... Or rather which airline should I use as my primary carrier?

I am moving to London this fall and am trying to decide which airline and FFP to use. Right now, I only hold elite-tier status on Cathay Pacific and am a Blue member on BA (signed up prior to July 2003).

I don't travel much domestically. Most of my travel to date has been to Asia on CX. I am looking to do a lot of travel within Europe once I am based in London. (Paris, Milan, Prague, Amsterdam, Vilnius, etc.,). I will probably make several trips to Asia and 1-2 trips back to LAX annually.

If you have any recommendations, let me know. If it's a good airline, I'm not so concerned whether it's apart of the Star or oneworld alliances, as most airlines have several partners anyway.

Looking at oneworld: It seems like BA and AA are suitable carriers for travel within Europe and to the states. I can credit my travels to CX or AA as I primarily fly economy which would render the BAEC useless. AA looks appealing due to its elite-tier status bonuses and the possibility of lifetime membership.

Looking at the Star Alliance: I will have a local address in the UK shortly so I should be eligible for the status match offer:

United: First obvious choice. MP seems like a good program with low redemption levels for award travel.

Lufthansa: Looks sexy due to its two year status validity. Redemption levels seem rather high for Economy class travel but I read if I book award travel for myself and a companion, the second award is 50% off. Is this correct?

bmi: Forum members on bmi seem to think this is a good airline with decent FFP program. I would have to connect with UA on the east coast for flights into LAX though.

Asiana: Not that I plan on flying Asiana anytime soon but the low requalification requirements and the 3 year status validity seem somewhat appealing.

I heard Air New Zealand is a good airline but as most of my travel is in Y, I am unable to join their FFP. I also heard good things about SAS. If I left out anything noteworthy in any other * alliance or oneworld programs - let me know.

Virgin Atlantic: Seems like a great airline. Highly rated on Skytrax and a member of The Leading Airlines of the World ... so I guess Virgin must be a good carrier.

KLM: the good... the bad... and the ugly. I read a lot about KLM on their forum to get an idea about the airline. Seems like a fairly OK airline with a decent FFP program tied in with cheap fares.

Is there a chart that compares FFP programs in oneworld? (similar to Blonde Bomber's * alliance comparison chart}. Overall, I am looking for an airline with a good route network, good service both in-air and on the ground, and a decent FFP program.

Sorry for the long post. If anyone has any comments or advice, please feel free to respond. Thanks in advance.

Many thanks,
around the world

If you will be travelling to Europe often for weekend trips, you may or may not be flying the cheaper airlines, like Easyjet. I don't think they have a ff program (unless you count using an AA or UA credit card to buy the ticket).

Most people usually pick their ff program by deciding which airlines they fly most. Is life worth connecting in AMS if you are always flying beyond AMS?

If you are seeking coach tickets and not status or upgrades, Alaska Airlines program has many partners. Other FTers may have more information about other less obvious programs, like Qantas, etc. I once redeemed an award in Lufthansa's program earned from flying United and other carriers besides LH.

Obviously a OneWorld carrier deserves a hard look because of the tie-in with BA.

But despite the previous poster's very true observation (do you really want to always have to connect at AMS?), I would recommend KLM's Flying Dutchman. Although their customer service is notoriously bad, if you are able to achieve platinum with them I believe that they offer the best status benefits of any western airline.

On a recent thread janhigginskcmo asked, if its worth to buy the latest addition of OFFG (USD 14,95 + shipping). Around the world�s enquiry is covered within section one of this guide: Our host Randy wrote a chapter named �Adopting a Frequent Flyer Program� where he outlined our goal for joining a FFP: �You want to earn free travel and other benefits of membership as quickly as possible�.

Most frequent travellers enjoy comfort as much as earning miles. There are many choices and benefits in each FFP and it�s best to understand the difference beforehand:[list=1][*] It all begins with location and destination: You need to find an airline that meets your basic travel needs (see the answer from Human Unit 763246B)[*] Decide what you want (eg elite status, upgrade awards, free tickets to South Africa)[*] Take a closer look into FFPs your favourite carrier participates and choose this FFP that will serve you best.[/list=a]
Randy outlined five questions you should answer before you choose your FFP:

• What is the minimum mileage your program offers?
• Does the program complement its minimum mileage or actual mileage earnings with COS bonuses?
• Does your program offer promotions throughout the year?
• Are the partners affiliated with your program convenient and beneficial for you to use?
• What are the rules & rates of earning with partners (it�s evident, that a lot of us earning miles without flying like using CCs, telecommunication, miles for clicking, etc)?

I recommend that you decide step by step or in other words: Choose your favourite airline first and then let�s talk about which FFP fits best for you.

[This message has been edited by Patron (edited Mar 07, 2004).]

welcome to flyertalk!


