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...