It seems like the travel world is segregated into those who are really wealthy or have expense accounts and can pay for C/F, the cheapo who fly only cheap fares and finally many of us here who spend our free time flying for the sake of flying to maximze upgrades.

I fly around 60-70k a year for business and leisure. Now, I am tired of the marry go around of miles and decided to not try for 1K on united. I can afford to spend more but can't spend 10K for C/F. However I want something better that a seat in Y in international service

Which program is the best for those who
- willing to spend on deeply disounted C (a program that consistently has the cheapest C fare to the largest destiniations)

- Won't make super elite status

- Provides the maximum FF benefits for use middle of the road travellers.

I'm not if I am a customer that is valued by the airlines. Any advice is appreciated.

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Just how much better than a seat in Y do you want?

The reason I ask is because you seem to assume the next thing up is J/C (note: some airlines call Business C, but others including AA call it J and in the case of AA C is only mileage upgrade to business), but it's not on all airlines. Some airlines, such as BA, have Premium Economy, which is better than Y but not as good as J/C, but costs much closer to Y than to J/C. While it may not be J/C, if you can afford to buy it outright, it's much dependable than counting on upgrades being always available, unless all your trips are booked a long time in advance and with the flexibility of being able to select only flights on which upgrades are confirmable at time of booking. (Note: At airlines other than UA, this is a separate cabin and separate booking class, so it's not quite the same as UA's Economy Plus.)

The other thing is that for some of us an exit row seat in Y is already much better than average Y, and at many airlines the first level of elite allows you to prereserve those at booking. So while you may not be able to upgrade on every flight, you want to make sure you're elite as early as possible to be able to at least take an exit row seat as a backup. (And if you're booking flights after the initial upgrade inventory is gone and have to go on a waitlist, as a low-level elite count on at least some of your upgrades not going through.)

Another vote for BA's WT+ (and I assume other WT+ eqivalents).

WT+ is roughly equivalent to domestic F seatwise but E servicewise. Also, it's a small cabin that tends to be quieter than E. Finally, because it is such a small cabin the opportunities for an op-up are greater.

I'm a bit confused as the request for information is a bit contradictory. You are not concerned with earning elite status but do want FF benefits!? Also, it appears you are more concerned with cost of this better seat.

That being said, go with the best deal probably based on season. Fly an all-business class discounted product such as SilverJet or L'Avion. Limited routes but good price. And then during off-peak business travel time such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, you will find a slew of commerical airlines offering heavily discounted business class fares.

For best comfort in Y, probably best are the English carriers - i.e. Virgin Atlantic (747s with Nintendo games and amenity kits in Y!), BA (3 choices of meal including vegetarian option) or lastly BMI (cheaper business class pricing and multiple mileage bonuses on these miles so easier to earn elite status faster).

Since most flights within Europe are so bad, it won't make much difference who you fly really as there is no real business class, just a blocked middle seat and a moveable curtain.

I think that everybody is assuming that you want to go to Europe. Is this where you plan on travelling or are you trying to go to Asia, Africa, Australia, or anyplace else that starts with an A?

True, it was not clear where you were looking to fly to internationally but after reading posts comparing AA, BA and UA; I too assumed Europe was your destination.

If considering Asia, look at the Korean airlines Korean Air and Asiana for the better business class deals. Also purchase one way and then purchase return in local currency such as Thai baht from Bangkok for the best deals.

Or get yourself to Colombo for some good premium class deals!

If you're headed down under (Australia or New Zealand), NZ have Economy Plus which sounds like what you are looking for.

Sorry for the confusion, I do care about elite status, but do not fly enough to get 1K or platinum on AA. Yet I don't want to fly 4 different airlines and accumulate nothing.

I have fortunately reached a point in my life were I can afford and have the time to see 3 international places a year (anyhwere form Italy Egypt, Vietnam to Argentina). We have just started nad would like to find the best airline and alliance that offers a combinations of affordable comfortable flight (W+ sounds interesting) while getting the most benefit from the FF program.

Thanks

Sounds to me like you might want to figure out which of the three airline alliances suits you best and then pick a carrier.

Honestly, I don't know if any of the three major airline alliances would suit your needs. It looks like, these days, you need to be the top elite to see the real benefits.

If I were you, I'd try low cost all business airlines to Europe, and O8 to HKG.

if i were you i would wait until i were about to head on one of your vacations, purchase the ticket on aa (say to argentina) and before leaving, call and ask for a platinum challenge. this would give you platinum benefits for the remainder of the current plus the next year if you can fly 10,000 miles in a 3 month period. then you can earn double miles for the rest of the time you are platinum plus you can use your upgrade credits for upgrading domestically (when you can get them to clear). also, if you plan your trips in advance you can use the extra mileage earning power as platinum to occasionally upgrade your international flights.

it's not perfect but in your situation i think it's the best alternative. plus, after having platinum you might end up with enough momentum to want to requalify for platinum by the end of 2009 (which only requires 50k miles).

i think this option would give you the most effective way to avoid economy from time to time.

remember, ba flights from the usa across the atlantic do not earn mileage so those would need to be on aa.

Excuse me? I'm sorry but this is incorrect. WT+ (which is what a couple of us recommended) most certainly does earn miles. Also, it will get the OP into the Executive Club which increases the chance of upgrades into J.

I think the person who said this means TATL BA flights originating in the US do not earn miles on AA. They'd have to be credited to BA.

That may be what he meant but it ain't what he wrote.

Further re BA miles, one of the best deals in the sky is aTAtl upgrade from W+ to J for something like 30K miles.