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
Apr 26, 2011 | 4:01 am
#196
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2
Welcome to FT Learnerflyer!
With only 25K miles per year, the only program that can get you lounge privileges is A3 (Aegean). At 20K miles, you get Star Gold, which ensures lounge access through the system.
however, we are discovering that A3 is not a great program to actually redeem rewards, etc.
If you can make 40K miles within 2 years, Asiana (OZ) is a great choice for you! It ensures Star Gold,..lounge access through the system.
here are the benefits of the OZ program:
http://us.flyasiana.com/Global/pop/n...a_rules_en.pdf
With only 25K miles per year, the only program that can get you lounge privileges is A3 (Aegean). At 20K miles, you get Star Gold, which ensures lounge access through the system.
however, we are discovering that A3 is not a great program to actually redeem rewards, etc.
If you can make 40K miles within 2 years, Asiana (OZ) is a great choice for you! It ensures Star Gold,..lounge access through the system.
here are the benefits of the OZ program:
http://us.flyasiana.com/Global/pop/n...a_rules_en.pdf
Apr 27, 2011 | 7:51 am
#197
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
(1) What is your home airport? NRT or HND in Japan (PHX in the US)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? mostly economy with some business
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? >50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? US Air Silver
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? upgrades, lounges, and reward travel
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? HND to PHX
(7) Preferred Airlines - ANA and US Air (I don't like UA coach seats)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? mostly work, usually fly coach unless I find a good price on business class or economy plus.
I've recently moved to Japan. I signed up for ANA frequent flyer program, but I'm thinking maybe I should go with UA. I'm from Phoenix so I have used US Air in the past. I also have a wife and 4 kids who will each get about 20k miles to 40k miles a year. So I'm looking for advice for myself and my family. We plan to be in Japan for around 5 years.
Thanks for the help.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? mostly economy with some business
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? >50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? US Air Silver
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? upgrades, lounges, and reward travel
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? HND to PHX
(7) Preferred Airlines - ANA and US Air (I don't like UA coach seats)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? mostly work, usually fly coach unless I find a good price on business class or economy plus.
I've recently moved to Japan. I signed up for ANA frequent flyer program, but I'm thinking maybe I should go with UA. I'm from Phoenix so I have used US Air in the past. I also have a wife and 4 kids who will each get about 20k miles to 40k miles a year. So I'm looking for advice for myself and my family. We plan to be in Japan for around 5 years.
Thanks for the help.
One reason you should consider UA is that as a UA elite, you get free access to economy plus seats on UA/CO. These seats do have lots more legroom (but not extra recline or footrests).. The other consideration is that you can get one companion in economy plus as well. (they wont let all the 6 of you get E-plus for free).
I think ANA's E-plus is actually a better seat. But, I doubt if you get free access even as ANA elite. (Please check that fact on ANA website).
As a UA Elite, you stand a very very small chance to also get an operational upgrade. However, the 1K and GS members will be ahead of you in that line.
Apr 27, 2011 | 7:53 am
#198
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
Hi, My company's travel agent controls all of my choices for travel for work, usually 2 or 3 transpac flights a year. Most recently it's all been on delta/KE however it looks like one of my upcoming trips, a one way tpac, is going to be on continental/united. I'm based out of BDL and try to use my miles for tickets that I wouldn't usually buy, Business tickets to the far east, europe, south america and aus. I have an amex plat so I'm thinking either AC or ANA so that I could transfer points as needed to get enough miles for a ticket. however given my infrequent *A travel it may take some time to get a large amount of miles.
Jeff
Jeff
But, I agree that AC or ANA will be good choices if you want to transfer AMEX MR points for future travel.
Apr 27, 2011 | 7:57 am
#199
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
(1) What is your home airport? TLV
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? discounted economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 40K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? No
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? flight awards, upgrades, lounges (in that order)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? TLV to europe
(7) Preferred Airlines - LH
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? both
I've just spent most of my miles from M&M, and was wondering maybe there is a better plan for me. If I understand correctly, the main M&M advantage for me is that for Israelis, they treat Israel as part of Europe in flight awards, so to book a flight is only 15K/30K/45K (smart/econ./business) points, but when I gain points they calculate the miles like an IC flight.
