Jan 20, 2016, 10:53 pm
Last edit by: jtet
A number of threads have been started with members asking for guidance on which mileage programme they should join. In order to help users I have started this thread to allow people to post their requests for information here and to allow people to offer assistance.
For members asking for information please help people to assist you, can you provide:
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Silver, M&M Senator etc)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
(7) Preferred Airlines
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
GENERAL INFORMATION:
If you fly less than 50k miles per year: it is almost guaranteed that your choice will be between Aegean Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Asiana Airlines. Please look up these airlines' frequent flier programs, and make a decision as to which best suits your needs.
Some considerations to take into account:
Airlines tend to treat members of their own frequent flier program better than members of other frequent flier programs. If you fly one of these airlines, it is recommended that you choose that airline.
Some airlines have better earning/redemption charts for your pattern. For example, if you fly on cheap fares on a certain airline often, Turkish might give you miles for it, while Aegean might not. However, Turkish Airlines might charge much more for the redemption that you want to make than Aegean.
Asiana Airlines offers lifetime Star Alliance Gold for 500k miles over life. The other 2 airlines do not offer this benefit.
Asiana Airlines has a credit card in the USA and some other countries. If you are interested in credit cards, check to make sure that the program that you join has a credit card in your country.
If you still aren't sure which frequent flyer program is for you after looking these up, feel free to ask on this thread.
For members asking for information please help people to assist you, can you provide:
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Silver, M&M Senator etc)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
(7) Preferred Airlines
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
GENERAL INFORMATION:
If you fly less than 50k miles per year: it is almost guaranteed that your choice will be between Aegean Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Asiana Airlines. Please look up these airlines' frequent flier programs, and make a decision as to which best suits your needs.
Some considerations to take into account:
Airlines tend to treat members of their own frequent flier program better than members of other frequent flier programs. If you fly one of these airlines, it is recommended that you choose that airline.
Some airlines have better earning/redemption charts for your pattern. For example, if you fly on cheap fares on a certain airline often, Turkish might give you miles for it, while Aegean might not. However, Turkish Airlines might charge much more for the redemption that you want to make than Aegean.
Asiana Airlines offers lifetime Star Alliance Gold for 500k miles over life. The other 2 airlines do not offer this benefit.
Asiana Airlines has a credit card in the USA and some other countries. If you are interested in credit cards, check to make sure that the program that you join has a credit card in your country.
If you still aren't sure which frequent flyer program is for you after looking these up, feel free to ask on this thread.
Need advice on which *A FF scheme to join? - please post here
May 13, 2016 | 5:59 am
#1711
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Bregenz, Austria
Programs: AA, BAEC, Alaska, Flying Blue, United, IHG, Hilton
Posts: 2,950
(1) What is your home airport?
ZRH/MUC
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
As cheap as possible. Always economy, often mistake fares.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
Average 30k - likely to increase due to recent semi-retirement.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
None.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Low/no surcharges on award tickets.
Long/no expiry period.
Cheap Y-class redemptions.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often
Anything and everything. Average 4 long-haul sectors a year.
(7) Preferred Airlines
Doesn't matter.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
Purely pleasure and all self-paid.
So, I am looking for a *A programme with long expiry periods (which can be extended with activity), low/no YQ on awards, and reasonable redemption rates.
I am not interested in status, or premium class travel.
I currently have an SK Eurobonus account, with a negligable balance, and a Miles & More account, that I stopped using years ago.
ZRH/MUC
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
As cheap as possible. Always economy, often mistake fares.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
Average 30k - likely to increase due to recent semi-retirement.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
None.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Low/no surcharges on award tickets.
Long/no expiry period.
Cheap Y-class redemptions.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often
Anything and everything. Average 4 long-haul sectors a year.
(7) Preferred Airlines
Doesn't matter.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
Purely pleasure and all self-paid.
So, I am looking for a *A programme with long expiry periods (which can be extended with activity), low/no YQ on awards, and reasonable redemption rates.
I am not interested in status, or premium class travel.
I currently have an SK Eurobonus account, with a negligable balance, and a Miles & More account, that I stopped using years ago.
May 13, 2016 | 1:33 pm
#1712
Join Date: May 1999
Location: New York,NY USA
Posts: 1,524
Which *A to use.
