I'm becoming a frequent flyer! What do I need to know?
Jan 7, 20, 6:09 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 4
I'm becoming a frequent flyer! What do I need to know?
Hey guys!!!
I'm moving to Amsterdam for work, but will fly back to CPH 4 times a month to visit my family + girl.
I am thinking this might open some opportunities, considering I can gather many points and will fly alot.
What, are your advice? Are there anything I should be aware of that can come in handy when flying this often? Any deals/opportunities/promotions/hacks?
Cheers!
I'm moving to Amsterdam for work, but will fly back to CPH 4 times a month to visit my family + girl.
I am thinking this might open some opportunities, considering I can gather many points and will fly alot.
What, are your advice? Are there anything I should be aware of that can come in handy when flying this often? Any deals/opportunities/promotions/hacks?
Cheers!
Jan 7, 20, 7:45 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: DPS, LOP
Programs: HH Diamond, OZ Club Diamond, *A Gold, QFF Gold, BAEC Gold, OW Emerald
Posts: 31
Fly with one airline alliance in order to achieve status with them. Then you will gain lounge access and other benefits that you'll come to appreciate immensely. Oh, and a mileage run here and there outside of your normal outing between AMS and CPH might be worth it to reach or maintain an elite tier with the alliance.
Jan 7, 20, 8:06 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by rybylee
Fly with one airline alliance in order to achieve status with them. Then you will gain lounge access and other benefits that you'll come to appreciate immensely. Oh, and a mileage run here and there outside of your normal outing between AMS and CPH might be worth it to reach or maintain an elite tier with the alliance.
Jan 7, 20, 10:01 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 81
Hi,
If you want to get a "frequent flyer" status, rybylee is 100% right: stick to one airline.
Which such a short route, it will take quite some time and you won't get billions of miles. Unless you fly Business.
I doubt you will not spend a single weekend in Amsterdam... Anyway, if you don't, it means 96 flights AMS - CPH a year.
If you choose KLM and fly Economy, that will give you 96*5 = 480 XP. Not een enough to reach the Platinium status.
However, it will give you the Gold (280 XP) status only and only after flying 7 months. Once you get it, you will finally be able to sip Heineken at Schipol or eat bread and cheese at CPH.
If you want to get a "frequent flyer" status, rybylee is 100% right: stick to one airline.
Which such a short route, it will take quite some time and you won't get billions of miles. Unless you fly Business.
I doubt you will not spend a single weekend in Amsterdam... Anyway, if you don't, it means 96 flights AMS - CPH a year.
If you choose KLM and fly Economy, that will give you 96*5 = 480 XP. Not een enough to reach the Platinium status.
However, it will give you the Gold (280 XP) status only and only after flying 7 months. Once you get it, you will finally be able to sip Heineken at Schipol or eat bread and cheese at CPH.
Jan 7, 20, 10:57 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: YVR
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 582
Also be mindful airline frequent flyer programs change (for the worse) all the time. From qualification requirements to benefits and all things in between. So keep yourself informed on your airline (and alliance).
Jan 7, 20, 11:08 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by bonboncl
Hi,
If you want to get a "frequent flyer" status, rybylee is 100% right: stick to one airline.
Which such a short route, it will take quite some time and you won't get billions of miles. Unless you fly Business.
I doubt you will not spend a single weekend in Amsterdam... Anyway, if you don't, it means 96 flights AMS - CPH a year.
If you choose KLM and fly Economy, that will give you 96*5 = 480 XP. Not een enough to reach the Platinium status.
However, it will give you the Gold (280 XP) status only and only after flying 7 months. Once you get it, you will finally be able to sip Heineken at Schipol or eat bread and cheese at CPH.
If you want to get a "frequent flyer" status, rybylee is 100% right: stick to one airline.
Which such a short route, it will take quite some time and you won't get billions of miles. Unless you fly Business.
I doubt you will not spend a single weekend in Amsterdam... Anyway, if you don't, it means 96 flights AMS - CPH a year.
If you choose KLM and fly Economy, that will give you 96*5 = 480 XP. Not een enough to reach the Platinium status.
However, it will give you the Gold (280 XP) status only and only after flying 7 months. Once you get it, you will finally be able to sip Heineken at Schipol or eat bread and cheese at CPH.
Jan 7, 20, 11:09 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 7
If you are without any status you can consider these few options to make your life easier or get a headstart:
1. Buy a privium pass membership to get priority (IMO for Schengen destinations not really worth it but check it out)
2. Find a nice friend who has Flying Blue platinum status. By getting an FB AMEX Plat card he can gift/sell you Platinum4two.
AMSCPH gives 10xp and costs EUR90 when booking in advance.
