chuckgolf Welcome to the forum

Doubt you will get better than AA/US, especially with your status. Are you considering changing your ffp?
From posts here on FT many people prefer AA/US to UA or DL, including those from UA/DL who moved.

Usairways won't allow buy ups for 2015 for Chairmans. I would be platinum. Delta would do a status trade to diamond if I do 25 segments in 90 days for 2015...
I contacted Usairways to allow a buy up to chairmans for 2015 but they haven't responded

Thanks

With the US/AA merger/takeover the fpp's will not the same.
Have a look here http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated-733/

1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
Reply: Lounges, priority baggage, priority check-in

2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
Reply: 50,000 - 75,000

3. What fare class do you usually buy?
Reply: Economy

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

5. Which routes do you fly most often
Reply: Japan-US, then intra-Asia, then Japan-Europe

6. What is your home airport?
Reply: HND/NRT, and SFO

7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in a FFP, if any?
Reply: DL Platinum

8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
Reply: Cathay, JL for domestic


Background: I flew Cathay recently and was very impressed. They're not too useful for flying Japan-US but if they have competitive fares, I would love to visit HK on short trips every now and then. Living in Tokyo, JL is always an option, but earning is difficult on low fares for other OW carriers...

hi to all there, i yvainela new member here on the board.

New Traveler Here!
 

Hi All!

1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
Reply: Upgrades, status, lounges. Ability to buy airline tickets for other people using miles (my goal is to gift my parents first class tickets to India in the next few years)

2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
Reply: 50,000 - 75,000, 25-50 Segments

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?
Reply: I can choose airlines. 80% for work 20% for pleasure.

5. Which routes do you fly most often?
Reply: My business routes are a bit random. Pleasure routes are almost always OAK-Burbank, OAK-Ontario. I do a lot of travel from northern to southern California. Trips to Vegas are also not uncommon.

I also fly to India ever 2 years from San LAX or SFO, but I dont ever fly Air India.

6. What is your home airport?
Reply: OAK, SFO on longer haul flights

7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in a FFP, if any?
Reply: No Status on any so far. I have an FFP account with Delta, America, United, Southwest and Jetblue. I just started working, and so far all my flights have been pretty random in regards to what Airline I fly. trying to pick one to be consistent with.

8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
Reply: Like: Jet Blue, A LOT, but they have the worst status program and no lounges. Air Canada is okay. I like Southwest because if I'm in an early boarding group I can get boarded faster and sit in an emergency exit row. I like British Airways, and any Asian Airlines as well.

Dislike: Not a huge US airways or United fan. American's not too bad. HATE KLM and Lufthansa. HATE Air India.


So based on this information, should I go Star Alliance, Sky Team or One World?

Thanks!

Steven Virgadamo - Delta Diamond
 

Steven Virgadamo just reviewed Delta new policy on fares and upgrades. Is the new program an improvement for those of us with Diamond status?

Thank you...Steven Virgadamo

Steven Virgadamo Welcome to FT
Have a look in the Delta forum (click the blue link)

Hi Everyone,

I've always wanted to know more about FFP status and ways to get status without having to travel every week. I take a few trips a year. a small weekend getaway here and there and then a larger one for 1 or 2 weeks. I would love any info on ways to fast track my status and gain points. Either thorugh Credit Card programs, or promotions. I'll give these forums a read, but I thought this would be the best place to post my first post. Thanks.

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?

I'm looking for upgrates on travel, and lounge access. Basically, I would like more comfort when travelling an extra perks (free drinks, seat upgrades, etc...)

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

I do about 5 trips a year, but if I had status, I'd be willing to do more. This year, I've flown about 60K miles. Usually I'll fly to a country and then take smaller flights within, as well as short flights from YYZ to JFK or something to visit friends.

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
I usually do Economy fares.

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?

I just travel for pleasure. So I can choose whatever I want.

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often
I fly Air Canada and either Delta or AA most often.

(6) What is your home airport?
YYZ Toronto

(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?

I don't have status with any airline.

(8) Preferred Airlines

Preferred Airline is Air Canada since it's the major airline in my country.

Best Programs for Periodic Premium Trips To Europe
 

I'll try to be very specific to make my request as easy as possible to answer with some detail and my newbie research ideas for the more experienced to correct. Key item: I'm late 50s and married and my wife has health needs for direct flights and sleeper seats.

1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?

Best award access for direct (no plane change) business/first from LAX to 2 primary European destinations: Dublin & Paris. Limited flexibility on dates but redemption travel has to be in either May or September (probably one European trip a year for the next several). Don't mind a $1K RT fuel surcharge each on premium international seats that would have cost several thousand to purchase without miles.

Newbie guess: will be flying on Ethiopian and Air France, respectively. since they are the only nonstops (first trip is in 2016 after ET starts new service to Dubai through Dublin). American/US Airways appears to have direct flights through ORD & PHL to compete but nonstop is better and AA miles are much harder to earn in quantity needed for regular premium redemptions.

2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
(e.g., <25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles and <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)

15,000 miles paid travel in just 3 trips a year (New York, Boston, Hawaii).

3. What fare class do you usually buy?
(e.g., first, business, premium economy, economy)

Domestic pseudo-first class

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

Yes. Paid travel to East is work to Hawaii is play. Not really interested in award redemption for these since premium European is so much more costly and valuable for redemption.

5. Which routes do you fly most often
(e.g., U.S. domestic, transatlantic, intra-Asia)

Transcontinental.

6. What is your home airport?
(e.g., SFO, LHR, HKG)
Reply:

SAN but European flights must be direct and realize LAX is the only logical starting point for these.

7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in a FFP, if any?
(e.g., AA Executive Platinum, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro)

No status and don't care: miles overwhelmingly will come from credit card bonuses/spending. No significant miles to date that affect decisions.

