FTers in INDIA
 

Are there other FTers and Mileage Collectors in INDIA. Would like to interact and exchange notes.

miler

Why do you want to restrict yourself only to people in India. I'm in US but would love to share info about frequent flyer/buyer programs in India.

I believe Air India, Inidan Airlines andmay be the private ones offer frequent flyer miles right?

One point I wanted to make while I'm on this topic is that most western hemisphere airlines treat flyers to india in a discriminatory way. for example British Air doesn't offer miles between London & India. Lufthansa gives only 50% of actual miles flown between Germany & India.

Thats WRONG!!!!

Any thoughts

venkat

I don't think BA discriminates based on origin. Airlines usually have deeply discounted fares that are not eligible for FF miles. This is especially true of consolidator fares from India or sold through regional/ethnic markets.

One thing I found useful was to ask my travel agent or Airlines rep to give me the next highest fare eligible for miles. I find that very helpful especially with my status bonus of 100% on oneworld alliance.

Good to hear from you, Venkat.

Yes, Indian Airlines & Air India offer joint FF programme called FLYING RETURNS. The travel on AIR FRANCE can also be accumulated on this FF programme.

JET AIRWAYS, has recently launched a FF programme. However it is not as attractive as FLYING RETURNS.

I also agree with you on the discrimination issue. The problem is further compounded by the fact that the local travel agents, GSAs and sometime airlines themselves don't know, which fares are eligible for FF mileage.

Won't it be better for all, including the airlines to accumulate miles on paid tickets?

Look forward to further interaction with you.

Since my last post I have had to take numerous trips to, from and within India in Biz and First and have gained a lot of knowledge and tips/tricks. Would like to share and exchange them with others.

Are there any other useful threads that I should be tracking? I tried searches on India/DEL/BOM/MAA/BLR etc. but did not find much useful data so far.

I am specifically looking for sharing FF knowledge from/to/within India. I am way too busy to be doing this on my own time (opportunity cost does not justify this) but it is a fun hobby.

I was recently in India and flew on a Jet Airways flight, and the miles you get with them can be put on your Northwest account, and they showed up within 4 weeks on my account.

miler - as venkat wrote you shouldnt limit to just those FT'ers in India as there are quite a few members here who are based elsewhere but travel to India. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

as for me i spend 75% of my time based in Mumbai and the other 25% in the states. anyways, its nice having you on board and i look forward to communicating.

btw - finally i see someone from my family's original home of AMD. what part of town are you from? actually i was just there last sunday. next time we should get together.

finally, BA doesnt really discrimnate b/c you have to understand that consolidators are buying these seats for less than 1/2 their normal value so BA doesnt have much incentive to award poits. if you buy direct from BA or a qualfyign fare you will def receive 100% miles on BA even in econ. and LH gives 100% in econ if you are resident in India (just not for US residents).

the problem with Flying Returns is the fact that it means you have to fly AI or IC http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif Jet Privelges is also a useless program but as mentioned you can credit and redeem through NW and I believe BA (or maybe only redeem on BA)

enjoystravel - there havent been too many threads specifically on India but there are some comments mixed in (not too easy to search for though). i too travel quite often between India and the US/AsiaPac/Europe in first/biz so when you get a chance we can exchange some ideas. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

look forward to having more dicussions on this topic http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

happy flying



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- indogulf

As mentioned by other FTers, Indian Airlines and Air India operate joint FF programme - FLYING RETURNS. They are tied up with many other airlines and some hotels. Full details are available on Air India website.

Ditto for JET Airways.

Flight on Jet Airways gives credit on BA, KLM also.

AGREE, would love to share ideas / experiences with others as well.

I am in Drive-in Road area. Would love to meet you whenever you next in our city. I am also visiting USA next week and could call you on the phone. Could you e-mail me your contact details???


Thanks for your comprehensive notes.



[This message has been edited by miler (edited 09-11-2000).]

A lot of local knowledge of India airline deals here it looks like. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Can one of you advise if the UA Round-The-World they re-commence in April, that passes via Delhi as a key new destination, has attractive fares if booked IN India? I may do this flight for fun being a "new" route, and thought after reading the above, the C or F on UA metal the whole way might be quite cheap if an Indian agent sells the ticket?

Do you feel they will discount the UA flights? Does anyone have a contact that allows you to post a price here that they will book at right now?

Ideally the FIRST operating day of "UA #1" would specifically interest me, which is about April 2 or 3 out of Delhi I imagine, to London.


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~ Glen ~

[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 09-11-2000).]

I will check and advise you ASAP.

Thank you miler!

I can then use some QF points to fly Sydney to India and back.

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~ Glen ~

ozstamps - ANY ticket purchased in India for travel originating in India will be cheaper than other countries. Specifically, RTW fares are significantly cheaper (a min of 25% in C and F). I would expect UA to price their "new" UA 1/2 service accordingly. In addition most travel agents in india will rebate their commission upto 8%.

As the date nears I am sure you will find special deals from UA and from local agents. If you are seriously interested in the first flight (eastbound or westbound??) I could ask my agent to update me on fares and convey the same to you.

Indogulf .. thanks for the heads up! Yes very interested in 2 x C tickets, rtw starting Delhi going to London, IAD-LAX-HKG.

Love to have it on UA#1 starting LAX-LAX April 1st via Delhi .. are they able to ticket that discount in your experience as long as flight comes thru India, and sell ticket out of there?

Might be a nice loophole to save some serious bucks!


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~ Glen ~