Nov 6, 2016, 10:26 pm
Last edit by: Mwenenzi
If you already plan to focus on one particular alliance, please visit the sticky in the relevant forum: Deciding on a oneworld FFP or Which SkyTeam FFP or Choosing a Star FFP
Common which ffp thread Which Frequent Flyer Program to Join? Help Is Here!
List of frequent flyer programs from Wikipedia
Questionnaire: Copy and paste into your post
Provide the requested information.
1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access, etc.
>>> Reply:
2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
less than 25000 miles, 50000+ miles and 20-25 flights, etc.
>>> Reply:
3. What fare class do you usually buy?
first, business, premium economy, economy
>>> Reply:
4. Are you able to 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?
transatlantic, domestic USA, intra-Asia, etc.
>>> Reply:
6. What is your home airport?
>>> Reply:
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
>>> Reply:
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
>>> Reply:
Common which ffp thread Which Frequent Flyer Program to Join? Help Is Here!
List of frequent flyer programs from Wikipedia
Questionnaire: Copy and paste into your post
Provide the requested information.
1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access, etc.
>>> Reply:
2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
less than 25000 miles, 50000+ miles and 20-25 flights, etc.
>>> Reply:
3. What fare class do you usually buy?
first, business, premium economy, economy
>>> Reply:
4. Are you able to 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?
transatlantic, domestic USA, intra-Asia, etc.
>>> Reply:
6. What is your home airport?
>>> Reply:
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
>>> Reply:
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
>>> Reply:
Which ST program should I sign up for?
May 30, 2021, 3:11 pm
#181
Join Date: May 2015
Location: RBA / TBS
Programs: AF Gold / Accor Gold / Hilton Diamond / TP Silver / A3 Gold
Posts: 2,749
You can then determine how much it will cost you to earn enough miles to redeem for trips you want
If you can get your hands on tons of cheap AF/DL miles and find sweet spots to redeem for awards then why not
No , as explained earlier by beachmouse , so only transfer amex rewards when needed and keep flying regularly
Last edited by fifty_two; May 30, 2021 at 3:23 pm
May 30, 2021, 3:14 pm
#182
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,265
If you can keep good track of the non-flight FB miles, AmEx, at least in the USA, tends to have a randomly appearing 25% transfer bonus for a month or two each year for FB that can make it worth it to transfer speculatively. FB has its share of quirks, but if you can work with those quirks, you can get some good redemption values, especially if you have the flexibility to bite on some of their promo awards.
Jun 2, 2021, 2:26 am
#183
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,709
If you can keep good track of the non-flight FB miles, AmEx, at least in the USA, tends to have a randomly appearing 25% transfer bonus for a month or two each year for FB that can make it worth it to transfer speculatively. FB has its share of quirks, but if you can work with those quirks, you can get some good redemption values, especially if you have the flexibility to bite on some of their promo awards.
Jul 15, 2021, 8:12 pm
#184
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,639
1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access, etc.
>>> Reply: Lounge access, priority services, various fee waivers, baggage allowance, ease of maintaining status, an occasional upgrade would be nice.
2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
less than 25000 miles, 50000+ miles and 20-25 flights, etc.
>>> Reply: Probably around the 25k miles mark but varies. Work travel is uncertain.
3. What fare class do you usually buy?
first, business, premium economy, economy
>>> Reply: Economy (domestic mostly), Premium Economy (TPAC/TATL), occasionally Business (if the numbers make sense)
4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
>>> Reply: Yes. Work and pleasure.
5. Which routes do you fly most often?
transatlantic, domestic USA, intra-Asia, etc.
>>> Reply: Domestic US, Europe, Asia
6. What is your home airport?
>>> Reply: DFW/DAL
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
>>> Reply: Yes. *G with Asiana (Diamond)
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
>>> Reply: Delta, Air France, Singapore Airlines (Yes, I know they're *A)
Other things to consider here:
upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access, etc.
>>> Reply: Lounge access, priority services, various fee waivers, baggage allowance, ease of maintaining status, an occasional upgrade would be nice.
2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
less than 25000 miles, 50000+ miles and 20-25 flights, etc.
>>> Reply: Probably around the 25k miles mark but varies. Work travel is uncertain.
