Deciding on a Oneworld Frequent Flyer Program? Help is here.
Jul 26, 2015, 3:17 pm
#946
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: BSL
Programs: AA (EXP); among others :)
Posts: 2,524
Hi,
I've been having some trouble deciding on which FFP to use. My home airport is ARN, and most people here choose Star Alliance, since ARN is a SK hub and there are earning credit cards available, but I refuse to fly with SK unless absolutely necessary because they do not offer business class within Europe. Thus, I'm usually flying OneWorld instead.
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
My main goal is getting award flights. I don't mind paying cash for miles, but of course, the point is to fly for cheap
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
<25000 miles - <25 flights, mainly within Europe, with a few transatlantic flights.
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Business
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Yes. I travel mostly for work.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
There's not really any route that I fly more often than others. I fly mostly in Western Europe.
(6) What is your home airport?
ARN
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in OW or other airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
I am a member of Finnair Plus, and have some miles there.
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
BA and IB.
In addition, I do use American Express Membership Rewards, so being able to transfer MR points (preferably at a good rate) into my FFP would be good.
I've been having some trouble deciding on which FFP to use. My home airport is ARN, and most people here choose Star Alliance, since ARN is a SK hub and there are earning credit cards available, but I refuse to fly with SK unless absolutely necessary because they do not offer business class within Europe. Thus, I'm usually flying OneWorld instead.
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
My main goal is getting award flights. I don't mind paying cash for miles, but of course, the point is to fly for cheap
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
<25000 miles - <25 flights, mainly within Europe, with a few transatlantic flights.
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Business
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Yes. I travel mostly for work.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
There's not really any route that I fly more often than others. I fly mostly in Western Europe.
(6) What is your home airport?
ARN
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in OW or other airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
I am a member of Finnair Plus, and have some miles there.
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
BA and IB.
In addition, I do use American Express Membership Rewards, so being able to transfer MR points (preferably at a good rate) into my FFP would be good.
I would open accounts with both BA and IB and transfer Avios points between them as needed (that is possible; both airlines share the same Avios 'currency').
Earn rates for business class are decent on BA. Also, BAEC is an Amex MR transfer partner. Transfer over when they have a bonus 'sale', which happens infrequently.
Aug 3, 2015, 10:26 am
#947
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: JFK
Programs: BAEC Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 18
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Upgrades.
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
2-3 Flights NYC-Athens (Greece) through London, 1-2 NYC-SFO/LAX, a few short-haul domestic.
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Premium Econ/Business
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Yes. Pleasure, some work.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
Mostly between NYC and London or Athens.
(6) What is your home airport?
JFK/EWR
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in OW or other airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
I am Silver with BA and qualify every year (pre-changes this year). I have about 80k miles left.
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
BA
Upgrades.
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
2-3 Flights NYC-Athens (Greece) through London, 1-2 NYC-SFO/LAX, a few short-haul domestic.
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Premium Econ/Business
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Yes. Pleasure, some work.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
Mostly between NYC and London or Athens.
(6) What is your home airport?
JFK/EWR
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in OW or other airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
I am Silver with BA and qualify every year (pre-changes this year). I have about 80k miles left.
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
BA
Aug 4, 2015, 1:05 am
#948
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: BSL
Programs: AA (EXP); among others :)
Posts: 2,524
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Upgrades.
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
2-3 Flights NYC-Athens (Greece) through London, 1-2 NYC-SFO/LAX, a few short-haul domestic.
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Premium Econ/Business
Upgrades.
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
2-3 Flights NYC-Athens (Greece) through London, 1-2 NYC-SFO/LAX, a few short-haul domestic.
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Premium Econ/Business
As long as you don't buy economy fares, especially on long-haul travel, you will still qualify for Silver.
The alternative would be AAdvantage. While you can upgrade BA WT+ flights with AAdvantage miles, the value proposition is very low: AA requires the BA premium economy ticket to be in "W" fare class in order to be eligible for upgrading. That's full-fare if bought on BA ticket stock, and usually more expensive than a discounted business ticket.
If you switched to AA, it would make more sense to just buy economy on the US flight via PHL and use miles and co-pay to upgrade to business going to ATH. However, that would preclude you from earning Platinum /oneworld sapphire status as you'd be missing out on the extra EQP the WT+ ticket on BA earns. You will not qualify on miles with the amount of flying you stated.
Aug 5, 2015, 9:19 am
#949
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 19
(1) What is your home town airport?
JFK/LGA
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class?
Reply: 30-40K. Mostly economy
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ? ( First, Business, Economy etc.)