I have lived overseas, and we have tentative plans to move back.

Will be living in Holland and so AMS is my prime airport and I am going to be happy for it. Nothing against London, but that's one place I don't like to connect thru when flying to and from the states to go to mainland Europe. Having been stuck or delayed there many times before (it's like ORD), and just being one hour away from home as the crow flies (if he only could) is rather bad.

BUT that's hardly my point (I wish it were different/better all aroundin terms of how airlines connect internationally)...

I am planning to leave my airline FFP's alone and just keep on acting like someone from the USA. I can still get mail here and often have it shipped if needed. And with everything existing online these days, and ways to call CS still being available from overseas, then why not?

Sometimes it is hard to find the normal phone number equivelent to a toll-free 800-number-only customer service center (and I had trouble trying to place calls to US 800 numbers when overseas) but other than that, I find staying with the FFP memberships I already have is a good idea.

In fact, before my Dutch wife moved here, we set her up WITH USA versions of the FFPs and this has proven to pay off. As long as you can provide a legitimate address in the states, this should work for you too. Try it! Research the US equivs to all programs against the benefits from Europe.

Not that you would do the following, but this worked for someone we know too: They signed up their German friends who were going to fly in on Lufthansa for the first time into a UAL promo in the states that would give the member and each new member 5,000 United referral miles. The member simply added these names of the overseas guests to his mailbox and everyone got the bonus. The member ended up with 20k and the German friends have US-based United programs they may or may not use. Some probably will so UAL is happy too--on paper, which counts more anyhow. United thinks Gertrude and Hans are from Miami, and who the heck will ever know? Hey, they might move here anyhow and get work and study gigs.

Anyway, back to the normal part: Pick it based on who can give you the best value for your money down the line. Base it on service. You seem to have a golden opportunity here: To be able to pick your airline today without being swayed by the fact that you already have mileage in their program. Ahh, what freedom many of us in here would love to have!

MM

--hope at least some of my long speak has helped! and yeah, welcome to flyertalk!

If you're going to be UK based, then UA is not the programme for you - the minimum mileage on bmi is 250...

LH has high threasholds for qualification, but if you can make your 100k, then it's definitely the programme for you (and everyone). Also, they're pretty generous with the bonuses. Minimum mileage of 1000.

bmi's programme is very easy to get to *G - 38k beyond silver, which is just 16k. Also, as they are a UK airline, you'll probably end up flying with them a fair bit. As BD*G, OpUps etc. are more likely. Also 800 minimum miles.

Asiana is a good choice for the comp, if you want three years free lounge access, but redemptions are verrrrry poor, even if requalification is easy. Also, BD flight are distance only, with no minimum.

SAS Eurobonus is also a great programme. They treat EBS and EBG very well, but barely recognise other *Gs. Personally, I'd only go for this if you were going to be using SK a lot.

Overall, they decision can only be made by knowing which routes you will be using most (and thusly, which airlines), and as Patron points out, what perks you favour most.

If you're moving back to the US in a year or two, I'd comp in to Asiana for instant three year lounge access, then use either BD of LH's programme to bank the miles.

And keep using your CX card, unless you are certain of getting BAEC Gold.

Stands back and waits for the rush of people disagreeing with me

I moved to the UK about just over a year ago from the US, and went through the same analysis. At the time I was AA Gold (solely due to good luck in travel scheduling).

Your #1 consideration should be how you will be able to earn, particularly on your long-haul flights. If your primary travel will be discount coach, then BA EC is probably not for you. I (and many of the Americans in my office) use AAdvantage, as then we get full credit when traveling to the US on personal business, and European travel on BA is mostly on business and thus earns 100% AAdvantage credit as well. Personal European travel is hopefully on BA (due to OneWorld status), but giving up the paltry 25% BA miles to save a few � is a fair trade. This may not work as well for you, as to my knowledge none of the OneWorld partners from the UK to Asia (QF, CX, BA) offers full credit for discount coach--though if you earn enough miles on other flights you could instead redeem miles for your Asian flights.

Another consideration is elite qualifying partners partners, especially for long-hauls. UA/LH/BD (Star) and BA/AA (OneWorld) of course look particularly appealing here. VS has some good relationships as well, but elite benefits do not carry over to partners (and qualifying for elite based on partner flights is difficult).

Another significant consideration should probably be an airline that offers good schedules and routings to your frequent destinations. For example, you mentioned west coast USA. AA recently announced a 3rd daily LHR-LAX; I'm not sure about BA and VS (and UA?) schedules.

As a further note, if you are currently CX elite, note that Star Alliance is currently matching status. Ther are several threads explaining the mechanics and details, but if you can acquire a UK address in time (e.g. business/school address) you could get your CX status matched. For example, I just had my AA status matched to BD.