3. What fare class do you usually buy?
first, business, premium economy, economy
>>> Reply: Economy (domestic mostly), Premium Economy (TPAC/TATL), occasionally Business (if the numbers make sense)
4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
>>> Reply: Yes. Work and pleasure.
5. Which routes do you fly most often?
transatlantic, domestic USA, intra-Asia, etc.
>>> Reply: Domestic US, Europe, Asia
6. What is your home airport?
>>> Reply: DFW/DAL
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
>>> Reply: Yes. *G with Asiana (Diamond)
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
>>> Reply: Delta, Air France, Singapore Airlines (Yes, I know they're *A)
Other things to consider here:
- I can get into Delta lounges when I have a DL boarding pass with my Amex Platinum card (Amex's website says "marketed or operated by Delta" so I assume this includes codeshares).
- I'm basically seeking refuge from KE's atrocious (for status) program since Asiana is merging with Korean. Skypass requires 30k miles on KE metal which, given that I live in the States and am more likely to travel to Europe than Asia, there's no way I can meet.
- Look like I can match my Asiana Diamond status to Delta Gold with a challenge, I suppose the important factor is ease of maintaining it afterwards. Based on my travel patterns Silver should be fairly easily doable. I'm between doing the DL challenge and doing the AA pay to play challenge or starting from scratch somewhere else altogether. Planning a trip to Europe this winter which should be enough to meet the requirements for either challenge. I work from home so my leisure travel will be mostly off peak.
- Given that my home base is DFW/DAL, AA and WN are the dominant carriers here. DL would mean a connection if I'm not going to LAX, SEA, SLC, MSP, DTW, ATL or NYC. Fares tend to be all over the map, sometimes double what AA/WN charge, sometimes very competitive (NYC and LA seem to be very competitive).
- Looks like partner EQD earnings are more generous with Delta than they are with American, at least in PE/Biz. With AA, I can book JAL-operated flights in Y with AA and earn 1EQM per mile flown for most fares which is nice I suppose. What are the rules for Skyteam as far as codeshares? Operating or marketing (DL's website doesn't say)?
- My projected travel is 1-2 longhauls a year plus a few trips from TX to the West Coast plus work travel, and an opportunistic trip if I see e.g. $120 fares to NYC.
- I'll most likely be flying with my cat when I fly to the West Coast.
Last edited by stupidhead; Jul 15, 2021 at 8:28 pm
Jul 27, 2021, 4:13 am
#185
Join Date: May 2015
Location: RBA / TBS
Programs: AF Gold / Accor Gold / Hilton Diamond / TP Silver / A3 Gold
Posts: 2,749
1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access, etc.
>>> Reply: Lounge access, priority services, various fee waivers, baggage allowance, ease of maintaining status, an occasional upgrade would be nice.
2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
less than 25000 miles, 50000+ miles and 20-25 flights, etc.
>>> Reply: Probably around the 25k miles mark but varies. Work travel is uncertain.
3. What fare class do you usually buy?
first, business, premium economy, economy
>>> Reply: Economy (domestic mostly), Premium Economy (TPAC/TATL), occasionally Business (if the numbers make sense)
4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
>>> Reply: Yes. Work and pleasure.
5. Which routes do you fly most often?
transatlantic, domestic USA, intra-Asia, etc.
>>> Reply: Domestic US, Europe, Asia
6. What is your home airport?
>>> Reply: DFW/DAL
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
>>> Reply: Yes. *G with Asiana (Diamond)
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
>>> Reply: Delta, Air France, Singapore Airlines (Yes, I know they're *A)
upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access, etc.
>>> Reply: Lounge access, priority services, various fee waivers, baggage allowance, ease of maintaining status, an occasional upgrade would be nice.
2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
less than 25000 miles, 50000+ miles and 20-25 flights, etc.
>>> Reply: Probably around the 25k miles mark but varies. Work travel is uncertain.
3. What fare class do you usually buy?
first, business, premium economy, economy
>>> Reply: Economy (domestic mostly), Premium Economy (TPAC/TATL), occasionally Business (if the numbers make sense)
4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
>>> Reply: Yes. Work and pleasure.
5. Which routes do you fly most often?
transatlantic, domestic USA, intra-Asia, etc.
>>> Reply: Domestic US, Europe, Asia
6. What is your home airport?
>>> Reply: DFW/DAL
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
>>> Reply: Yes. *G with Asiana (Diamond)
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
>>> Reply: Delta, Air France, Singapore Airlines (Yes, I know they're *A)
DL skymiles is good if you can match mqm and mqd , but they are pretty high , on the other hand you can "enjoy all benefits" DL prepared for their members , get the skymiles credit card to get more miles and even transfer amex MR to your DL SM account
You already have access to DL lounges thanks to amex , and i guess you probably also have prioritypass , then you could go with suma if you fly mostly domestic DL flights in economy .
How many segments these 25k miles per year represents ??? if you are over 14 or 26 segments/sectors and you can do these with any skyteam airline then you have your status
Jul 28, 2021, 11:43 am
#186
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,639
Based on data you provided , i would recommend either DL skymiles or UX suma
DL skymiles is good if you can match mqm and mqd , but they are pretty high , on the other hand you can "enjoy all benefits" DL prepared for their members , get the skymiles credit card to get more miles and even transfer amex MR to your DL SM account
You already have access to DL lounges thanks to amex , and i guess you probably also have prioritypass , then you could go with suma if you fly mostly domestic DL flights in economy .
How many segments these 25k miles per year represents ??? if you are over 14 or 26 segments/sectors and you can do these with any skyteam airline then you have your status
DL skymiles is good if you can match mqm and mqd , but they are pretty high , on the other hand you can "enjoy all benefits" DL prepared for their members , get the skymiles credit card to get more miles and even transfer amex MR to your DL SM account
You already have access to DL lounges thanks to amex , and i guess you probably also have prioritypass , then you could go with suma if you fly mostly domestic DL flights in economy .
How many segments these 25k miles per year represents ??? if you are over 14 or 26 segments/sectors and you can do these with any skyteam airline then you have your status
The 25k miles/year would be split between 2-5 domestic trips (2-4 segments each round trip) and 1-2 TATL/TPAC trips per year (4-6 segments each round trip I assume). I have no idea what work travel will look like at the moment but it'll all be domestic. I'll take a look at UX.
Mar 18, 2022, 1:17 pm
#188
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Canada
Programs: UA, AC, Delta Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 94
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: Lounge access, possibility of upgrade
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Reply: Haven't done much in the past 2 years but planning 2-4 trips, 30k-50k miles / year
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Reply: Economy but business if it makes sense.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Yes. Mostly pleasure. Can travel at a short notice as work is flexible
(5) Which routes do you fly most often
Reply: Canada to Asia, Canada to US
(6) What is your home airport?
Reply: YEG but can fly from YYC/YVR easily
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
Reply: No (previously AC 35k but that was *A!). Approx 50k in Delta
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: DL, KL, AF
Currently booked a business class fare (Combination of Westjet/AF/KL - Z, C and I on different segments) YEG-YVR-PAR-ZNZ and DAR-NBO-AMS-YEG. Planning to credit to DL but not sure if I should credit to Flying blue? AF reservation page says I could earn 171 XP for the trip which would make me silver right away. And another similar trip gets me to Gold! Am I missing anything?
Thanks
Reply: Lounge access, possibility of upgrade
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Reply: Haven't done much in the past 2 years but planning 2-4 trips, 30k-50k miles / year
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Reply: Economy but business if it makes sense.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Yes. Mostly pleasure. Can travel at a short notice as work is flexible
(5) Which routes do you fly most often
Reply: Canada to Asia, Canada to US
(6) What is your home airport?
Reply: YEG but can fly from YYC/YVR easily
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
Reply: No (previously AC 35k but that was *A!). Approx 50k in Delta
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: DL, KL, AF
Currently booked a business class fare (Combination of Westjet/AF/KL - Z, C and I on different segments) YEG-YVR-PAR-ZNZ and DAR-NBO-AMS-YEG. Planning to credit to DL but not sure if I should credit to Flying blue? AF reservation page says I could earn 171 XP for the trip which would make me silver right away. And another similar trip gets me to Gold! Am I missing anything?
Thanks
Last edited by curlingfan; Mar 19, 2022 at 11:21 am Reason: Added extra info and clarification
Mar 28, 2022, 8:29 pm
#189
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Atlanta Metro
Programs: DL , AC, BA, Hhonors Diamond, IH Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,354
II've been DL Gold Medallion the past 4 years, kind of by accident. I discovered that getting cheap J fares through Expedia packages could lead to ridiculous mileage earning way out of proportion to my spend (the "exception fares" rules). Since travel has been much reduced since Covid, I know I won't have any more status once they end rollovers. The benefits I've most enjoyed as a Gold have been the lounge access on transatlantic flights in Y, access to exit row seats, and the same-day change policy, but none of those are super-important. (I've had only one upgrade in 4 years, so that benefit doesn't matter.) I have Amex Platinum, which gets me Skyclub access when on DL (but evidently not partners? must be an 006 ticket) and Priority Pass, so lounges are less of an issue. I am willing to pay a few $$$ extra for the DL fare when it means lounge access via my Amex.
When my status runs out, I'm thinking I'll just start going for the lowest fares on whatever airline (not Southwest). However, I'm sure I'll still be doing a lot of DL travel, and I'm wondering what the best program would be for those flights going forward, given the info below?
1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
good mileage EARNING rates, good award redemption rates, better award access,
2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
Post-covid--probably 1 or 2 transatlantics a year and 5-10 domestic flights.
3. What fare class do you usually buy?
Usually economy, but am always alert for a J bargain and will snatch those up when available
4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Mostly pleasure, so I can choose
5. Which routes do you fly most often?
Mostly domestic, as per the answer to 2 above. ATL-Texas, NYC, and California mostly, plus various European destinations
6. What is your home airport?
ATL
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
Currently DL Gold, not likely to continue after Covid status rollovers end. I have about 70K miles banked at the moment. I also have about 120K Amex points, and after I get my next bonus, close to 200K UR points.
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
DL and other Skyteam. I'm mostly interested here in the best Skyteam program option for someone with my travel patterns and priorites (see #1). For example, going forward, I'm planning to abandon AAdvantage and just earn Avios on my domestic AA flights. Domestic redemptions are much better with them.
When my status runs out, I'm thinking I'll just start going for the lowest fares on whatever airline (not Southwest). However, I'm sure I'll still be doing a lot of DL travel, and I'm wondering what the best program would be for those flights going forward, given the info below?
1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
good mileage EARNING rates, good award redemption rates, better award access,
2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
Post-covid--probably 1 or 2 transatlantics a year and 5-10 domestic flights.
3. What fare class do you usually buy?
Usually economy, but am always alert for a J bargain and will snatch those up when available
4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Mostly pleasure, so I can choose
5. Which routes do you fly most often?
Mostly domestic, as per the answer to 2 above. ATL-Texas, NYC, and California mostly, plus various European destinations
6. What is your home airport?
ATL
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
Currently DL Gold, not likely to continue after Covid status rollovers end. I have about 70K miles banked at the moment. I also have about 120K Amex points, and after I get my next bonus, close to 200K UR points.
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
DL and other Skyteam. I'm mostly interested here in the best Skyteam program option for someone with my travel patterns and priorites (see #1). For example, going forward, I'm planning to abandon AAdvantage and just earn Avios on my domestic AA flights. Domestic redemptions are much better with them.
Jul 11, 2022, 1:47 am
#190
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,768
I’m curious what advice the community here would give to me on which FFP to credit all this stuff to. I’ve flown SkyTeam regularly over the years since I became a frequent flyer, but never enough to get status (I think I did 24 MQS on DL one year). Due to the big SkyTeam TATL sale a few months back, I find myself with a large number of trips booked on SkyTeam (mostly KL metal, but ticketed pretty evenly by KL and DL).
My base case is that I’ll do a DL status match challenge shortly before Trip 1, as Trips 1, 2, and all or at least the first half of 3 should be within the 3-month period. I know SkyPesos don’t have great value, but I’ve always felt it was generally best to get status with the airline(s) you actually fly with, and they’re usually the SkyTeam carrier I fly with most.
But that may well be a terrible answer, which is why I’ve come to this thread.
I’ve answered the questionnaire below and also laid out all the SkyTeam flights I have booked for the remainder of this year (plus a stub in early 2023 on the last trip).
Any insight is appreciated!