The disadvantage is that their upgrades are quite expensive. I usually have a connection flight, and each upgrade cost 15K, meaning that upgrading the entire route would cost 60K (more expensive than "buying" the entire flight at business with points). I do consider flight awards to be more important than upgrades, but it would have been nice to have better upgrade options in addition to the great reward plan. Any other club I should consider, or should I just stick to M&M?
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? discounted economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 40K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? No
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? flight awards, upgrades, lounges (in that order)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? TLV to europe
(7) Preferred Airlines - LH
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? both
I've just spent most of my miles from M&M, and was wondering maybe there is a better plan for me. If I understand correctly, the main M&M advantage for me is that for Israelis, they treat Israel as part of Europe in flight awards, so to book a flight is only 15K/30K/45K (smart/econ./business) points, but when I gain points they calculate the miles like an IC flight.
The disadvantage is that their upgrades are quite expensive. I usually have a connection flight, and each upgrade cost 15K, meaning that upgrading the entire route would cost 60K (more expensive than "buying" the entire flight at business with points). I do consider flight awards to be more important than upgrades, but it would have been nice to have better upgrade options in addition to the great reward plan. Any other club I should consider, or should I just stick to M&M?
I suggest you study AirCanada's program. That may offer some benefits for you that are better than M&M...
Apr 27, 2011 | 2:32 pm
#201
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,774
I've already redeemed 2 awards tickets using A3 miles for domestic legs on continental. No star blocking like some programs, and their call center speaks decent english and is very professional.
Also, on many routes, they have lower rewards thresholds, although that doesn't apply to all.
Apr 28, 2011 | 5:01 am
#202
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
That is complete BS.
I've already redeemed 2 awards tickets using A3 miles for domestic legs on continental. No star blocking like some programs, and their call center speaks decent english and is very professional.
Also, on many routes, they have lower rewards thresholds, although that doesn't apply to all.
I've already redeemed 2 awards tickets using A3 miles for domestic legs on continental. No star blocking like some programs, and their call center speaks decent english and is very professional.
Also, on many routes, they have lower rewards thresholds, although that doesn't apply to all.
Apr 28, 2011 | 7:34 am
#203
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
According to the post below, A3 offers good redemptions...
That is complete BS.
I've already redeemed 2 awards tickets using A3 miles for domestic legs on continental. No star blocking like some programs, and their call center speaks decent english and is very professional.
Also, on many routes, they have lower rewards thresholds, although that doesn't apply to all.
I've already redeemed 2 awards tickets using A3 miles for domestic legs on continental. No star blocking like some programs, and their call center speaks decent english and is very professional.
Also, on many routes, they have lower rewards thresholds, although that doesn't apply to all.
May 1, 2011 | 3:38 am
#205
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold
Posts: 9,606
Thanks for this thread - I've had a flick through and have got some idea, but I'd be grateful if anyone had some specific advice for my situation
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.) Tokyo (NRT/HND)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.) Mostly cheap economy, planning on occasional C in future
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k) 25-30k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc) Nope
(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.) good award redemption rates, though lounge access when on Y would be nice
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc) LHR /US main cities
(7) Preferred Airline ANA
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)Both, can choose airlines, work is restricted to Y for the moment, next "pleasure" flight will probably be C
I fly home to UK 1-2 times per year and to US for meetings 1-2 times per year. Plus some domestic Japan flights. Recently, all my flights have been on ANA - although their Y service has been getting worse, but still prefer the quietness of cabins on Japanese carriers. I've been crediting miles to ANA (AMC), in the last few years, I've been just shy of 30k points, so have never had status (I didn't think the bronze lvl looked worth doing a short MR for).
