It looks like I'll be moving from NY to Singapore, and am having some trouble figuring which OW FFP would be the best for status for me. I'll probably be flying back home 2-3 times per year, but since it's on my own dime I'll be looking for economy flights. Really appreciate any suggestions.

I've been looking at CX, BA and AA, but all of them seem to be quite difficult to earn status on cheap flights and I'd rather not fly on AA metal.

Thanks!

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: Upgrades, lounge access
(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: Figure 8 sectors, 40k miles. - estimating at least 2-3 round trips each year, each way is about 10k miles and 2 sectors (JFK-HKG-SIN)
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply: Cheapest, but would pay a little extra in economy to earn status
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Yes (pleasure)
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: Transpacific
(6) What is your home airport?
(SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply: JFK/SIN
(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: No status, under 100k miles at CX
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Reply: CX

Looks like the collective wisdom is taking a hiatus.

If you care about getting a status in OW, you either have to do a status match on TopBonus (since you reside in Germany) or you'd better join JL/AY's own FFP. OW airlines have a requirement where in order to qualify for a meaningful status you have to fly their own marketed flights. Reportedly, AY also does a status match if you prove you're about to fly their metal, so you might get some extra tier bonus right away, which might be up to 100% with current promo to Japan. I might consider AAdvantage as well, but since you're mostly flying business, even on your own leisure travel, not sure, how relevant tier benefits for you are.

While I agree that AY or JL would be the most logical choice if you would use those airlines predictably in the future, seeing that any OW miles earned might well be orphaned points and earning them depends solely on the whim of your employers' travel staff, I`d forgo chasing status on OW and focus purely on earning redeemable miles and keeping the balance alive over a longer period of time. Best is to park them in a program with generous expiration policies.
The best programs for this are AA or BA/IB, as those programs have the most liberal expiration policies (ANY activity will keep the whole account balance alive). Decide between the two according to desired redemptions (AA better for longhaul travel, BA better for shorter flights).

If you can plan your trips well in advance and are willing to pay a premium over discounted economy, I`d go with CX and fly them in premium economy - they have (infrequent) sales where these seats go for very affordable prices. I paid under 1,000 USD for an E fare on ZRH-HKG-BKK and back last month, which is significantly cheaper than a YBHK fare yet would earn more elite qualifying points and redeemable miles than those high Y fare classes.

Other than that, if you want to keep flights as cheap as possible while earning a significant number of miles, your only option is going with AA and buying AA codeshares on CX flights.
That is valid as long as AA keeps its current elite qualifying scheme, where even the cheapest fares earn 1 EQM per mile flown. Which may stay or be devalued come 2017 or beyond - they are pretty much the last holdout among major airlines' FFPs to award 1 EQM per mile flown even on the cheapest fares now.

BTW, the AA 773 between DFW and HKG isn't that bad - especially when you have mid-tier and above status which will let you select MCE seats for free.

Hi,

I am OW gold now, and I intend to keep it. I am AB gold, mainly because I used it for short flights and was able to reach the number of flights required.

I just moved to Finland, and I won't be flying air berlin anymore, mostly Finnair. It will take some time to become Finnair gold. During that time, I was wondering if I can still enjoy the OW Sapphire benefits?

So Basically the questions comes down to this.
Is it possible to collect points on Finnair plus, but use the benefetis of AB gold.

my interpretation is yes, because nowhere is said that your status should be on your ticket.

My flights are economy short haul, Business long haul.

Hi there, reposted this from the Newbie thread as I've since realised this is probably a more appropriate place:

After looking around a few frequent flyer programs I have decided I would like to focus on oneworld mainly due to my geographical position and the flights and costs on offer. However, I find myself in a bit of a difficult situation as to how I could proceed. I live in Edinburgh but my partner's family lives in Cape Town, and I know I will be making consistent journeys once or twice a year for the foreseeable future. I am a student at the moment and so price will usually be the defining factor for me, but I am interested in building up points to redeem on travel. So I've had a look at how I can earn points and redeem them with Qatar or BA.