Questionnaire
SkyTeam trips booked in 2022
Couple of other minor notes:
My base case is that I’ll do a DL status match challenge shortly before Trip 1, as Trips 1, 2, and all or at least the first half of 3 should be within the 3-month period. I know SkyPesos don’t have great value, but I’ve always felt it was generally best to get status with the airline(s) you actually fly with, and they’re usually the SkyTeam carrier I fly with most.
But that may well be a terrible answer, which is why I’ve come to this thread.
I’ve answered the questionnaire below and also laid out all the SkyTeam flights I have booked for the remainder of this year (plus a stub in early 2023 on the last trip).
Any insight is appreciated!
Questionnaire
Spoiler
SkyTeam trips booked in 2022
Spoiler
Couple of other minor notes:
- For what it’s worth, I have a measly 2,500 MQMs that were rolled over from 2021, and a negligible amount of SkyMiles in my account
- I may have a few more small trips – Canada-US, or intra-Europe short hops – to book the rest of this year, but the above trips are probably the extent of the long-haul travel I would do with SkyTeam this year
- Please note my home airport of YYC – as a non-US resident, I don’t care at all about MQDs
- I’m also trying to figure out what to do with my wife. She will be with me on all of these except Trip 4. She has no MQMs at the moment, and maybe like 30K SkyMiles, so nothing significant
Jul 13, 2022, 7:13 am
#191
Join Date: May 2015
Location: RBA / TBS
Programs: AF Gold / Accor Gold / Hilton Diamond / TP Silver / A3 Gold
Posts: 2,749
I’m curious what advice the community here would give to me on which FFP to credit all this stuff to. I’ve flown SkyTeam regularly over the years since I became a frequent flyer, but never enough to get status (I think I did 24 MQS on DL one year). Due to the big SkyTeam TATL sale a few months back, I find myself with a large number of trips booked on SkyTeam (mostly KL metal, but ticketed pretty evenly by KL and DL).
My base case is that I’ll do a DL status match challenge shortly before Trip 1, as Trips 1, 2, and all or at least the first half of 3 should be within the 3-month period. I know SkyPesos don’t have great value, but I’ve always felt it was generally best to get status with the airline(s) you actually fly with, and they’re usually the SkyTeam carrier I fly with most.
But that may well be a terrible answer, which is why I’ve come to this thread.
I’ve answered the questionnaire below and also laid out all the SkyTeam flights I have booked for the remainder of this year (plus a stub in early 2023 on the last trip).
Any insight is appreciated!
Questionnaire
SkyTeam trips booked in 2022
Couple of other minor notes:
My base case is that I’ll do a DL status match challenge shortly before Trip 1, as Trips 1, 2, and all or at least the first half of 3 should be within the 3-month period. I know SkyPesos don’t have great value, but I’ve always felt it was generally best to get status with the airline(s) you actually fly with, and they’re usually the SkyTeam carrier I fly with most.
But that may well be a terrible answer, which is why I’ve come to this thread.
I’ve answered the questionnaire below and also laid out all the SkyTeam flights I have booked for the remainder of this year (plus a stub in early 2023 on the last trip).
Any insight is appreciated!
Questionnaire
Spoiler
SkyTeam trips booked in 2022
Spoiler
Couple of other minor notes:
- For what it’s worth, I have a measly 2,500 MQMs that were rolled over from 2021, and a negligible amount of SkyMiles in my account
- I may have a few more small trips – Canada-US, or intra-Europe short hops – to book the rest of this year, but the above trips are probably the extent of the long-haul travel I would do with SkyTeam this year
- Please note my home airport of YYC – as a non-US resident, I don’t care at all about MQDs
- I’m also trying to figure out what to do with my wife. She will be with me on all of these except Trip 4. She has no MQMs at the moment, and maybe like 30K SkyMiles, so nothing significant
If you fly J most of the time then a FFP status wont bring much
Sep 1, 2022, 3:00 am
#192
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Washington DC
Programs: UA Premier 1K, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 43
Recently started flying Skyteam due to government carrier rules. I have not flown any Sky Team airline in over a decade. Please help me decide if I should do Delta Skymiles or Flying Blue.
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: Lounge access, possibility of upgrade
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Reply: 30k-50k miles a year, approximately 12 flights
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Reply: Full-fare economy for work (government travel), varies for pleasure but mostly economy.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Sometimes. Work travel is mostly restricted to contract carriers, but I have had good luck with cost construct fares and flying preferred airlines.
