Newbie with eye on Bangkok needs advice
 

Hi all,

I am very new to the world of frequent flyer programs, and I'm hoping that you may be able to steer me in the right direction. I would like to travel to Bangkok at the end of January, and I am wondering if there is a frequent flyer program that I could enroll in now that could help me out with this.

Unfortunately, I'm totally lost as far as these things go. I would really appreciate any advice you could offer. I currently only have cards and accounts through BB&T, which I don't believe offers any special programs. I've got great credit, and am just looking for a not too expensive way to get to Thailand. For instance, is a frequent flyer mile the same as a geographical mile? Could 3,000 FF miles get me from DC to LA? Really, ANY help at all would be a life saver!

Thanks a lot!
Lizzie

Read any airlines' website to see details about their frequent flyer program. Alaska Airlines' program allows you to get frequent flyer miles not only by flying their airline, but also Delta, American, Northwest, Continental, Qantas, etc.

United and American are competitors so don't expect them to cooperate by offering each other's passengers miles.

From the US, you may need 60,000 frequent flyer miles for a free ticket to Bangkok, assuming that there are any frequent flyer award seats. Most people, except for the most frequent business traveller, will have difficulty getting 60,000 mi between now and then. Furthermore, the January seats to Bangkok may already be gone.

This board has posts about getting frequent flyer miles in other ways, such as the airline branded bank credit cards, car rental, bonus offers (occasionally you can get 500 mi or so by doing something, filling out some survey, etc.)

Mileage runs are trips that earn lots of miles (often involve long distances or special bonuses) but don't cost too much.

If you apply for 3, yes 3, Chase UAMiles credit cards right now with the 20K offer and are approved, you will have a shot at Bangkok on award tix in Jan. 2008. Not 2007. If you are 22 years old, start working on your excellent credit rating now. An excellent credit rating is as important as the ff program you choose, if not more so!

Welcome to FT...

Unless you are really shrewd and focused on this, you will not make it.
Your energy is better spend on finding a good paid ticket, via a consolidator, courier or vacation travel agent.

Cathay Pacific has a sweet deal for $1099 I believe to HKG from JFK, SFO and LAX and to most of their destinations in SE Asia, including BKK.

Check out their website to see if this is of interest to you

Good Luck