Hunting for a suitable OW FF program...
 

Hi fellow flyertalkers,

I am usually a *A flyer, but will be flying ~8k on JL H class fare. My question is which OW FF program is the best for me, considering the fact that I don't fly OW often and would just like to keep my miles active in the long run? I'm not expecting to make elite status on OW; I just won't want to see miles go to waste...

I see myself flying mostly CX and JL on OW (between YVR and various Asian destinations). I'm also open to the option of flying AA, but I will probably bank those on Alaska instead of OW (CX has a horrible deal with AS).

My two most obvious options seem to be Asia Miles and JAL Mileage Bank, but with the H class fare only earning 70% miles on JAL, I'd rather earn 50% miles on Asia miles and earn more when I fly CX in the future; though it is my understanding that Asia Miles will expire after 3 years, and I can't keep my miles "current" by adding activity, like I can on *A FF programs...

Any thoughtful insight will be most appreciated!! Thank you!!!!! ;)

My take is to bank them with AAdvantage cos as long as you have some sort of activity over 18 months, your miles won't expire.

H on JL earns you 70% only. But you can also earn status miles when you fly with Alaska Airlines.

If you fly more on CX in the future, then make sure you buy H class and above, as these are the only fare classes that you can earn AAdvantage miles on.

And when you make elite status, ie Gold - which you may get with a 'challenge' .. you will earn bonus miles with AA, CX, RJ, LA, QF flights.

More on this can be found at the AA forum.

Actually, there are some *A programs where miles also expire even if you have activity.

+1. AA is the best program for the casual OW flyer (among other things).

Thanks a lot for your expertise! I will do some research on the AA forum... :cool: