How many FF cards with an admission fee do you know?

I know one: El-Al. I made my only non mile-earning flight with them. Furthermore there are not part of any alliances.

Both Ansett and Qantas charge a joining fee of AUD 60. Qantas also charge an account maintenance fee of $20 once every two years, waived if you are an elite or Club member.

All the Major Airlines and Hotels send Merry 20 pounds sterling to accept their card each year.

I doubt that Merry accepts. Real money payoffs are called influence peddling (and even the UK must have laws against that).

I guess being given highest, noble, most preferred, your excellency, lord high keeper of the realm status cards apparently "has no monetary value". It must be just good business sense and doesn't upset the regulators

The Air India and Indian Airlines ff scheme has an enrollment fee. I do not know what it is off the top of my head.

Baysal: Not sure if you knew or not, but El-Al is entering into an agreement with American with their freq. flyer program - so, you may be able to earn American miles on El-Al.

See: http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/990427/zo.html

Thanks steve100,

I hope I will be able to get those miles credited.

Jaws: Now, now. Don't be bitter. The best I have ever done is the 30,000 miles continental gave me for forgetting to comp me to Gold last year.

Although Virgin are dangeling a nice jolly to the Carribean under my nose at the moment and Swissair offer a "familiarisation trip" to Swissy every year.

What else, Le Meridien send me a crate of wine every year, to thank me for me business (despite the fact I very rarely stay with them).

The Hyatt at Birmingham send Simone flowers and me champagne after ever stay. One day they will realise I don't drink champagne.

Now Royal Air Maroc, they are much more fun, they keep trying to get me to go on a jolly with them, but I won't. Cammel breath - yuck.

British Midland guarantee Simone and I an upgrade on all flights - but that is hardly worth having.


But in all seriousness, I would never pay a subscription for a FF scheme. Just ask Roger Plumpton (Regional Sales Director, UK) for Inter-Continental. Did we ever have a fight. Insisted I would have to pay for enrolement in the 6CC. I faxed Bass Hotels HQ telling them of my intention to cancel the group contract (guaranteed minimum 4,000 room nights a year). Funny thing, they had a change of heart after that. That gold and red card does look mighty pretty!

Nick

baysal-- I just posted some info on the AA/El Al deal under the American thread. Linking FF programs now, and code-sharing in the future.

Air New Zealand charges NZD$50 as a joining fee, but this is waived if you are a memeber of their Koru Club or have taken a first or business class flight in the previous 30 days.

OHHHHHHH Merry! I am soooooooo jealous. And, I am not really sure how to melt the red and gold card to prevent contamination.

I don't ahve to pay for my airline ff programs but I don't mind paying the 25 dollars for the SHeraton Gold club (although with Starwood that could be gone now.) If only to get an upgrade to a nice room.

Would I pay? I don't know. If the fee's not too steep but I assume the airlines can afford to give the programs for free. (We PAY THEM ENOUGH TO FLY!)