(1) What is your home airport? JFK
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Either F whenever available or C. I DO NOT TRAVEL IN THE U.S.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? Over 200,000 seat miles.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? BA Premier, AF Platinum
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Award redemption
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Trans Atlantic- only BA- Intra Europe- Europe to Asia- Intra Asia
(7) Preferred Airlines BA, SQ, CX
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Work and I choose.
My problem is this. I use my UA number but I don't fly any segments on UA so I don't get status. I fly within Europe, Swiss, LH, OS and Asia, SQ, TG and CX. The question is which FF number should I use on *A?
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Either F whenever available or C. I DO NOT TRAVEL IN THE U.S.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? Over 200,000 seat miles.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? BA Premier, AF Platinum
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Award redemption
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Trans Atlantic- only BA- Intra Europe- Europe to Asia- Intra Asia
(7) Preferred Airlines BA, SQ, CX
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Work and I choose.
My problem is this. I use my UA number but I don't fly any segments on UA so I don't get status. I fly within Europe, Swiss, LH, OS and Asia, SQ, TG and CX. The question is which FF number should I use on *A?
May 14, 2016 | 3:09 am
#1713
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: AMS/RTM
Posts: 2,848
So, I am looking for a *A programme with long expiry periods (which can be extended with activity), low/no YQ on awards, and reasonable redemption rates.
I am not interested in status, or premium class travel.
I currently have an SK Eurobonus account, with a negligable balance, and a Miles & More account, that I stopped using years ago.
I am not interested in status, or premium class travel.
I currently have an SK Eurobonus account, with a negligable balance, and a Miles & More account, that I stopped using years ago.
The problem with taxes is that you really need to fly UA, which might not be great most of the time.
May 14, 2016 | 3:10 am
#1714
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: AMS/RTM
Posts: 2,848
In order to redeem SQ F you have to use Krisflyer, so I would look there. SQ miles do expire, so factor that in your decision.
May 14, 2016 | 5:22 am
#1715
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Bregenz, Austria
Programs: AA, BAEC, Alaska, Flying Blue, United, IHG, Hilton
Posts: 2,950
UA gives you 18 months between activity to keep your miles alive, and you get low or zero YQ on UA metal (and AC IIRC). Both SK and LH are a no go, and since you want to redeem economy you really need no taxes.
The problem with taxes is that you really need to fly UA, which might not be great most of the time.
The problem with taxes is that you really need to fly UA, which might not be great most of the time.
I am Europe-based, but end up in the States every year or two, so the odd free sector on UA will be fine.
May 16, 2016 | 4:35 am
#1716
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 4
(1) What is your home airport? AKL
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Ecconomy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? No.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? New Zealand domestic, From New Zealand to Asia and Europe
(7) Preferred Airlines? No preference.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure internationally, work within New Zealand.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Ecconomy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? No.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? New Zealand domestic, From New Zealand to Asia and Europe
(7) Preferred Airlines? No preference.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure internationally, work within New Zealand.
May 16, 2016 | 4:50 am
#1717
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,933
aklj Welcome to FT
Some fares only earn on Air NZ ffp. Many to most low cost Air NZ fares earn nil or very little on most/all other Star ffp's Some credit to the Virgin Australia ffp
The Air NZ is one of the poorest ffp's in existence, but if fly Air NZ you have no other effective choice.
Lounge access only come with status (or pay $$), and you will not get that unless you fly Air NZ a lot and on long haul more expensive fares.
New Zealand is not a good country for frequent flyers: the poor AirNZ ffp and few other airlines.
(1) What is your home airport? AKL
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? No.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? New Zealand domestic, From New Zealand to Asia and Europe
(7) Preferred Airlines? No preference.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure internationally, work within New Zealand.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? No.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? New Zealand domestic, From New Zealand to Asia and Europe
(7) Preferred Airlines? No preference.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure internationally, work within New Zealand.
The Air NZ is one of the poorest ffp's in existence, but if fly Air NZ you have no other effective choice.
Lounge access only come with status (or pay $$), and you will not get that unless you fly Air NZ a lot and on long haul more expensive fares.
New Zealand is not a good country for frequent flyers: the poor AirNZ ffp and few other airlines.
May 16, 2016 | 4:57 am
#1718
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 4
aklj Welcome to FT
Some fares only earn on Air NZ ffp. Many to most low cost Air NZ fares earn nil or very little on most/all other Star ffp's Some credit to the Virgin Australia ffp
The Air NZ is one of the poorest ffp's in existence, but if fly Air NZ you have no other effective choice.