AMSCDGCPH gives 60xp and costs around 450ish
Edit: some more tips😊 booking your other travel EX CPH is sometimes cheaper than EX AMS because airline logic.
1. Buy a privium pass membership to get priority (IMO for Schengen destinations not really worth it but check it out)
2. Find a nice friend who has Flying Blue platinum status. By getting an FB AMEX Plat card he can gift/sell you Platinum4two.
AMSCPH gives 10xp and costs EUR90 when booking in advance.
AMSCDGCPH gives 60xp and costs around 450ish
Edit: some more tips😊 booking your other travel EX CPH is sometimes cheaper than EX AMS because airline logic.
Last edited by IAmJasper; Jan 7, 20 at 11:42 am
Jan 7, 20, 3:53 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: The Sunshine State
Programs: Deltaworst Peon Level, TSA "Layer 21 Club", NW WP RIP
Posts: 10,782
Being a frequent flyer and collecting miles is a psychological addiction. Seek professional mental help. Whatever you do, do not associate with fellow addicts, they will only enable you.
Oh. Wait. You are already in the Flyertalk mileage run forum. Surrounded by the most hardcore of the hardcore.
.
Never mind. Enjoy the flying. Just always remember to have fun. ^
Oh. Wait. You are already in the Flyertalk mileage run forum. Surrounded by the most hardcore of the hardcore.
.Never mind. Enjoy the flying. Just always remember to have fun. ^
Jan 7, 20, 3:58 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by Flaflyer
Being a frequent flyer and collecting miles is a psychological addiction. Seek professional mental help. Whatever you do, do not associate with fellow addicts, they will only enable you.
Oh. Wait. You are already in the Flyertalk mileage run forum. Surrounded by the most hardcore of the hardcore..
Never mind. Enjoy the flying. Just always remember to have fun. ^
Oh. Wait. You are already in the Flyertalk mileage run forum. Surrounded by the most hardcore of the hardcore.
.Never mind. Enjoy the flying. Just always remember to have fun. ^
Jan 7, 20, 4:46 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Platinum; IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,888
Originally Posted by Keblovszki
Hahah I Will watch out
Just choose the cheapest, most convenient routes and fly as little as you can. Hopefully, status of a FF program is just a by-product.
Happy travels.
Jan 7, 20, 5:23 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 70
Originally Posted by bonboncl
Hi,
If you choose KLM and fly Economy, that will give you 96*5 = 480 XP. Not een enough to reach the Platinium status.
However, it will give you the Gold (280 XP) status only and only after flying 7 months. Once you get it, you will finally be able to sip Heineken at Schipol or eat bread and cheese at CPH.
If you choose KLM and fly Economy, that will give you 96*5 = 480 XP. Not een enough to reach the Platinium status.
However, it will give you the Gold (280 XP) status only and only after flying 7 months. Once you get it, you will finally be able to sip Heineken at Schipol or eat bread and cheese at CPH.
More expensive economy and "business" class tickets double that earning rate, so you can save weekends at the cost of spending quite a lot more money. A return trip from AMS to CPH with the more expensive business class options will net you 8000 miles upfront, at a cost of ~ 600 to 700 EUR for the round trip. Slightly cheaper options in Z net you 5000 miles at ~ 500 EUR.
The Aegean earnings rates are at Aegean earning tables
KLM does have the advantage in the Netherlands that you can get a Flying Blue AMEX and earn some spendable miles via that.
Jan 10, 20, 6:42 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 2,989
I second going with Aegean M&B. Easier to achieve and retain, more star Alliance presence in Europe and the star Alliance lounges are awesome.
however, some tips about frequent flying.
1. It’s a game. Have fun with convoluted routings, accruals and redemption.
2. It’s risky. All mileage programs eventually devalue, so accrue and spend miles judiciously.
3. It’s addictive. Once you are in, you won’t stop easily.
however, some tips about frequent flying.
1. It’s a game. Have fun with convoluted routings, accruals and redemption.
2. It’s risky. All mileage programs eventually devalue, so accrue and spend miles judiciously.
3. It’s addictive. Once you are in, you won’t stop easily.
Jan 11, 20, 11:48 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 328
This is an hour flight, right? Definitely what Kmxu said, then. Less time spent waiting and less money spent on flights = win.
Originally Posted by Kmxu
Just choose the cheapest, most convenient routes and fly as little as you can. Hopefully, status of a FF program is just a by-product.
Happy travels.
Happy travels.
Jan 20, 20, 7:34 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Haze gray and underway
Programs: UA 1K MM, HH Diamond, Marriott 'clink clink' Titanium
Posts: 1,370
I would suggest following the suggestions above and to not track too closely or obsess about your status. Then suddenly (after a few years) you’ll find that you will have both status and a nice nest egg of usable miles.
PS: welcome to the club
PS: welcome to the club