Reply: Mostly economy, occasionally Premium Economy
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: I can choose the airline and my travel is mostly work related.
(5) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: Domestic. 4 times a year JFK-LHR
(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind of OW or other airline at present? What is it?
Reply: AA Gold
(7) What is most important to you in a FFP? (upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, extra baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, free - discounted lounge access, etc.)
Reply: Upgrade availability; good award redemption rates (mostly used for US-Europe)
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: DL and AA
Question, I have been earning miles with AA but started traveling BA and wonder for 3 trips in WTP if I should get Avios and Tier points or continue with AA.? I have AA credit cards and just received Chase Sapphire Preferred
JFK/LGA
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class?
Reply: 30-40K. Mostly economy
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ? ( First, Business, Economy etc.)
Reply: Mostly economy, occasionally Premium Economy
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: I can choose the airline and my travel is mostly work related.
(5) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: Domestic. 4 times a year JFK-LHR
(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind of OW or other airline at present? What is it?
Reply: AA Gold
(7) What is most important to you in a FFP? (upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, extra baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, free - discounted lounge access, etc.)
Reply: Upgrade availability; good award redemption rates (mostly used for US-Europe)
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: DL and AA
Question, I have been earning miles with AA but started traveling BA and wonder for 3 trips in WTP if I should get Avios and Tier points or continue with AA.? I have AA credit cards and just received Chase Sapphire Preferred
Aug 5, 2015, 9:43 am
#950
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
You would earn 180 TP's for a return JFK-LHR in WTP. Three of those would get you BA Bronze, not quite enough for BA Silver (oneworld Sapphire) which would provide lounge access. It would earn you just over 30k EQP if credited to AA which would get you close to AA Platinum. If you travel on AA domestically in economy AA status is probably more beneficial than BA Bronze.
Aug 5, 2015, 10:11 am
#951
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 11,803
You would earn 180 TP's for a return JFK-LHR in WTP. Three of those would get you BA Bronze, not quite enough for BA Silver (oneworld Sapphire) which would provide lounge access. It would earn you just over 30k EQP if credited to AA which would get you close to AA Platinum. If you travel on AA domestically in economy AA status is probably more beneficial than BA Bronze.
(Note you could challenge up to Plat on AA with one WTP round trip, hence earning double spendable miles from then on.)
Avios are okay for US domestic economy awards, depending on distance, whereas AA miles are better for TATL redemptions. Avios are good for upgrading from WT+ to Club; however with AA miles/metal you could buy cheap economy seats and upgrade to business with miles and co-pay and probably end up in about the same place out of pocket, given the need to buy WT+ with BA in the first place (no economy - business direct upgrades, only one class of service.) Also no BA fuel fines on award tickets using AA metal.
Given the devaluation of Avios I'd probably stay with AA, look at challenging up to Platinum, and go from there.
Aug 5, 2015, 2:04 pm
#952
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,030
Having miles/points/avios in multiple ffp's is usually not a good idea. You end up with small balances that you can never use. And expiry must be watched.
What do you use your AA miles for?
FFP's are for the long term, and not a few trips
Aug 5, 2015, 5:37 pm
#953
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: BSL
Programs: AA (EXP); among others :)
Posts: 2,524
Aug 5, 2015, 6:09 pm
#954
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 11,803
True, but the poster is flying JFK-LHR so it would be 20,000, right? Versus AA, 25K + $350 copay to go from economy to biz. Like I say, it's in the numbers.
Aug 13, 2015, 12:02 am
#955
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 216
Leaving Qatar soon, starting a new job in the UK.
Questions
For members asking for information, to help people to assist you, can you please provide:
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
(upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, extra baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, free - discounted lounge access, etc.)
Reply: I prefer to use miles for free flights. Lounge access is nice.
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
(<25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles - <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: No idea how much I'll be flying
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply: Private flight selection priority: best connection followed by cheapest flight, any airline. Business: might be business class or priority. Note: this will in most cases be Etihad!
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Private: any. Business: most flights will be to Abu Dhabi, thus Etihad.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: private: most likely within Europe. Business: Middle East
(6) What is your home airport?
(SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply: Manchester, possibly Liverpool
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in OW or other airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
(AA Executive Platinum, QF Gold, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)
Reply: Qatar Airways Gold, will be downgraded to silver in October
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Reply: no preference
Thus: Etihad no connected to Oneworld. Not sure if I'll at least be able to at least maintain Oneworld Ruby. British Airways doesn't seem to give status miles for most economy flights.