Lounge access only come with status (or pay $$), and you will not get that unless you fly Air NZ a lot and on long haul more expensive fares.
Some fares only earn on Air NZ ffp. Many to most low cost Air NZ fares earn nil or very little on most/all other Star ffp's Some credit to the Virgin Australia ffp
The Air NZ is one of the poorest ffp's in existence, but if fly Air NZ you have no other effective choice.
Lounge access only come with status (or pay $$), and you will not get that unless you fly Air NZ a lot and on long haul more expensive fares.
May 16, 2016 | 11:51 am
#1719
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Bregenz, Austria
Programs: AA, BAEC, Alaska, Flying Blue, United, IHG, Hilton
Posts: 2,950
What about Aegean, if you're after status? Mwenenzi, any thoughts? Would Aegean suit me too? What are their fees and taxes like on redemptions?
May 16, 2016 | 1:31 pm
#1720
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: AMS/RTM
Posts: 2,848
Flying to Europe twice in a year will bank you about 48k miles butt-in-seat. This would be enough to reach *G on OZ, ONLY if you book your tickets in a booking class that will earn full miles. Do check that BEFORE you buy your tickets, feel free to post here if you need help.
May 19, 2016 | 2:50 pm
#1721
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: BOS
Programs: BA GLD for LIfe, AA PLT 2 MM miler, B6 Mosaic, Star GLD; HH Diamond; Marriott PLT
Posts: 1,383
I got a FF number for Turkish last month and have used it for several segments on AC. Will use on UA this upcoming. On the AC boarding pass, for status says TK*. Does this mean other than that I am using at TK FF number?
May 20, 2016 | 3:29 am
#1722
Join Date: May 2012
Location: GVA
Posts: 189
Yes, this means you're using a TK FF number. If you have any alliance status on that account, it should say TK*S or TK*G.
May 22, 2016 | 6:41 am
#1723
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: Qantas
Posts: 1
What Star Airline to join
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.) SYD
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.) Y - discount economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k) 20,000 miles or 32,000km
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc) No
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.) Free lounge
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc) - Europe
(7) Preferred Airlines - don't have one
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?) pleasure
Currently booked with Austrian Airlines ( K class), Swiss (S class) and one Qantas sector ( Q class) to Split from Sydney return. There are 5 of us family members travelling. Can we pull status as one? What airline program should we join to get the most benefit? Currently have priority pass lounge access for two but would prefer better lounges if possible.
Already a member of QF program but have no status just lots of points.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.) Y - discount economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k) 20,000 miles or 32,000km
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc) No
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.) Free lounge
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc) - Europe
(7) Preferred Airlines - don't have one
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?) pleasure
Currently booked with Austrian Airlines ( K class), Swiss (S class) and one Qantas sector ( Q class) to Split from Sydney return. There are 5 of us family members travelling. Can we pull status as one? What airline program should we join to get the most benefit? Currently have priority pass lounge access for two but would prefer better lounges if possible.
Already a member of QF program but have no status just lots of points.
May 22, 2016 | 10:23 am
#1724
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: BA,AA,KE
Posts: 3
Moving from OneWorld(BA)
Hi,
I have BA Silver (ie OneWorld Sapphire). However Star Alliance flies more from where I am (TLV), mostly Turkish and Lufthansa. I heard that some airlines match FF status from other airlines, would it be possible to match my BA status in Turkish or LH, and how is it done? Also, what would be the best program?
(1) What is your home airport? TLV
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 20-30k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? BA Silver (OneWorld Sapphire)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Nothing specific. LH & TK have lots of connections from TLV.
(7) Preferred Airlines? No preference.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
I have BA Silver (ie OneWorld Sapphire). However Star Alliance flies more from where I am (TLV), mostly Turkish and Lufthansa. I heard that some airlines match FF status from other airlines, would it be possible to match my BA status in Turkish or LH, and how is it done? Also, what would be the best program?
(1) What is your home airport? TLV
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 20-30k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? BA Silver (OneWorld Sapphire)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Nothing specific. LH & TK have lots of connections from TLV.
(7) Preferred Airlines? No preference.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
May 22, 2016 | 10:40 am
#1725
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: AMS/RTM
Posts: 2,848
Can we pull status as one?
What airline program should we join to get the most benefit?