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 27, 2023, 3:08 am
#2461
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: LAX
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,531
yes access lounge when flying economy for leisure!
yes I realize that, hence my question... however I've used miles for partial payment of tickets in the past but I don't know if M&M is interesting in this case
so what would be the recommendation of FFP in *A? Maybe Turkish? even if it is unlikely that I will fly with them...
yes I realize that, hence my question... however I've used miles for partial payment of tickets in the past but I don't know if M&M is interesting in this case
so what would be the recommendation of FFP in *A? Maybe Turkish? even if it is unlikely that I will fly with them...
Apr 27, 2023, 4:06 pm
#2462
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 170
I am looking to join *A frequent flyer club and was hoping someone here could advise me on what the best one to join is
(1) What is your home airport? DUB
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Y short haul. Premium economy long haul sometimes J and on vary rare occasions I fly First class.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
42K, I fly transatlantic monthly but also have status in oneworld and don’t want to lose that so will be flying *A every other month.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? Not in *A but am oneworld silver BA executive club.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge access followed by priority treatment and lastly reward availability.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? DUB-NYC, DUB-LGW(on FR) I usually take a flight from mainland Europe to North America once a year typically this connects through FRA or MUC on LH.
(7) Preferred Airlines: As there is no *A airline in Ireland I typically fly LH to Europe and UA to EWR though I sometimes fly LH transatlantic as I prefer them to UA.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Mainly Pleasure I’m a restless person who likes to see new places and can work remotely.
[/QUOTE]
(1) What is your home airport? DUB
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Y short haul. Premium economy long haul sometimes J and on vary rare occasions I fly First class.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
42K, I fly transatlantic monthly but also have status in oneworld and don’t want to lose that so will be flying *A every other month.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? Not in *A but am oneworld silver BA executive club.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge access followed by priority treatment and lastly reward availability.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? DUB-NYC, DUB-LGW(on FR) I usually take a flight from mainland Europe to North America once a year typically this connects through FRA or MUC on LH.
(7) Preferred Airlines: As there is no *A airline in Ireland I typically fly LH to Europe and UA to EWR though I sometimes fly LH transatlantic as I prefer them to UA.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Mainly Pleasure I’m a restless person who likes to see new places and can work remotely.
[/QUOTE]
Apr 29, 2023, 11:10 am
#2463
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: MIA, VIE and DPS
Programs: DL Plat 1MM, AA EXP 3MM, SQ Krisflyer Gold, UA Silver, Marriott LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 1,131
Hi all,
I am moving to Bali for a year or probably two changing my flying patters and needs significantly compared to being based in MIA
(1) What is your home airport? DPS (though flights to SIN or KUL are easy and cheap)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? I am cost conscious - meaning I care for the value I get. I have bought international F when cheap - but I also have bought economy light fares (though rarely). The majority of travel from Bali will be my own money. I am not a big fan of economy on those distances - but suspect that on 25% of the time higher classes might be cost prohibitive. Upgrades or lower priced premium products matter
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? Last year >140K - but with the distances from DPS - probably a lot more during those two years
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? UA Silver, Delta Plat, AA EXP
(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.) - I need *Gold - care about seat selection, lounge access, upgrades)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Will be DPS-Europe (mainly MUC and VIE), DPS-US (mainly MIA) - there will be some regional travel but for 3 hours or less I am fine with AirAsia or similar
(7) Preferred Airlines - Don't have any in *Alliance - I have done a lot of LH, LX, OS and UA - but that doesn't make them preferred. When looking at the routes I am likely to fly, I see a lot of TK, SQ, some TQ and Eva (don't even know the 2 letter code)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?) Yes, totally - mainly personal travel this year
I did the AC status match for 2022 - so that is out - still use it for CC transfers and have a couple hundred K miles there since decent award redemption options
I am moving to Bali for a year or probably two changing my flying patters and needs significantly compared to being based in MIA
(1) What is your home airport? DPS (though flights to SIN or KUL are easy and cheap)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? I am cost conscious - meaning I care for the value I get. I have bought international F when cheap - but I also have bought economy light fares (though rarely). The majority of travel from Bali will be my own money. I am not a big fan of economy on those distances - but suspect that on 25% of the time higher classes might be cost prohibitive. Upgrades or lower priced premium products matter
