New to business travel, would appreciate a crash course!
Jan 16, 2014 | 8:07 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 4
New to business travel, would appreciate a crash course!
Hello Flyertalk! (First post)
My company just recently moved me into national sales in the US which will require plenty of travel.
I am reading up on how to maximize this opportunity with airline, hotel, and car rewards programs along with credit cards so that I can leverage the biz travel into some family time. It has been very confusing and overwhelming! I am looking for some advice from the pros to get me started.
I fly out of Tucson, which favors AA.
I generally target midrange hotel lines.
I travel domestically twice a month.
A general overview of how to approach perks would be appreciated.
Some specific questions I have are:
How do miles convert to actual flights?
Are credit card miles and airline miles equivalent and able to be merged?
What are the best current programs to take advantage of?
All I have so far is 4k miles on AA.
Thanks in advance!
My company just recently moved me into national sales in the US which will require plenty of travel.
I am reading up on how to maximize this opportunity with airline, hotel, and car rewards programs along with credit cards so that I can leverage the biz travel into some family time. It has been very confusing and overwhelming! I am looking for some advice from the pros to get me started.
I fly out of Tucson, which favors AA.
I generally target midrange hotel lines.
I travel domestically twice a month.
A general overview of how to approach perks would be appreciated.
Some specific questions I have are:
How do miles convert to actual flights?
Are credit card miles and airline miles equivalent and able to be merged?
What are the best current programs to take advantage of?
All I have so far is 4k miles on AA.
Thanks in advance!
Jan 16, 2014 | 10:17 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,933
Welcome to the forum and the world of frequent flyer / loyalty programs (FFP)
You can, subject to terms & conditions, redeem miles for flights, upgrade, hotel rooms, etc. But the date/time you want may not always be available. You need to be flexible. The airline & hotel web site's explain this reasonably well.
Some credit cards can earn airline freq flyer miles. But there is no simple yes or no answer
The links in post 7 here have good information http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21798780-post7.html
Look here (click the blue links)
Post 9 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21923398-post9.html
Post 1 has an intro http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
Best Frequent Flyer Program for you?
The answer to this question depends very much on your personal travel profile and objectives. e.g.
- what is your definition of best ?
- do you value miles/points (or equivalent) for redemption over gaining status ?
- do you fly enough to gain any meaningful status ?
- who and where do you normally fly
- are you primarily a leisure or business traveller ?
- where do you live ?
- do you have other ways of earning points in the various programs, e.g. credit cards, shopping, etc
- etc, etc, etc
(above copied in part from a post by dunk)
Questions
For members asking for information, to help people to assist you, can you please provide:
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply:
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
Reply:
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ? ( First, Business, Economy etc.)
Reply:
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply:
(5) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply:
(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind in OW or other airline at present? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP? (AA Executive Platinum, QF Gold, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)
Reply:
(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:
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply:
__________________________________________________ ____________________
From a post on 2 Feb 2013
You can, subject to terms & conditions, redeem miles for flights, upgrade, hotel rooms, etc. But the date/time you want may not always be available. You need to be flexible. The airline & hotel web site's explain this reasonably well.
Some credit cards can earn airline freq flyer miles. But there is no simple yes or no answer
The links in post 7 here have good information http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21798780-post7.html
Look here (click the blue links)
Post 9 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21923398-post9.html
Post 1 has an intro http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
Best Frequent Flyer Program for you?
The answer to this question depends very much on your personal travel profile and objectives. e.g.
- what is your definition of best ?
- do you value miles/points (or equivalent) for redemption over gaining status ?
- do you fly enough to gain any meaningful status ?
- who and where do you normally fly
- are you primarily a leisure or business traveller ?
- where do you live ?
- do you have other ways of earning points in the various programs, e.g. credit cards, shopping, etc
- etc, etc, etc
(above copied in part from a post by dunk)
Questions
For members asking for information, to help people to assist you, can you please provide:
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply:
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
Reply:
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ? ( First, Business, Economy etc.)
Reply:
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply:
(5) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply:
(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind in OW or other airline at present? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP? (AA Executive Platinum, QF Gold, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)
Reply:
(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:
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply:
__________________________________________________ ____________________
From a post on 2 Feb 2013
< snip>
To get your feet wet, start by reading the sticky threads in this and other forums. What you need to do is look at your flying (and credit card, if applicable) patterns and preferences, then pick a program that works best for you. While miles/points aren't interchangeable, you can usually use one airline's miles/points for redemptions on that airline's partners - either in the same alliance or in some cases unaligned partners - or for non-flying activities. Each airline has different "earning and burning" characteristics - how miles/points are earned and used, and you'll need to investigate these carefully, as the differences can be significant and expensive (or beneficial) to you depending on your choices.