Why not stay with CX, and use the oneworld partners to continue earning miles into that account? Both BA and AA fly west, and CX flies East.

PS Welcome

Thanks for the informative replies everyone.

My travels would include flights to CDG, MIL, PRG, AMS, VNO, LAX, BOM, DXB, and HKG, all ex-LHR. Which airline would you recommend for each destination, if you could choose from any airline - not just oneworld or Star? Emirates to DXB? CSA Czech to PRG?

Anyway, back on topic. BA flies direct to all destinations. (I wasn't apply to view the schedules for LHR-VNO on oneworld.com for some reason.)

bmi flies direct to most of my stated destinations except PRG, VNO, BOM, DXB, where it seems LH and SAS are better choices, dependent upon destination. Flights to LAX if on a * alliance carrier would be on UA or Air New Zealand.

Are fares substantially lower on bmi than BA for Economy class travel? What about KLM?


GoldCircle: Thanks for your views on several different programmes.

I am going to dismiss Asiana because I am only CX Silver (oneworld ruby) and I suppose that I will only get comped to Star Silver - not Gold.

I would say that my primary FFP in the Star Alliance, would be either LH or BD. LH has nice COS bonuses if I ever decide to fly in First/Biz and the two year status validity is nice.

I like UA as its redemption levels awards seem to be significantly lower than LH and its 100% elite bonus for Premier Executive. I can credit all my travel on bmi to UA and then earn the elite tier bonus on flights to/from LAX. If I plan to fly with bmi regularly, would I be at a disadvantage by not crediting flights to their FFP?

For travel on BA, I will credit my flights to CX. Just wish they would introduce some more benefits to make their FFP programme more appealing. I will be missing out on the bonuses by not using AA.

Just curious, what is so good about SAS EuroBonus? They score awards at the Freddies year after year.

around the world

[This message has been edited by around the world (edited Mar 08, 2004).]

Are you sure about this? I don't know of any airline that flies LON-VNO direct, and BA don't seem to claim to.

I meant to say that BA flies direct to all destinations that I checked. I was unable to check the routings/schedule for LHR-VNO on oneworld.com for some reason.

[This message has been edited by around the world (edited Mar 09, 2004).]

bmibaby has announced flights LGW-PRG, and I seem to recall that EasyJet may have as well. Don't ignore the low cost carriers to the European short-haul destinations--MIL, PRG, AMS and PAR. Many are even accessible from LGW on EasyJet/bmibaby, and even if you REALLY prefer LHR (IMHO LGW is underrated) the competition of course keeps the fares competitive, save for the LHR premium during peak business hours. Since the low cost carriers do not offer miles and you will probably pick a combination of whatever is least expensive/most convenient for each trip, I would encourage yout o focus more on the long-haul options when choosing your FFP. This is also where the benefits are most significant.

Not in the least. bmi gives 50% miles on many cheaper fares and 25% on the web-only specials. All those fares would get 100% on LH's M&M card, and that's with 1000 minimum miles (so clearly UA is definitely not for BD flights).

However, if you will be on economy fares mostly, then the bmi card's for you. BD*S/G will get more OpUps than other *S/Gs, needless to say.

Use your Cathay card at www.ukstatus.co.uk for a match to either LH or BD *Silver - that gets you (more than)half way there.

Your choice is then simple - LH is much more rewarding, but it's much harder to get *G on LH. So only join M&M, instead of BD DC, if you intend a lot of C flying.

Your trips to the far east and LAX will get you BD*G even in Y, but not necessarily so with LH, as you'll only need another 38k on top of your newly comped BD*S.

IMO it will be more and more difficult to qualify for top tier status on deeply discounted coach class tickets. In other words, we do not have any guarantee that other FFP join BA�s EC way in honouring paid fare classes and not only the paid class of services.

Let me also add to GoldCircle�s elaborated posts that we only earn 500 status M&M miles on T class domestic fares and who knows what the future will bring�

Last year I compared the value of miles on *A FFPs & calculated how many paid trips I need to qualify for *G on a given route; unfortunately, these figures are already outdated, but it may give you an indication about the huge difference of these FFPs especially if you look at different fares.

The reason why I would choose the FFP of the airline I flying most is this: availability of awards, earning additional miles on promotions & redemption of upgrade awards.

Go with United and the Star Alliance-- 100% mileage credit on trans-Atlantic trips, easy upgrades to business on United, and Economy Plus available to people with status (regardless of fare) if you don't upgrade.

Plus if you move back to the US, UA is a better choice; BA constantly screws US residents over with only a fraction of miles flown credited as frequent flier miles (perhaps a payback for 1776?). Why put up with that?