Two more economy flights with Qatar Airways planned: to SE Asia return and oneway to UK. Ignore miles, dump in QR even though I won't gain anything from that or are there better options? Someone mentioned AirBerlin as it's connected with Etihad and Oneworld. Would that be an option for award tickets from UK and possibly lounge access?
Questions
For members asking for information, to help people to assist you, can you please provide:
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
(upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, extra baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, free - discounted lounge access, etc.)
Reply: I prefer to use miles for free flights. Lounge access is nice.
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
(<25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles - <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: No idea how much I'll be flying
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply: Private flight selection priority: best connection followed by cheapest flight, any airline. Business: might be business class or priority. Note: this will in most cases be Etihad!
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Private: any. Business: most flights will be to Abu Dhabi, thus Etihad.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: private: most likely within Europe. Business: Middle East
(6) What is your home airport?
(SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply: Manchester, possibly Liverpool
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in OW or other airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
(AA Executive Platinum, QF Gold, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)
Reply: Qatar Airways Gold, will be downgraded to silver in October
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Reply: no preference
Thus: Etihad no connected to Oneworld. Not sure if I'll at least be able to at least maintain Oneworld Ruby. British Airways doesn't seem to give status miles for most economy flights.
Two more economy flights with Qatar Airways planned: to SE Asia return and oneway to UK. Ignore miles, dump in QR even though I won't gain anything from that or are there better options? Someone mentioned AirBerlin as it's connected with Etihad and Oneworld. Would that be an option for award tickets from UK and possibly lounge access?
Aug 13, 2015, 1:36 am
#956
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,030
Leaving Qatar soon, starting a new job in the UK.
< snip>
Two more economy flights with Qatar Airways planned: to SE Asia return and oneway to UK. Ignore miles, dump in QR even though I won't gain anything from that or are there better options? Someone mentioned AirBerlin as it's connected with Etihad and Oneworld. Would that be an option for award tickets from UK and possibly lounge access?
< snip>
Two more economy flights with Qatar Airways planned: to SE Asia return and oneway to UK. Ignore miles, dump in QR even though I won't gain anything from that or are there better options? Someone mentioned AirBerlin as it's connected with Etihad and Oneworld. Would that be an option for award tickets from UK and possibly lounge access?
You seem unaware of the fundamentals of ffp's.
Airline ffp's have partners for awards and earning.
The airline you fly and the airline ffp you credit those miles/points/avios to do does not need to be the same
Awards are not free. Most (to all) have real taxes and some to many have cash to large cash co payments.
What is attraction of Air Berlin and/or Etihad?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...programme.html
Aug 13, 2015, 2:31 am
#957
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 216
You seem unaware of the fundamentals of ffp's.
Airline ffp's have partners for awards and earning.
The airline you fly and the airline ffp you credit those miles/points/avios to do does not need to be the same
Awards are not free. Most (to all) have real taxes and some to many have cash to large cash co payments.
What is attraction of Air Berlin and/or Etihad?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...programme.html
There's no attraction of Air Berlin or Etihad. Etihad will be work related flights and I cannot chose a different airline. Air Berlin seems to be the only airline to which I could credit Etihad and Oneworld points. If that makes sense I don't know because I don't know with which airline I'll be flying privately in the future.
Aug 13, 2015, 5:16 am
#958
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,030
There's no attraction of Air Berlin or Etihad. Etihad will be work related flights and I cannot chose a different airline. Air Berlin seems to be the only airline to which I could credit Etihad and Oneworld points. If that makes sense I don't know because I don't know with which airline I'll be flying privately in the future.
There is no such thing as "Oneworld points"
Every ffp has its own currency. (BA/IB both use avios)
Each ffp has very different rules
Aug 17, 2015, 11:45 am
#959
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 4
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
good award redemption rates.
Reply:
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
30,000,<25
Reply:
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply: economy
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: yes i can
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: California to hk, us domestic
(6) What is your home airport?
(SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply: SFO
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in OW or other airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
aa gold, 70k aa miles
106k avios
24k united
Reply:
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Reply: AA , Southwest
good award redemption rates.
Reply:
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
30,000,<25
Reply:
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply: economy
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: yes i can
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: California to hk, us domestic
(6) What is your home airport?
(SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply: SFO
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in OW or other airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
aa gold, 70k aa miles
106k avios
24k united
Reply:
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Reply: AA , Southwest
Aug 18, 2015, 2:18 am
#960
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,030
Are the BA avios from frequent spending (credit card) or frequent flying?
BA are a ff partner of AA, so you can get AA miles for (most) BA flights.
Also AS (Alaska) is a ff partner of AA, BA & DL
Be careful about the expiry of the AA, UA & BA miles/avios