(5) Which routes do you fly most often
Reply: domestic US, some Europe, mostly East Africa.
(6) What is your home airport?
Reply: IAD/DCA
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
Reply: Yes. Premier 1K on United for the past 9 years. Not many miles banked because I am pretty good at using the accrued miles.
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: United, Turkish, Austrian, maybe KLM.
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: Lounge access, possibility of upgrade
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Reply: 30k-50k miles a year, approximately 12 flights
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Reply: Full-fare economy for work (government travel), varies for pleasure but mostly economy.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Sometimes. Work travel is mostly restricted to contract carriers, but I have had good luck with cost construct fares and flying preferred airlines.
(5) Which routes do you fly most often
Reply: domestic US, some Europe, mostly East Africa.
(6) What is your home airport?
Reply: IAD/DCA
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
Reply: Yes. Premier 1K on United for the past 9 years. Not many miles banked because I am pretty good at using the accrued miles.
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: United, Turkish, Austrian, maybe KLM.
Sep 1, 2022, 8:19 am
#193
Join Date: May 2015
Location: RBA / TBS
Programs: AF Gold / Accor Gold / Hilton Diamond / TP Silver / A3 Gold
Posts: 2,749
Recently started flying Skyteam due to government carrier rules. I have not flown any Sky Team airline in over a decade. Please help me decide if I should do Delta Skymiles or Flying Blue.
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: Lounge access, possibility of upgrade
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Reply: 30k-50k miles a year, approximately 12 flights
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Reply: Full-fare economy for work (government travel), varies for pleasure but mostly economy.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Sometimes. Work travel is mostly restricted to contract carriers, but I have had good luck with cost construct fares and flying preferred airlines.
(5) Which routes do you fly most often
Reply: domestic US, some Europe, mostly East Africa.
(6) What is your home airport?
Reply: IAD/DCA
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
Reply: Yes. Premier 1K on United for the past 9 years. Not many miles banked because I am pretty good at using the accrued miles.
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: United, Turkish, Austrian, maybe KLM.
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: Lounge access, possibility of upgrade
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Reply: 30k-50k miles a year, approximately 12 flights
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Reply: Full-fare economy for work (government travel), varies for pleasure but mostly economy.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Sometimes. Work travel is mostly restricted to contract carriers, but I have had good luck with cost construct fares and flying preferred airlines.
(5) Which routes do you fly most often
Reply: domestic US, some Europe, mostly East Africa.
(6) What is your home airport?
Reply: IAD/DCA
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
Reply: Yes. Premier 1K on United for the past 9 years. Not many miles banked because I am pretty good at using the accrued miles.
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: United, Turkish, Austrian, maybe KLM.
- what are the contract carriers ? i guess it will be delta , but then what ?? AM or KL maybe ??
- whats the ratio between domestic and international flights ?
- where in east africa ?
- are these gov fares excluded by DL ?
- do you have priority pass + amex ? cause if you have status with other skyteam airline you wont have access to lounge while flying domestic
Sep 2, 2022, 12:19 pm
#194
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,407
Recently started flying Skyteam due to government carrier rules. I have not flown any Sky Team airline in over a decade. Please help me decide if I should do Delta Skymiles or Flying Blue.
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: Lounge access, possibility of upgrade
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Reply: 30k-50k miles a year, approximately 12 flights
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Reply: Full-fare economy for work (government travel), varies for pleasure but mostly economy.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Sometimes. Work travel is mostly restricted to contract carriers, but I have had good luck with cost construct fares and flying preferred airlines.
(5) Which routes do you fly most often
Reply: domestic US, some Europe, mostly East Africa.
(6) What is your home airport?
Reply: IAD/DCA
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
Reply: Yes. Premier 1K on United for the past 9 years. Not many miles banked because I am pretty good at using the accrued miles.
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: United, Turkish, Austrian, maybe KLM.
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: Lounge access, possibility of upgrade
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Reply: 30k-50k miles a year, approximately 12 flights
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Reply: Full-fare economy for work (government travel), varies for pleasure but mostly economy.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Sometimes. Work travel is mostly restricted to contract carriers, but I have had good luck with cost construct fares and flying preferred airlines.
(5) Which routes do you fly most often
Reply: domestic US, some Europe, mostly East Africa.
(6) What is your home airport?
Reply: IAD/DCA
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
Reply: Yes. Premier 1K on United for the past 9 years. Not many miles banked because I am pretty good at using the accrued miles.
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: United, Turkish, Austrian, maybe KLM.
(1) For free elite upgrades on domestic DL flights, all DL elites are prioritized above all FB (AF/KLM) and other eligible partner elites. However, depending on routes and day of week/time of day, I wouldn't expect a Gold (50,000 status miles level) to get many upgrades to domestic FC. C+ (extra legroom seats at the front of coach with free drinks) are more likely, especially if you're willing to accept a middle seat and the ticket isn't issued at the very last minute.
To attempt to answer some of the questions asked above, yes, DL government fares earn full FF credit and are eligible for elite benefits.
For foreign trips, DL marketed flights would be allowed, so the the government traveler is allowed to fly on KLM, AM, AF, KE etc. operated flights provided that a DL flight number (codeshare) is used.
Sep 25, 2022, 5:17 pm
#195
Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 4
1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access, etc.
>>> Reply:No matter the program I will end up at the highest tier so difficulty to reach the highest tier isn't a concern. It'd be fair to just compare highest reward tiers.
In general the most important things for me will be comfort in airports and flight e.g. extra legroom, upgrades, lounge access, priority bag collection and security
Benefits that decrease my expenditures while abroad will be immensely useful for helping with my savings. (I'm a contractor so free food and drinks will be useful as I cant expense them to a company, the only thing that gets payed for is hotel and travel).
I also really put value in earning miles and membership benefits that extend beyond my job. (e.g. British Airways EC gives me the ability to get lifetime gold membership; some airlines have more frequent and valuable miles and some have longer times till expiry) long lasting miles would be ideal as it would pay for my holidays up until they expire. I may not have this job in two years time so if I can get more out of it I will.
Partnerships with hotels will also help as I need to sign up to many hotel loyalty programs too.
2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
less than 25000 miles, 50000+ miles and 20-25 flights, etc.
>>> Reply:~200 flights yearly
3. What fare class do you usually buy?
first, business, premium economy, economy
>>> Reply:Economy
4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
>>> Reply: No choice, ability to upgrade on own dime. Travel is for work.
5. Which routes do you fly most often?
transatlantic, domestic USA, intra-Asia, etc.
>>> Reply: Europe 50% of the time rest of the world the rest.
6. What is your home airport?
>>> Reply: ased in Europe, Not a specific country
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
>>> Reply: No, I've not flown for years.
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
>>> Reply: no preference
Thanks for reading, as I'm new to the frequent flyer world any information and tips would be greatly appreciated!
upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access, etc.
>>> Reply:No matter the program I will end up at the highest tier so difficulty to reach the highest tier isn't a concern. It'd be fair to just compare highest reward tiers.
In general the most important things for me will be comfort in airports and flight e.g. extra legroom, upgrades, lounge access, priority bag collection and security
Benefits that decrease my expenditures while abroad will be immensely useful for helping with my savings. (I'm a contractor so free food and drinks will be useful as I cant expense them to a company, the only thing that gets payed for is hotel and travel).
I also really put value in earning miles and membership benefits that extend beyond my job. (e.g. British Airways EC gives me the ability to get lifetime gold membership; some airlines have more frequent and valuable miles and some have longer times till expiry) long lasting miles would be ideal as it would pay for my holidays up until they expire. I may not have this job in two years time so if I can get more out of it I will.
Partnerships with hotels will also help as I need to sign up to many hotel loyalty programs too.
2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
less than 25000 miles, 50000+ miles and 20-25 flights, etc.
>>> Reply:~200 flights yearly
3. What fare class do you usually buy?
first, business, premium economy, economy
>>> Reply:Economy
4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
>>> Reply: No choice, ability to upgrade on own dime. Travel is for work.
5. Which routes do you fly most often?
transatlantic, domestic USA, intra-Asia, etc.
>>> Reply: Europe 50% of the time rest of the world the rest.
6. What is your home airport?
>>> Reply: ased in Europe, Not a specific country
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
>>> Reply: No, I've not flown for years.
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
>>> Reply: no preference
Thanks for reading, as I'm new to the frequent flyer world any information and tips would be greatly appreciated!