One important thing to note is that miles/points earning and redemption are only a part of the whole FF business. A big factor in choosing your plan preferences is whether you'd fly enough with your chosen airline(s) in order to reach elite frequent flyer status. With elite status comes various perks - access to lounges, expedited passage through airports, seat selections, upgrades, baggage allowances, etc. - that can be as important if not more important to frequent travelers. So those factors also need to be understood as you make your choices.
It involves homework and research, but the rewards can be very significant, well worth the effort. (Or so many of us think. Of course we can be both delusional and exhibit OCD symptoms in this regard. Welcome to the madhouse.)
To get your feet wet, start by reading the sticky threads in this and other forums. What you need to do is look at your flying (and credit card, if applicable) patterns and preferences, then pick a program that works best for you. While miles/points aren't interchangeable, you can usually use one airline's miles/points for redemptions on that airline's partners - either in the same alliance or in some cases unaligned partners - or for non-flying activities. Each airline has different "earning and burning" characteristics - how miles/points are earned and used, and you'll need to investigate these carefully, as the differences can be significant and expensive (or beneficial) to you depending on your choices.
One important thing to note is that miles/points earning and redemption are only a part of the whole FF business. A big factor in choosing your plan preferences is whether you'd fly enough with your chosen airline(s) in order to reach elite frequent flyer status. With elite status comes various perks - access to lounges, expedited passage through airports, seat selections, upgrades, baggage allowances, etc. - that can be as important if not more important to frequent travelers. So those factors also need to be understood as you make your choices.
It involves homework and research, but the rewards can be very significant, well worth the effort. (Or so many of us think. Of course we can be both delusional and exhibit OCD symptoms in this regard. Welcome to the madhouse.)
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Jan 16, 2014 at 10:33 pm
Jan 17, 2014 | 3:25 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,377
I suggest you plan to build up your knowledge about travel gradually. It's a fool's mission to think you're going to absorb everything here on Flyertalk and then completely optimize your next trip with the ideal airline, hotel, credit cards, and bonus programs. The options are horribly complex, and the reality is that what's right for you will not be the same as what's right for the person standing next to you.
I recommend you start by flying whichever airline is most convenient, affordable, and comfortable for your route. Whatever airline it is, sign up for the mileage program. Is it the "right" airline for the long run? It's hard to say, and it doesn't really matter when you're at Square One. Start with one airline now, try another later.
Apply the same idea to hotels. Pick one that's close to your job site, affordable, and comfortable. Get suggestions from colleagues or the client. Is it the right hotel chain for the long run? Again, don't know and doesn't matter. DO sign up for the loyalty program though (never fail to capture points!) and do keep eyes open to see and read about other hotels/chains/programs that may be better for you.
The point I'm trying to make here is twofold:
One, the way to learn what the right answers are FOR YOU is to combine your own experience with advice and information you get from other sources. Always keep learning.
Two, as a budding business traveler you're going to be taking a lot of trips. You can afford to try out different options. In fact, you need to-- see above. It's okay if your first few trips aren't on the "right" airline and hotel. You'll adjust as you learn. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon.
I recommend you start by flying whichever airline is most convenient, affordable, and comfortable for your route. Whatever airline it is, sign up for the mileage program. Is it the "right" airline for the long run? It's hard to say, and it doesn't really matter when you're at Square One. Start with one airline now, try another later.
Apply the same idea to hotels. Pick one that's close to your job site, affordable, and comfortable. Get suggestions from colleagues or the client. Is it the right hotel chain for the long run? Again, don't know and doesn't matter. DO sign up for the loyalty program though (never fail to capture points!) and do keep eyes open to see and read about other hotels/chains/programs that may be better for you.
The point I'm trying to make here is twofold:
One, the way to learn what the right answers are FOR YOU is to combine your own experience with advice and information you get from other sources. Always keep learning.
Two, as a budding business traveler you're going to be taking a lot of trips. You can afford to try out different options. In fact, you need to-- see above. It's okay if your first few trips aren't on the "right" airline and hotel. You'll adjust as you learn. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon.