Anyone have any ideas on how I might get miles from Aeroflot in a program other than theirs? Couldn't find anything on their website.

I don't think you can at the moment, but Aeroflot is rumoured to be joining the SkyMiles consortium (Delta, AF, etc) imminently, so get the miles on Aeroflot's program and you will be able to use them later for other airlines. If you're really lucky they will go the way of LOT which merged their frequent flier programme into Swiss's Qualiflyer, so after years of thinking I had a bunch of useless LOT miles (which could only be redeemed on LOT) they suddenly turned up in my Qualiflyer account and I was use them to upgrade a Cathay flight, which was something I could never have anticipated when I first flew LOT. (LOT is a good airline by the way, but just a long way from HK or any route I am currently likely to fly)

Whatever you do, don't get on the plane without getting the miles creidted somewhere!

Look for Aeroflot codeshare flights where you can cross post your miles. They've started to have a few of these and code-share flights usually occur far before any formal frequent flyer program relationship. Actually, it's a savvy way to accomplish what you are looking to do. A really good travel agent should be able to find appropriate flights with cross-airline numbering. And the advice by christep is right on for you.

Thanks guys. Unfortunately I had no choice of the flights, which were on an obscure route for business purposes. Breaks the heart.

I think with Aeroflot, everyone who gets home in one piece is considered elite...

JP

That is not really a fair statement. Aeroflot may be a bit rough around the edges sometimes, but they have a good international safety record. Their cabin service and seat pitches are also vastly superior to many Western companies in F and C, and in Y they easily hold their own.

When did you last fly SU?

I do agree, however, that the picture is different on domestic flights within Russia, particularly on routes which do not operate via a major city. When I have to choose between SU and another Russian operator such as Transaero, I generally choose the latter.