8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?

JetBlue, Alaska, American. Doesn't really match my redemption goals overall unless AA redemptions are easier to Europe than what I've seen online suggests. I could credit Alaska flights to Flying Blue, I suppose.

=====

My overall newbie guess: willingness to pay fuel surcharges and lack of interest in summer peak travel gives me great shot at premium award availability regardless. ANA (taking into account new region-based miles that will help west coasters to Europe after April) & Flying Blue seem to be the best two target programs to redeem for the LAX-DUB on ET and LAX-CDG on AF, respectively.

Credit card spending strategy:

Flying Blue makes Citi P+P great for me for dining, entertainment, hotel, & air spending and ANA makes Amex EveryDay Preferred best for other spending. UR points don't look useful in my specific situation given that a 72K ANA redemption trumps 140K United MileagePlus if I don't mind the YQ. SPG signup bonuses are nice but earning 1.5 on all Amex ED Preferred spending trumps 1.25 effective transfer from SPG Amex spending.

I mainly want to know if anyone sees a big hole in my strategy given the specificity of premium LAX-DUB & LAX-CDG as my redemption goals:

(A) Target points transferable to ANA & Flying Blue (but don't transfer, of course, until redemption is near).

(B) Switch from American & Jet Blue to Alaska for all my regular paid flights and credit all miles flown to Flying Blue.

(C) Focus spending on MR & TY points.

I want to emphasize that I'm very new to this although I've tried to read lots of advice from others online and put together a plan. Please feel comfortable telling me I'm all wet (I'm definitely wet behind the ears on this subject). Or to suggest additions to my strategy if the parts I've figured out look to be on target but I've overlooked other ways of helping the goals for me and my wife move forward.

newbie
 

Hi all - will be getting back in the air a LOT more in 2015 and beyond. Would appreciate any advice!

Questionnaire
In order for FlyerTalkers to better assist you, please copy and paste the following questionnaire into your post and provide the requested information:

1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
(e.g., upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access)
Reply: upgrades, lounge access

2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
(e.g., <25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles and <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: 25,000 - 50,000 25-50

3. What fare class do you usually buy?
(e.g., first, business, premium economy, economy)
Reply: economy

4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: choose? Yes. Work and Pleasure

5. Which routes do you fly most often
(e.g., U.S. domestic, transatlantic, intra-Asia)
Reply: U.S. Domestic

6. What is your home airport?
(e.g., SFO, LHR, HKG)
Reply: BWI although I can schlep it to IAD or DCA for the right perks

7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in a FFP, if any?
(e.g., AA Executive Platinum, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro)
Reply: Delta 10K, AA 8K

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

HELP PLEASE!! Opinion Needed On Best Program To Join
 

1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
(e.g., upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access)
Reply: Upgrades, Priority Boarding

2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
(e.g., <25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles and <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: at least 50000 miles flown / at least 4 round-trips per month

3. What fare class do you usually buy?
(e.g., first, business, premium economy, economy)
Reply: Cheapest available with hopes of being upgraded

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

5. Which routes do you fly most often
(e.g., U.S. domestic, transatlantic, intra-Asia)
Reply: U.S. domestic

6. What is your home airport?
(e.g., SFO, LHR, HKG)
Reply: PHX

7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in a FFP, if any?
(e.g., AA Executive Platinum, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro)
Reply: Currently Gold w/Delta Until March 1 2015 then down to Silver until January 31 2016. 262,000 FF miles stored and Million Mile balance of 762,000

8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
Reply: Delta, Southwest, AA

I am going to be flying more than ever in 2015 with my first flight due to be on Jan 4 2015. I want to make sure that I am with the most optimal FF program to receive the most benefits possible. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

(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: Longe access + upgrade
(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: 25000-75000
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply Business and First
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: I can choose my airlines and I always choose business or first (paid). Work and pleasure.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: Transatlantic and IntraEurope
(6) What is your home airport?
(SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply: LHR + MIA
(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:AA platinum, AF Platinum for life, BA Bronze
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply:AA, BA, AF, Cityjet

Hi All,

Thanks for your opinions on this one...

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: Upgrades, preferred seating, ease of award redemptions and lounge access.

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Reply: >50000 miles

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Reply: Premium economy for domestic (USA) and economy for international.

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: About 50,000 miles a year for pleasure and 50,000 for business.

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often
Reply: NYC - HAN, NYC - LHR, NYC - LAX, NYC - SFO, NRT - HAN

(6) What is your home airport?
Reply: JFK/LGA

(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
Reply: Around 100,000 miles in Delta, small number of miles with a large number of other carriers

(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: Pretty much agnostic, although I don't like Jet Blue much mainly because of the process of getting into the terminal at JFK.

Hi all, I moved recently and with my status slowly dropping, I would appreciate any guidance on where to start crediting my flights.

1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
Priority services, award redemption, lounge access, upgrades

2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
25000-50000 miles, ~20 flights. Mostly intra-Europe or to US/Australia.

3. What fare class do you usually buy?
Economy, upgrade with points where possible.

4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Mostly able to choose as most flights are personal/for pleasure. When flying for work, I can usually choose alliance.

5. Which routes do you fly most often
Intra-Europe, Europe-Australia, Transatlantic

6. What is your home airport?
TXL

7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in a FFP, if any?
QF Gold (about to drop to Silver for the next year and will probably not requalify). Have ~140,000 QFF points to be used.

8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
I don't have a preferred list of airlines, but I usually fly QF/AB/AY/BA/EK/AA with the occasional LH flight. I have an upcoming TXL-SYD round trip which I am crediting the intra-Europe segments to QF (AB flights) and the rest to an EY Guest account which I have never used.