AVIOS on BA metal: 33000 avios + �400 surcharges and taxes.
AVIOS on Qatar metal: 100000 avios + �290 surcharges and taxes.
Qmiles on Qatar metal: 98000 qmiles + �290 surcharges and taxes.

So considering flights on the route are generally �400-500 unless in peak times (with Qatar or Turkish) I don't see much value in flying BA, and considering I'm going to struggle to earn 98000 qmiles before they expire (I earnt only 8000 on my first trip recently) I'm finding difficulty seeing how I'm going to get any value out of either frequent flyer program. I'm not particularly bothered about earning status, unless it's going to get me into a better position for lower cost flights. I'm currently considering that I could just fly Qatar, claiming them as avios and spend them on flights around europe. I could also spend them on BA flights during peak times when �400 surcharges could in fact offer a real saving. I suppose ffp's aren't really geared towards infrequent flyers!

Sorry for the long post, just feeling a bit confused over what direction to go in, I have another trip coming up and I don't want to credit the miles to the wrong ffp!

Just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and could offer some advice?

Thanks very much!

Yes, most benefits, anyway. The key is to have your AY (Finnair) number on the booking, so you build up your status there and have your AB (airberlin) card on you to show at lounges, etc

Priority security might be an issue (as your BP will show no status) but easy to get around. Check in first (online) with your AB number and print out the bp - it will show your OWS status. Then go back to the checkin page, modify your checkin and replace the AB number with your AY number. At security just show your bp with the AB number on it, showing "priority security".

Come over to the Finnair board for more discussion!

Hey guys, I am just starting working in London from Summer 2016 onwards. This is why I am starting completely new and do not have a status. However, as I will be travelling internationally in business class to NYC approx. 2-3 times a year and within Europe in economy class approx. 10 times a year, I wanted to ask you for you advice on which loyalty programme to choose.

Questions
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: upgrades on travel, lounge access, free reward flights
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Reply: 25000-50000 in business & economy class (50/50)
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Reply: Business for work; lowest economy for leisure
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: yes, all the time
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
Reply: LHR - NYC in business 2-3 times a year; within the EU 10 times a year in economy (mainly LHR/LCY - DUS/FRA)
(6) What is your home airport?
Reply: London LHR/LCY
(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: No status; 50 Tier points and 2000 Avios with BA Executive Club
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Reply: Due to the Routes mainly BA

Philipp_Arthur Welcome to FT
Stay with BA. Living in UK and fly BA routes hard to see other ffp will be better.
Award flights with BA are a long way from free. The infamous BA carrier surcharge.

The airline you fly most or an airline of the country you live is the best ffp for many people. Generally however you are better earning on your primary airline due to greater recognition, better service when flight disruptions, ability to upgrade and possible operation upgrades.

Have a look at the BA forum for information about upgrades on BA. Just do not expect to be getting upgrades. For upgrades with airlines based out of the USA always expect to fly in the class you buy. It is only USA based airlines that give out upgrades for free, by status or upgrade instruments, or with miles-cash co pay.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...tive-club-446/

Hey all! I am a college student looking for a suitable OW FFP. I have flown with JAL and AA in the past, though have yet to acquired status with any of the two. I am trying to decide to stick to only one FFP, and was wondering whether I should stick with either of the two above or start fresh with something else (i.e. CX). I also plan on doing MR in the future, but probably once every 2 months due to my obligation.


(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
I would say upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, better award access.

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Because I fly back and forth between Asia (HAN) and America (JFK or ORD) RT about twice a year, plus occasional domestic flights, I would say somewhere around ~30,000 - 35,000 miles a year?

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Mostly Econ., a few times Prem. Econ.

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
I frequently fly for winter & spring break, which has been AA recently. I also fly transcon in summer because home is in Asia.

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
PHL-ORD, HAN-JFK, HAN-IAD

(6) What is your home airport?
During summer and sometimes January - HAN
For the most part of the year I would either fly out from JFK or IAD, or for shorter routes from PHL.

(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?
Basic AAdvantage and JAL Mileage Bank.
For AA, I have 1,800 EQMs and 3/30 EQSs.
For JAL, current mileage balance is at 16,700 and lifetime mileage is at 25,400.

