Hi guys,

I have been a long term lurker on here really enjoy the website, I suppose right about now is a good time to post. I finish my University studies in little over a month and am beginning my travel plans post graduation. I live in the UK but would love to travel before starting a grad job in London.

I am looking to travel to the States to do some travel and visiting of family and I am also considering a round the world ticket (I was born in Hong Kong and would love to check it out since I have not been back since leaving in 97). I figured this is a good time to start earning miles. I would be travelling in Y. However, I have seen deals with Credit Cards, especially the bmi Amex which does not require a minimum salary. These offer points for joining and money spent on travel etc.

Anyone got any good tips or done anything similar?

Thanks,
James

Not sure exactly what your question is. If you live in the UK then long-term probably the most useful plans to join are BMI's and BA's. Though BA's is more rewarding if you have a non-UK address to register with.

Last I checked OneWorld's RTW fares were cheaper than Star Alliance's so doing a OW RTW accumulating on BA sounds like a reasonable plan. And it's hard to avoid flying BA if you live near London.

If you want to get tricky you could sign up with AA, call to request a "platinum challenge" and then do a RTW using AA wherever you can. That alone might get you platinum status before you're even half-done with the RTW and let you enjoy the status on the second half.

But I'm not sure whether having lots of miles in AA will be so useful in the long-term if you're living in the UK. You can redeem them on BA but not transatlantic.

Oh, and regarding credit cards -- normally cards which earn miles also have annual fees. Try to figure out how much the miles are worth to you (probably on the order of 1c/point) and then you can figure out precisely what annual spend you need to have to make it worth the annual fee.

I live in the UK and am a member of both BA and BMI's programme (as well as others). Here is my short breakdown for you:

BA's programme still has many aspects leftover from when it was only open to business travellers (ie full fare Y or premium cabin travellers). This means that if you travel a lot in low fare Y then the programme is far less generous than other programmes. However you still have good opportunities to earn BA miles through Tesco points and BA Amex spend (won't be possible to get till you start your job).

BMI's programme is still probably one of the best out there (but may not be around for long due to LH takeover). The programme like most european programmes doesn't offer 100% mileage on low fare Y, but the programme is still very advantageous for low fare Y travellers due to the great redemption rates. The BMI Amex is probably the best credit card in the UK for miles. The standard card has no annual fee and the BMI Plus Amex has a 60 GBP annual fee (low compared to other cards in the UK). I have the BMI Plus as I find the extra bonus miles and higher earn on cc spend to be worth the annual fee, but you will need to calculate whether your spend will justify it.

As already mentioned you have the option to sign up to the US programmes or even Air Canada's programme, but there are some advantages to being signed up with the UK based programmes when based here in the UK. Unfortunately it isn't a calculation that is straight forward and often depends on what you value most and what your travel profile looks like.

Let me highlight some of the general differences:

- US programmes are more generous on the earning (some methods only available for US residents)
- US programmes give elites either automatic or "sticker" upgrades for domestic flights (some also for international)
- US programmes don't charge as high tax / fuel surcharges on awards (BA vs AA)
- UK programmes have better award availability (BA vs AA)
- UK programmes have better award charts (BMI)
- UK programmes have more earning channels for UK residents

Now if you choose to go Star Alliance I would definitely go with BMI Diamond Club, but if you go with OneWorld it would be a more difficult choice for me. Depending perhaps what level of travel you expect to have with your new job. AA will definitely be better if you expect to be doing mostly low fare Y (ie mostly personal travel) as you could do a Plat challenge to get some status out of your RTW, but remember that it will mean no status on BA transatlantic flights)!

Don't forget as a AA plat you get BA lounges while in UK for next year on any fare on BA. BA lounges in T5 (and old ones in T4 were great for rest).

Similarly, look at Asiana and see if your rtw ticket accrues miles on that airline to count for Gold Status; that will get you lounge access for 4 years. The BMI lounge in LHR was great!

Whatever you do don't go for FB or skyteam.

My vote is for AA is going in Y, BA if in C rtw.

Thanks guys for the tips.

zkzkz, I was just wondering what progam might be the best for someone in my situation. Figured if I was racking up these miles and spending this money I might as well get some benefit out of it.

Will look into AA and Asiana membership.