Best Frequent Flyer Program?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 2
Hi, I am new to this, but I travel a lot and would like to start joining program. There are so many of them though and I travel with various airlines. Is there a way to easily sign up for a bunch of them or do I have to subscribe to loads of airline frequent flyer programs? Any suggestions?
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 2
Allright, well I am already a member of the star alliance and that program gave me a long list of various airlines that they partner with. Does that mean that I can use my star alliance card/account when I fly with those airlines? And if so, what is the point of joining a different program?
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 35,088
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
In some cases, flights on one airline might earn different amounts of miles depending on which program you are crediting to and the particular fare purchased. In addition, different airlines have different reward redemption rates and rules. Which program is best for a redemption will depend upon where you want to fly, in what class, and whether you want en-route stopovers.
Some programs make it easier to achieve elite status, so if things like free baggage allowance and lounge access are important to you, it might be advantageous to credit flights on certain Star Alliance flights to Aegean's Miles + Bonus frequent-flyer program.
It really depends a lot on what your paid travel looks like, what your redemption travel looks like, and what perks are important to you.
Originally Posted by maniscalco
Allright, well I am already a member of the star alliance and that program gave me a long list of various airlines that they partner with. Does that mean that I can use my star alliance card/account when I fly with those airlines? And if so, what is the point of joining a different program?
Some programs make it easier to achieve elite status, so if things like free baggage allowance and lounge access are important to you, it might be advantageous to credit flights on certain Star Alliance flights to Aegean's Miles + Bonus frequent-flyer program.
It really depends a lot on what your paid travel looks like, what your redemption travel looks like, and what perks are important to you.
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA. UA 1K, reluctant but * best in class * DL FO/MM. Former BA jumpseat rider and scourge of Dilbertian management and apologists. As LX might - and do - say: "....an experienced frequent flyer of international airlines"
Posts: 3,386
Dellll-llllta SssskyMiles, without doubt.
#7


Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: CHI / SFO
Programs: UA*G, AC*S, Marriott LTP, National Exec
Posts: 3,893
Best in class! 
I actually quite like the SC though, that part is actually best in class (NA).
Which *A program are you already a member of? And how often do you fly with that airline? If you want to accumulate the most miles and possibly make status, it's best to stick with an alliance. Just because you're already collecting with one *A airline, you're by no means stuck to *A. Oneworld includes some of the world's best airlines and SkyTeam, although a weaker alliance, may have a network that better suits you.
I guess important things are:
Those are important because you want to pick a program/alliance that serves where you live and where you want to go as well. Every program has its little quirks, so it's best to have as much information about your own flight habits as well as the FFPs.

I actually quite like the SC though, that part is actually best in class (NA).
Allright, well I am already a member of the star alliance and that program gave me a long list of various airlines that they partner with. Does that mean that I can use my star alliance card/account when I fly with those airlines? And if so, what is the point of joining a different program?
I guess important things are:
- How often you fly per year
- What class you usually fly in
- Where you live/where you will fly from
- Where you want to fly
Those are important because you want to pick a program/alliance that serves where you live and where you want to go as well. Every program has its little quirks, so it's best to have as much information about your own flight habits as well as the FFPs.
#8
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Home
Programs: AA, Delta, UA & thanks to FTers for my PC Gold!
Posts: 7,674
I am already a member of the star alliance and that program gave me a long list of various airlines that they partner with. Does that mean that I can use my star alliance card/account when I fly with those airlines? And if so, what is the point of joining a different program?
).Like Santander said, you got to know which airline program in Star Alliance you are already a member of, then go from there. Use both guv1976's & Santander's replies as pointers to get yourself started.
Welcome to FT!
#9


Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: DL DM Hub Captive, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, PC Plat, and other stuff.
Posts: 905
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 196
Don't get it, why Delta??--they often have the highest fees involved for booking a flight
using miles and also uses more miles for travel and less available seats.I have some Delta miles and if I could move them elsewhere I would.
#13


Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: DL DM Hub Captive, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, PC Plat, and other stuff.
Posts: 905
turn on your browser's sarcasm detector, and then re-read his post
#14
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 10
Thanks for starting this thread, I need to ask the same question! In my case I started traveling extensively for work. Thanks to a AMEX bonus offer, I am gold medallion on my way to platinum and expect to be diamond by the end of the year with Delta. The only problem is that it looks like I'm moving to Chicago! Am I crazy to think that I should continue on Delta????? I am in Milwaukee and already have to connect through Detroit for most of my flights, and I find that I do get upgraded quite quickly. In addition, being the only loyal Delta Chicago-based flyer should help me continue with those free domestic upgrades, right?
More info on my flying-90% for business, no one place in particular, but Atlanta does come up once a month. 90% in coach. All domestic...not sure if that helps?
More info on my flying-90% for business, no one place in particular, but Atlanta does come up once a month. 90% in coach. All domestic...not sure if that helps?