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? Last year >140K - but with the distances from DPS - probably a lot more during those two years
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? UA Silver, Delta Plat, AA EXP
(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.) - I need *Gold - care about seat selection, lounge access, upgrades)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Will be DPS-Europe (mainly MUC and VIE), DPS-US (mainly MIA) - there will be some regional travel but for 3 hours or less I am fine with AirAsia or similar
(7) Preferred Airlines - Don't have any in *Alliance - I have done a lot of LH, LX, OS and UA - but that doesn't make them preferred. When looking at the routes I am likely to fly, I see a lot of TK, SQ, some TQ and Eva (don't even know the 2 letter code)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?) Yes, totally - mainly personal travel this year
I did the AC status match for 2022 - so that is out - still use it for CC transfers and have a couple hundred K miles there since decent award redemption options
Last edited by flying_geek; Apr 29, 2023 at 11:19 am
Apr 30, 2023, 6:19 am
#2464
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: LAX
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,531
Hi all,
I am moving to Bali for a year or probably two changing my flying patters and needs significantly compared to being based in MIA
(1) What is your home airport? DPS (though flights to SIN or KUL are easy and cheap)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? I am cost conscious - meaning I care for the value I get. I have bought international F when cheap - but I also have bought economy light fares (though rarely). The majority of travel from Bali will be my own money. I am not a big fan of economy on those distances - but suspect that on 25% of the time higher classes might be cost prohibitive. Upgrades or lower priced premium products matter
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? Last year >140K - but with the distances from DPS - probably a lot more during those two years
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? UA Silver, Delta Plat, AA EXP
(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.) - I need *Gold - care about seat selection, lounge access, upgrades)
I am moving to Bali for a year or probably two changing my flying patters and needs significantly compared to being based in MIA
(1) What is your home airport? DPS (though flights to SIN or KUL are easy and cheap)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? I am cost conscious - meaning I care for the value I get. I have bought international F when cheap - but I also have bought economy light fares (though rarely). The majority of travel from Bali will be my own money. I am not a big fan of economy on those distances - but suspect that on 25% of the time higher classes might be cost prohibitive. Upgrades or lower priced premium products matter
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? Last year >140K - but with the distances from DPS - probably a lot more during those two years
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? UA Silver, Delta Plat, AA EXP
(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.) - I need *Gold - care about seat selection, lounge access, upgrades)
*Gold does not come with published seat selection benefits. Complimentary upgrades are generally a US phenomenon and on most airlines you should expect to fly in the cabin that you buy.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Will be DPS-Europe (mainly MUC and VIE), DPS-US (mainly MIA) - there will be some regional travel but for 3 hours or less I am fine with AirAsia or similar
(7) Preferred Airlines - Don't have any in *Alliance - I have done a lot of LH, LX, OS and UA - but that doesn't make them preferred. When looking at the routes I am likely to fly, I see a lot of TK, SQ, some TQ and Eva (don't even know the 2 letter code)
(7) Preferred Airlines - Don't have any in *Alliance - I have done a lot of LH, LX, OS and UA - but that doesn't make them preferred. When looking at the routes I am likely to fly, I see a lot of TK, SQ, some TQ and Eva (don't even know the 2 letter code)
EVA's code is BR. Be aware that SQ makes it fairly difficult to earn *G.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?) Yes, totally - mainly personal travel this year
I did the AC status match for 2022 - so that is out - still use it for CC transfers and have a couple hundred K miles there since decent award redemption options
I did the AC status match for 2022 - so that is out - still use it for CC transfers and have a couple hundred K miles there since decent award redemption options
Apr 30, 2023, 6:54 am
#2465
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: MIA, VIE and DPS
Programs: DL Plat 1MM, AA EXP 3MM, SQ Krisflyer Gold, UA Silver, Marriott LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 1,131
As far as upgrades are concerned - while free upgrades might be a NA thing (AC certainly has some) - are there no miles for upgrades options? Do none of them earn some upgrades over time? And if so, I would imagine availability greatly varies by airline/program?
Apr 30, 2023, 7:07 am
#2466
Join Date: May 2018
Location: FRA
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 1,477
Seating benefit is usually only when flying the metal of who you hold status with.
As far as upgrades are concerned - while free upgrades might be a NA thing (AC certainly has some) - are there no miles for upgrades options? Do none of them earn some upgrades over time? And if so, I would imagine availability greatly varies by airline/program?
Just don't expect complimentary upgrades, they are happy to let premium seats fly empty.
If lower cabins are over-sold you might have an increased chance of an op-up, but it depends what other elites are in the same cabin as you.
Apr 30, 2023, 7:18 am
#2467
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: MIA, VIE and DPS
Programs: DL Plat 1MM, AA EXP 3MM, SQ Krisflyer Gold, UA Silver, Marriott LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 1,131
Actually that somewhat leads to another questions - out of TK, SQ, TQ - and BR - are any of them likely to sell/do bidding upgrades?
If I buy the cheapest Y ticket on IB and there is space, I can usually buy an upgrade to J for $535 on the MIA-MAD segment - so if expert flyer tells me there is enough space - I might buy Y and almost count on getting a cheap paid upgrade. American MUC-CLT - pretty much always available for $595 even from basic eco etc.
If I buy the cheapest Y ticket on IB and there is space, I can usually buy an upgrade to J for $535 on the MIA-MAD segment - so if expert flyer tells me there is enough space - I might buy Y and almost count on getting a cheap paid upgrade. American MUC-CLT - pretty much always available for $595 even from basic eco etc.
Apr 30, 2023, 7:24 am
#2469
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: MIA, VIE and DPS
Programs: DL Plat 1MM, AA EXP 3MM, SQ Krisflyer Gold, UA Silver, Marriott LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 1,131
Jun 7, 2023, 9:34 pm
#2470
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Shanghai / London / Yorkshire
Programs: Delta SkyMiles Gold / TAP Miles&Go Gold / IHG Diamond
Posts: 3
Royal Orchid Plus (Thai Airways) or Asiana Club (Asiana Airlines)
I am about to switch my Star Alliance program from TAP to either Asiana or Thai Airways since I recently lost status with TAP. The reason I am keen on Asiana or Thai is the qualification period is 2 years rather than Gold which makes it a no brainer. It would be a second no brainer to go with Asiana over Thai (lower Gold qualification requirement) if it wasn't for the potential takeover by Korean Air (which may or may not succeed). My next Star Alliance flight is this Saturday with Air China. I will register for both Asiana and Thai Airways programs on Friday.
My question is: If I don't record my program number (neither Asiana or Thai) on the boarding pass, can I still claim under either Asiana's or Thai Airways' programs after the fact? The timeline for both for claiming missing miles is clear (Asiana is 1 year, Thai is 180 days, but what if my boarding pass doesn't show the program nunber?
In short, I am looking to keep my options open for a long as possible as to which program I credit my upcoming flights to. If it becomes clear that the Korean Air takeover of Asiana will go ahead, I'll go with Thai. Otherwise, I'll go with Asiana.
My question is: If I don't record my program number (neither Asiana or Thai) on the boarding pass, can I still claim under either Asiana's or Thai Airways' programs after the fact? The timeline for both for claiming missing miles is clear (Asiana is 1 year, Thai is 180 days, but what if my boarding pass doesn't show the program nunber?
In short, I am looking to keep my options open for a long as possible as to which program I credit my upcoming flights to. If it becomes clear that the Korean Air takeover of Asiana will go ahead, I'll go with Thai. Otherwise, I'll go with Asiana.
Jun 8, 2023, 12:23 am
#2471
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CDG
Programs: SK Gold, AF Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,712
Jun 8, 2023, 3:43 am
#2472
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Saarbruecken, Germany
Programs: BA, AS, OZ
Posts: 34
I am about to switch my Star Alliance program from TAP to either Asiana or Thai Airways since I recently lost status with TAP. The reason I am keen on Asiana or Thai is the qualification period is 2 years rather than Gold which makes it a no brainer. It would be a second no brainer to go with Asiana over Thai (lower Gold qualification requirement) if it wasn't for the potential takeover by Korean Air (which may or may not succeed). My next Star Alliance flight is this Saturday with Air China. I will register for both Asiana and Thai Airways programs on Friday.
My question is: If I don't record my program number (neither Asiana or Thai) on the boarding pass, can I still claim under either Asiana's or Thai Airways' programs after the fact? The timeline for both for claiming missing miles is clear (Asiana is 1 year, Thai is 180 days, but what if my boarding pass doesn't show the program nunber?
