 50k+, 20-30 segments

3. What fare class do you usually buy?
>>> Reply: Last-minute econ

4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
>>> Reply: Yes, he can choose; Work & pleasure

5. Which routes do you fly most often?
>>> Reply: Middle east - UK, transtalantic

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

7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
>>> Reply: Not yet

8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
>>> Reply: appears to be TK

Thanks in advance for any help!

FFP for UK-based cheap (mostly) short-hauler?!
 

Hi friends! Trying to be a little more clever with FFPs / status now there's a prospect of a couple of longer-haul trips per year. Part of me thinks Air Europe Soma, for the low-segments-to-ST status route, but I understand there's a Q about their mid/long-term future? Anyway, my details ...

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: primarily - free/reduced advance seat reservations for exit rows / "better" Y seats, security fast-track, baggage, lounge access (although I've got AmEx Plat so that's less important); less worried about reward flight rates / availability, deluxe helplines etc

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: c. 40000 miles / 30-50 sectors; open to "sensible" mileage / tier-point runs, adding "extra" legs, etc

3. What fare class do you usually buy?
first, business, premium economy, economy
>>> Reply: cheap economy

4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
>>> Reply: airline / routing yes; class no (must be Y except for 10+ hours in Y+); 80-90% work travel

5. Which routes do you fly most often?
transatlantic, domestic USA, intra-Asia, etc.
>>> Reply: mostly intra-Europe; 2-3 longer-hauls / year, mostly Central Asia ("the Stans") or US

6. What is your home airport?
>>> Reply: Manchester MAN & Liverpool LPL

7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
>>> Reply: lowest tier in BAEC, LH M&M, VSFC; EasyJet Plus(!) member; significant miles only in BAEC (400k+ Avios, mostly from BA AmEx spend)

8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
>>> Reply:not especially wedded to any alliance / carrier; good options from MAN / LPL to my usual destinations is the main criteria

Many thanks for all your advice & suggestions!

FL

i have quite a bit of chase rewards points that i can transfer. aeroplan seems like a good option since i can book SQ NYC - SIN. not sure if there are any other programs i should consider. Thank you.

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, 1) better award access, 2) good award redemption rates

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: ~30k miles plus holidays trips (number of trips and distance each year varies). 4-6 flights + holidays trips

3. What fare class do you usually buy?
first, business, premium economy, economy
>>> Reply: premium economy for flights above 5-6 hours, economy for those under

4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
>>> Reply: yes and pleasure mostly

5. Which routes do you fly most often?
transatlantic, domestic USA, intra-Asia, etc.
>>> Reply: NYC or PHL to SIN and domestic USA

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

7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
>>> Reply: no status. around 50k in krisflyer, 20k in qsuite and 75k in aadvantge

8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
>>> Reply: SQ, Qatar, but im open

I think Flying Blue would be a good FFP for you. Got status matched to it earlier this year and overall I am rather pleased with it.

I am currently silver and I like the free seat selection even on the AF/KL light fares, 24 hours before OLCI, all other seats open up for you (including emergency exits ones) as silver. Plus an additional checked bag.

Keeping silver status (or even moving to gold/platinum) may be easy based on your predicted travel frequency.

With gold all seats are available 72 hours before OLCI and you have more seats available during booking. Plus you get sky priority and lounge access.

I have no experience re award bookings yet as have not done any with Flying Blue.

Hello, first time posting here. I have been flying with Asiana Airlines exclusively, but with the potential merger with Korean Air, I would appreciate some guidance on which Frequent Flyer Program would be best suited for my needs.

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: Good award redemption rates, upgrades

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: ~20,000 miles / 2 flights per year

3. What fare class do you usually buy?
first, business, premium economy, economy
>>> Reply: Economy, but not the cheapest. I try to buy a ticket that still gives me miles rather than none.

4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
>>> Reply: Yes, I can choose any airline or service. I travel for pleasure.

5. Which routes do you fly most often?
transatlantic, domestic USA, intra-Asia, etc.
>>> Reply: Korea and Japan only.

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

7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
>>> Reply: No status, recently used up all of my miles with Asiana. But I have 15k with Korean Air as of now.

8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
>>> Reply: I previously held an FFP exclusively with Asiana Airlines. However, in light of the recent news regarding a potential merger with Korean Air, I have shifted my focus to flying with Korean Air and Delta over the past year. I would fly to Korea with Korean Air and Japan with Delta, with the Delta miles transferred to Korean Air. My preference for nonstop flights has led me to prioritize these airlines, but I am open to exploring other options. I have read that Alaska Airlines offers a more favorable miles program, and since my home is in Seattle, that is a consideration. Additionally, Japan Airlines provides nonstop flights to Japan and operates within the same alliance. I do not have a strong preference for any particular airline alliance, so I would appreciate your insights on this matter. Thank you!