I also have a ANA credit card, which gives small amounts of extra miles and earning bonus on ANA. I like the ANA flight award ticket rates (I think the long-haul C is rather bargainacious), but cheap economy does only earn 70% miles. I having been thinking about crediting miles to OZ, as I would likely get status there and miles have longer expiry, although award tickets are more expensive. And I think my next flight will be on OZ anyway as their C fares are reasonable. Also considered BMI diamond club, as ANA Y earns 100% and their miles + cash co-pay awards seem good value (esp. when you consider ANA's high fee/surcharges on award tickets).
Sorry for the long waffle. So my basic question is am I right to continuing crediting miles to ANA, and if I switch to another scheme, would it also make sense to switch with whom I fly? All thoughts welcome - thanks!
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.) Tokyo (NRT/HND)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.) Mostly cheap economy, planning on occasional C in future
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k) 25-30k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc) Nope
(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.) good award redemption rates, though lounge access when on Y would be nice
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc) LHR /US main cities
(7) Preferred Airline ANA
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)Both, can choose airlines, work is restricted to Y for the moment, next "pleasure" flight will probably be C
I fly home to UK 1-2 times per year and to US for meetings 1-2 times per year. Plus some domestic Japan flights. Recently, all my flights have been on ANA - although their Y service has been getting worse, but still prefer the quietness of cabins on Japanese carriers. I've been crediting miles to ANA (AMC), in the last few years, I've been just shy of 30k points, so have never had status (I didn't think the bronze lvl looked worth doing a short MR for).
I also have a ANA credit card, which gives small amounts of extra miles and earning bonus on ANA. I like the ANA flight award ticket rates (I think the long-haul C is rather bargainacious), but cheap economy does only earn 70% miles. I having been thinking about crediting miles to OZ, as I would likely get status there and miles have longer expiry, although award tickets are more expensive. And I think my next flight will be on OZ anyway as their C fares are reasonable. Also considered BMI diamond club, as ANA Y earns 100% and their miles + cash co-pay awards seem good value (esp. when you consider ANA's high fee/surcharges on award tickets).
Sorry for the long waffle. So my basic question is am I right to continuing crediting miles to ANA, and if I switch to another scheme, would it also make sense to switch with whom I fly? All thoughts welcome - thanks!
I would have thought you meant those when you said Cheap Eco, but apparently you'll be flying those giving 70% B, M, U, H, Q, V, W, S
Now, my suggestion would be to keep flying ANA as you prefer them, but putting the miles into A3 (Aegean). Their redemption isn't too bad, and while they no longer give 100% on L and K (same as with ANA, 50% for T, L, K) they give 100% on all other Eco fares (Y, E, B, M, U, H, Q, V, W, S)
20k (more exactly 1k is free, then 3k for *S, then 16k for *G within 1 year each) will give you more or less unlimited *G as long as you keep crediting a flight to them a year (other sources say only 1 flight before the card is running out, which would be even less) on A3 will thus bring you *G, lounge access. If you can make more miles by crediting onto ANA, I would keep crediting to ANA once you've made *G there.
If you would get to fly C or even F on ANA, it would be not very smart donating into their own program as it's pretty s*it. 125% on C is very low. Donating to A3 would net you 200%. (One R/T over the Pacific should thus net you *G)
May 2, 2011 | 6:35 am
#207
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,774
Thank you YuropFlyer, thats a really helpful suggestion. A3 certainly looks like the way forward. Indeed, when the earning rates on Y are considered, the award tickets cost a similar amount to ANA, and has the advantage including all *A carriers, whereas anything other than ANA would cost a lot more with AMC rewards. I didnt notice the earning rate for L had dropped to 50% (it was 70% last year), though my last few flights have been W, so not lost out as yet, but feeling a bit of an idiot for sticking with AMC so long having looked into now. So thanks for the warnings, particularly concerning crediting C flights.
Do you know what level of taxes/fees are charged by A3 on their award tickets? From reading their website, it looked like award miles didnt expire as long as their was activity on the account - is this the case in practice? And does anyone have experience with booking with them? I assume I should still use the ANA tool for availability, then just call up Miles and Bonus to book.
Many thanks
Do you know what level of taxes/fees are charged by A3 on their award tickets? From reading their website, it looked like award miles didnt expire as long as their was activity on the account - is this the case in practice? And does anyone have experience with booking with them? I assume I should still use the ANA tool for availability, then just call up Miles and Bonus to book.
