New to ff programs
Apr 24, 2012 | 7:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 27
New to ff programs
I have a few points with ba and qantas as well as various other ff programs. I have no control over whichever random airline my employer books.
I am wondering however if I am misunderstanding how I should be using ff programs. For example, if I fly with qantas more frequently should I be having whatever ba flights I take credited to the qantas account?
I mean, is it impractical to collect points with every ff program? For example, if my employer books me a flight with qantas but I have a stack of points with ba, how do I use them?
And if by some miracle I have enough points for a whole flight between the two combined, how would I use them?
In my opinion it seems the issue is that there is no way to consolidate points... So how do you work around that and how do you get the most benefit, or any benefit, out of the ff programs?
Thanks!
I am wondering however if I am misunderstanding how I should be using ff programs. For example, if I fly with qantas more frequently should I be having whatever ba flights I take credited to the qantas account?
I mean, is it impractical to collect points with every ff program? For example, if my employer books me a flight with qantas but I have a stack of points with ba, how do I use them?
And if by some miracle I have enough points for a whole flight between the two combined, how would I use them?
In my opinion it seems the issue is that there is no way to consolidate points... So how do you work around that and how do you get the most benefit, or any benefit, out of the ff programs?
Thanks!
Apr 24, 2012 | 8:19 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: used to be PER, now it's nowhere/eveywhere
Programs: QFF NB, AA GLD
Posts: 3,684
Welcome to ft notfrequentenough
I suggest you read through the existing thread re-posted-deciding-oneworld-frequent-flyer-program-help-here (it's a 'sticky' thread at the top of the first page of the oneworld forum
The considered opinion is that you should decide on one frequent flyer programme for each of the alliances you're likely to fly (Oneworld, Star and SkyTeam (aka LeftoverTeam
)). This is because in general you can earn miles to your chosen programme by flying on any of the airlines in the alliance (there are exceptions to this - it depends on the booking class of the tickets you purchase)
Which programmes are best for you depends on what you want out of them
It sounds like you are after redemption flights - in Oneworld, the AA programme is considered the best for this; but again it will depend on which Oneworld airlines you fly and the booking classes of the tickets
I suggest you read through the existing thread re-posted-deciding-oneworld-frequent-flyer-program-help-here (it's a 'sticky' thread at the top of the first page of the oneworld forum
The considered opinion is that you should decide on one frequent flyer programme for each of the alliances you're likely to fly (Oneworld, Star and SkyTeam (aka LeftoverTeam
)). This is because in general you can earn miles to your chosen programme by flying on any of the airlines in the alliance (there are exceptions to this - it depends on the booking class of the tickets you purchase)Which programmes are best for you depends on what you want out of them
It sounds like you are after redemption flights - in Oneworld, the AA programme is considered the best for this; but again it will depend on which Oneworld airlines you fly and the booking classes of the tickets
Apr 24, 2012 | 8:48 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,861
notfrequentenough Welcome to the forum ^
There are 3 main airline alliances.
http://www.oneworld.com/
http://www.staralliance.com/en/
http://www.skyteam.com/
As PP's comment above with these alliance's you can (but not always) earn miles in your frequent flyer program [FFP] by flying another airline in you alliance. It does depend on the ticket. For example you can get Qantas miles (points) for BA flights.
You cannot combine miles or transfer between airline program's. In general once in an airline FFP that's where they stay.
Upgrade are a good use of miles for many. Apart from some minor exceptions, upgrades with an airline miles/points can only be on a segment that is both marketed (airline flight number) and operated by the airline (metal). But not all tickets are eligible to upgrade with FFP miles/points
Be aware that in most freq flyer program miles expire if no activity, Typically after 18 months, 1 years or 2 years:- depends on the program
There are 3 main airline alliances.
http://www.oneworld.com/
http://www.staralliance.com/en/
http://www.skyteam.com/
As PP's comment above with these alliance's you can (but not always) earn miles in your frequent flyer program [FFP] by flying another airline in you alliance. It does depend on the ticket. For example you can get Qantas miles (points) for BA flights.
You cannot combine miles or transfer between airline program's. In general once in an airline FFP that's where they stay.
Upgrade are a good use of miles for many. Apart from some minor exceptions, upgrades with an airline miles/points can only be on a segment that is both marketed (airline flight number) and operated by the airline (metal). But not all tickets are eligible to upgrade with FFP miles/points
Be aware that in most freq flyer program miles expire if no activity, Typically after 18 months, 1 years or 2 years:- depends on the program
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Apr 24, 2012 at 9:15 pm
Apr 24, 2012 | 10:20 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QF Gold LTG (ow Saph), HHon Silver, Marriot Gold
Posts: 3,003
Also important to consider where you are based, what cabins you generally are booked into and what airlines.
Most airlines tend to treat there own FF's slightly better than those of other programs in the alliance (particularly with respect to opups and issues). You can also generally only upgrade a flight using points of the metal carriers program
(eg. whilst you can use BA Avious points to book a redemption on a QF flight, you cant use BA Avios to upgrade from Economy to Business on that flight).
On the expiry there are two types - one where each individual point has a defined life (eg 3 years) with you spending oldest points first (eg. SQ Krisflyer), and others where any activity will extend the life of all points (e. QF)
Most airlines tend to treat there own FF's slightly better than those of other programs in the alliance (particularly with respect to opups and issues). You can also generally only upgrade a flight using points of the metal carriers program
(eg. whilst you can use BA Avious points to book a redemption on a QF flight, you cant use BA Avios to upgrade from Economy to Business on that flight).
On the expiry there are two types - one where each individual point has a defined life (eg 3 years) with you spending oldest points first (eg. SQ Krisflyer), and others where any activity will extend the life of all points (e. QF)