Alaska partners with both JAL and Korean, so that might be a good choice for you. But for Coach travel, AA might offer slightly lower redemption rates. In either case, though, you might have to connect somewhere if nonstops are not available for award redemption on your desired dates.

Do not expect to achieve elite status with just two roundtrips to Asia in Coach per year. Even with elite status, you should not expect free upgrades on international travel.

And welcome to FlyerTalk!

Greetings everyone. Seems like this may be a lower trafficked board, but after a long haitus from being elite on both Delta and Continental (United), I find myself back travelling again for different reasons and could use some expert advice and experience from this membership. My details first:

(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: Flying in front at my age (just turned 60 and my lower back lets me know it's not comfortable on long flights in a hard chair), so upgrades, paid, miles, etc.

(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: Usually, only a couple of flights a year, but starting in 2025 I intend to travel as follows:
1) 6-9 domestic flights per year between CLE and SLC
2) 2-3 transpacific flights per year between CLE and CEB
3) 2-4 domestic flights per year between CLE and LAS
4) 1 flight a year to a beach destination either west coast, Florida, or Caribbean

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply: I should be able to purchase most Z fares or first class/business in cash at the lower price points ($1k domestic, $5k international). Economy when taking that one flight with my boys on summer vacay. I am looking for the best value however and if I can book a Z fare for less I prefer that as I pay for my own airfare.

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Airline most flown? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Yes I can choose. I was flying Frontier due to the savings and paying for the amenities, but now with a serious increase in my need to fly both long distance(s) and increased frequency, I'm exploring the big three for elite options. I fly for pleasure now, no longer work and my flights are not subsidized... it all comes from my own wallet.

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: Mainly domestic and transpacific soon. I've flown United recently.

(6) What is your home airport?
(SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply: I'm in Cleveland, CLE.

(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: None, here to determine which one. Only 2.8k miles in United at this time, but 90k on Frontier which I'll burn for my kids to vacay later. I do have AMEX Plat CC for lounge access.

(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: Delta and United

So for context at this time, I'm torn between Delta, which will start non-stop service in November between my home town of Cleveland and Salt Lake City, which is where my elderly mother lives along with the rest of my family, and United, which flys directly into the Philippines where my significant other lives. Both programs seem to have undergone serious changes recently, and I'm out of the flow so to speak and not sure which one would be more beneficial.

For Delta, I like the non-stop schedule between CLE and SLC. That's why I flew Frontier for the non-stop option, but after my last flight was cancelled on October 7, I purchased a one way Z fare on United via SFO then overnight home. I like the fact that their MQD has no flight segments necessary (if I understand correctly) so that my non-stops are valued AND that I watched a video stating that at least one (if not more) Delta branded card(s) would provide MQD's just for having/holding it. I think the vlogger had two cards with 2.5k MQDs each so already 5k MQDs towards status IIRC. Downside is Delta One is more expensive and I think they don't offer as many paid upgrades to ensure the lie-flat-seat? Without the assurance of a paid upgrade that won't cost more than United Polaris (less than $5k at booking for cheapest options), then I risk a long flight in the upright position, yeah the horror right? For context I used to do this in my 20's through 40's no problem, but age is a factor now.

For United, I like the fact that they fly directly into the Philippines, both Manila and now Cebu. I'm actually flying to Davao so I prefer Cebu. Also United had/has more direct flights from Cleveland, 12 as of today on Flightsfrom.com, as opposed to Delta's 7 (though SLC is the big one for me). Also I see I can book United in Polaris from CLE to either MNL or CEB for a low of $4.6k vs Delta One for about $9.2k. My comfort level is around $5k so I'm pushing it as is. Finally, I have this idea that if I invest in 2025 in Premier 1k then the extra 280 plus points would go a long way towards ensuring upgrades on future transpacific flights. (Assuming I understand plus points as I have never used them before).

So ideally, I would use Delta for domestic and United for international, but that means being a Gold on both instead of a higher tier on one. Final thought is that I have invested in the AMEX Plat CC so I can transfer those points to either Delta or United (again IIRC), but not American thus I excluded them from this request for information.

What would you recommend for this situation? I hope to know by the end of November (2024) so I can start booking my tickets in January (SLC) and March (CEB). Thanks in advance!

KGB , it might or might not be in your best interest to credit the flights you take to a domestic FFP, and it might or might not be in your best interest to fly a domestic carrier to the Philippines. Have you noticed what type of aircraft UA flies for the 5.5-hour flight from NRT to CEB?

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3b656e8af5.png