UK based - points, miles, cc's...etc...
 

Not sure if I'm on the correct website (UK based), let alone forum, but I'll give it a go anyway.

I will be booking several long haul flights in the upcoming motnhs, and want to make the most of them.

Basically, I want to start collecting airmiles/points/whatever they're called, but have no idea where to start.

I made a return trip from LHR - SFO for which I have retained the boarding pass.

I have recently received a BA Executive Club Card for which I am hoping to transfer these miles, and have another return flight booked from LHR - SFO in a couple of weeks.

Some of the things I need to know:

1. What am I potentially gaining from this card.
2. If I book flights for other people, can I receive the points/miles (what's the differencr?).
3. I don't (and never have), owned a credit card. Is it worth getting one to give me more points - I have seen a couple of BA ones.
4. I am booking a return flight from someone from SFO - LHR, who has also ordered a BA club card. Virgin fly at about $30 cheaper than BA, and she likes flying Virgin. Is it worth the value of paying an extra $30 and her flying BA for what she will get in points/miles...and what the hell can they be used for anyway?

Sorry for the vagueness, I really have no idea what I'm doing, or what I can get.

If someone can advise what the best course of action is to make the most out of flying it would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Hi, jakamo and welcome to FT.

It seems that you are already reasonably committed to BA (I'm assuming that is with whom you flew to SFO, and that your upcoming flight is also with them)? There is an entire forum dedicated to discussion of BA here with a very useful primer here. In short, to answer your questions:

1) Collect miles to spend on free flights and upgrades, with enough flying get promoted to silver or gold card status which has additional benefits (lounges, priority check in etc).
2) No, but you can earn the credit card miles if you're paying for them
3) Yes - get the more expensive Amex one - this is in the primer linked above
4) Depends on how much flying she's likely to be doing!

The decision of which airline's frequent flyer scheme to follow is a complicated one determined by (a) your flying pattern and (b) what you want in return. If you're normally flying in paid business or first then BA is quite good. If you're normally flying in cheap economy tickets it's not so good, and I'd advise you to consider United who make it much easier to upgrade than BA. If what you want is free flights, then British Midland are one of the strongest (which would involve flying LHR-SFO on United).

Hope that points you in the right direction...

Wingnut already gave you some excellent pointers/advice, which I am not going to reiterate.

It seems you haven't enrolled in or committed to any FFP (frequent flyer program). When you decide whichever one to be your "commitment", don't forget to check in the FT airline subforum and see if there's a current referral bonus promo. That will easily net you some extra miles/points.

Another thing I want to point out is most of the airliners do not give retrospective miles if the passengers fail to enroll in their FFPs BEFORE the flights or WHILE in the flights. You didn't mention which airline you flew for your taken LHR-SFO trip. So you might want to check into the terms for that specific airline. For example, if it's UA, you are out of luck.

You may feel "overwhelmed" being a FT newbie. If you find time, check out the stickies on top of each forum, especially in the airline forum of your interest. The stickies are very informative and will help you get used to the FT "lingo" in a short period of time.

Welcome to FT!