Hello,

I am a complete neophyte to FlyerTalk, and to collecting FF points, so please forgive my ignorance.

I live in Edmonton and fly internationally a few times a year on business (in economy, but at full FF point class), and have begun to accumulate enough FF points on AC Aeroplan to get Elite status (likely won't get to Super Elite). I try to make all of my flights on Star Alliance partners to consolidate my points, but sometimes my schedule and destinations don't allow me to go on a *A partner.

Rather than getting nothing for those flights, I was thinking it might make sense to take out memberships in one or more of the other global alliances -- perhaps over time I could get enough FF points on this secondary program to get a free flight.

But which airline in the other global alliances is the best one for me to get the membership with? Presumably one which I am most likely to travel on, but this is difficult to predict. If I look at flights out of Edmonton, the non-*A airlines of interest would be Delta and Alaska, but I also use Calgary, which would add BA, AA, and KLM. And it's no big deal to fly through Vancouver or Toronto, which open up many further options ...

My goal for the secondary FF program would be free flights. I know some airlines make it easier to qualify for these than others, and some airlines make it easier to book these than others, and I think these might be the deciding factors, but I don't have any information about this.

I'd be grateful for any advice!

Doctor Fred,
I live in Southern California so can't evaluate exactly for your location. I think that you are right on about Aeroplan, but you have choices for your "secondary airline". First, I think that it is always helpful to find an airline that is near your airport of choice especially if it is a base.

Since you have Star Alliance covered, you then have decisions in One World, which I believe to be the next best alliance. Check out American as they fly everywhere and ff miles can be used anywhere in that alliance. If your flights are mostly international, you might also want to consider British Air (they have an excellent credit card deal also for frequent flyers). Both of these airlines will accept miles transferred from Starwood AMEX & BA from the traditional Membership Rewards at AMEX as well. Both airlines are partnered with Alaska also even though Alaska is not a One World partner.

In the Sky Team alliance, Delta/Northwest is probably one of the better choices even though I'm not a fan of their service or comfort. The reason for the suggestion is simply that they fly everywhere and are also partners with Hawaiian Airlines (gets you Hawaii & South Pacific & now Asia). Delta used to be partnered with Alaska also, but not sure if you can use those miles there anymore. Delta also accepts miles transferred from Starwood & tradidional Membership Rewards.

Hope this adds to the info you have for a good decision.

I would take a look at Alaska Airlines. It would combine some one world like American and some Sky Team like Delta.

It's important to take a look at the partners and fare classes to see how they would match up with your actual usage.

If you want to keep miles from AA, DL, AS, & KLM, then AS makes sense since you can credit miles from each of those to AS.

I think looking into British Airways' program is a good idea. Someone else mentioned Alaska Air. Another good option b/c of the partners (and the customer service is great).