In short, I am looking to keep my options open for a long as possible as to which program I credit my upcoming flights to. If it becomes clear that the Korean Air takeover of Asiana will go ahead, I'll go with Thai. Otherwise, I'll go with Asiana.
My question is: If I don't record my program number (neither Asiana or Thai) on the boarding pass, can I still claim under either Asiana's or Thai Airways' programs after the fact? The timeline for both for claiming missing miles is clear (Asiana is 1 year, Thai is 180 days, but what if my boarding pass doesn't show the program nunber?
In short, I am looking to keep my options open for a long as possible as to which program I credit my upcoming flights to. If it becomes clear that the Korean Air takeover of Asiana will go ahead, I'll go with Thai. Otherwise, I'll go with Asiana.
Also, their miles do expire, even with activities and their redemption fees are quite high, even for Y redemptions (e.g. 200+ USD for a BKK-FRA single segment award). If you're considering it simply for Gold benefits, these things probably don't matter as much I suppose.
Jun 12, 2023, 4:17 pm
#2473
Join Date: May 2023
Posts: 12
(1) What is your home airport? YVR
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y and C
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Aeroplan, working towards 25K
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Frequent upgrades on travel and priority services when flying the airline
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? YVR to AUH
(7) Preferred Airlines? Etihad or KLM
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y and C
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Aeroplan, working towards 25K
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Frequent upgrades on travel and priority services when flying the airline
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? YVR to AUH
(7) Preferred Airlines? Etihad or KLM
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
Jun 19, 2023, 3:14 am
#2474
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,533
Which * Airline to join for my MIL?
My MIL recently just got her US visa in CGK. We already had BR award tickets to LAX, but another was not available on our date. So, I bit the bullet, and bought a pricey Y ticket outbound. Her return ticket was only $35 extra for one premium economy seat on the LAX-TPE segment. Only Y seating available on TPE-CGK.
I’m trying to figure which FF program to sign her up with. She’s in her late 60’s, and healthy. Looking for something that might earn her some sort of status, plus mileage that she could use for a free OW or RT flight. I’d guess 17k a year of flying, possibly 34-35k in a 12 month period. Her first flight is this month, as is her birthday.
Generally flights would be Y or PE. Her upcoming flights are B and P fare class on BR, which seem to credit at 100%.
(1) What is your home airport? CGK/SIN
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y and PE
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 17-35k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? None
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Usable mileage for awards, some sort of status perks.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? CGK-PHX (or West coast US)
(7) Preferred Airlines? BR, NH, SQ
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
I’m trying to figure which FF program to sign her up with. She’s in her late 60’s, and healthy. Looking for something that might earn her some sort of status, plus mileage that she could use for a free OW or RT flight. I’d guess 17k a year of flying, possibly 34-35k in a 12 month period. Her first flight is this month, as is her birthday.
Generally flights would be Y or PE. Her upcoming flights are B and P fare class on BR, which seem to credit at 100%.
(1) What is your home airport? CGK/SIN
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y and PE
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 17-35k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? None
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Usable mileage for awards, some sort of status perks.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? CGK-PHX (or West coast US)
(7) Preferred Airlines? BR, NH, SQ
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
Jul 5, 2023, 7:33 am
#2475
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 2,068
FFP for kids
Now that Covid is over we are travelling a bit more.
Wife and me on A3, previously Gold but presently silver. Unlikely to get Gold again so really collecting for miles redemption. Want to get the kids on an FFP to start collecting miles for them.
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.) HKG
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.) Normally Y, sometimes PE
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k) 25-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Silver, M&M Senator etc) Nothing
(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.) Redemption
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc) Mainly Asia, but once a year to either Canada or the UK
(7) Preferred Airlines: No preference
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?) For the kids, all pleasure
Wife and me on A3, previously Gold but presently silver. Unlikely to get Gold again so really collecting for miles redemption. Want to get the kids on an FFP to start collecting miles for them.
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.) HKG
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.) Normally Y, sometimes PE
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k) 25-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Silver, M&M Senator etc) Nothing
(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.) Redemption
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc) Mainly Asia, but once a year to either Canada or the UK
(7) Preferred Airlines: No preference
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?) For the kids, all pleasure