Many thanks
May 3, 2011 | 2:52 am
#208
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 2
(1) What is your home airport?
SAB. I normally travel twice a month to MSP plus 1-2 vacations to the east coast and may be Europe or India.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
L, U or T. Occasional K or M.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
Currently on Skymiles approx 90-100k per year plus 10k-20k MQMs through Amex card
(4) What is most important to you in a FFP?
a)More than 1 layover airport as I don't have a non-stop option. b) Upgrades, c) Alliance with international airlines as I tend to use miles for Int'l travel. I find Skymiles very expensive for redeeming int'l tickets.
What airline or FF would be ideal? I used to be with US airways - had option of flying through PHX or LAS but they stopped LAS flights. On Delta I used to have SLC, SEA and LAX (on american eagle). They have stopped SLC route and SEA route is very rarely available.
SAB. I normally travel twice a month to MSP plus 1-2 vacations to the east coast and may be Europe or India.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
L, U or T. Occasional K or M.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
Currently on Skymiles approx 90-100k per year plus 10k-20k MQMs through Amex card
(4) What is most important to you in a FFP?
a)More than 1 layover airport as I don't have a non-stop option. b) Upgrades, c) Alliance with international airlines as I tend to use miles for Int'l travel. I find Skymiles very expensive for redeeming int'l tickets.
What airline or FF would be ideal? I used to be with US airways - had option of flying through PHX or LAS but they stopped LAS flights. On Delta I used to have SLC, SEA and LAX (on american eagle). They have stopped SLC route and SEA route is very rarely available.
May 3, 2011 | 6:42 pm
#209
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 28
Should I change (or plan to change) FFP?
Hi all, my question is prompted by AirNZ's recent downgrade/devaluation in its APD/FFP scheme. I am wondering if I should look at changing to another *A program.
1. Home base=Wellington/Auckland/NewZealand
2. Usually travel business international (econ TT)
3. Miles? Each year 2 trips to asia (HK, Tokyo, BKK), 1 to either europe or USA plus 2x TT. (minimal domestic)
4. AirNZ GE, expires May 2012
5. Important features>lounge access and upgrade/reward redemption.
6. Mostly to Asia, sometimes use Circle Asia econ fare and then buy (surcharge) seperate upgrade on AirNZ sectors to business.
7. Preferred airline has been ANZ, love business seats and service but I feel they are going down hill. Have enjoyed SG and OZ. Not flown TG in long time.
8. Often work pays/subsidises overseas travel. I generally always get to choose what airline and travel class.
Thx in advance.
1. Home base=Wellington/Auckland/NewZealand
2. Usually travel business international (econ TT)
3. Miles? Each year 2 trips to asia (HK, Tokyo, BKK), 1 to either europe or USA plus 2x TT. (minimal domestic)
4. AirNZ GE, expires May 2012
5. Important features>lounge access and upgrade/reward redemption.
6. Mostly to Asia, sometimes use Circle Asia econ fare and then buy (surcharge) seperate upgrade on AirNZ sectors to business.
7. Preferred airline has been ANZ, love business seats and service but I feel they are going down hill. Have enjoyed SG and OZ. Not flown TG in long time.
8. Often work pays/subsidises overseas travel. I generally always get to choose what airline and travel class.
Thx in advance.
May 4, 2011 | 12:31 am
#210
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ*Black
Posts: 2,693
A lot of discount economy fares on Air NZ don't credit to other FFP, atleast with Airpoints you get Status Credits too, and remember Status Credit earnings will not be changing (just airpoints themselves). The most useful thing about being NZ*GE (other than *G) is that standby upgrades can be cleared 330 days in advance (R Class U/G Class for GEs).
I feel your pain about the devaluation, especially when Air NZ is expanding its partnerships with useless partners such as Flybuys, but I think its still the best option if you can maintain G/GE.
I feel your pain about the devaluation, especially when Air NZ is expanding its partnerships with useless partners such as Flybuys, but I think its still the best option if you can maintain G/GE.