(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
I mostly fly with JAL and AA.

I am new to this so please bare with me for any confusion in my replies. Please advise on what FFP I should stick with!

I am a Malaysian student studying in Hong Kong. I fly home (KUL) quite often (once a month or even twice) and I travel occasionally to other parts of Asia and even to Australia and Europe. As a MH Silver member (which does not seem to enjoy much privileges), Im having a tough time deciding which OW FFP should I stick with, MH or CX? CX is changing their MPC regulations and accruing sectors on their flights proves daunting after having advice from MPC DMs.

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Priority services and most importantly lounge access for I always arrive way earlier than SDT

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
20,000-30,000, pretty much in J and PE

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
J, PEY, and Y (seldom discounted Y as I always want to collect as many miles as possible)

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Yes, for pleasure

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
HKG-KUL on CX but accruing MH, HKG to TPE, KUL to SIN etc.

(6) What is your home airport?
KUL

(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?
MH Silver (approx. 30,000 miles), CX Green (5600+ AM)

(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
CX preferred and most flown on (they offer attractive prices for layover flights), MH is always in my pocket list too if the fares offered are reasonable.

Would really appreciate if you could give me a wise word or two, I have few major trips coming up in May, June and July (my CX membership due every August). Much thanks in advance!

I am new to this flyer game, and still figuring out how to play it.

Questions
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: free reward flights

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Reply: 50000-75000 in economy class

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Reply: lowest economy

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: mostly work. I can choose to certain degree

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
Reply:

Syd to Scl
Syd to LAX
Syd to SIN

(6) What is your home airport?
Reply: Syd and Scl

(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: I do not understand it. So I guess no. LANPASS says I am PREMIUM (not sure what it means).

(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Reply: Due to the Routes very mixed. Probably Lan and Qantas due to the home bases.

What should I do? I now have mileage programs with LAN, AA, Delta, UA, so quite a mess I have created. I will probably choose one from oneworld or starA that has good connections out of Syd, but QF seems bad. So what to do?

transhuman Welcome to FT

Award flights are a long way from free. You pay real taxes on all. Some ffp's, like BA & QF, have carrier imposed surcharges on many awards. AA awards on BA has carrier imposed surcharges. Worth checking on LAN if they have award surcharges.

Having multiple ffp’s with low balances is never a good idea. You never get enough miles to be of use before they expire. FFP’s are for the long term. The airline you fly and the airline ffp you credit those flights to does not need to be the same. This is what ff partners are all about.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...nt-expire.html

USA based airline ffp's tend to be more generous (status benefits/earn/burn/upgrades/award cost/award cash surcharges/expiry/affiliated credit cards/promotions) compared to non USA based airline ffp’s (even after the recently announced changes to some USA ffp’s

LA & AA are oneworld and partners (as is QF). Pick one. Very little (nil?) comparisons of LA ffp to others. QF is a poor ffp. Unless you get QF points from credit cards and/or fly eligible JQ flights a lot. Look at post 330 here for AA vs QF award cost & surcharges,

LAN premium = Oneworld ruby. The lowest status = AA gold & QF silver. Has some benefits, but not lounge access.
https://www.oneworld.com/ffp/my-onew...s-premium#tier
https://www.oneworld.com/ffp/ruby-privileges

UA is Star Alliance. You need activity every 18 months to stop miles expiring. Worth keeping as your Star Alliance ffp
DL is Skyteam and a Virgin Australia partner. DL miles do not expire, but refereed to a Sky pesos here on FT.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...29-2016-a.html

Hi everyone,

I have a question.

I will soon be flying with Qatar from LHR to DOH to DAR (Round Trip)
afterwards will be flying Cathay Pacific from LHR to HKG then to PEK (One Way)
Then with Qatar from PEK to DOH to LHR (Round Trip)

I have just recently joined Qatar's Privilege Club (lowest tier with no prior points of miles) and I am open to joining other OW FF programs.

So my question is what FF program in OW will get me to OW top tier statuses (ideally Sapphire) (Unlikely Emerald)

Thanks!